SHOUT OUTS/ANSWERS

DayDreamer P.: Thanks, I'm glad you like it. That's true. She wasn't. I think as the show went on, it become more and more obvious she was a girl (developmentally-wise if you know what I mean) so they had more people find out and gave her more opportunities to wear dresses. Thank you. Well, I ain't done with him yet.

Long Live BRUCAS: Thanks. Well, keep on reading and see. Here's another chap. Thanks.

Brankell: Well, I hope you like what I do with it in this fic.

DISCLAIMER

Young Riders belongs to MGM Studios, Ogiens/Kane Company, and ABC. I only own the plot and any unknown characters. I made up the name of the sheriff. I use one scene from the actual ep.

Immediately, Jimmy and Lou stopped, each pulling out their guns. Behind him, Jimmy felt the boy stiffen. He turned and was surprised to see the utter terror on the boy's face. Then, he turned back to stare at a short, Caucasian man with thinning blonde hair with hazel eyes. The man was dressed in a gray and black suit with a white shirt and a black necktie.

"Kid, get off that horse now," the man commanded.

"And who are you?" Lou asked.

"My name is Deforest Whitcomb," the man replied as he pointed his gun at them. "And you two have my son," he continued, un-cocking the safety. The boy addressed as Kid looked at the man anxiously. I-I can't risk them, he thought to himself. Grunting with some pain, Kid started to climb off of Jimmy's horse. Seeing this, Lou grabbed his arm.

"You don't have to do what he says," she told him.

"Yeah…I do," came the soft response. He finished dismounting and headed for the man.

"Now then, Sheriff, arrest these two for trying to kidnap my boy," Deforest ordered. The sheriff moved towards them and before anyone could stop him, Jimmy reached over and smacked Lou's horse on the rump with his gun, causing the animal to whinny shrilly and dash off. There. At least she'll be safe now, he thought to himself. There was no way he'd let these men get their hands on her. The sheriff started for her but Jimmy pulled on his horse's reins and rushed at him. The man retaliated by pointing his gun at the rider.

"Back up now, boy," the sheriff demanded. Jimmy clicked his tongue at his horse and instantly, the animal began walking backwards.

"Don't worry, boy. I'm not going to let anything happen to you," Jimmy murmured, patting his pet's head reassuringly. He continued to back up until he was told to stop.

"Now get off your horse." Again, Jimmy did as he was told. "Sheriff?"

"You're going to work, boy." With that, the sheriff grabbed Jimmy and dragged him away. Meanwhile, Lou had finally reached the way station in Sweetwater.

"Rider, comin'!" a man yelled.

"It's Lou," Buck noted.

"What's he comin' that way for?" Cody wondered. The girl stopped her horse and headed for Teaspoon's office.

"Teaspoon, is Sam at the jail?" she queried.

"You don't even give me a hello?" the man asked. "And where's my package."

"It's still in Prosperity, but we have bigger problems and I need the Marshal," came the response. Teaspoon frowned when he realized how serious the girl was.

"What happened, Son?" he queried.

"We were in town, we had just gotten the package when we heard this shout, went outside and saw this boy being dragged through the street by a couple of horses. When we released him, the sheriff and this man claiming to be the boy's father came up and they accused us of trying to kidnap him. They got Jimmy," she replied.

"All right. I'll go get the Marshal. You just take care of your horse," Teaspoon instructed.

"Yes, Sir," Lou replied. Then, she went to the stable. As she did so, Cody, Ike, and Buck followed her.

"What's going on, Lou?" Cody asked.

Can we help? Ike asked.

"We should wait for Sam. See what he says," Lou responded.

"You're not usually one to wait," Cody commented.

"It's just that town-it's downright spooky," Lou responded. Buck stared at the girl through concerned and narrowed eyes. In the time he had known Lou-s a boy and a girl-the rider had never been one to scare easily, so if she was saying that a town was spooky, things were worse than they thought. Meanwhile, in Prosperity, Jimmy and Kid had been lead to a field and then left.

"Just watch me and do as I do," Kid told him. Jimmy nodded. Kid lifted the ax over his head and swung expertly. Then, Jimmy did the same. The two boys repeated the motion. This went on for several minutes. Presently, the sheriff came out and walked over to them. Jimmy watched as Kid tensed. Well, this can't be good, the pony express rider thought to himself.

"Sheriff Richards," Kid stated.

"Well, it appears our newest recruit can keep up with the rest of us. That's good to see," he approved. Then, his gaze shifted to Kid.

"Whitcomb wants to see you in his office," he said. Kid tensed even more but nodded. Then, he gave his shovel to Jimmy.

"You gonna be all right?"

"I'll be fine." Then, he walked towards the building. The sheriff shoved Jimmy.

"Get back to work." Jimmy did as he was told as the man walked off. Meanwhile, Kid had reached the man's office and walked in.

"Dad, you wanted-" his voice trailed off in surprise when he realized that the man was naked in a tub. "You wanted to see me?" he asked, trying to keep his voice from breaking. Please don't be what I think it is. Please don't be what I think it is, the boy thought to himself.

"Yeah. I need you to scrub my back," the man answered nonchalantly, holding up a yellow scrubber. Kid blew out a breath and pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and second finger. "Well? I'm waiting, boy."

"You promised that we wouldn't have to do anything." Whitcomb chuckled.

"I never said anything of the sort, Kid." Kid stared at the scrubber.

"No." Kid stepped back just as the man stood up.

"What did you say to me?"

"I said 'No'. I'm not playing your games." As he answered his father, Kid kept inching towards the door as the man approached him.

"Don't you even think about it, Boy." However, Kid just continued towards the door. Whitcomb lunged in front of the boy, successfully blocking his way out. "That's gonna cost you, Kid." Kid tried for the door, only to be shoved back. Then, the man grabbed his arm and yanked him to his feet. Kid panted shakily as he was dragged towards the basin.

"W-w-wait, wait! Dad, Dad, I'm sorry!" Kid's protests were in vain as he was finally pushed to a kneeling position. Then, Whitcomb pushed the boy forward so that his head was underwater.

"You're going to fight? Is that it? You want to fight me, Kid? Huh?" he demanded as the boy struggled. Then, he pulled him up and the boy coughed violently. "You through fighting, Boy? Huh?" Kid nodded. "That's a good boy. Turn around." Reluctantly, Kid did as he was told. Then, Whitcomb pressed against him, letting his hands and lips travel all over the boy's body. Kid grunted, his eyes clouding in pain. Whitcomb then lifted Kid's shirt off and pressed against him even more. Then, he unbuttoned the boy's pants and held the boy down. Kid let out an agonized scream, which turned into a sob.