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.
The elegance and plush brocade and velvet covered furnishings that had been the centre of their attention faded into insignificance as they all turned their thoughts and energies to worrying about Amanda and her unknown enemy. Jimmy always distrustful of people he didn't know spoke quietly from where he stood beside the window longingly wathing the shadowed landscape flashing by.
"What do we know about this fella Ezra?" he asked quietly
Not a lot, she hasn't said much but I do know that he is her right hand man' Teaspoon answered
"He seems to be a nice enough fellow, he seems to care for Amanda' Rachel spoke for her seat knowing that tone in Jimmy's voice
"I don't trust him" Jimmy spoke looking directly into Teaspoon's face.
Teaspoon trusted the intuition of all his boys, knowing that they ere seldom wrong, now testing the others opinions he looked around them gauging their reactions.
Don't need to, there's something not right about him' Kid spoke from his seat beside Lou on the sofa
'Just because he dresses fine and has good manners' Lou replied
"I agree with Kid and Jimmy, he's too smooth' Cody spoke as he moved to stand beside Jimmy at the window and marvel at the speed they passed the landscape outside.
"Noah?" Teaspoon asked quietly looking to him for another opinion
"I think we should give him a chance" Noah looked up at Teaspoon "I don't mean trust him, but what can it hurt to let him prove himself.' he answered rationally. Teaspoon nodded sagely and turned to his final rider.
'Buck?" he knew that he would get an honest answer from Buck as well
"I trust him" Buck spoke drawing startled glances for most of the boys "There's something about him. I don't know what it is, but I trust him" Buck replied looking Teaspoon in the eye
Nodding Teaspoon ran his fingers through his hair and scratched his face in frustration. Usually they all agreed on their feelings about people, but even he himself was torn now. He didn't trust Ezra's slick city manners and fancy duds, but listening to him when he spoke of Amanda he couldn't help but hear the care and deep concern in his words, an he knew that no matter what else he did care for Amanda.
They all fell silent worried about Amanda, and what they might find when they arrived. The trip which up to now had been exciting was starting to wear them all down a little. Kid sat with Lou in his arms, Lou drifted off to sleep closely followed by Kid their heads resting affectionately together, content in their warm embrace. The other four boys had each picked a comfortable bench seat and reclined content to nod off into a light sleep. Teaspoon watched them all settle and then walked out onto the small platform behind the carriage, concerned about him Rachel followed him out, wordlessly standing beside him content just to let him know that he had her support. They stood there that way for several minutes until Teaspoon gently slipped an arm around her slender waist pulling her closer to his side, resting her head in the curve of his shoulder she slipped her arms around him, no words were needed between them, each knew the other well enough to know that they needed someone just to be there and be held, companionship they had forged through their liks with Lou and the boys and their shared experiences at the way station. They stood that way for some time watching the stars and the midnight blue of the night sky for some time before Teaspoon spoke softly.
"Nothing ever runs smoothly does it?" he asked almost rhetorically
"It wouldn't be the way station if it did' she murmured against hie shoulder.
"I just wanted them to have a little time, just to be themselves, let their hair down and try to put the bad things behind them' he couldn't quite bring himself to say Ike's death yet. It seemed that a little piece of all of them had died with Ike and it was getting harder and harder to draw each of them back to their old selves, Ike's death had forced them all to become a little harder and a little more cynical, looking at the world through jaded eyes.
"Tehy'll be fine. You don't have to worry about them, They're strong. They'll be fine, Buck might take a little longer but they'll be fine You don't need to worry" she spoke
"But I do, they are all like sons to me, I can't help it, when I took the station manger's job, thats all it was just a job, but it didn't take those boys long to turn it into a family, now I can't imagine a life without any one of you not in it' he turned his face to hers looking deeply into her eyes, eyes that glistened with unshed tears.
'You understand me don't you?' he questioned her
"Of course I do. I'll probably never have children of my own, but each one of them is like a son to me and Lou is the daughter I always wanted, dreamed of, but will never have.' her tears spoke wordlessly of the depth of her emotions.
"Teaspoon lifted his weathered hand and collected the fat tears that were trickling down her cheeks with his thumb.
"We're a strange bunch aren't we' he pulled her tighter into his embrace as he thought of their little family "An ex Texas Ranger, an ex wanted mudereress, a gunfighter, a southerner, a coloured man, an indian, a flashy sharpshooting joker and a girl who dresses as a man.' he was sure they couldn't be any stranger, but no family could be closer than they were. He just hoped that he wasn't leading them into danger.
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