NOTE: This episode takes place right after the television episode The Last Farewell. The town of Walnut Grove has left all they've known to embark on a new journey. The Last Farewell takes place in 1906, but I am changing the time back to 1889. I am not at all copying from the fan fiction written here entitled: After the Prairie. I had no idea that episode had been written and had had my idea before I even saw it. Since there is no category for Little House on the Prairie under drama, I am posting this fan fiction under the book series.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Little House on the Prairie book series, the television series based on the books, or any of the characters affiliated with the series.

RATING: PG-13

The Show Must Go On

Through the back of the buckboard Jenny watched the line of wagons follow behind. It was a sad occasion, one not worth remembering. The town which she had spent the past two years was gone, destroyed all because it belonged to selfish Nathan Lassitor. Walnut Grove was where Jenny found out who she really was, found her first crush, and found out about the harsh realities of life. Two years prior when she and her father visited Laura and Almanzo (her aunt and uncle), she learned her father was very ill and soon after he passed away. Orphaned, Almanzo felt he owed it to his niece and brother to take Jenny in as their own child. Jenny had made so many friends in Walnut Grove and had met some wonderful people. She thought everything was going to be okay again, until this unfortunate event happened. Everything she had come to know was gone. The town was blown up so that Lassitor would have to start brand new.

Stupid territorial claims, she thought. The world is so messed up. Jenny's thoughts were interrupted by a sniffling sound coming from behind her. She looked over and saw Nancy whipping her nose with a handkerchief.

"Are you still crying Nancy?" Jenny asked in a disgusted tone.

"Yes, I am. This is horrible. I don't see why you aren't as upset. Well, I guess you don't have much of a reason to be. I mean all you lost was a house. I lost everything. My house, my new dolls, my piano, some of my dresses, my china tea set, oh and not to mention my beautiful doll house that came from Paris."

Jenny snapped. "Nancy, I lost more than just a house, I lost a community of people and a town that I love. I guess you wouldn't know, since you had no friends. So don't tell me I didn't loose anything." Jenny realized what she had said and said no more. She felt bad for being so harsh even if it was just Nancy, but today was different and no one needed to be yelled at.

A moment's pause went by. "I'm sorry Nancy."

"It's okay. I am sorry too-I guess. I am just worried about Mother.

Nancy's mother, Harriet Oleson, had been sick with the flu for a long time. She was getting better, but still in a weakened state her husband, Nels set up cushions in the back of their wagon for Harriet to lie in. This was why Nancy was traveling with the Wilder family.

Jenny looked out the hole in canvas that covered the wagon and saw that the trail of wagons was lessening. As they passed each town, more families would head off into to try to start a new life.

"Doesn't look like many folks are left. Is your family still going to Bur Oak with us?" Jenny asked.

"I don't know. When would I have asked them? Are the Carter's going to Bur Oak too?"

"Yeah, for a little while anyway. They will probably head back to New York to be with Mrs. Carter's dad though. I feel bad because I don't think they want to live in the city."

"I wish Jeb was riding in this wagon with us." Nancy stated.

"You know there's hardly enough room for us, let alone another person!"

"I know, I'm just wishing."

Meanwhile, two wagons in front, Charles and Caroline Ingalls stared blankly at the road ahead of them.

"I can't believe it Charles. Walnut Grove, it's gone. You know that was my favorite place we lived."

"That it was. There were some fine folks that lived there. But things change." He said as he clung tighter to the horse's reigns. There was some rocky turf ahead.

Since the Ingalls had come to Walnut Grove on the stage, they had no wagon or horses of their own. Luckily a neighbor had an extra wagon, and the stable had some horses that were not claimed. Charles felt it was only right to ride back to Burr Oak with his upset daughter and wife.

"Charles, do you think this is the right time to tell Laura and Almanzo about our plan?"

"I think it is Caroline. We will tell them at supper."

