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.

On to Chapter Five