Whispers in the Dark

by RJane's Vindication

Multi-chapter, prequel. Terrorized by what he just can't remember, Joe's nightmares threaten to destroy not only him but his whole family as well. Can his family solve the mystery and unlock the buried secrets before it is too late? Or will the nightmares become reality and consume them all? Please review, I'd love to hear from you!

10. Chapter 9

A/N: I must apologize for my lengthy absence. I can only say that I had some things come up in my life that took my attention away from this for a while. Maybe this extra long chapter will win me a little forgiveness (please, please)? Just a quick aside: if you've also been reading 'Camping', I'm hoping to update that as well in the next few days.

A special thanks to BJ2, Wendylouwho10, Elbertina Roberts, pat, AuereusUna, MJ, and Tacpebs for taking the time to leave me a comment. Your encouragement is wonderful. Thanks also to those who have added this story as a favorite or a follow. You guys are the best!

Aside to AuerusUna: Your comment made me laugh, so I just had to look this up. Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 12, 1959 (thanks, Wikipedia!), when my father and mother were ages six and three respectively, so the show was way before my time, too! Still doesn't stop it from being fun to write!

Anyway, I'm about done talking. A lot of things are building in this chapter, it is only a matter of time now! I'm hoping that I've kept this chapter in line with the rest of my story, without it being overdone. If you can, I'd love to hear from you. Thanks, as always, for reading! - RJane :)

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

'The evil has come back. The evil want to take Little Joe again.'

Ben sat frozen on the settee, the words repeating mercilessly through his mind as he waited for Hop Sing to continue. All of the hurt and anger he'd been feeling towards the man in front of him had suddenly disappeared, swallowed up in a black hole of fear that now threatened to unhinge him. He heard Hoss gasp, and sensed, rather than saw, Adam's body tense at Hop Sing's revelation, but he couldn't seem to find the strength to offer them any comfort. Hop Sing was patient, and sensing the family's distress, gave them another moment to compose themselves before he continued. When he did, his voice was soft but carried forcefully.

'Little Joe went off that day, went with friend to play,' Hop Sing confirmed what Ben had already figured to be true. 'Boys playing, not pay attention to where they were going. Lost all track of time, didn't know they were so far away from home…'

'Did he say who he was with? Was it Timmy?' Ben mumbled dully, not turning from where he'd been staring blankly into the fire. 'Timmy Rawlins?'

'Youngest son did not say,' Hop Sing replied mournfully. His eyes focused on Ben, and he waited for Ben to lift his head and look at him before he continued. He felt the need to clarify further. 'Little Joe not remember who he with that day, I think he not want to remember…but…' Hope Sing paused a moment, 'but, yes…Hop Sing think Joe went with Timmy.' Hop Sing's thoughts turned to the small blond boy with the infectious smile who had appeared as young Joseph Cartwright's new best friend and then had disappeared seemingly unnoticed just a few months later. 'Friend of Little Joe never seen again after that day…' his voice trailed off sadly.

The room became stifling and uncomfortable as the silence grew louder. Unable to bear it any longer, it was Adam who broke the silence next.

'What happened, Hop Sing?' he asked quietly. 'What happened to Little Joe and Timmy that day?'

Hop Sing couldn't help but wince at the coldness he could hear in the young man's voice. The evil that seemed to have permeated throughout his entire family had twisted the young man's normally cool headedness into a burning hatred, and it made the small man uneasy. He couldn't help but think that overactive emotions would be of no help with the situation, especially with what he was about to tell them next.

'Two boys playing,' Hop Sing relayed the information slowly, his dark eyes darting back and forth as he watched the expressions on the faces of the men in front of him. 'Find small cabin, way up in woods. Little brother see something in cabin, a flash of bright, and then…then the evil one came.'

'E-evil one?' Hoss stuttered shakily, his pale eyes widening as his body shuddered involuntarily. He made an unconscious motion to stand closer to the settee where his father was still sitting.

'What was it that Joe saw?' Adam pressed, seeming ignoring Hoss. His voice remained calculated, biting off the words with deadly venom. Ben didn't visibly react to the words of either of his sons, choosing instead to continue his silent brooding.

'Brother not remember, but saw something that evil one wanted to protect,' Hop Sing stated, answering Adam's question cautiously. 'Then other little boy gone, brother all alone with evil. Evil one tried to get Little Joe, but Little Joe fight hard, get away.'

