2313-16

Rachel stared into it, not able to comprehend that behind it lay the promise of death and destruction all the same. That not very far from here the summer sky had turned into a destructive turmoil, changing from serenity to destruction. And they had no means whatsoever to control the forces behind the violence. They had never been able to stem nature's wild, sometimes volatile temper, it had brought destruction to the civilization two hundred years ago. And now it was probably bringing destruction on them. Wiping them out, just like it had sector 28, destroying the crops, molesting life.

When she closed her eyes she saw before her the brutal tracks the storm must have left. She had never been to sector 28 but she was able to envision it like she was there right now and soon she might be in the midst of it. If the storm changed course they'd find themselves in the path of the rage of nature. And all they had was HuRec's word that the edifices were built to sustain such an event.

Smiling bitterly at the thought she snorted. Yes, HuRec was liable to promise anything, bunkered in safe cupolas they were able to observe them all under these critical circumstances, watch how they would react. Like observing lab rats in a maze, confused and disoriented, not even knowing what lay ahead. Stressed into running without aim while giants hovered over them, watching them with emotionally detached interest. Rewarding them with a small token of food as they made the right decisions. The validity of the decisions always stipulated by the observers. Now they were the rats, being observed and evaluated. Damn you! There are ASA's available I know it, you just don't care!

Rachel turned at the sound Emma's wondering voice. Finding the woman watching her, her eyes just as weary as her stance.

Emma slumped down on the chair by the door, shaking her head in response. "No, and he's been everywhere, closest ASA available is 5 hours away. We'll be buried by that time if it comes to that."

"Sector 28 was not secured for this, it would have been restructured anyway they say. It was provisory. Keep promising us that ours is safe, all precautions have been taken. We're almost as safe as in a Cupola. That is...everyone that is inside..."

Rachel closed her eyes and leaned up against the post. She had been avoiding to think of the five out there. The five without any means of protection at all. As an answer to her despair the first cold wind rustled the leaves in the trees and sent her shrugging. "It's starting," she stated, the tone of her voice revealing defeat. "It's already starting and they are 3 hours away. Why the hell didn't they at least send two of them into safety?"

Rachel turned to look at the woman, knowing Emma knew full well she had no answer to that. Before knowing them she might have had an opinion, coldly evaluating the pros and cons, looking at which ones of them were most valuable to the group. But knowing them there was no way to choose. And Emma knew that.

The woman smiled wearily at her. "Kid already tried to get Lou and Amanda to go, Buck said it was a hell of a fight between them. And then poor Jimmy chimed in and ...all I can say is - not a good move from the poor sods."

"Well, he said they'd better get back with the samples intact 'coz otherwise they would have to redo the trip. Lou got mad and told him she'd see to it with her life that the samples got safely back to Sweetwater. Buck said that really cheered Kid up."

Emma rose to stand at Rachel's side, her eyes scanning for signs of the boys bringing the cattle in. A relieved exhale escaping both women at the sight of the herd emerging into sight. Both women counted the riders, throwing each other a glance as the number was the expected.

"We gotta get them all home Rach, that's what we gotta do first. Because if we don't....."

Rachel felt the cold wind penetrate her bones. The sky darkening at the horizon, black clouds speeding toward them.

Buck slowed down behind Kid as he pulled Katy into a walk. His own horse breathing heavily, foam forming on the chest. Buck moaned at the sensation of his own legs feeling like yello. They had been riding really hard for four hours already, the horses were tired, the riders were beat and right at this minute it felt like they'd never make it. He steered his horse to walk beside Katy.

Kid threw a glance at him and switched position uncomfortably. Buck felt a twinge of bad conscience having accepted to borrow Katy's saddle for his own wagon horse. But he couldn't help grinning at Kid's face as he leaned forward on Katy neck, grimacing.

Buck leered over his shoulder at Jimmy. "We're airing Kid's rump for a while, seems it's almost done already."

Jimmy snickered, "the lady's hard on your butt Kid? I must say you don't have any luck with the females..."

"Oh shut up Jimmy," Amanda wheezed, "ain't like you're in the clear either. I won't forget that vote of confidence in a while. Your butt might be hurting too before I'm done with you."

"Oh please," Buck intervened, "not again, we did this already, it wasn't..." he grew silent as Lou threw him a murdering glance.

