Disclaimer: I do not own Young Riders or any of the characters. Just taking them for a rider for my enjoyment.

A/N: I wrote this about 10 years ago so if its terrible that's why, I decided to type it up and upload anyway. It's written in Lou's POV, except one small section. I will let you know when it shifts. There is one scene in here that is a little explicit so this story is rated M.


We were all sitting around the bunkhouse after Buck and Ike returned from the funeral. Ike was upset, Emily had said she was going out of town for a few days but I think deep down he knew she was going to do something stupid. About this time Cody came in and said, "Hey Ike, I just saw Emily in town. I said hello to her but she acted like she hadn't even heard me. Looked like she was headed for the saloon."

Ike jumped out of his chair, grabbing his gun as he rushed from the bunkhouse. Buck was the first to chase after him. We knew something bad was going to happen. We all gave chase calling after Ike. We were too late. Rounding the corner, I heard the shot just before I watched in horror as Ike fell out of the doorway of the saloon. Buck was shouting, "Ike! No Ike!" We rushed him to the doctor, but I didn't hold out much hope, I prayed I was wrong. A few hours later the doctor came out, "I removed the bullet but he's lost a lot of blood."

Teaspoon spoke for all of us when he asked, "will he be alright doc?" "I don't know, there is nothing more I can do." The doctor said sadly, I knew the doctor didn't think he was going to make it. "Can we see him," Buck asked on the verge of tears. The doctor looked at Buck then around at the rest of us, "For a few minutes, and one at a time." We all agreed that Buck should go in first, Ike was like his brother. He wasn't in there for very long, and I don't know what was said between the two men, but when Buck came out there were tears streaming down his face. That was the first time I had actually seen him cry. I knew at that moment we were going to lose Ike. Buck not even bothering to wipe his eyes went to stand in front of Emily. This was all her fault, if she had not gone after the man who killed her father Ike wouldn't be in there dying. He told her that Ike wanted to see her, as much as I didn't like her at that moment, I knew Ike loved her, we all knew that. She got up and went to Ike.

Teaspoon came and stood before Buck saying something that only he could hear. Buck walked off as we called after him. He didn't stop. I knew whatever he needed to do, it was something he had to do alone, and he had to do it now. I had a feeling he was going to pray to the spirits to save Ike. I hoped it would work. I don't know if Buck would be able to survive losing Ike.

Sometime later Cody mentioned the fact that Emily had been in there quite a while. Teaspoon went to see what was going on. A few minutes later he called us in. Ike was gone, before we could say goodbye. We were all in shock. I could see Jimmy from the corner of my eye hugging himself to keep from crying. The Kid had a blank look of shock on his face. I couldn't see Noah or Cody from my position, but I had a feeling they had similar looks. I could feel my eyes tear up as my hands went to my mouth. Jimmy stepped forward and closed Ike's eyes. I couldn't take it anymore and rushed from the room.

I didn't stop and no one came after me. Mounting my horse I rode as fast as I could away from Rock Creek, away from the pain. At the time, I had no intention of stopping or of going back. I wanted to start over, someplace where the constant threat of death wasn't hanging over the heads of all those I loved. But after a couple of hours the tears were falling so thick from my eyes I couldn't see anything. I figured I better stop and make camp before I ended up getting my horse injured. It wouldn't do for Lightening to end up lame because of my recklessness.


Buck's POV

I knew the minute Ike's spirit left his body. I could feel it in my own. My spirit guide, the Eagle, came to me in that moment and I knew my friend, my brother was gone. I cried out to the heavens to the spirits who had taken him from me, then bowing my head to my arms I sobbed for my loss.

I stayed that way until close to nightfall. When I returned to the bunkhouse, I could see everybody was dealing with their grief in their own way. Jimmy was shooting things. Noah was smashing apples with his whip. Cody was watching the horses. Teaspoon and Rachel were sitting in the swing as Teaspoon held our housemother as she cried. Jesse was near them sitting quietly for a change. Kid was sitting on the other end of the porch staring off into the distance. The only one I didn't see was Lou.

"Where's Lou?" I asked to no one in particular. "She ran off… she hasn't come back." Teaspoon said with a hitch in his breath, I knew he meant she had ran off after Ike died. "Has anybody gone to look for her?" I asked worried that she was out there alone somewhere at night knowing she was upset. She could be hurt. Teaspoon looked over at the other boys and shook his head. Since no one seemed in any hurry to go after her, I mounted my horse again and set out to find Lou.