Disclaimer: I do not own Young Riders or any of the characters. I wish I owned Buck though ;)

A/N: This story is the sequel to my story Return to Rock Creek. If you have not read it, please do so before continuing this one. Story will be told from the POV's of several different characters. I will let you know who they are when switching to a new POV. Thanks for reading and reviews are always welcome.

Chapter 1

It's been ten years since I laid eyes on the town of Rock Creek. I had no intention of ever returning here. Not after everything that happened, not after the war. The only reason I'm here now is because of her. I know I should have returned to her sooner but after the war I had a lot to deal with. So when I finally returned to our home in Virginia two months ago it was to find her gone. The neighbors told me she had moved on over eight years ago. There was only one place I could think of that she would go to. Rock Creek. So that's why I find myself here now, overlooking what once was the Pony Express station.

The place has changed quite a lot. The main house and barn look the same, but the bunkhouse looks like it has had several rooms added on. It's been turned into a regular house. I wonder who lives there now. Judging from the number of horses in the corral and surrounding pastures, whoever owns it has a horse ranch. From my vantage point I can see another bunkhouse further away and two small houses located near the station. It must be a multiple family business.

Oh look here comes someone now. I wonder if they would know anything about her. Wait is that Buck? It is! Those must be his children, all four of them. This must be his place. I wonder who he went into business with and if I know the girl he married. Wait someone is coming out of the bunkhouse. It's Lou! I've found her! Buck must just be visiting. Wow his kids really like her, judging by the way they are swarming around her now. She seems happy to see him. Wait why is she kissing Buck? Oh no it can't be. Those are Lou's kids with Buck! How can this be? She's my wife. But Buck wouldn't be with Lou unless they were married and they wouldn't marry unless they thought I was dead.

I shouldn't have come back here. I need to leave before they see me. Too Late. I watch in horror as Lou spots me and faints dead away.

Buck's POV

I swear I am never taking these hellions anywhere again! Man are they their namesakes, well all except Emma. If she actually took after Emma it would be a blessing, instead she is her mother's child to the bone, and I love it. I still can't believe Lou and I made these four beautiful wild children. I can't believe it's been eight years since I married Lou.

Finally we're home. The children wasted no time running off. Oh they spotted their momma. I swear Lou gets more beautiful every day. I make my way to my wife. I have to push our rugrats out of the way so I can embrace her, her small baby bump making contact first. "Hello beautiful" I say after we break our kiss. "I sure don't feel beautiful today, but I love you all the more for thinking it." Lou tells me with a grin.

"How was the trip to town?' she asks me, she can tell I've been about ready to pull my hair out. "Well our children have been banished from Tompkins's store…again." I tell her trying really hard not to laugh. "What did they do this time?" Lou asked looking in the direction our children had run off in. "Oh same old same old." I said with a grin. "Well they come by it honestly." Lou said laughing, I join in now. They really were our children after all. Little Ike just turned six and our twin boys, Jimmy and Cody were going to be five in a month, and our little baby girl Emma just turned three. Lou was due to deliver our fifth children shortly before Christmas, a good five months away.

I watch as Lou catches sight of something. Shielding her eyes she looks into the distance behind me. "What is it?" I ask not turning, if its trouble I don't want them to know I'm aware of them. "It's a rider." Lou says barely moving her mouth, she doesn't want to let on she's seen them either. "How many?" I ask wondering if I will be able to protect my family if the need arises. "Just one." Lou says her brow wrinkling in confusion. "What's wrong Lou?" I ask knowing that look. "I don't know, there is something familiar about him." Lou says. I turn to look, moving beside Lou. There is something familiar about him.

Out of the corner of my eye I see the color drain from Lou's face. I turn back to her. "Lou? What's wrong honey?" I asked concerned it might be the baby she is carrying. She points to the rider and says, "Kid" just before she faints dead away into my arms. Kid, it can't be, he's dead. "Jimmy, Cody, Rachel!" I cry out. They immediately come running, knowing I only shout like that when something is wrong. "What happened Buck?" Rachel asks when she spots Lou in my arms. "She's fainted Rachel, help me get her in the house." Rachel does so, I stop and say to the guys, 'Jimmy, Cody there was a rider on the ridge. Go after him now!"

"What's wrong Buck?' Cody asks, he knows I don't usually order them around like they are my hired hands. "It's Kid!" I say sharply. They look at me like I'm crazy. "Kid's dead Buck" Jimmy said thinking I've lost my mind. "Just do it Jimmy." I shout at him. My two friends look at each other before going for their horses. I hear them ride away as I carry Lou into our home with Rachel's help.

It can't be Kid. It's not possible. He died over eight years ago. If it is him where has he been all this time? Why show up now? What could he want? Lou that's why he's here. Please don't let it be Kid.

A/N: Uh Oh... Looks like trouble ahead for Buck and Lou.