Riding up to the other side of Katy she fumbled with something under her coat. With a triumphant smirk she extended the flat box in Kid's direction. "See Kid, still got the samples! Safe as ever, good enough for you?"

"Don't tell me you were implying I wouldn't make this ride as fast as you? Hell, I'm not complaining over a sore rump here!"

Amanda laughed and Buck rolled his eyes. Each and every time they walked the horses Lou forced another nail into Kid's coffin. And Buck sensed Kid becoming more and more tense.

He watched as Kid slid off Katy and started walking by her side, stretching his legs.

Lou reined Lightning closer to the pair. "You're slowing us down Kid! I'd say..."

"Then go!" Kid said, his voice hard, "go on, I'll make it just fine. I'm just letting Katy rest coz' she tired, she has carried the burden long enough, she needs her rest." His eyes capturing Lou's.

Lou was visibly taken aback at the sound of the harshness in his voice. The look in Kid's eyes was something she hadn't seen before. Like a warning, a brief flash of the emotions inside him, the ones he was constantly keeping in control. A steely look she hadn't seen before, exposing the hard core she knew was inside him. Strangely it didn't scare her, it wasn't directed at her, it was directed at what she was doing. A sign that her words had stung him and it was enough. It didn't scare her, it just opened up a new depth of him. A depth that needed to be respected. As soon as the steel had flashed in the blue orbs it disappeared and he looked to the ground. Like he was ashamed over what he had revealed.

She slid of Lightning while the horse was walking, causing Kid to throw her a worried glance. Maybe he was about to remark to her that she dismounted from the wrong side but Lou decided to intervene. Stepping up to walk in his pace she bowed her head, fighting to get the words out.

Kid stuffed the free hand into his pocket, keeping his gaze on the ground he was threading. "Me too, Lou. Came out all wrong, I just wanted you to be safe, I know you two can make it. Just wish you wouldn't have to."

Know what? She wanted to ask him, what was it I said? But Lightning shied for something and she had to turn her attention to the horse while Kid lengthened his stride and walked away from her.

Lou mumbled soothingly to Lightning, telling him it would be all right. Feeling Buck scrutinize her without blinking she smirked. "What?"

It dawned on her what he was talking about. She turned her eyes to Buck walking at her side. Watching him to see if he was serious. The dark eyes told her he was. Her cheeks got warmer and she shrugged, angry at the whole situation. Angry at all of them for meddling. But most of all, angry at herself for not being able to hide it better. She heard Jimmy and Amanda squabbling behind her, their voices amicable, Amanda promising Jimmy he'd get his fish fried. Jimmy admitting to looking forward to it, whatever she meant by it. Their bickering light and full of flirtation. It saddened her to realize they were probably closer than she and Kid would ever become.

"None of your business," she muttered, "and I don't really know what the hell you're talking about."

"Uh huh, " Buck replied, "but for the sake of us all, when we get back home, just do it! Coz I'm starting to fear the explosion that will follow if you don't."

"Yeah, that's what I'm talking about Lou. I know it's not 'just that' anymore. That's what makes it so much worse, right? Just stop fighting it, please, just let it happen for goodness sake. I'm telling you, this tension is driving us all mad." He grinned briefly in her direction. "I was actually praying the storm would hit us there for a while."

"Oh please." Buck groaned, "there's a limit to denial Lou and you just stepped over it."

The first cold breeze hit them and Kid stopped. "We better get going again," he stated, "I think it's closing in."

Lou nodded in his direction and mounted Lightning, patting the sweaty neck, excusing herself to the horse, knowing he was tired and hungry. Feeling sorry that he would have to carry her all the way. Sighing she made sure that the samplebox was securely tucked inside her inner pocket.

He watched her stubbornly tucking that damned samplebox inside her coat. He had to smile. She sure was rubbing it in, refusing to understand the real reason for his plea. It wasn't that he doubted her ability, it was just that his deep-rooted need to protect loved ones took over. And he couldn't help it. With all his heart he wished she was inside a vehicle, maybe even home safely. With her around he couldn't concentrate on much else.

Slowing down Katy until Lightning caught up he held his gaze on her, still struggling with the box. Although it infuriated him to see her stubbornness and pride it made him love her for it too, the looks she gave him when she thought he stepped over the line. That independence that had him groan inwardly, the loyalty that was damned dangerous in cases like these. She should be home and safe.

