Over the next few days Buck grew stronger. His eyesight seemed to be improving. He was now able to make out shapes distinctly and the fog wasn't nearly as thick. However he still couldn't see details, but any improvement was encouraging. The feeling returned to his fingers and he began doing minor repairs to the tack to keep himself busy. Emma put him to work peeling potatoes and snapping beans for their meals. Still he grew frustrated from time to time.

Emma would let him vent that frustration as long as no harm came to him or the house. He never took it out on her, just at himself. And he was always apologetic afterwards, chastising himself far worse than Emma ever could.

Teaspoon started working with him, helping him with detail work, showing him how to feel what he was doing. Teaspoon had spent several hours with a blindfold on to get a feel for what Buck was going through. He even encouraged the riders to do the same and the each gained a greater understanding of Buck's circumstances.

On Wednesday morning Buck was sitting on the porch braiding a lariat when Sam rode up to the house. he threw the reins over the fence rail and walked up the path.

"Morning Buck. How you feeling?"

"All right, Sam."

"Where's everyone at?" He asked as Emma stepped out onto the porch.

"Why good morning Sam. What brings you out here this early?"

"I need to talk to Teaspoon. Is he around?"

"He and the boys went off to Blue Creek to check out some horses. Should be back around supper time."

"I've got to try and meet up with him. There's someone in town looking for him and the man's got trouble written all over him. First I'm gonna get you and Buck out of here. It's just a matter of time before he finds out where Teaspoon lives and he'll make his way out here. I don't want you here by yourself when he does."

"Who is he?"

"Don't know for sure. But he's wearing his guns mighty low and telling folks he's got a score to settle with Teaspoon."

"Then you'd best be going after Teaspoon. Buck and I will be all right."

"Nope. I'm at least getting you over to the Gallagher place."

"You don't have the time."

"I'm gonna go hitch the wagon."

Emma followed him to the corral arguing with him the whole way. When she came back to the porch she had worked out a compromise.

"We're going to take the wagon and head over to Gallagher's. But Sam is going on to Blue Creek straight away.

There was no one at the Gallagher place when they arrived, so Emma decided to head into town. They would be approaching Sweetwater from a slightly different direction than they would from the Express station so she thought they'd have no chance of meeting up with the stranger.

She was wrong.

They had tried veering off the road when she saw the stranger coming, and tried to run when he followed. but a wagon couldn't outrun a horse. So they found themselves under the wagon, Emma firing a rifle at the spot she had last seen the man.

"Let me reload for you."

Emma hesitated only a second before handing Buck the empty rifle, picking up the second rifle next to her and firing in the direction of the stranger. As she emptied the rifle she passed it back to Buck and accepted the re-loaded gun.

"Where is he? He stopped returning fire," she said peering across the field to the stand of trees where the man had been.

Buck finished reloading the rifle and paused. "Emma," he said quietly. "I think he's... "Buck paused at the sound of a gun being cocked, "right behind us." he finished, laying the rifle down at his side and moving his hands away from it.

Emma turned around to look and saw the man standing over Buck, gun drawn and aimed at him. She laid her rifle down and backed out from under the wagon, a scowl on her face.

"Well, I'd be guessing you're Emma Shannon from the description I got. Caretaker of the Pony Express Station with Teaspoon Hunter." He said this very casually, but his voice took on a harsher tone as he reached down and grabbed her by the chin. "Where is he?"

Emma didn't reply. The man looked her in the eye, then turned quickly and kicked Buck in the stomach. the young man doubled over, the wind knocked out of him and pain causing spots before his eyes. The toe of the man's boot had landed in tender, healing flesh.

"Leave him be!" Emma exclaimed scrambling to Buck's side.

"Then tell me where Hunter is!"

"He's out of town. He went to St. Joseph."

"Well then I guess you'll be keeping me company until he gets back. Now get into the wagon."

Emma stood and helped Buck up, retrieving his crutches from the ground. As she helped him she noticed a small spot of blood on the front of his shirt.

"Buck?"

"I'm okay. Just do what he says."

"Were you hit?"

"No. It happened when he kicked me. Must have split the skin open." He carefully pulled himself up onto the wagon bed.

"Get up there! Let's go!"

"I'm fine Emma. Let's just go."

Emma climbed up onto the seat of the wagon and picked up the reins. "And just where are we going?"

"Just get moving. I figure Hunter will come looking for you eventually." He reached over and picked up Emma's straw hat, tossing it onto the road as the got back on it.

"That's so he knows I've got you. And by the way, I know he's not in St. Joseph. He's in Blue Creek."

It was early evening when Sam, Teaspoon, and the riders rode into the Gallagher's yard. Joseph Gallagher stepped out onto the porch, gun in hand. When he saw who it was, he sat the gun down by the door.