'He escaped up the mountain,' Ben whispered softly, to no one in particular. His eyes filled with tears as he fully realized the terror that his little boy must have felt that day. 'Joseph climbed to the top of Eagle's Nest to get away from someone...someone who had tried to… dear God!' The words sent a shudder through his body as a strangled sob caught in his throat. 'If he hadn't… hadn't been able to get away…he, he might have been…'

'Mista Cartwright speak truth,' Hop Sing finished softly, his heart pounding at the anguish so visible on the eldest Cartwright's face.

'P-pa?' Hoss's voice wavered as he pleadingly stared at his father, his grasping of the full horror of his little brother's nightmares causing his eyes to overflow. The young man backed slowly towards the stairs, clumsily grasping the stair rail for support when he stumbled against the bottom step. 'I'm…I'm gonna go…s-sit with Joe now, Pa.'

Ben just nodded once, silently, and Hop Sing's eyes followed the young man's ascent of the stairs. Hoss paused for a moment at the top of the steps, and Hop Sing took the moment to call to the teenager softly, seeing the boy's need.

'Little Joe fortunate to have such caring big brother,' he smiled softly, bringing a ghost of a smile to Hoss's pale face. 'Little brother sleep for a while, will need older brother with him when he wakes, to make him feel safe. Older brother is always to watch out for younger brother. Most important job, such a big honor in family.' Hoss's smile widened slightly, and Hop Sing breathed a sigh of hope that things could maybe still return to normal. 'Make family proud, understand?'

'Yes sir, Hop Sing,' Hoss stuttered quickly, disappearing from view as he turned and headed down the hall to Joe's room.

Ben smiled faintly at Hop Sing, nodding his head once in the man's direction in a sign of unspoken gratitude. He waited until he heard the bedroom door upstairs open and then shut again before he spoke. His demeanor suddenly changed, the smile now gone and his words resigned and weary.

'How long?'

Hop Sing felt for the man in front of him, a man that he had come to admire and respect over the years. It wasn't just jealously driving the man's question; Hop Sing could tell that it was something more. He could see the guilt and failure in Ben's eyes, and the momentary irritation the small man had initially felt at the question vanished. He could also see Adam, still standing near the desk, his eyes wary as well. He knew he had to explain.

'Little Joe and Hop Sing understand each other,' Hop Sign said softly. 'Ever since boy just a little baby, he and Hop Sing just have connection.'

'Hmph,' Ben sighed dejectedly, the old feelings of guilt and inadequacy welling up all over again. He had a suspicion of what the small man was going to say next.

'When Little Joe born, things very difficult on Ponderosa,' Hop Sing stated. 'Ponderosa need lots work, keep Mista Cartwright very busy. Two older sons in school…and Missy Cartwright, well…' he paused, watching both Adam's and Ben's eyes for their reaction. 'Missy Cartwright not well…need someone to help take care of little boy.'

Ben sighed heavily, recognizing the darkening of Adam's eyes as the young man's unspoken questions began to formulate. Marie Cartwright had always been plagued with ill health, something she had fought desperately to hide. Ben had found out about the blinding headaches and weakness that had left his wife unable to function, but they had hidden it from his two older sons. He realized now that at the time he had tried not to think too hard about what must have gone on in his house while she was sick and he was busy or away. Guilt, he supposed, kept him from thinking about it. Even after her death, Ben had never felt the need to tell his sons. He wasn't sure why he had made that decision—maybe, he supposed, to protect his wife's memory, or maybe to protect himself, he wasn't sure. But that mattered little now; as there it was, out in the open, another secret buried and then brought cruelly to light.

'Little boy no trouble for Hop Sing,' Hop Sing cut in quickly, seeing where Ben's thoughts had wandered. 'Very smart little boy, help with chores. Very funny, Little Joe like to play tricks. Clever, learn to speak so quickly…'

Adam had stood quietly during the whole explanation, his initial surprise at Hop Sing's revelations disappearing as everything began to make sense. And what Hop Sing had said was true-the early days on the Ponderosa had been hard on them all, least of all on a boy too little to understand any of it. It was only natural for his little brother to navigate towards the one constant in his daily life: the small man who had been at the Ponderosa for as long as he had.

Another thought came to Adam, and this one caused a dull ache of sadness to wash over him. Circumstances had only gotten harder for the family after Marie's accident. After her death, their father had retreated into a dark place, leaving sixteen year old Adam responsible for the running of the Ponderosa. Trying his best, Adam had attempted to handle both the responsibility of keeping their home running as well as the daunting task of being a parent to his two younger brothers. Spread too thinly with responsibility for a full-grown man, let alone a teenager, Adam had only been able to do so much. Despite his best intentions, the end result had been more empty hours for the baby of the family, hours that needed to be filled by someone who cared. Adam suddenly was overwhelmed with gratitude for the small man who had stepped in and filled that need in his little brother's life.