Reflexively his hand reached out to straighten the stirrup leather on the saddle, anything to see to it nothing hurt her.

"Might give you bruises," he explained himself, knowing full well she would have done it herself, but he just needed to tell her to be careful. Without her flying off the handle. "I just...." his voice trailed off as she smilingly looked into his eyes. Probably laughing at him for his over-protectiveness. Finding him more than just a tad silly.

He to had to smile at himself, at all the stupid involuntary declarations of love he was showering her with. A love she must find so amusing.

Without thinking he lay his hand on her thigh, right above the knee. Feeling the heartbreaking fragility in her small body, the roundness having his mind wander back to the danger and the fear for her life, or all their lives. "Ride safe," he cracked at the need to touch her taking command again.

His breath stopped in the middle of his throat and his heart jumped a beat. Lifting his eyes to see if she was about to whack him he was surprised at the warmth in her smile. Her silent acknowledgment of his stupid behavior, forgiveness for what he was doing to her. Constantly. She smiled softly at him, her eyes glittering. He held his breath. Ashamed of himself and his need, she must be finding him so helplessly ridiculous. He was starting to hope her subtle teasing of him was a sign of something else than mere amusement from her part. But of course it wasn't, he'd never forget her blushing cheeks as Cody discovered the picture she brought along. The picture of the man that had claimed her heart. He blushed thinking about what a fool she made him become when looking at him like that. He wondered if she was telling her boyfriend about the certifiable vet who drooled over her constantly?

With a mischievous smile at him she retracted her hand and kicked Lightning onwards, picking up speed.

Jimmy rode up to his side, nodding to the horizon where the darkness had gathered.

Kid acknowledged Jimmy's concern and let Katy follow in Sundancer's speed. Without a word being spoken both him and Jimmy knew they'd have to stay behind the rest of the group, stay behind as a safety troop, if something happened. With his eyes on the small back in front of him he felt cold to the bones at the thought of what might encounter them yet.

Oh God please don't let anything happen to her! As the thought hit his mind he knew he had broken the oath and didn't even feel guilty about it. She just meant so much to him, nobody would falter him for it. Or would they?

"Noah! She's going left!" Rachel screamed against the hard wind. Pointing her finger in the direction to emphasize her words.

Cody lunged himself and missed, causing Belle to jump and collide with Noah's legs, having the latter stumble head first into the dirt. Amazed Rachel watched the goat turn and sink her head into an attach position, aiming for Cody.

Cody was up on his feet in record time, eyeing frantically around for cover as Belle calculated her target's movements. The goat and the man locked gaze for a moment and then Cody turned and ran for all he was worth towards the barn. Belle took off after him, gaining on him steadily.

"Oh God!" Rachel panted as she made her way to Noah in the strong cascades of icy wind. "You okay?"

Noah nodded and rose to his feet, "guess he's gonna get it for all his teasing huh?" He had to scream against the hard wind.

"You got your medical bag?" Rachel screamed back, realizing they wouldn't make it back to the house.

"We'll have to make do with what we have Rach, thought they'd make it back earlier!"

"Was thinking about Cody after Belle's had her say," Rachel rebuked, causing Noah's to laugh under his breath and embrace her to keep her feet steadily on the ground as they walked.

She was shivering under his touch. "You cold Rach?" he asked with his lips pressed to her ear.

She turned and looked into his face, the green eyes wide with sadness. Stopping her stride she looked up at him, touching his heart with her naked emotionality. He enfolded her with both his arms and pressed her to his chest. Standing in the strong wind, not wanting to see the sorrow in her, not wanting to think the unthinkable. But fact was if the riders didn't appear in the next five minutes or so they would be gone. No-one would survive the icy hails that approached them. The front of the storm looking like a white wall closing in on them. The air filling with debris.

He let his eyes wander to the direction he hoped the riders would emerge in, but there was nothing. Closing his eyes he buried his face in Rachel's hair, "they'll make it."

She stiffened in his hold, hammering on his upper arms to get free. Surprised he let go and turned to watch where she was pointing.

Between the trees a group of riders approached, picking up speed as they emerged out of the forest.

