I just want to say I do not own The Young Riders or any of the characters and this is my first story so please read and review.

Nightmares Do Come True

"No please, please stop No!" Lou screamed from her bunk.

Kid who was awake because of her tossing and turning jumped out of bed and stood to see tears streaming down Lou's face as she thrashed from side to side. Jimmy, Cody, Buck, Ike, and Noah were all awake now after hearing Lou scream those words. Jimmy was the first to speak.

"Kid do something."

"Lou, Lou you got to wake up sweetheart it's just a bad dream." Kid said softly trying to block her throws as she screamed again.

"No stop please."

Kid tried again, "Lou please open your eyes. I'm here, you're just dreaming."

Lou kept swinging her arms and tossing her head from side to side.

-Maybe we should get Rachel- Ike signed.

"Ike's right Kid, I'll go get Rachel, she should be getting up now anyways." Buck said as he turned to leave.

"No Lou wouldn't want that."

"Then do something Kid. Look at her she's hurtin', you gotta wake her up." Jimmy said with a pained look.

Kid grabbed Lou by the shoulders and gently shook her as he raised his voice to her. "Lou, listen to me. It's Kid, you are dreaming. I'm here; now open your eyes Lou."

Lou slowly opened her eyes and saw her fellow riders all looking at her with wide eyes.

"Lou are you alright?" Noah asked

Lou was embarrassed now to have everyone looking at her so she quickly jumped down from her bunk, got dressed, grabbed her gun belt, and her hat in what seemed to be one motion and headed to the door. As the bunkhouse door was closing behind her she shouted back, "I'm Fine!"

"Good you're up; I've got breakfast Lou is everyone else up?" Rachel asked coming to the bunkhouse.

"Yeah Rachel, their all up. I'll be right back, just goin' to get Lightning ready." Lou said over her shoulder on her way to the barn.

"Alright, just don't be to long otherwise I'm sure Cody will eat your share."

"Kid are you going to go after her?"

"No Jimmy, I think she needs some time alone right now."

"Alone, did you see her? She was shaking even after she woke up."

"I know Cody, I'm not blind. I know Lou and she's not ready to talk right now." Kid said even though his heart wanted to run out after her.

"I think Kid's right. She knows we are all here and when she's ready she'll come to us" Buck said without hesitation.

-I hope your right.- Ike signed as the all finished dressing.

"Good morning boys." Rachel said entering the bunkhouse. The riders all said their good mornings back to her as they seated themselves around the table.

"Good morning boy." Lou said as Lightning nayed and came up to her. Lou saddled him and then stood stroking his head as all her thoughts were going through her head. 'It's been two years. I haven't forgotten. I remember. I remember every time some man looks at me too long. I remember every time there's a dance and I go as a man instead of a true lady. I even remember when I'm with Kid. Kid, what will he do when he finds out? What will he think? No he can't find out. No one can ever find out. When will the nightmare stop? Why did I have to wake the others? I can only imagine what they are thinking. I can't tell anyone. I can get through this. I have to, it's just another day.'

Teaspoon stepped out of the tack room. "Good morning Lou." No response came so he cleared his throat, "Sure looks like it's going to be a mighty fine day today don't ya think?" Still nothing. He stepped closer to her and put his hand on her shoulder "Lou?"

Lou spun around and had drawn her gun. Teaspoon jumped back when he saw the gun and had his hands raised as Jesse stepped into the barn and watched quietly from the door Lou had entered earlier.

"Hold on Lou it's me Teaspoon."

Lou blinked and lowered her gun. "I'm sorry Teaspoon I didn't hear you."

"Lou are you alright?"

"Yes Teaspoon, I'm sorry, I just didn't hear you"

"Teaspoon, Lou. Rachel said to tell you breakfast is ready and Cody said to hurry up because he's hungry."

"Alright Jesse, we're coming." Teaspoon said as he followed behind Lou.

All three entered the bunkhouse and sat down at the table. Everyone was rather quiet this morning. Jesse did most of the talking while the others only spoke when asked a question. Lou however tried to act as though nothing had happened.

"Rider comin'." Buck spoke moments after everyone had finished eating.

"That's me." Lou said as stood and headed to the door. The others all followed. Rachel however stayed behind to clean up. There was a chorus of 'ride safe' as Lou took off out of the yard.

"Alright boys get to your chores." Mumbling was heard as they all went in separate directions to start their chores. Teaspoon went back in to find Rachel almost done cleaning up. "Rachel?"

"Yes Teaspoon?"

"Is Lou ok?"

"What do you mean Teaspoon?"

"Has she said anything to you about anything bothering her?"

"No she hasn't. Should I be worried about her?"

"No No, I was just wondering. I'm going to go into town now. Send one of the boys if you need anything." Teaspoon said turning to leave.

"Alright, have a good day."

Later the boys were all gathered in the barn taking a break. "Kid do you really think Lou is ok?"

"I don't know Cody; she was acting normal at breakfast. But I can't get the words she was saying before she woke up out of my mind."

-Maybe it was just a dream and we are just worrying over nothing.-

"You could be right Ike but I've never known Lou to be afraid of anything." Jimmy said remembering how Lou looked.

Jesse had been listening and decided to chime in. "I've never seen her pull her gun on anyone either cept in a fight."

Kid spun around as the others all looked to Jesse. "What are you talking about Jesse?"

"This morning I came in to tell Teaspoon and her breakfast was ready and she had her gun aimed at Teaspoon."

"What?" Jimmy, Cody, Buck, and Noah all said at once while Kid and Ike had their mouths open in shock.

"Are you sure Jesse?"

"Positive Jimmy. Teaspoon had his arms up. She lowered her gun and apologized to teaspoon. Just said she didn't hear him. Then she and Teaspoon and me came in for breakfast."

"That's not Lou. Something's wrong. I'm going to talk to her when she gets back."

"Be careful Kid. You know her temper. Don't push if she's not ready to talk."

"I know Buck but I gotta try."

"I know Kid."

Just then they heard a wagon and they all stepped outside. As the wagon stopped they all saw a very pretty woman sitting before them.

"Excuse me gentlemen. Does Louise McCloud live here?"