'Thank you,' his rough whisper startled the silence of the room. Adam's eyes shone with a new-found respect as he stared at the small man in front of him, the man who had saved his family on more than one occasion. 'For what you've done for Joe, what you've done for all of us.'

Hop Sing nodded at the young man, his eyes watching Adam's face carefully. He felt a small measure of relief when he recognized the slight return of the boy's normal calmness and self-control. It pleased him. He thought of the battle that still lay ahead, and smiled grimly.

The evil has not won yet.

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

Hoss sat in the big chair that had grown increasingly familiar in the past days, watching the even breathing that indicated his little brother's deep sleep. He felt the slightest measure of relief in the fact that Joe was no longer so deathly pale, and that his brother appeared to actually be peaceful in his slumber, something that had been missing for days. Whatever concoction Hop Sing had come up with for his brother had obviously done the trick and Hoss smiled faintly at the thought.

He had known, for years actually, that Hop Sing and Joe had had a special connection. He'd never been jealous of their relationship; in fact, he had always felt quite the opposite. His younger brother had always needed someone to take care of him, and, Hoss had only reasonably figured, if it couldn't be him or Pa or Adam, then Hop Sing was the next best thing.

His mind wandered back to the dark times of the past. Life had been hard on the youngest Cartwrights, especially after Marie's death. Joe had really been too young to understand what had happened, and Hoss, being just a child himself, had never really gotten over the loss of the only mother he'd ever known. Their pa had practically abandoned them, and, while Adam had done the best he could, it was obvious to even the young Hoss that his teenage brother had been overwhelmed with the responsibility. Hoss was smart enough to know that they would never have survived the whole ordeal without Adam, and for that he would be grateful to his older brother until the day he died. But it still hadn't made it easier.

And when Adam had left to go to college, barely a year later, it had been Hoss who had been thrust into the role of older brother, mentor, protector. He had enthusiastically thrown himself into the role, and a new normal had developed between the two youngest Cartwrights. The years he'd had being the oldest had been an awakening time for him, had given him a lot of perspective on just what it meant to be the caretaker of such a mischievous child as his younger brother. There had been moments, he now sadly realized, when it had been too much for him, too, to handle. Joe had always been needy, emotional. Hoss was grateful, grateful beyond words actually, that Hop Sing had been there to step in when no one else could.

Joe stirred in his sleep, bringing Hoss's thoughts back to the present. He was sad that his little brother had gone through such a terrible thing alone, and was even sadder at the thought that Joe had felt he'd had to keep it to himself in the first place. He knew Joe wanted to be tough, grown-up, but this was more than that. Something so horrible had happened to his brother that Joe had literally been terrified into silence. Bits of the conversation from earlier began to crowd into his mind.

'Evil one…wants to take…again… far away from home… little boy gone… all alone.'

He shuddered as the words repeated now, sick with the thought of just how easily it could have been his little brother who had been lost, gone forever. An overwhelming feeling of loss came over him, causing the ready tears to stream down his face. His heart ached suddenly to return to the carefree times they had only recently enjoyed, in the weeks before this nightmare had begun.

'Hoss?'

His eyes lifted at the slight whisper, pale blue lighting up as he caught sight of the tired green eyes that were staring up at him. His face broke out into a feeble grin, and Joe mirrored him sleepily.

'Hey-ya, Shortshanks, how ya feelin'?'

'S'tired,' Joe mumbled, brushing a hand across his face. Hoss could see his little brother visibly stiffen as the memories of what had happened earlier came back to his memory. Joe's eyes widened and he looked around frantically. Seeing no one else in the room, he relaxed slightly before asking his older brother, 'What's goin' on?'

'Why don't ya tell me, little brother?' Hoss asked softly. Seeing Joe stiffen again, he leaned over and covered his brother's small hand with his own. 'Aw, come on, little buddy…ya can tell ol' Hoss, can't ya?'

Joe's lower lip trembled as he began to shake his head, but Hoss just squeezed the small boy's hand tighter to reassure him. Joe pulled his hand away as he turned his head, and Hoss felt another wave of sadness as again his brother appeared to shut him out. The soft words that finally came were barely audible, and full of sadness.