Noah said at least a thousand 'thank you's' while he hauled Rachel the twenty feet into the barn.

Totally out of breath Buck slid down off his horse, grateful that Teaspoon emerged in the door and took the tired beast into safety. The horses behind him trampled nervously, eyes rolling in fear. Jimmy brushed hard against him as Sundancer was hauled inside. Buck patted Jimmy's shoulder and the man groaned. Sam rushed by to fetch Amanda's twitching horse.

Buck caught Ike and Noah's worried glance over the horse's back and smiled tiredly in their direction, amazingly enough they had made it.

A blanket was draped over his shoulders and Emma guided him inside the building. Buck still held his eyes on his fellow riders outside. A relieved Ike turned up at his side.

The commotion started so explosively that Buck remain stunned as he watched it progress. Teaspoon was heading for Katy and Lou was sliding off Lightning's back. With a roar the first hails drenched them. Lightning rose to his hindlegs, a shriek of pain overriding the roar. Lou was flung to the ground, landing hard on her side in the dirt as Lightning pulled backwards, trying to escape. Katy kicked hard at the threat from behind. Lightning backing in terror from the hard hooves. Then the horse rose again and pulled Lou under him. She was screaming, her hand obviously caught in the reins. Lightning was dragging her back into the storm. The terrorized horse struck out wildly to free itself and follow its primary instinct when threatened, to run.

His knife was in his hand even before he thought about it, he lunged himself in Lou's direction, steadying her to the ground while icy projectiles pierced into his back. He saw a shadow crossing his view as he cut the reins. Ike at their side, dragging them towards safety.

Lou shivered under him, a sob escaping her. When he lifted his eyes he saw hooves over his head and Kid flinging himself onto the horse, shoving it off balance. The hooves landed no more than two feet away from them.

"Get inside!" Kid's holler carried clean through to him as Lightning struggled to get free from Kid's hold. Front hooves kicking in midair.

Lightning raised the head violently, shaking his strong neck in terror, having Kid lose contact with the ground and be dragged to the wall. Ike and Buck grabbed Lou and pulled her to the door as hails rained over them all over again.

Amanda emerged and took a firm hold of Lou's collar, jerking her violently inside. Lou fought to get back outside as Lightning slammed Kid up against the barn wall.

Then Jimmy blocked her view. The sound of a shot echoed and Lou closed her eyes, "oh Lord no," she whimpered, "not that, why didn't he let him go?"

"Lou," Amanda shushed her, "he couldn't let go, you were all too close, he would have kicked your brains in." She had to scream as the wind roared once again.

Then Jimmy appeared with a shadow following. They walked right past the pair in the door and Teaspoon flung a rug over the panting horse, the anestezising arrow still sticking out of the flank.

Lightning still danced nervously but his moves were getting slower, as he walked further into the barn his head sunk and he was seemingly unaware of all the havoc he had caused.

Relief rushed over Lou and she turned her eyes to Kid falling into a heap inside the door. Noah pushing him further inside to be able to close it behind him. Wheezing he sank down on the hard floor and Lou freed herself and ran to him. Sinking to her knees in front of him she blinked back the tears and cupped his face in her hands.

Struggling to get his breath back he looked at her, his eyes still expressing terror. Lou swallowed when realizing he must have been just as frightened as the horse. Maybe more since he realized the possible outcomes.

Tears welling in her eyes she looked at him, angry at him for risking his own life the way he had. Thankful that she wasn't under those hard hooves, being pounded to death. Mad that he once again had saved her.

"Why didn't you let go you idiot?" She hiccuped, "why the hell didn't you let go?"

She threw her arms around his neck, rocking him. "Damned fool," she cried, "you coulda been killed! Don't you ever do anything like that again, ya hear me? Don't ever..." Hot tears of relief silenced her and she buried her face in his collar, sobs growing deeper as his arms came around and clutched her to his heaving chest.

The rest of them around looked on in silence, just as shaken as the pair on the ground, unable to move.

Rachel turned a teary face in Noah's direction and he swallowed hard and let his arm encircle her waist. They stood in silence, pondering on the possible outcome of the situation. The wind starting to howl again, the hails drumming against the roof.

