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.
Dammit Kid' Buck spat 'You know you can do it. Why the hell won't you even try' he stood watching Kid propped on his crutches leaning against the side of Katie's stall.
They all knew that Kid had feeling back in his legs, simply because they had all witnessed the crippling and blinding pain that struck Kid almost daily when cramps gripped his legs. They had all been there to try and massage the cramp from his thighs or calves working blood supply back into his weakened muscles.
Buck knew that Kid hated the weakness that his injury made him feel but he had hoped that his love of Lou would make him work harder to walk again. Doc Barnes had told him that it would be good to try and get him to take a few steps not matter how futile that may be.
'If I try and fail, then I have lost Lou'
'If you try and fail then you get up and try again' Buck spoke calmly understanding his fear. he paused then spoke quietly 'You feel up to a ride?' he smiled
Kid looked thankfully into Buck's face. 'How?' he asked hopeful
'We'll go bareback, I'll have to take your braces off and we'll have to double up, but it is better then nothing.
Kid leaned back against the rails and started unbuckling the cumbersome braces while Buck led Katy out of the stall to stand in front of her master. Kid gripped his horses face and rested his forehead against her nose, thankful that he could still have this small pleasure.
Buck finished removing the braces, impressed but not vocalising his praise that Kid was actually standing on his own feet unassisted. Knowing that he was probably unaware that he was standing, the last thing that Buck wanted to do was destroy the tiny shard of confidence that this would bring to him later.
"C'mon big boy' Buck smiled as he swung up onto Katie's back, extending a strong arm to Kid. Clasping his forearm tightly, Buck puled him up onto Katie's back behind him.
'Are you okay?' Buck asked as he started to walk Katie out of the barn
'Better than I have been in months' Kid answered
'Where are we going?' Buck casually asked
'Anywhere, I just want to ride fast, have the wind in my hair and the sun on my face. Just to feel alive again' Kid sounded almost wistful, he hadn't realised exactly how much he had missed riding his beloved horse.
'Sure you're up to it?' Buck spoke
'Course' Kid answered with a grin
'Hold on!' Buck stated with a smile as he spurred Katie into action and they galloped out of the way station yards and waist, both bent low over Katie's neck. Buck tightly holding Katie's mane firmly, his legs gripping her tightly, she seemed to sens the presence on her back of her beloved master and ran sure footed and smoothly across the land she knew so well.
'What's going on?' Rachel spoke as she watched Katy race off into the distance a worried frown on her face.
'Therapy' Teaspoon spoke with a grin listening to Kid's war cry of joy.
Lou was sitting on the porch of the Sweetwater house shelling peas when a horse rode up, looking into the fierce light of the distant sunset, she squinted trying to see who her visitor was, fingering the pistol she kept in her lap whenever she was alone.
'Lou' Cody's voice bellowed 'where's Jimmy?' he asked
'He's gone into town to pick up some supplies'
'He shouldn't have left you here alone' Cody paused watching Lou's face darken into a frown
'Just because I'm pregnant does not mean that I am completely helpless Billy' she ranted 'Sometimes I swear that you boys are so obtuse' she paused for a moment her velvet eyes turning liquid '
How's Kid?' she asked almost tentatively
'Buck actually has him standing now, it won't be long sweetheart' he walked up onto the porch and hugged her, frowning in confusion as a serene smile came over Lou's face. She grabbed Cody by the hand and laid it over her rounded belly. He snatched it away quickly, unsure of what it actually was that he felt. His ice blue eyes darting to her face trying to understand what he had touched.
'What was that?' he spoke in awe watching her stomach in amazement
'The baby silly' she spoke almost wistfully, her eyes filling with fresh tears.
'What's wrong?' Cody fell to his knees at her feet, tentatively placing his hand over her precious cargo again, this time prepared for the movement he felt.
'Kid should be sharing this with you Lou.' Cody spoke, almost kicking himself when he realised that his words had pushed Lou back into despair. He knew that sometimes he didn't think before he spoke but he had never meant to hurt her. He knew that if Kid was going to feel even part of what he was feeling at the moment he would be walking sooner than ever. She sank into her chair again, large gulping sobs racking her tiny body.
'I'm sorry Lou' he spoke as he lifted both her hands into his. He tried to lift her into his arms but she shrugged away from him wanting to be alone in her desolation.
Neither of them had heard the wagon drive up, but both were stunned when Jimmy flew up the stairs and grabbed Cody throwing him back against the wall beside Lou. Holding him by the scruff of the collar he was ready to pound Cody all the way back to Rock Creek if he had given Lou bad news.
"Dammit Cody. What have you said to her?' he raged
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