"Sam, Teaspoon. What brings you out this way?"

"Evening Joseph. We just came by to pick up Emma and Buck."

"Emma?" Joseph's wife Kathleen joined them on the porch. "Well I haven't seen Emma in weeks."

"What do you mean? I sent her and Buck over this way early this morning."

"Kathleen and I were in town this morning."

"Damn!" Sam exclaimed, looking over at Teaspoon.

"Sam! Teaspoon! Over here!"

The two men turned and rode over to where Kid and Cody knelt in the dust.

"These are Emma's wagon tracks. They're headed into town. Well roundabout anyway."

"How can you be sure they're Emma's? Gallagher said that he was in town today. They're probably his."

"A couple months back Emma hit a large rock in the road. It put a nick in the side of the back left wheel. and we haven't fixed it yet. Look at the track. See that break in it? That's from the nick."

"Good job boys. Let's go!"

It was obvious where the wagon left the road and even more obvious where it reentered, just thirty feet further on, with Emma's hat laying in the middle of the road. Lou got off her horse and retrieved it while Kid, Cody, and Jimmy followed the tracks off the road. They were back half an hour later, having found nothing more than the tracks returning.

As dusk came on them they found where the tracks left the road a second time. They all knew it was impossible to go any further until daylight. They reluctantly made camp.

Emma and Buck were both tied to the wagon, Emma with her hands behind her, Buck with his arms stretched over his head.

The stranger kneeled by a small fire, pouring himself a cup of coffee.

"We could at least use some water over." Emma said sarcastically.

"Water, huh? You want some water?" He stood picking up the canteen he had just filled at the nearby creek. He walked over and poured the contents over Buck's head. He then kneeled in front of Emma and grabbed her by the chin.

"I know what you really want." He bent down, forcing a kiss on her as she struggled to avoid it. Buck could tell from the sounds what was happening. Using his ears to locate the man, he twisted around and landed a kick in the man's back. Luck had it that he got the man in the kidneys. The man fell sideways, groaning in pain. As soon as he could stand, the man staggered in front of Buck and kicked him hard in his broken leg.

"No!" Emma screamed as she heard the crack of bone not yet healed give way yet again under the assault. The man slapped Emma to shut her up, then kicked Buck again and again, in the leg, ribs, and even once in the head. Buck slipped into unconsciousness.

He wasn't out long. When he awoke he could hear Emma struggling again, and the sound of fabric tearing. He could hear the man grunt as Emma bit him and the slap of his hand against her cheek. He could even feel one of them bump against his injured leg during the struggle.

The stranger must have thought Buck would be unconscious for hours, or perhaps even dead, because he had neglected to tie Buck's legs after the last attack. He gathered his strength one more time and ignoring the scream of nerve endings, twisted around again and landed another kick-- right between the man's legs.

The man screamed and rolled backwards. It was several minutes before he could even get to his knees, and when he did, he retched into the grass.

Ten minutes later he finally staggered drunkenly to his feet. He wavered over Buck, then pulling a knife from it's sheath, he cut Buck's ropes away from the wagon. He reached down and grabbed Buck by the shirt front and dragged him closer to the fire.

"Now boy, you just spoiled any fun we might be having tonight!" He snarled as he kicked Buck in the ribs. "So I'm just gonna have to find another source of entertainment."

He grabbed a piece of wood from the stack by the fire and using the knife, shaved the end into a point. he grabbed the ropes still around Buck's wrist and yanking Buck's arms over his head, drove the long stake between the knots of the rope and into the ground. Then he tied Buck's good leg with another piece of rope and staked it down. He repeated the process with the broken leg, tossing aside the cracked splint.

When the man was done, Buck was covered in sweat. He was staked out right in front of Emma and too close to the fire for his comfort.

The man was still in a rage and kicked Buck regularly while he worked. When he was satisfied Buck wouldn't be able to move he kneeled between his two prisoners.

"What happened to him?" he growled.

"Fire." she whispered reluctantly, deciding that cooperation was the wisest move.

The man chuckled, then reached down and yanked off the cloth surrounding Buck's eyes. Still laughing to himself, he ripped open Buck's shirt and sliding the knife beneath the bandages there, cut them off. Emma, still tied to the wagon, pleaded with the man to leave Buck alone, but he just chuckled louder as he planned his revenge.

The riders sat around the fire, their bedrolls spread out, but no one could sleep yet.

Sam and Teaspoon sat drinking coffee and staring at the fire. Jimmy and Cody cleaned and reloaded their guns. Lou poked a stick into the fire as Kid watched her. And Ike was out checking the horses.

"Try the description again Sam." Teaspoon said. "It just ain't ringing any bells."

Sam did, for the fifth time that day.

