DISCLAIMER: The Young Riders is the creation of Ed Spielman, and the property of Ogiens/Kane productions in association with MGM/UA television. This Story is created for entertainment purposes only, no infringement intended. Not to be copied without permission from the author.
Lou and Rachel both sat by his bedside as they had done for the last three weeks, Lou had tirelessly been by his side, feeding him broth and water, bathing his sweaty body, changing the dressings on the wound that had come so close to and still could take his life determined that he would not endure this alone. Rachel sat by Lou’s side as often as she could, both of them strong women willing their strength on the unconscious man before them. Rachel was starting to think that not even the force of their will could bring him back.
The ranch work had come to a standstill, Cody tried his hardest to help Starr keep things running but it was all starting to fall to pieces, None of them had their heart in it, all of them were preoccupied with thoughts of Buck. His well being all that mattered at the moment.
Even little Mary spent time seated at Buck’s side, she would come in each day and sit quietly on the bed beside her Uncle Buck, somehow knowing in her confused four year old mind that her Uncle Buck needed her. These were the times when Lou could sleep, sinking onto the bed beside Buck and catching what little sleep she could. Starr would visit often, eyes so like her mothers full of tears, she would tell her father of the things that she had done around the ranch usually leaving with her voice choked with tears, her heart full of fear that she was losing her father.
Buck could hear muffled voices, they sounded as if they were in a different room or a long way away, he struggled to lift his head, to open his eyes. He felt like he had no control over his body. Fighting to get to his family, he struggled through the inky blackness, his body not responding to his will to move, trying to speak his lips refusing to form the words he tried to speak. Exhausted by his small struggle, he sank back into the gloomy depths he was trying to escape.
“Rachel” Lou murmured “he moved, did you see that” moving to sit on the side of the bed taking Bucks hand in hers, spreading his fingers across her lap and stroking the back of his fingers certain that she had seen his fingers move. Rachel watched the hope flair in Lou’s eyes certain that she had imagined Bucks movement. She rose to embrace Lou’s shoulders and stroking her hair spoke softly
“I didn’t see it honey, are you sure you didn’t just hope you saw it” Rachel felt the shudders of Lou’s shoulders as she sobbed gently the pain of the last three weeks suddenly becoming too much for her
“I’ve killed him haven’t I” she sobbed her hand continued to stroke his fingers
“You think I would have learned by now, not to go off half cocked, but I didn’t want to see him hurt”
“No Lou” Rachel spoke gently “It’s not your fault, and he is not going to die, its just going to take some time” she tried to reassure Lou’s flagging hopes.
“I don’t know what I’ll do without him” Lou spoke almost absently as she lifted his hand and twined his fingers with hers kissing each of his knuckles with her soft wet lips as she spoke. “It’s strange even before we became a couple, he was always there if I needed someone, I can’t lose him Rachel” “
He will wake up Lou, he just needs some time” Rachel continued
“You’ve heard Doc Barnes” Lou continued “There’s no reason he won’t wake up” a sob caught in her throat “You heard him say that he might not wake up at all”
“He didn’t say that Lou” she replied “he said to be prepared in case he doesn’t” Rachel stopped “I’m going to go and warm some broth for him. Do you want anything?”
Lou shook her head sinking further into her misery as she sat with her best friend and lover, Rachel walked out of the room shaking her head, wondering how they would pick up the pieces if the worst should happen.
Lou sat there stroking his hand, then reached forward to push his soft fresh washed hair out of his face. She knew how clean he kept his hair so had taken the time every couple of days to gently wash it for him and comb it gently. This simple action as much to sooth her tortured soul as it was to provide comfort for him.
“Why won’t you come back to me Buck?” she murmured “You have so much to come back for” she gave in to the fear that was overcoming her and pressed her face against his bare chest, her tears glistening on his bare skin. A broad smile crossed her face as she realised that his fingers were moving on her leg.
“Buck ....Buck can you hear me?” she clasped her hand in his and leaned closer to him
“Buck” she leaned closer to his ear and murmured his name “Come back to me darlin” she spoke
Rachel stood in the doorway watching with interest, she had seen his hand move before Lou had even realised it was moving and waited for her to understand what this meant. She had watched with tears in her eyes as hope had flared in Lou’s dark eyes, the pain of the last weeks disappeared from her face. “
Jen” Buck murmured “Jen is that you. come back Jen” he murmured not quite waking
“Shh” Lou spoke “Shhh, rest now I’ll be here when you wake” the pain of her heart breaking almost more than she could bear.
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