'I just…I just want things to go b-back to how they use ta be.'

Hoss released the breath he had been holding, and lowered his eyes down towards the bed. He looked up again, however, when he felt the gentle pressure of his brother's hand on his. Joe was giving him a small smile, his bright green eyes gazing almost shyly up at his older brother.

'I know, Shortshanks,' Hoss sighed, giving his brother a sad smile in return. 'Me too.'

Joe blinked, and yawned again as Hop Sing's tonic began to pull him under again. His eyes flitted closed and his breathing evened out again as he returned to his slumber. And the whole time, his older brother kept guard, Joe's small hand firmly held in Hoss's large one.

'Me too, buddy,' he whispered again, squeezing Joe's hand just a little tighter as he longed for the normalcy of days gone by. 'Nothin' ol' Hoss'd like more.'

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

The night passed peacefully; the first time since the whole nightmare had begun. Joe woke only once during the night, for just a few minutes, before returning to the restful sleep he needed. Ben had long since sent, amidst loud protests, his other sons to their own beds to get some rest, resigning himself to the big chair next to Joe's bedside. He hadn't meant to fall asleep, so the hand on his shoulder startled him.

'Hop Sing!' He frowned at the small man who had suddenly appeared next to him. 'You startled me…'

'How Little Joe doing?' Hop Sing ignored the growl in Ben's voice as he moved to the side of the bed, putting a small hand on Joe's forehead.

'He's only awakened once,' Ben said gruffly, grimacing and rubbing his back as he stood up. Hop Sing turned and smiled sympathetically.

'Little Joe no wake for rest of night,' he stated with confidence. 'Enough time for father to go bed, get good sleep.'

'No,' Ben said dismissively, scowling again at the small man in front of him as the guilt he'd been feeling for days resurfaced. 'I can't leave him, not again…'

'Father never leave little boy intentionally,' Hop Sing whispered, easily reading the expression on Ben's face. 'Little Joe see, live through, something terrible…but not father's fault. Mista Cartwright cannot keep blaming self…'

'Why not?' Ben's whisper was fierce. He turned back to face the bed as Joe stirred slightly, Hop Sign giving him an indignant look warning him that he better not wake the child. He dropped his voice lower as he hissed, 'Why shouldn't I? If I had paid better attention that day…'

'What about Hop Sing?' Hop Sing's voice was calm and indifferent. 'Or Adam, Hoss or even Missy Cartwright? Are they to blame too? Should they have paid better attention?'

'What?' Ben's look was incredulous as he stared at the small man. 'No…no. How, how would any of you have known…how could any of you prevent…?' His words trailed off softly as he dropped his eyes, a faint blush of shame and understanding suddenly coloring his face.

'Mista Cartwright,' Hop Sing whispered, placing a gentle hand on Ben's shoulder, 'Ben Cartwright. Please…please, Mista Cartwright must stop putting blame on self. No do Little Joe any good blaming self now for something that happened long time ago.' His eyes darkened slightly. 'Mista Cartwright need put energy into helping Little Joe now, must be ready to keep him safe from the evil when time comes to face it.' He smiled with grim satisfaction when Ben nodded his head slowly in agreement.

'Uh, Hop Sing,' Ben said softly as he quickly wiped his hand across his eyes. Looking up to face Hop Sing, he cleared his throat gruffly as he tried to speak out loud the emotions he felt. 'I just want you to know that, well…you see…'

Hop Sing smiled as he began to push the other man out of the room. 'Mista Cartwright, Hop Sing understand…go, go now. You too tired; get sleep, Little Joe need you tomorrow.' He gave Ben one more shove, pushing the man into the hallway. Closing the door in Ben's face, Hop Sing called softly, 'Mista Cartwright no worry. Hop Sing stay with Little Joe.'

Ben stared at the closed door for a moment as a flicker of anger at his being so easily disposed of came over him. Almost as suddenly, the anger dissipated and a wry smile crossed his face. Shaking his head, he went first to Adam's door and then Hoss's, and seeing that they both were sleeping soundly, he turned to make his way down the hall to his own room. He might not be happy with the situation, but he knew it was pointless to argue. Hop Sing had that way about him, of getting others to do exactly what he wanted, with unpleasant consequences to endure if defied.

Besides, Hop Sing was right about one thing. He really was too tired to argue anymore.