"Sorry Sam. It just don't sound like anyone I know."

Buck couldn't help it. He screamed as the red hot ember point of the stick was placed on the tender flesh of his stomach. Buck could smell the flesh burn, could hear Emma begging the man to stop as the stick was thrust at his exposed skin again and again. the man was laughing, enjoying his game.

When the ember had cooled, the man pulled out his knife. He took a sideways glance at Emma as he stood. she had tears streaming down her face, but was not hysterical like he would expect a woman to be.

"You ever hear of mumbly peg Emma?" he asked her, then threw the knife downward. It landed in the ground at Buck's side as Emma drew in a ragged breath. He squatted and pulled the knife from the ground, placing the tip of it on Buck's chest.

"How about tic-tac-toe?" he asked as he drew a line across Buck's skin. Blood beaded up along the shallow cut. He let the tip of the knife rest again, then pulled it across Buck's chest a second time.

He looked toward Emma again, then placed the tip of the knife just below Buck's left eye. The point pressed into the skin, drawing blood which began to run down the side of Buck's face.

"Should I or shouldn't I? Eye or no eye? Or maybe it's which eye? Left," he switched the point of the blade over below Buck's right eye, "or right. I just can't decide."

The rider's were awake and ready to ride before sunrise. They waited impatiently for the sun to come up enough to see the tracks.

Emma's head snapped up, wide awake. She was amazed she had actually slept, had hoped that last night was just a dream, but knew it had been a real live nightmare.

She studied Buck carefully. He was still breathing but looked bad. The stranger was sitting near the fire drinking coffee. When he saw that Emma was awake, he kicked dirt onto the fire and stood.

"Well knowing Hunter, I reckon he'll be here sometime this morning. Let's get ready." He walked over to Emma and untied her arms from behind her. He retied her hands in front and pulled her to her feet.

"Please let me check on him!"

"He doesn't matter. Hunter does." He grabbed the rope and pulled her into the open field. Emma turned to look behind her. She couldn't even see Buck. The wagon, and Buck, were back behind a cluster of rocks and trees and were virtually invisible from the path they had used getting there. The path continued on beyond the stand of trees behind them.

The stranger pushed her down in the high grass and kneeled behind her. from this position they were not visible from across the field, but they could see anyone approaching from the south, the direction they had come from.

Teaspoon stopped ten feet short of the open field, If he were going to set a trap, this would be a good place to do it.

"Cody, Jimmy, hang back here. If our friend is out there, skirt around the field till you get a clear shot. Take it if you need to."

Teaspoon and Sam proceeded cautiously. They broke through the trees, walking their horses slowly. The other riders followed at a distance, wanting room to spread out should gunfire start.

"That's far enough!" The stranger stood, pulling Emma up in front of him. He cocked his gun and put it to her head.

"Now all of you off your horses! Pull your guns out slowly and toss them away! You! Hunter! Come closer!"

Teaspoon started walking toward Emma and the stranger. Emma had a bruise across her cheek and there was fear in her eyes, but she was standing strong and defiant.

The stranger started to chuckle. "Well, well. Teaspoon Hunter. At last."

"Who the hell are you?" Teaspoon asked, looking for an opening for Cody to use his rifle, or even better, a way to get Emma free without gunfire. Somehow, from the look in the stranger's eyes, that wasn't likely going to be the option.

"I'm insulted Hunter! We'll have to spend some time getting reacquainted. And since I don't need this little lady anymore..." He pushed the gun up against Emma's temple.

"No...!" Teaspoon yelled, diving toward Emma even as he heard a gun fire. He heard Sam yell Emma's name behind him.

The next seconds seemed to be in slow motion. Emma's head jerked to the side as the gun at her temple moved upward, discharging into the air. At the same time the man's grip on her released and he slowly fell to the ground.

Emma spun around and started searching for the man's knife as Teaspoon reached her side. He took the knife from her and cut her bindings.

"Emma! Are you all right?" Sam came running up.

"Where's Buck, Emma?" Teaspoon asked her at the same time.

Emma caught them both by surprise when, instead of answering, she grabbed the knife from Teaspoon's hands and, lifting her skirts, began to run toward a stand of trees behind her.

When Teaspoon and Sam got over their shock, they followed her. They found her already cutting the ropes from around Buck's wrists. She gathered the young man into her arms, pulling the rag from his mouth that the stranger had added before hauling her out into the field.

Teaspoon and Sam stopped short when they entered the clearing. Buck was covered in blood, rivulets running down his face and chest. As they watched, his right arm came up and wrapped around Emma's shoulder. He rested his head against hers.

