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 slept through the day, the boys content to let her sleep and keep a vigilant watch over her. Neither leaving her side unless it was completely necessary. When she finally woke early the next morning both were sitting backwards on tall back chairs, their heads resting on their hands, sleeping uncomfortably, Buck a little closer than Kid. She reached up and gently stroked Buck's arm. He awoke with a start.
'Lou how are you feeling?' he asked hoarsely.
'My shoulder doesn't hurt quite so bad, but its still sore.' She looked around the room her brow furrowing in confusion 'Where are we honey? and who is that man?' She whispered, but it was too late, her voice had awakened him with the first word she spoke. The sharply in drawn breath Buck heard from Kid alerted him to the fact that Kid was awake and Buck's tender heart broke with the pain that this situation was causing his good friend.
'Lou, this is our home,' he paused trying to tell her without causing her further distress exactly how much Kid really meant to her 'This is one of your best friends. His name is Kid. Do you remember him?' he asked knowing by the tears filling her liquid brown eyes that she had no idea 'You've known him for a long time Lou. You would trust Kid with your life honey, he would never let anything bad happen to you.' She seemed content with that answer.
'Who belongs to all these other beds?' she asked finally taking in some of her surroundings.
'That's mine over there and Kid sleeps up here.' He pointed, 'Jimmy, Noah, Cody and Ike sleep in the others.'
'I can't sleep in here.' her voice rose as she became more alarmed 'I can't sleep in here with all these men, my reputation will be in tatters.' The threatening tears welled over, 'Please Buck, I'll never be able to marry you, my reputation will damage yours, and I would never do that to anyone, let alone someone I love.' Neither hearing the strangled groan that came from Kid.
'Lou, I'll go and see if you can sleep in the house with Rachel.' Kid told her, smiling sadly and leaving the bunkhouse.
Lou was quiet for several moments then spoke 'He seems so sad, like he's lost his best friend in the world.' She said quietly.
'He has honey, but he will get it back, I'm sure.' Buck moved onto the side of the bed. Stroking her hair back from her face, he slipped one arm under her legs and the other under her back, lifting her and the quilt covering her from the bed. Lou laid her good arm around his neck, resting her head in the hollow of his neck as he carried her from the bunkhouse and across the dusty ground to Rachel's house. Climbing the stairs, Kid and Rachel met him at the door, holding it open until they had entered. Buck carried her upstairs and deposited her on the large bed in the second bedroom. Rachel, who had followed them up the stairs watched as Buck placed a gentle kiss on Lou's forehead and retreated from the room. Content to let Rachel tend to the almost exhausted Lou. Buck walked slowly down the stairs, wary of Kid for possibly the first time in their friendship.
'I'm sorry Kid.' he placed a hand of friendship on Kid's shoulder. At Kid's continued silence he persevered 'I don't know what caused these thoughts but I won't hurt her further by telling her that all she believes in the world is a farce.' he finished.
'I don't expect you to, but if you hurt her at all, you will face me.' Kid vowed.
'I would never intentionally hurt either of you. My God Kid, you are my family. I love the both of you. I will do everything in my power to protect and cherish her until she remembers everything.' he vowed.
'You'd better go up and see if she needs you.' Kid spoke looking back out towards the horizon disassociating himself from everything. Buck walked back into the house and took the steps two at a time. Knocking lightly on the door he waited until Lou bid him welcome and opened the door. What he saw nearly took his breath away. Lou was laying in the bed on crisp white sheets, dressed in a fancy cotton and lace nightgown, her hair brushed softly around her face artfully covering a lot of the bruises. The only thing marring the perfection of the vision was heavy black and purple bruising across the top of her shoulder and down her arm. He sat on the side of the bed to talk to her.
'Lou can you tell me why we were being chased?' he asked quietly.
'No' she shook her head sadly, ' I don't remember anything before I woke up in that other building' she answered sadly as her eyes closed wearily.
'I want you to know that if you remember anything, anything at all it is very important, I need you to tell me straight away.' he reiterated to her, hearing a horse ride in he stood and moved to the window. Eternally grateful to see Teaspoon had returned he crossed back to Lou's bedside, lifting her hand he held it tenderly waiting for Teaspoon to walk upstairs and visit his girl. True to his thoughts, it took only minutes for him to hear footsteps on the stairs and a gentle knock on the door. The door opened shortly the knock to admit Teaspoon.
'How is she?' Teaspoon asked softly.
'She's a little bit bruised and battered, her shoulder was dislocated and she's a bit grazed but apart from that she will be fine the doctor said. Did Kid tell you the rest?' Buck asked
'Yeah, how bad is it?' Teaspoon asked.
'It's tearing Kid apart, Teaspoon and I don't know what to do.' he murmured 'I don't want to hurt either of them.' Buck spoke. Teaspoon watched the young man in front of him. Buck was perhaps the most sensitive of all his riders, attuned to everyone else's feelings sometimes to the detriment of his own. He knew that this was causing twice as much pain for Buck as it was for the tormented Kid. Both men were taken by surprise when Lou spoke.
'Father how long have you been here?' she asked.
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