Disclaimer: I dont own The Young Riders or any of the characters. I'm just taking them for a ride for my enjoyment.
A/N: This is my take on what could have happened if Ike had survived the gunshot wound. I hope everybody enjoys it.
The sound of the gun shots filled the air as the Pony Express riders cried out to their friend who fell out of the doorway of the saloon, a gunshot wound to his torso. His girlfriend Emily dropping to her knees beside him. "Ike, please Ike don't die," she cried out. Running Buck Cross, better known as Buck, fell to his knees next to his friend who was like a brother. Buck picked Ike up with the help of the rest of their small 'family' and ran with him to the doctor. The man that had shot Ike laid dead on the floor of the saloon, Ike had killed the man that had murdered Emily's father before he could kill her, and he had taken the bullet meant for her.
Emily sat in a rocking chair outside the doctor's office. The young riders were all standing around waiting, Buck was pacing, he didn't know what he would do if he lost Ike. After the day that Ike had jumped into a fight in his defense they had been the best of friends, but their bond went deeper than that, they were brothers if not by birth, but by choice. They both had lost too many people, been treated as freaks. Ike because he was bald and mute, from a childhood sickness; and Buck because he was half-Kiowa and half-white, he belonged in neither world. The only place they had found they belonged was with the Pony Express; here they had found a family. Ike had found love with Emily, if he pulled through this Buck was sure they would marry. Buck though he was in love, the woman he loved did not know; Buck wasn't sure if he should say anything or not, she had other choices after all, why would she want him.
They had been waiting for what seemed like days to Buck, but in truth it had only been an hour when the doctor finally came out wiping his bloody hands on a white cloth. "How is he doc?" Teaspoon Hunter asked. Teaspoon was the station master of the Pony Express station in Rock Creek and also the town Marshall, but he was also like an adoptive father of all the 'boys' that worked for him. The doctor shook his head sadly, "I've got the bullet out, but he has lost a lot of blood, and now he has a high fever. If he breaks the fever, I think he will pull through. He's young and strong, but if not, I'm not sure he will make it. It's just a waiting game now." Buck stopped in front of the doctor and asked, "Can we see him?" The doctor looked around at all of the young man's friends and could see the genuine care and concern they had for each other, "Yes, but one at a time and for only a few minutes. He needs all the rest he can get." Teaspoon walked up to Buck, "You go ahead son, he needs you now."
Buck walked slowly into the sick room where Ike laid, taking his hat into his hands he sat next to his fallen friend who looked at him when he sat, and tried to give him a smile, but he was so weak. "Ike, do you when remember when we promised each other that we would always take care of the other. I need you to remember that, you have to fight Ike. I'm going to do all I can to help you, but you have to fight don't give up on me brother." Ike looked at his friend; the tears flowing down his face, Ike had never seen the strong Indian cry before. He knew that Buck would take it the hardest if he didn't make it, "I'm not going anywhere Buck. I have to take care of you and now Emily" Ike signed to his friend. Buck grasped his hand and squeezed, "I'm holding you too that Ike." Buck got up to leave, but Ike stopped him. "I want to see Emily," he signed. Buck gave Ike a small smile and nodded.
When he walked out the door, Buck quickly brushed the tears away but not before Lou saw them. Lou was the woman Buck loved with all his heart, but only those in their small family knew she was a girl, everybody else thought she was just one of the boys who rode for the Pony Express. She caught Buck's eye and he held it for a minute before breaking away. Standing in front of Emily he said to her, "He wants to see you now." Emily looked up and nodded, this was all her fault if she had not gone after Neville Ike wouldn't be in that room dying. Buck could sense her thoughts, "He's not going to die Emily, Ike's a fighter, and he won't leave us." Emily got up and went inside. Buck looked around at his family before running off to do the only thing he could think of to save his friend. He had to pray to the spirits. He could hear the others call after him, all of them but Lou. The fact that Lou didn't try to stop him made him think that maybe she understood him better than the others, or it could be she just didn't care about him at all, that thought hurt. Buck reached the stable and quickly mounted his horse, not even bothering to put a saddle on it. Racing away to the prairie where he would pray to the spirits to spare Ike.
Meanwhile the rest of the riders were still sitting on the porch at the doctor's waiting to see Ike. Cody finally brought up what everybody was thinking, "She sure has been in there awhile." Teaspoon looked around at his 'boys' he knew they needed to see Ike, "I'll go see what's going on". A few minutes later he came back out, "Lou, boys ya'll best come on in here." The small family got to their feet and went into the sick room to Ike. They had been expecting the worst, but Ike was sitting up in bed, the bandage around his chest freshly changed, with a smile on his face. The doctor looked over at them and smiled, "I can't explain it, one minute I thought for sure he was a goner and now, his fever is gone and his color is coming back. I think he is going to be just fine." There were several shouts for joy at that announcement. The boys all teased Ike for scaring them like that; he took it all in good fun. But as he scanned the faces around him, he saw that his best friend was missing, the smile slipping from his face he signed, "Where is Buck?" "I think I know Ike, I'll go get him," Lou said quickly before anybody could say anything. "Thank you Lou." Ike signed, before Lou kissed him on the cheek, "I'm glad you are going to be alright Ike." With that she raced out the door to go get Buck.
Lou found him about an hour later, still praying to the spirits, the tears streaming down his face. Lou knew Buck wouldn't want people to see him like this but she also knew he would want this news. Clearing her throat softly she called, "Buck." Buck immediately quieted his prayers and straighten his back, "He's dead isn't he?" Before she could answer Buck broke down in sobs, walking to him quickly she put her arms around him, "No Buck, Ike isn't dead. He was sitting up and smiling when I left to find you. The doctor says he is going to be just fine. Your prayers worked Buck." Buck looked up at the women holding him, not even bothering to wipe his face of the tears, "He's alive? He's going to be fine?" Lou smiled and nodded, Buck was so happy he did something Lou would never have expected; he pulled her into his embrace and kissed her passionately on the mouth.
Lou, surprised by his actions, quickly pushed him away. "Lou, I'm sorry I should not have done that. I don't know what came over me," Buck apologized quickly. Lou looked into his brown eyes so full of mystery, in them she saw that she had hurt him by pushing him away. Lou had never wanted to hurt Buck, he had always been such a good friend to her, she had just been surprised by his actions; he was always so reserved in his behavior. As Buck started to move away from her Lou stopped him and brought his mouth back to hers. Her arms wrapping around his neck, her fingers tangling in his long dark hair; Buck's arms around her back tightened one of his hands moved to the back of her head as he deepened their kiss. When they finally broke apart because they needed air Lou pulled away, "Ike is waiting on you." Buck gave her a crooked grin, "yeah" he said, he knew Lou wasn't ready for what he wanted to tell her, she may never be, but he was determined he would tell her soon. Almost losing Ike had showed him that life was too short and there were no guarantees of tomorrow. Buck quickly mounted his horse and together he and Lou went back to town and Ike.