Jimmy emerged and took a look at the congregation and the pair holding onto each other on the floor. Meeting with Amanda's eyes he noticed her being hesitant over what had to be done. Hesitant to break the strange solemnity of the crowd. He leaned in to whisper to her, "we gotta get them away from the door."

Amanda nodded and cleared her throat. "C'mon guys, this is not over yet! We gotta get away from here."

"There's a stall prepared," Teaspoon spoke out from behind them, "that's the best option we got. Everybody all right? Noah. You got the MediPac?"

"All taken care off," Noah replied as if waking up from a daze when Rachel left his side.

Lou dried her tears against Kid's collar, his breath almost normal. "You all right," she asked, looking straight at him, finding him smiling a silly smile at her. Lou diverted her gaze and stood up to extend him a hand. He took it and eased himself up.

Kid slid his arm around her waist and Lou found her heart pounding. Breathlessly she walked him to the stall, knowing that if she died right now, she wouldn't regret all that much. "How's your rump?" She asked to get onto safe territory again while she pushed him into the stall, hoping to divert his attention from her quivering legs.

Jimmy shoved her further inside, "you can worry about his butt later, Lou. Just get inside please!"

Lou turned to rebuke but Jimmy kept pushing. Tripping in the dark stall somebody's hands came around her hips and caught her. Easing her safely to his side. Lou blushed again as Amanda let out a gleeful laugh.

"Thanks," Lou muttered in Kid's direction. Cursing as Jimmy inched closer, having Kid take her into his lap.

Nobody said a word for the longest of time. They all knew the building had shut down for emergency situations. They all held their breaths, waiting.

The wind made the walls shiver and Lou closed her eyes and didn't even protest as Kid tucked her head under his chin. She held on to his coat while he whispered with his lips pressed to her ear. "I'm sorry Lou, just pretend I'm the one you love the most, pretend that he's holding you. Please don't be scared."

She opened her eyes, squinting in confusion, wondering what he was babbling about.

"I know he's thinking about you right now, and you'll be all right sweetie, everything will be all right."

His lips caressed her ear and she closed her eyes again, wanting to giggle at his monumental stupidity. The fool thought she was thinking bout Sean? She tilted her head and caught his lips, not minding what would happen next, she kissed him hard. Buck's words 'would you regret it' taking on another meaning as he answered and the kiss deepened. The kiss was more desperate than their first, filled with both fear and a passion just as fierce as the storm outside. An unspoken need, close to desperation, unleashed. She dared not breathe as he held on to her and her fingers latched onto his wet coat mindlessly. She had to break the kiss off, her body shivering and ripe for his taking. Her ears were humming as she rested her lips on his and breathed hard. "Oh God," she said.

Kid held on the trembling form, not exactly aware of what had happened, slowly returning to his mind after the overwhelming assault of his senses at the touch of her hungry lips. The passion in her making him exhale jerkily, his mind drenched in thoughts following the emotional rush. It must be the reaction from the shock, we might be dying, she's granting a man his last wish...she's read my thoughts! What the hell am I doing? Who stated this kiss anyways? Am I forcing myself on her yet again? You can't go kissing her like this you idiot, however much you want to!

The barn was oddly quiet. Kid though everyone must be listening to his wildly pounding heart, knowing what he had done. Then he realized the hails were no longer drumming against the roof. The immediate danger was over. And he had lost track of time.

"All right guys," Amanda moaned, "not that I'm complaining or anything but who forgot to take a shower this past decade?"

"Well..." Cody started and Lou freed herself from Kid's hold as a flashlight came on and lighted the small space faintly.

Amanda let out a hysterical giggle at the sight. The beam of the flashlight shook slightly.

The goat lying placed comfortably over Cody's legs looked up and stopped munching on the straw, sleepily she looked over the funny people invading her favorite stall. The sounds of the woman next to her made Belle emit a compassionate bleat before she turned her attention back to the tasty dinner.

As the lights flickered tentatively before turning on again and bathed everything in a sharp light they all lost it. Cody's protests were drenched in a half hysterical explosion of laughter.

|Prologue||Chapter 1||Chapter 2||Chapter 3||Chapter 4||Chapter 5||Chapter 6||Chapter 7||Chapter 8||Chapter 9||Chapter 10|
|Chapter11||Chapter 12||Chapter 13||Chapter 14||Chapter 15||Chapter 16||Chapter 17|