"So now are we just supposed to sit around and do nothing with the next few days?" Cody pipped in, his tone was hopeful.

Teaspoon leaned forward, arms rested on the table. "Of course not, you're keeping up with all your runs. Nothin's changed. We're just going to be more careful's all." He couldn't help but wonder if one of them should go out looking for their now THREE missing riders. But he thought better of it and decided to give it another day. Apparently nobody else in the room had suspected a problem, or if they did, it was kept to them self.

Cody pushed himself up. "Great, then that means that I've got exactly 24 hours to sleep before my next run. So if ya'll will excuse me, I'm going to get some shut-eye.

"No sense in sitting around here when there's chores to be done I suppose." Noah got up and crossed the room, stopping only to grab his hat. He looked out at the sky as he opened the door. "You know I'd suggest we prepare for a storm. Something's blowing in." He motioned towards the sky and grabbed the attention of Ike, Rachel, and Teaspoon.

"Yep, start preparing for high winds boys, we've got ourselves a big one." Teaspoon stated. He had this keen sense for storms and the weather. This was definitely a good one.

Lou groaned as the headache that had come on progressively got worse. She tried to rub her head, but found that her arm was too stiff to move. Jimmy could notice that she was squirming and gently pushed her down. "Shhhh, you can't be moving around like this, lie still."

"What's...ouch." Lou gave up on the question that was on the tip of her tongue as she felt a pain in her neck. She knew he wouldn't have the answer. Nor, did she want to waste time asking it.

"I don't know what's wrong with you Lou. You probably just ate something that didn't agree with you." He tried to sound convincing, but the both knew that was highly unlikely, seeing as he had eaten everything that she had. Please let her be alright. Jimmy silently prayed. I don't want to lose her, and Kid couldn't live without her. He remembered only a week ago how Kid came to him asking for advice as to what he should do now that Lou had stopped "backing off." But on the other hand, he had to admit that inside of him, he found it equally pleasing to be there with just the two of them....too bad it had to be under this circumstance.

Bringing himself back to reality, Jimmy felt Lou's forehead and noticed that it was hot and wet. She was definitely feverish. "Hang in there Lou, you'll be fine in the morning." He pushed the locks of hair from her face and tried to smile encouragingly.

She did nothing but look up at him sadly. Lou was fighting so hard to overcome the awful feeling inside of her, but the more she tried, the harder it got.

Kid was walking with his eyes half-way shut, and his head bent down towards the ground. The rain became faster paced, and the wind picked up with speeds and forces so hard, he was ready to be knocked off of his feet. If only this would stop long enough for me to see where I'm going!

He banked to the left, hoping to break away from at least some of the rain by steering towards the rocks that he could barely make out. "Come on Katy, we should find some cover over there." Leading his horse, Kid headed towards the shelter. As he approached the rocks, the rain seemed to slow down, and Kid realized that the trees above him had provided partial shelter from the pounding wetness.

Walking to the right he followed the rock face hoping to find one of those caves that Teaspoon used to talk about. He said they used to make camp in caverns whenever it was possible. It had always been the perfect place to hide when he was with the Texas Rangers.

Within a few moments, Kid noticed that the weather was clearing....he could see further across the plains, and could now begin to make out where he was. Just then he smelled quite possibly one of the worse scents he had ever come in contact with....since, well....since Jimmy had last cooked them a meal. But then, it couldn't possibly be his cooking, not out here, so far from where they probably were. Still instincts and curiosity caused him to follow the smell, which surprisingly brought him to the opening of the cave he had hoped to find. Approaching the entrance, he called out somewhat hesitantly. "Hello?"

There was a slight echo before he tried it again, this time he started walking in further following the stench. "Hello?"

He heard a faint reply, obviously from a man........a man that sounded a lot like James Hickok. "Kid, is that you?"

Upping his pace with Katy on his heels, he followed the voice into the darkness before he saw light and the two familiar horses tied up not far from it. "Jimmy?"

"Yeah." Jimmy came to greet his friend.

"Boy am I glad to see you! You wouldn't believe the storm I went through. How did you two get over here? I thought you were headed back." Kid headed towards the fire to warm himself and dry his clothes.

"We were, but I'll admit we got lost. What about you? You're not supposed to be here. Or did Teaspoon send you after us?" Jimmy figured that Kid had come on his own, but still, he asked.

Apparently with the arisen silence, they both left their questions unanswered and went on to other things. Kid looked around searching for Lou, but didn't see her immediately. "Where's Lou?"

Jimmy fumbled. "Uh....she's..." His sentence was cut off as Kid spotted her and rushed over to her side.

"Lou!" He instantly saw the colorless being on the ground. "My gosh, Lou. What's wrong!?" The cheeks that had so often been rosy and full of life were now white. She turned her head slightly at the familiarity of his voice. "Kid?" Lou said softly. She wasn't sure if she was starting to hear things.

He felt the sweaty palm of her hand and noticed the wet ends of her hair. "Yes, I'm here, Lou." He clasped his hand over her's. He tried to hide the panic in his tone.

"I'm....so....hot." She said with her voice breaking slightly.

Kid took the shirt-rag that was lying by her and wiped the sweat off of her face. "You're going to be fine, we'll get you home." He turned to Jimmy, the fire shooting from his eyes. Kid wanted someone to blame this on, and his tone was pleading. "What did you let happen to her!?"

On to Part Four