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

Adam startled awake, gasping slightly for breath as he sat up quickly in his bed. His eyes darted around the quiet room for a moment and he strained his ears to hear something, anything, that could give him a clue as to what had been awakened him so abruptly. Seeing and hearing nothing, he sighed softly as he flopped back down onto his pillows.

He closed his eyes and took a couple of deep breaths, trying to slow his suddenly pounding heart. A shudder coursed through his body and he broke into a cold sweat as he realized just what had caused him to jolt awake. It had all been so real.

The dark green shadows, growing longer and darker by the moment as he searched the woods for something. The wind had been howling behind him, the coldness sucking his breath from his body. He hadn't been sure where he was, and hadn't even realized he'd been running until his body suddenly slammed into the side of a small building. Startled, he'd fallen backwards, landing hard on the ground. Heart pounding in his chest, he'd struggled to get to his feet, freezing in absolute terror as the howling wind changed key and became something human and evil.

'No…no,' he breathed, throwing his body forward in an attempt to get into the building.

He couldn't explain it, but an aura of safety seemed to radiate from the small building. Adam had his foot on the threshold when an icy grip grabbed onto his ankle, pulling him backwards. He fell again as the hold strengthened and began to drag him away from the safety of the small shed. His hands moved frantically as he clawed at the dirt, trying in a desperate attempt to pull himself forwards.

'Let me go!' he screamed angrily, trying to kick away from the grasp that continued to hold him tightly.

Adam could hear the sinister laughing behind him as the icy hand on his leg continued to drag him backwards. The laughing suddenly stopped, and the voice spoke. It was devoid of any emotion except burning hatred, and the fear it instilled in Adam made him stop struggling for just a moment.

'No one's going to save you…'

And then the laughing started again, first an evil chuckle that rapidly increased in intensity and cruelty until it verged on hysterical. Adam's heart fell at the wave of absolute and utter loneliness that crashed over him. He was wretchedly alone; there was no one to help him.

Then, as suddenly as the laughing had started, it fell eerily silent. Adam found himself standing in a small clearing, the icy hands that had held him gone. The sun was shining, and he could hear the birds in the trees. Completely confused as to what happened, he began to spin in a slow circle, scanning the area around him.

'Adam!'

The terrified scream echoed through the sunny clearing, shattering the calmness. Adam's eyes flew upwards and to the left, and the sight in front of him made his blood run cold.

'Adam, please help!' his terrified little brother pleaded, as the little boy tried to pull away from the arm that was held securely around his neck. Joe's bright green eyes were wide with fear in his ghostly pale face as he struggled.

'Let him go!' Adam choked out desperately. The arm holding his little brother only wrapped itself tighter around the little boy's neck, cutting off the boy's air and causing him to wheeze. Adam's heart stopped and his eyes smarted as unshed tears began to gather. 'Please…'

The laughter began again, this time louder and even shriller than before. Joe was trying to push himself away from the grasp that held him, struggling with the desperateness of an animal caught in a trap. Adam felt a cold rage build over him, his eyes hardening as he clenched angrily at something in his hand.

'No one's going to save you…' the voice hissed into Joe's ear, sending the little boy into another wave of desperate thrashing. The little boy froze in utter terror at the unmistakable sound of a gun clicking, as the faceless figure holding Joe drew it's other hand up and pointed a revolver at his head, pulling back the hammer with dramatic fashion. The voice continued it's relentless taunting of the frightened child, the words tearing at Joe's older brother also. 'You've seen too much boy…nobody's gonna save you now…not even your big brother over there…'

'No, NO!' Adam screamed as the scene blurred before him. He stood frozen, unable to move, as a blur of greens and golds and blackness swirled around him, followed by the crack of a single gunshot.

'No…no…please…' Adam murmured, trying to push the terrible dream from his memory. He had closed his eyes as he relived the dream that had wakened him, and when he finally opened them he felt relief at seeing that he was still in his room. He struggled to his feet, and once standing on his still-shaky legs, he made his way slowly to the water pitcher and bowl. Splashing some water on his face resulted in calming his breathing down some, enough for him to clear his senses so that he could take a good look around for the first time.

Adam noticed the angles of light that the sun was casting through his window, surprised when he realized that it was around noontime. Suddenly afraid that something had happened, hence the quietness of the house, he forgot the dream as he pushed through his door into the hallway.

He made his way quickly down the hallway, hesitating a moment when he got to Joe's room. His dream still haunting him, and feeling the need to see that his little brother was indeed alright, Adam pushed the door open and stepped inside. The curtains had been drawn, keeping the room in semi-darkness, but Adam recognized the shape of his little brother lying quietly in the bed. He stepped closer, trying to study the boy's features in the dimness. A hand on his shoulder startled him.

