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.
During the long hours they hid in the tiny alcove, Jenny hardly slept. The hours she spent holding Kid were filled with the tension and sorrow she had refused to give in to. Terrified that their captors were chasing them, every noise startled her, but as the light began to wane she began to think about moving again. Gently shaking Kid into semi-consciousness she rapidly became aware of one thing. Kid's condition was worsening, his fever was burning up and he wwass becoming less and less lucid, she feared that it would not be much longer before she was unable to move him. Tears filled her eyes at the possibility that she may have to leave the man who had become almost like a brother to her, but even racking her brain she was unable to find a way out of their current situation.
She almost had him to his feet when, a noise close by frightened her badly. She quickly realised that a horse was approaching. Pushing Kid back to the ground, the sudden sharp pain causing him to lose consciousness, she knelt by his side.
Unwilling to die submissively and without a fight, she looked around frantically and found a sharp rock to use as a weapon. She knew that it was useless against a gun, be she refused to cower on the ground as she met her death. Hearing the horse almost on top of them, she prayed to all the Gods she knew and peered carefully around the shrubs to discover that she had found a saviour.
'Cody!' she stood up and cried out to him. Startled by the call, he wheeled his horse around his gun drawn, but when he saw Jenny his face split into a wide grin. However, his grin faded as he took in her appearance.
"Jennifer, what are you doing out here?' he asked as he slid from his horse
Jenny ran to him and threw herself at his chest. He embraced her tightly, curious about why she would be in the middle of nowhere, her face streaked with dirt and tears, her indian clothing ripped and filthy, her usually shiny blond hair tangled and dull.
'Billy, it's been horrible. Kid's hurt bad" she cried against his chest
'Where is he?' cody asked quickly
'Back here' she led him to Kid's side, where Cody made a quick but thorough examination of his friends injuries before turning back to Jenny
'Are you Okay?' he asked
'I'm fine, he is the one that needs help.' she answered him
"Are you going to tell me what happened? Where's Buck and Lou?' he asked quickly
'Lou is back at the ranch with her two new babies. Buck was beaten and sent back as an example of what would happen.' she started
'Beaten by who?' he was puzzled by the whole situation 'Jenny, I know you're upset, can you try to start at the beginning?' he took her into his arms again, upset by her nervous trembling
'We were looking for you, we thought that something might have happened to you when you didn't arrive.' she paused as Cody interrupted
'I fell ill as I was passing through Denver, it took me a long time to get over it, but I stayed because I didn't want to bring any illness near Lou and the baby.' he explained
'Anyway four men ambushed us. They held us in a cave, making Kid and I watch as they beat Buck. They seemed to think it would be funny to watch and see what would happen if they sent a note back to the ranch with Buck after they beat him. After they sent Buck, one of them hit me, Kid stepped in. After that they seemed to take pleasure in beating him. I thought they were going to kill him.' she paused the memories too fresh for her to carry on until she had calmed herself a little. 'We escaped yesterday. I've been pushing him hard, but I don't think he will go any further.' she sobbed.
Cody released her and walked over to his horse, removing his bedroll, an extra handgun from his saddle bag and his rifle from its scabbard beneath the saddle. Turning back to Jenny, he handed her the pistol and put his rifle and bedroll on the ground, before holding the teary Jenny by the shoulders. For the first time since his arrival Jenny realised that the boy that she knew had matured into an honourable man. The years had been hard on him, his hair was still long and whiteblond, a goatee style beard framed his mouth and lines of pain and suffering framed his eyes. Something told her that his eyes were saddened not by their current plight but by the things he had experienced in his life since his departure from the Pony Express.
'Jenny I want you to take the pistol and my horse, ride and find help. I'll stay with Kid and protect him if its needed.' he hugged her tight against him 'Be safe and don'[t be afraid to use the gun if you have to' he spoke as he released her.'
'Thanks Cody' she murmured as she slipped her foot into the stirrup and swung herself into the saddle.
'Just hurry' he spoke 'I don't want to have to explain to Lou if anything else happens to him.'
Jenny spurred the horse into action and Cody turned back to Kid, who was beginning to show signs of waking. Cody spread his sleeping roll out in the rocky alcove and lifted Kid until he was laying on the bedroll. Sitting bedside his friend he thought back to their express days and all the time they had managed to extract themselves from similar scrapes. He just hoped that this time they would be so lucky.
Jenny rode hard for some time, until she realised that a group of riders was coming her way. She watched carefully as they approached knowing that she had no way of hiding on the open plain. Terrified that she was going to be captured again, she slowed Cody's horse trying to find a way to evade capture. But as the horses got closer she realised that she recognised the horses and spurred her's into action. As they neared each other she reigned in her horse and slid to the ground. One of the other riders jumped from his horse before it had had stopped and stumbled nearly falling, running the distance to her side before embracing her tightly.
'I didn't think I would ever see you again.' She cried against his chest
'You didn't think I would leave you that easily do you?' Buck spoke against the top of her head, tears luminous in his black eyes. Unmindful of the pain that racked his body he lifted her from the ground and spun her around, his joy at finding her almost tangible.
Waiting until they had had their small reunion, the others watched uncomfortably knowing that all was not well yet.
'Where's Kid Jenny?' Teaspoon asked quietly as they all dismounted
'He's hurt but he's okay. Cody's with him. I'll take you back to them. I doubt that he'll be able to ride but he needs a doctor badly.' she answered watching as Lou's face crumpled. Jimmy took her into his arms and comforted her, giving her all the strength she needed.
'Are you alright Jenny?' Sam asked quietly.
'I'm fine, Kid saw to it that they didn't touch me.' she answered him softly
Buck knew that when they found their friend he owed him more than he could ever repay him.
All of them were startled by the sound of gunshots from the direction Jenny had ridden. They all mounted up, but before they moved Teaspoon spoke.
'Lou I think you should take Jenny back to the house.' he stated.
'Don't do this to me Teaspoon I need to find Kid, please don't do this.' she almost wailed
'Teaspoon I'm the only one who knows exactly where they are. You need me with you.'
'God, when are one of you women going to stop trying to prove yourselves to us.' he muttered
'That's what makes them what they are' Sam chuckled as they all spurred their horses into action.
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