Teaspoon and Sam approached, Sam removing his jacket and placing it over Emma's shoulders, covering her ripped blouse. Teaspoon cut the ropes on Buck's ankles as Ike, Kid and Lou entered the clearing. Ike paused only a second before running to his friends side. He grabbed hold of Buck as Emma stood and turned into Sam's waiting arms. Teaspoon and Kid headed to the wagon, taking blankets and fixing a pallet in the wagon bed.

Lou grabbed a canteen and helped Buck take a drink. He swished the water around in his mouth, rinsing out dried blood and spitting it out. The stranger had forced his mouth open, piercing the inside of his mouth and tongue with the tip of his knife. Buck had to keep his head turned until the bleeding had stopped so he wouldn't choke. Rinsing his mouth out started some of the wounds bleeding again.

Cody and Jimmy rode up.

"Jeez... What happened?" Cody asked, astounded by the sight of his friend. He and Jimmy dismounted, Jimmy walking over to Lou and handing her a neckerchief. Lou poured water on it and began to dab at Buck's face, trying to wipe away some of the dried blood. When she'd touch a wound or puncture mark, it would begin bleeding anew. She gave up.

"Let's get him to the wagon." Jimmy slid his arm behind Buck's back and under his legs and lifted him up. Buck cried out.

"His leg!" Emma cried.

Ike moved in supporting the re-broken leg and the two carried Buck over to the wagon. Teaspoon and Kid helped them get him settled as Ike climbed in next to him, supporting him so he could recline slightly. Sam helped Emma onto the wagon seat and climbed up beside her, Kid tying Sam's horse to the back. Emma leaned into him.

They paused long enough to put the stranger over his saddle, Teaspoon still trying to identify the man. They began the trip home.

"It was awful Sam." Emma said quietly as they sat on the porch waiting for the doctor to finish up with Buck. Teaspoon and Ike were in with him, but they had firmly insisted Emma stay outside.

"The things that man did to him..."

"Emma, did he... well, I mean did this guy.."

"No Sam, he didn't. He tried. Buck stopped him. That's why Buck was tortured." She let Sam wrap his arms around her, feeling safer since she had in two days. She let a few tears slide down her cheek as Sam gently touched her bruised face. He placed a kiss gently on her forehead.

Jimmy leaned against the stair rail, keeping a close eye on Emma. He had a special affection for her, and he had been more worried for her safety than anyone would ever know. The other riders were spread out, sitting on the steps or standing in the yard. Cody had gone a run, by necessity, not by choice. They were all feeling a little impatient. it had been hours since the doctor arrived.

Jimmy and Kid had split from the group, heading into town with the dead man's body and to retrieve the doctor.

"What's taking so long?" Lou said and all eyes headed once more toward the door.

The doctor finally came out the door at sunset.

"What a mess," he said as he took a chair next to Emma.

"Is he all right?"

"He will be. I don't think I've put so many stitches in so many places on one person before. What'd that man do to him?"

"Played games." was Emma's reply.

"Looked like Tic-Tac-Toe." Emma nodded.

"Unbelievable. Well, I stitched up more stab wounds than I could count. None deep enough to cause much trouble. There were numerous other cuts, little more than scratches really, that didn't need stitches. There were even cuts in his mouth." The doctor shook his head. "Watch those carefully for signs of infection. I cleaned out the burns and put salve on them. He'll have a few scars once he's healed, but nothing really obvious."

"What about his leg?"

"Re-broken in the same spot on the upper leg. I reset it. It'll be fine in time. I suspect that the cheek bone may be cracked. It's turning a very ugly color and it's very swollen. that eye won't be open for days. But he won't have any trouble from it, after it stops hurting that is."

"All in all, nothing directly life threatening. He's lost quite a bit of blood, but a few days rest will take care of that. He'll also have a pretty bad headache for several days."

"Can we go see him?" Jimmy asked. The doctor nodded and the riders filed inside.

"Emma, we need to watch for internal damage. Go easy on the pain medication. Severe pain will be the fastest way I'll know if there's damage. Although I think we would have known by now if there was. Now, what about you?"

"I'm fine. Now. Nothing a good night rest won't take care of." They said their good byes and the doctor left. Sam and Emma went inside.

If anything, Emma thought Buck looked worse than before. In place of blood, his skin was covered in purple blotches and angry red marks. The doctor was right, he had stitches all over the right side of his face was swollen and his eye was completely shut. jimmy sat beside him talking as Ike hovered nearby. As Emma approached, Jimmy stood and let her take his place.

"Buck?" He raised his arm weakly.

"Emma? Are you all right?" His words were thick, his tongue swollen.

"I'm fine." She paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "Buck, thank you. I don't have the words to tell you how much what you did means to me."

"S'okay," he said sleepily. She reached out, touching him on the cheek as he closed his eye. His breathing steadied.

On to The Conclusion!