A/N With Julia's connection to the character Jarrod Barkley, from The Big Valley, he's mentioned in this chapter. And, he'll be making at least one appearance in another chapter if things go as planned. However, I'm not going to move this over to the cross over section. His appearance/s aren't going to be enough to warrant it. Not in my opinion anyway,

Chapter Ten

The gentleman's club was packed when Adam walked through the doors and began looking for a place to sit down. From all he'd heard about Miss Saxon, Adam wasn't surprised. He just hoped no one in the crowd had been in any of the battles, or skirmishes, he had been. That part, the part that someone could recognize him, was a bit unsettling at times. Though, the risk had paled compared to his need to find Joe. Now, it paled in comparison to his determination to do what he could to expose at least one of the people enabling so many off the record, unnecessary, skirmishes to take place. And, they were unnecessary in his book.

"Mr. Carter," The young woman who had greeted him on his first visit to the club, walked up to him smiling. "There's a seat reserved for you, near the front. Please, follow me." She then turned and started walking to the reserved table; Adam followed. While they walked, the young woman was busy talking. "Miss Saxon apologizes. She said she was going to talk to you before the show only she had a friend from Washington show up unexpectedly, a Captain Jarrod Barkley. She promises to do what she can to find time to talk to you after the show. If not, she'll at least send word where the two of you can meet later."

It was all Adam could do not to curse. He had hoped to talk with Julia, get the proof he needed and send a coded message to his colonel. That would free him up to go back to the Hunters and sit with Joe. Now he was going to hang around and hope for the best. Though, as he sat down, he tried to think of a believable reason to send for this Jarrod Barkley. After all, if the man was from Washington, he should be told about the suspicions that the North had when it came to the beautiful singer, if he didn't know already. There had to be a way to meet the captain without raising anyone's suspicions. However, Adam didn't have to dwell on the subject long as he was handed a small miracle; the waitress solved the problem for him.

"As you can see," the young auburn hair waitress said as she and Adam reached the table she had led him to, "we have a full house." She handed Adam a list of beverages the club had available after he'd pulled out the closest chair and sat down. "I was hoping, if you didn't mind, to have Captain Barkley also sit here." Her hesitancy could be heard in her voice.

Adam, who didn't have to ask why she was so nervous asking such a thing, wasn't about to turn down the request. Though, he knew he had to hide the fact that he was elated with the turn of events. "As long as you make it clear to everyone it was your idea, not mine. I won't mind."

"Yes, sir!" The waitress smiled wide. She didn't mind taking the responsibility for it; why should she? She had been her idea. She turned and quickly walked away.

~oOo~

Hop Sing walked out of the kitchen to see Ben once again standing by the fireplace. He could see fresh tears in his employer's eyes and a telegram in his hand. Unbeknownst to Adam, Mr. Hunter had decided to send a telegram on top of writing a letter. He hadn't cared if it meant spending a few of his own precious dollars.

"Mr. Car'wright have news?" Hop Sing asked quietly as he moved quickly from the dining room to the living room.

Ben felt a sharp knife enter his heart once more as he glanced at the words on the telegram once more.

Your son, Joe found STOP Critical condition STOP Do NOT come Too Dangerous STOP Will send word once it's safe STOP Letter to follow STOP Gideon Hunter STOP

If it wasn't for the fact that Ben recognized Gideon's name, had his attorney check to see if the man was still as honest and as good as Ben remembered him to be, and had the attorney tell him later that-yes-Gideon was still as good as gold…Ben would have ignored the request to stay on the Ponderosa. As was, he thanked the Lord that his youngest had been found, prayed that Joe would pull through, and that the promised letter would arrive soon. He handed the telegram to Hop Sing. "If only they'd find Adam too." He said once Hop Sing had taken the telegram from him.

"Does Number Two son know this?" Hop Sing asked, after he'd read the message and handed it back. Not having seen Hoss since breakfast, he didn't where Hoss was, nor did he know what the gentle giant was doing.

Ben sighed and nodded. "He's out in the barn; I showed it to him before I came into the house." His giant of a son had leaned on the stall door afterwards and hung his head, though he 'd said nothing. Ben had not pushed him to talk either. How could he when Ben didn't have a clue as to what to say himself? Ben then sent shock waves through Hop Sing as he threw the telegram into the fireplace and cursed loudly. Though, he quickly apologized to the wide eyed Chinese servant.

"I am sorry," his spoke, the weariness he felt could be heard in his voice and seen in his tired eyes. "I've always been able to be go to Joe when he's been injured or sick. I've always been able to do something, anything, to help him. Now, he's miles away, and I can't do one thing for him. I feel so helpless."

"Not true, you can do one thing." Hop Sing, who knew the faith his employer had, spoke with compassion.

Ben's head snapped up as he looked at Hop Sing. Then, before Hop Sing could say another thing, Ben felt duly chastised. "Pray," he gave Hop Sing a small, painful smile. "I can pray."

"Yes, he hear you. You man of faith. You pray sons be found. One found now; he need more prayer. Maybe he live, maybe he join Miss Marie. I do not know, but you can pray." Hop Sing replied. "And you see, you get Number One son back too. He be found too." Hop Sing turned around and headed back towards the kitchen, muttering in Chinese as he did so.

Ben rested his hand on the fireplace's mantle, bowed his head and did just as Hop Sing had said. After all, as Hop Sing had just pointed out, it was the one thing he could do for both his sons.