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.
When Lou woke she was startled by the lack of light in the bunkhouse, she had only come in to lay down and rest for a moment before she went back to Buck's side just after breakfast. Slipping from the still sleeping Kid's loose embrace she rushed straight from the room and ran across to the house, frantic that something had happened to Buck while she had been sleeping. Bursting into the room she found Red Bear and the Medicine Man sitting cross legged on the floor besides Buck's cot. The sheet covering Buck to the top of his head. Sinking to her knees she let out a bloodcurdling wail. Red Bear stood but before he could reach her side, all five of the boys were bursting through the front door, stopping dead in their tracks as they saw the same thing that had dismayed Lou. Cody was the first to gain his voice and stepped forward to find the explanation
'What have you done to him?' is voice cracked emotionally as he spoke facing Red Bear
'It is not as you think' Buck's brother spoke as Soaring Eagle began his droning chant again. Rachel who had been standing on the stairs waiting for Red Bears to explain to the riders cam e forward and knelt at Lou's side. 'He's still alive Lou'
'Are you sure Rachel?' Jimmy asked not quite trusting Red Bear and his tribal friend
'The sheet is like a steam tent... Like Teaspoon's sweat lodge.' she spoke gently stroking Lou's hair. 'It's herbs to help his lungs' she offered her family the same explanation Red Bear had given her earlier.
'He's okay?' Lou asked quietly through her tears
'He's even a little better' Rachel smiled watching relief wash over all her riders. I understand now why my brother is so loyal to his white family'
'We don't have colours here' Cody spoke 'Yes he is Indian and Noah is coloured, but that doesn't matter to us'
'He is our friend and I for on would die for him' Kid spoke firmly but quietly
'It is true also that Running Buck feels just as strongly about all of you.' Red Bear replied
'C'mon everybody' Rachel spoke herding them all back to the door 'Back to bed' Lou refused to move so Rachel made sure all the boys were on their way back to the bunkhouse before she turned to Lou only to find Red Bear squatting at her side.
'It is not safe for us or you while we continue to stay here, please let us teach you what needs to be done for my brother' he spoke
Lou nodded her head and followed Red Bear tin to the living room, intently listening to everything that Red Bear told her, Soaring Eagle occasionally adding things in Kiowa which Red Bear translated for her. As the steaming infusion cooled under Buck's cot, Read Bear turned the sheet back until it only covered Buck to the waist. Lou was amazed at the change in Buck's appearance in such a short time. The severest of the bruising and swelling had been slowly subsiding but when she had last looked at him, his skin had retained the grey pasty colour it had had since his shooting, but now whilst not quite as healthy as it could be, his cheeks held a rosy pink flush and instead of his lips having a slight blue tinge, they were now pink. Lou placed a gentle hand on his forehead, a slight grin crossing her face as she realised that he no longer had the fever he had not yet been able to shake over the last four days.
Red Bear laid a hand on Lou's shoulder "Louise, it will be light soon, it is better that we leave now.' he spoke
'Aren't you staying until he wakes?' she asked puzzled
'We must go' he took her by the hand and walked with her to the porch
'Louise I wish to thank you for your care of my brother. I know how much that you mean to him. know now that you are worthy of his feelings. I would be proud to have you in my tribe. Red Bear spoke eloquently
"Thank you Red Bear, if things ere different I would be honoured to be part of your tribe.' Lou spoke softly 'He means a lot to me' Red Bear hugged Lou tightly and released her.
'Please tell Running Buck that I was here and I will see him again.
Lou stood on the porch and watched as Red Bear and Soaring Eagle rode back to their people, then walked back inside to resume her seat beside Buck's cot. As the sun rose and life at the station began to stir, Lou went through to the kitchen to make the herbal tea that Red Bear had left for Buck. After the tea had steeped she lifted Buck's head and pressed the cup to his lips, encouraged when he swallowed the liquid that swirled from the cup and moistened his lips. Wiping away the small trickle of tea from his face, she picked up the damp cloth and wiped his sweaty skin. Perching on the side of the bed she lovingly wiped his arms and hands, still amazed that none of the bones in his arms had been broken.
'Lou' he murmured hoarsely his eyelids fluttering open.
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