AN: Sorry for my slowness in getting back to this story! I will try and update more frequently from here on out.

Monica noticed that it had been steadily growing darker, the campfires in the distance were being extinguished for the night. She also noticed Daniel's hand inching closer to her knee and really wanted to avoid the awkwardness of denying even the most innocent advances. They were having a good time, but she still didn't feel romantically towards him.

"Well, it's getting late. We really should be getting back. They might be wondering where we are."

"Oh, yes. You're right ..." Daniel trailed off, looking into her eyes. Monica prayed that he wouldn't lean in to kiss her.

The sound of a gunshot startled them out of their respective thoughts. Her heart sank to her feet as Daniel leapt up.

Several shouts and cries could be heard. "Is it an Indian attack?" Monica asked in alarm. She had heard stories back home.

"No." Daniel said shaking his head, "It's probably nothing. Maybe a wild animal wandered to close to camp. Come on, let's go."

He took her hand protectively as they hurried back to their companions.

Monica's panic grew when she realized a group of strangers was gathered by one of their wagons.

"Ross?"

"Monica!"

As her brother emerged from the small crowd, she let go of Daniel and broke into a run. The siblings embraced tightly as Daniel hurried to the center of the commotion.

Monica let go and turned to take in what was going on. "What happened? Is Rachel okay? What about Abby and the other kids? Chandler?"

"They're all fine. It's Henry. There was an accident."

She noticed James, Abigail, and Ruth were being held back by Rachel and Caroline; fear in their young faces.

"We had been moving some stuff around in the wagon, taking inventory, Some rifles got put in the back on top of the blankets. Later when Henry pulled one out, the gun dropped and went off. The bullet is lodged in his chest."

"Will he be alright?"

"I don't know." But his face told her that he did.

"Me and Chandler moved him onto a mattress. Some young doctor from another camp is bandaging him up as best as he can."

"But he has to be okay. He has a family." Tears were beginning to blur her vision.

The travelers from nearby wagon trains began to disperse. A nervous young man clutching a medical bag was talking to Thomas. Catherine sat at Henry's side, his hand in hers.

"I recommend you rest here for awhile. Change the wrappings as they become soaked through ..."

As the doctor continued, Chandler and Daniel exchanged concerned looks. They knew the dangers of getting behind schedule; what happened to those who didn't make it through the mountains before winter set in. But they also didn't want to risk his chance of survival.

Henry stirred, breathing raggedly, before he fell back into unconsciousness.


The following day was full of waiting and worrying. A relentless darkness hung over the camp as Henry continued to grow weaker. It was dusk when he passed into the beyond. Thomas dug the grave himself; refusing the other men's offers to assist. Caroline wept as he filled the hole; not wanting to leave her son's body to rest in this strange and far away place. Catherine kept the children close; putting on the bravest face she could muster as she explained to Ruth that her father was not coming back.

It was hard to know how to continue, yet they knew they had to press forward; there was still so much ground to cover.


That night Monica wandered back to the edge of the grove, wrapping her shawl tightly around her as the wind rustled through the leaves. She was absently staring into the water when Chandler appeared by her side.

"Mind if I join you?"

"No."

They sat side by side in silence for a long time, each lost in their own thoughts about Henry's sudden death.

Monica was grieving for Caroline and the children. She blinked back salty tears as she recalled their faces; James' stoic gaze, Abigail's eyes averted from the grave, both tightly holding the hands of a confused Ruth. It wasn't fair. What would they do once they got to Oregon? How can I help them? As is common in times of shock and sadness, she was also thinking of her own regrets, reminded that life is precious and time is fleeting. Should I have married Richard after all? Will I ever see him again? What about my parents? I wish I had left on better terms.

Chandler too was considering mortality and regret. He had buried his parents as a young child. Watching Thomas today had tuned the tables; he and Caroline had to bury their only son. Will I be able to protect my own child? Or Jess? Should I have risked their lives on this journey? He could scarcely believe that Henry was truly gone; it all happened so fast. If only we hadn't moved those supplies ... he would still be here. He lowered his head to his hands, racked with guilt and grief.

"It's not your fault." Monica whispered, watching. Chandler glanced up with doubt in his eyes.

A little louder she said, "I know you think it is. And I know Ross does too. But it could have happened even if you all hadn't just rearranged things in the wagon."

Chandler looked the other way, unable to respond.

"Someone once told me that there's no use keeping the hurt inside." She smiled sadly and got a half-hearted grin in response.

"It just seems like we should have been able to prevent this, you know?"

"I think that's the way most accidents are, Chandler. It doesn't make it easy and it doesn't make it fair."

"You're damn right about that."