"Leave her alone!" Frank said. He held a pistol at the back of the outlaw’s head.

"Uh, Frank… I really wasn’t gonna harm her in any way."

"Hush up! Now get up and don’t you ever try that again! Cause, if I catch ya; I’ll put a bullet in ya!" Frank’s stare never left the gang member’s face.

Louise fought back tears of anger and fear, as she watched the man walk away. She couldn’t understand why Frank protected her when she and Nathan were being kidnapped. Maybe there was a good side to this Frank? Then again, maybe not.

Finding it hard to sleep; she sat there and watched Frank as he sat near the fire puffing on a cigar. He seemed to stare into the fire for long periods of time; as if going over plans, or possibly going over all the wrong things he’s ever done in his life. Sensing her stare, Frank turned around and looked at her. Lou quickly turned her attention to Nathan who was sleeping soundly.

**********************

"You’re what?!" Buck couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He stood there listening to Jimmy as he continued.

"I said that after this is all over, I’m leaving the pony express. I’ve got too much anger to deal with; one false move, and I out of the express anyway." Jimmy said.

Buck walked up to Jimmy, and looked him in the eye. "You don’t know what your saying Jimmy! What you have to deal with is inside of yourself; it has nothing to do with your job!"

[You need to think this over, Jimmy] Ike signed

"Boys, let’s ride! We found the campsite, which is less than a mile away. Frank isn’t alone, and he does have Lou and Nathan." Teaspoon shouted as he rode toward Buck, Jimmy and Ike. Jimmy took out one of his pistols and rubbed the barrel with his thumb. Buck watched him. As he walked passed Jimmy, he said sarcastically, "Bet you just can’t wait to use that!"

************************

Frank took one more drink from his tin cup, before they rode out. He threw the rest of the coffee on the campfire, putting it out. "Where to Frank?" The outlaw asked bringing his horse to a halt.

Frank didn’t answer at first. He studied the land before him. Thinking of the quickest way from the campsite. "Damn, there isn’t an easier way out of these woods. No matter which way we go, these thick trees will slow us down." Frank said.

Lou and Nathan followed behind Frank. The outlaw rode behind everyone. Along the way, Frank halted his horse. Stopping everyone else in their tracks.

"This can’t be right…" Frank muttered. Turning his horse around, he stopped again.

"What’s wrong?" The outlaw asked looking around nervously.

"Gotta find a way outta these woods." Frank said. He aggressively urged his horse forward. The horse avoided moving forward through the thick weeds covered with sharp needles. Again he kicked his horse forward. The horse reared, Frank lost his balance and fell backward.

Turning around the outlaw saw Teaspoon and the others riding toward them. "Frank!" The outlaw shouted, while grabbing his gun. He was met with a bullet to the arm.

Frank rose up and reached for his gun. Teaspoon aimed his pistol at Frank and shouted, " Don’t do it!"

Lou told Nathan to run for cover. As the youngster swung from the horse, he ran, but not fast enough. Frank grabbed him and aimed the pistol at Nathan.

"Don’t think that I won’t do it!" He shouted to Teaspoon. Joshua carefully walked up to Frank. "Frank, let the boy go!"

Laughing with sarcasm, Frank turned the boy loose. As Nathan was running toward Joshua, Frank aimed the gun at Nathan, and cocked the barrel. Joshua ran toward Nathan, grabbing him and pushing him to the ground.

Frank fired, hitting Joshua in the chest. Jimmy fired back at Frank. Frank fell backwards hitting his head on a large rock. Jimmy ran toward where Nathan was lying, and helped the youngster back on his feet. Ike ran toward Nathan and hugged the boy.

Teaspoon and Buck ran over to Joshua, who showed signs of labored breathing. He tried to talk but couldn’t. Seconds later he died.

************************

Rachel prepared a large dinner for the celebrated homecoming. Everyone sat at the dinner table. Conversations varied from how much everybody was missed, to how Cody was managing with the new pony express horse. Rachel even had a bag filled with every kind of candy that Nathan would enjoy.

Even through all this, Ike and Buck still hid their hurt about Jimmy’s decision. None of them could bring themselves to break the news to Teaspoon. But, somehow Teaspoon could sense what was going on.

************************

The next morning, Jimmy cinched up the girth, and gathered the reins as he prepared to mount up.

Curious, Lou walked up to Jimmy. A pretty smile graced her face. "Jimmy where are you going?"

"Lou, I’ve got to do this." Jimmy said.

The smile slowly faded, as she sensed the sad news. She looked at the other riders, who stood by. Each stood silent as they saw what they never wanted to happen. Jimmy leaving…

Teaspoon and Rachel stood on the front porch, heartbroken. Jimmy avoided looking at Louise, for he too could sense her sorrow.

"Are you coming back?" Kid asked. He tried to think of something to say that would change Jimmy’s mind.

"I can’t answer that right now." Jimmy answered. He turned his horse around. Before leaving, he looked at Teaspoon and politely gestured a goodbye. He looked at Nathan who was standing next to Rachel. He noticed a tear on the youngster’s cheek. The riders watched as Jimmy rode off.

"Ride safe Jimmy," Lou whispered. "Hope you come to peace with whatever it is that is tormenting you…"