Lou's POV
The next morning we got up early to return home. We had a wedding to plan. Buck stopped at the Express station and mailed off a letter to Sam and Emma to tell them of the wedding. I wondered how we would get a message to Red Bear but Buck told me not to worry about that. Red Bear would be there when we needed him. I just smiled; Buck was still somewhat of a mystery to me. I didn't always understand his beliefs or how he just knew things but I never doubted them. Especially when I always seem to know things were going to happen too. Like this trip, I still couldn't shake the feeling that Buck was in danger.
We were halfway home when Buck suddenly stopped his horse and scanned the horizon. "What is it Buck?" I asked in a whisper. "I don't know Lou, but I feel like we're being watched." He said still looking around and behind us. "Is it Indians?" I asked concerned. Buck shook his head, "I don't think so. And I think it's only one or two riders." "Do you think we're in trouble?' I asked in a hoarse whisper belying my fear. "Yes." Was all he said. "Damn, I knew you shouldn't have gone on this run." I said in a huff. Buck knew I was scared he moved his horse closer and patted my knee, "it's alright Lou, we've got a good lead on them; we should be able to outrun them." "Well then what are we waiting for?' I cried spurring Lightning into action. "Whatever happens Lou just keep riding." Buck called as he gave chase quickly catching up and passing me.
I was right behind him. I could hear our pursuers give chase. Buck was right we did have a good lead but our horses were getting tired. I knew we would never make Rock Creek. Our pursuers were getting closer. They started firing on us. We fired back. All of a sudden I felt a blazing heat spread through my shoulder as I was struck by a bullet, knocking me from my horse. I heard Buck cry out my name before my world went black.
Buck's POV
My world stopped spinning the moment Lou was hit and fell from her horse. I could have kept going and maybe have gotten away, but I couldn't leave Lou. She was my life. I couldn't live without her now. I pulled on my reins and quickly dismounted and rushed to Lou's side. I kept up firing on the two men approaching but I was out of bullets. I couldn't protect myself or the woman I loved.
"If you want him to live, put the gun down." A voice said, I looked up and met the eyes of the stranger from the dance. I glared at him, the hatred evident in my eyes. "I've been looking forward to this half breed. Who should I kill first you or your tiny friend there?" he snarled at me. I refused to show him fear. "Kill the half breed, that little one is a girl." The second rider said his voice was eerily familiar. I turned my head to look at the man praying that my ears had deceived me; unfortunately my eyes said they hadn't. It was Kid. "Kid please don't do this. I thought we were friends." I said to Kid trying my best to keep the fear out of my voice from the look in his eyes. I didn't recognize him anymore.
"We were Buck, until you stole my girl. Now you're going to die." The Kid nodded his head to the stranger and the gun went off. I doubled over from the pain. I knew I was going to die. The stranger dismounted and walked over to Lou. "Well would ya look at that, it's the whore from the dance. How did ya know?" the stranger asked Kid. "Because she's my girl." Kid said before shooting the stranger in the back. He fell dead next to Lou. Kid picked Lou up and put her across Katy's back before mounting her and riding away leaving me bleeding to death. I prayed Lou would be ok, that somehow someone would save her as I slowly gave way to unconsciousness.
Meanwhile back in Rock Creek the others were starting to worry. "I'm telling ya Teaspoon something is wrong. They should have been back by now." Jimmy said. "They probably just decided to enjoy each other's company." Teaspoon replied not concerned yet, they were only a little late. "No, Lou didn't want Buck to go on this run; she thought something would happen to him." Ike signed feeling guilty for not taking the run. "That's why she went with him because we wouldn't trade." Cody said his eyes downcast. They all felt guilty. "Teaspoon we got to go look for them." Noah said. "The boys are right Teaspoon, something is wrong. I feel it." Rachel said coming to stand behind Ike. "Well we can't all go. Ike and Cody ya'll are with me. Jimmy I'm making you deputy. Noah watch over Rachel and things here." Teaspoon said standing and exiting the bunkhouse. Ike and Cody followed him to the barn where they quickly saddled their horses and headed out in search of their missing family members.
Lou's POV
I became aware of my uncomfortable position, lying across a horse's back. I tried to remember what happened. The last thing was being chased by two unknown riders. I had been shot which explains the pain in my shoulder. Where was Buck? Was he hurt? Was he even alive? And where was I? Whose horse was I on?
I carefully opened my eyes from my position I couldn't see much other than I was on a painted pony. My first thought was Indians. But then I saw the horse was shod. A white man had me. I tried to turn my head to see who had me without him noticing, but he did. He brought his horse to a stop and dismounting pulling me down to sit me on the ground. I felt a wave of dizziness over take me and I had to shut my eyes. When I opened them my eyes focused on a pair of familiar blue ones. "Kid?" was all I could say. "Hello Louise." Kid said with a strange look in his eyes.
"Kid what happened? Where am I? Where's Buck?" I asked thinking he had saved me. "You were shot in the shoulder and fell from your horse. You're with me and that's all you need to know right now. And Buck, he's dead." Kid said with a wicked grin. The color drained from my face and my blood grew cold as I gasped in shock. "No! He can't be! Please Kid tell me he's not dead?" I begged and cried. "I would say I'm sorry but I'm not. He's dead; my friend took care of that right before I took care of him." Kid said with an evil gleam in his eyes.
"NO!" I screamed as I launched myself at Kid, scratching and biting, kicking and hitting him with all the force I could muster. If I had my gun still I would have shot him. "How could you Kid!" I screamed "I loved him! He was your friend, your brother! How could you!" I cried sobbing falling to the ground and curling into a ball. My sobs wracking my body, I just couldn't believe Buck was dead. I couldn't believe Kid had done this, sure he hadn't pulled the trigger but he had killed Buck. I never thought I would ever want Kid dead but at the moment I did. I despised him
"Your mine now Lou, no one will ever come between us again." Kid said standing over me. He pulled me to my feet and forced me to mount Katy, he mounted behind me and we rode away. Sobs still wracked my body. Buck was dead. Kid had Buck killed to get to me. My life was over. I didn't want to live without Buck. And what exactly were Kid's plans for me. I don't think I wanted to know.
A/N: I would just like to say I'm sorry to all the Kid fans out there, I know Kid is really OOC but he's kinda taken a life of his own, this was so not the direction I thought this story was going to go in.