The fire crackled and shot up sparks into the dark sky. The Olesons, Ingalls, Wilders, Carters, Isaiah Edwards, and Doctor Baker sat around the warmth of the fire while they waited for the beans to heat.

"We are the only people left of Walnut Grove. It seems everyone else has found some place else to go. Doctor Baker pointed out. "It is too hard to fathom."

Caroline glared at Charles hoping he would announce the big news.

"I know everyone is upset right now, and are probably not in the right state of mind to make a choice like this, but Caroline and I have a proposition to make. Before the whole Walnut Grove fiasco, Caroline and I decided we were going to move from Burr Oak, Iowa to a town in the Dakotas called De Smet. Now, in De Smet there is a big prairie and lots of room for settlement and crops. It is not a fully developed town yet, so I am sure there is use for a doctor, and possibly a journalist. I am not pressuring anyone, but we thought we would bring it up."

No one spoke for what seemed like hours. "Are you sure no one has claims on the land Charles?" Isaiah said trying to break the silence.

They all laughed, but soon went back into deep thought.

"You know Harriet; this idea doesn't sound half bad. I bet we could start a whole new store." Nels suggested.

"You think so?" Harriet wondered in a weakened voice, "but what if there is already a store?"

"Then we will build a new one! Any town could use two stores."

"But Father," Nancy protested, "I thought we would move to the city- maybe Chicago or New York."

"Now Nancy we never said we would move to the city. Personally, I hate the city. We are going to do what is best for the family and right now De Smet seems like the perfect place."

"Well if the Oleson family is going to to De Smet then count us in also!" Sarah Carter chimed in.

"But what about your father?" Her husband John asked.

"What about my father? We will live with people we are fimilar with, not distant relatives."

"Well alright then. I guess we are going to De Smet as well." John smiled.

Doctor Baker spoke up. "I have a feeling there are many sick people who could need my care in the Dakota Territory."

"Well Almanzo what do you think? Charles asked.

"You said there was lots of land there, huh? We need farm land and…"

"And a place where are friends and family are." Laura finished. "I think De Smet is looking real fine right now. Now Mr. Edwards, what about you?"

"You know I will go wherever your family is Laura."

"Well alright then it is settled!" Charles smiled. Look out De Smet here we come!"

It was a long trip to the Dakotas. To Jenny the prairie seemed like it went on forever. Charles and Caroline had gone back to Bur Oak to pick up the rest of their family. Albert, James, Carrie, Cassandra, and Grace were happy that they were going to be reunited with old friends.

Mrs. Oleson was feeling better, but still needed her rest, so Nancy was still traveling with the Wilders.

"Jenny I don't think I will like the Dakotas. They sound so boring; worse than Minnesota."

"Stop complaining Nancy. It will be fine you just wait and see."

"What if there are prettier people than me?"

"Nancy, there are prettier people than you."

"I'm telling!"

"Who are you going to tell?"

"Mother, well, when she is feeling better I will.

"Okay." Jenny said in disbelief.

Jenny took the brush from the wooden trunk and brushed out her long black hair.

"It's a shame you have straight hair Jenny."

"Mine is curly. I don't know what I would do if I had boring hair like that."

"You would make the best of it. Besides I wear my hair in braids all the time anyway, so it doesn't matter." Jenny argued.

"Sure it doesn't."

"Girls!" Laura yelled looking into the back of the wagon. "Look! Look ahead! There is our new home!"

Nancy and Jenny rushed to the opening in the canvas. Among the land they saw a few scattered houses and wheat. There was wheat everywhere. The land was covered with wheat and yellow grass. The dark royal blue sky contrasted with the bright yellow ground.

"What happened to the green?" Nancy said in disgust.

"Who cares Nancy? This is our new home!" Jenny said with a grin plastered to her face. She was thrilled to finally be able to call some place home, and everything all over again. This time it is going to be better. Nothing can bring me down, so she thought.

TO BE CONTINUED

No flames please!