'Little brother sleep,' Hop Sing whispered softly, turning a critical eye to look at Adam. Hiding his concern at the young man's haggard features, he smiled softly. 'All Cartwrights need sleep. Sleep whole day away.'

'Is he okay, Hop Sing?' Adam's worried eyes turned towards the silent form on the bed. 'No nightmares last night?'

'Little Joe sleep through whole night,' Hop Sing confirmed, the words earning him a sigh of relief from the concerned older brother. 'Youngest Cartwright son very strong, very brave.' Hop Sing leaned over the bed and touched the little boy's hair affectionately before turning back around to face Adam. 'Take time, but Little Joe will be alright. Evil have no chance against such strength.' He looked pointedly at Adam as he abruptly changed the subject. 'What evil does oldest Cartwright son see?'

'Evil…w-what?' Adam sputtered, his face growing red as he turned his eyes downwards towards the floor. 'Hop Sing, I don't know what you're trying to say, but…'

'Nonsense,' Hop Sing shook his head disgustedly, glaring at Adam. 'Easy to see Adam Cartwright is troubled by something; words you say do not fool Hop Sing any.' He paused thoughtfully for a moment. 'Perhaps you see something that will help?'

'Hop Sing,' Adam swallowed, not sure of how the question he was about to ask was going to sound. 'Do you think…I mean, do you believe in premonitions? Is what we see in dreams…do you think it means those things will come true?'

Hop Sing could see how much effort it had taken for the young man to speak what was on his mind, and he could also tell that whatever it was that he'd seen had troubled him greatly. He pondered the question for a moment, watching the emotions doing battle on Adam's face. When he spoke, it was low and with absolute conviction.

'No. Not all we see in dreams is truth. Dreams can be evil, too. Yes, they can tell truth, but they lie too.'

'Then how do I know what to do?' Adam implored, his eyes bright with emotion. He turned back to look at Joe still sleeping soundly. 'How do I know?'

Hop Sing took a deep breath and reached a hand out to touch Adam's shoulder. The boy shied away from his touch, and Hop Sing's heart welled in sorrow for the confused young man in front of him.

'Adam Cartwright very strong, very brave. Little brother learned from best example.' Adam didn't move, and Hop Sing continued confidently. 'Adam Cartwright will know the truth when time is right.'

'But…I…'

'No, Adam Cartwright must listen to Hop Sing.' He gave the young man in front of him a stern look. 'Trust Hop Sing, trust self. You will know truth at time it is to be revealed.'

Adam turned doubtful eyes to him, but Hop Sing remained firm. Adam's head bowed, but not before Hop Sing could see the tears filling his bright eyes. Silently, he moved to the young man and pulled him gently from the room, leading him towards the stairs. Coffee, something to eat, they would help. Hop Sing had taken care of them all for years, he knew what to do. And as they moved downstairs, Hop Sing couldn't deny his own emotions, a smile on his face as his heart swelled.

Pride, a sense of honor. This family, his family, was something to be proud of.

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

Joe stirred from his sleep, his green eyes opening slowly. His brow furrowed in confusion at the beams of light that were filtering into the room through the cracks in the drawn curtains. His eyes widening as they adjusted to the lack of light, he stared into the semi-darkness until he was able to distinguish the familiar shapes of the furniture in his room. It took him a moment to realize that he was alone, and he couldn't help feeling slightly surprised at it.

Not that he entirely minded being alone. They were all so worried; he wasn't blind to the anxiety he could see in their eyes, the fear they tried to hide when he was looking. Normal life on the Ponderosa had come to a near stand-still since his episode in town, and he hated the fact that it was his fault. He'd realized he wasn't as grown up as he wanted to be, and that bothered him. The nightmares had terrified him, fed on his deepest fears of being alone. He'd cried out for them then; but now, alone in the quiet, he had begun to think. And the thoughts on the pain he'd caused, the fear and helplessness he felt shamed him.

It was the moments like these that he wished everything could go back to normal. That he could just forget everything all over again, be empty of the nightmares that tried to force him to remember something he just didn't want to remember. At first, when the nightmares had started, he had wanted to remember; but now, after what they'd all been through, all he could wish for was forgetting. And he wanted everyone else to forget, too. He was tired of the worry and the hurt and the careful concern that made him feel like an outsider.

Joe sighed as he put his feet on the floor, pulling himself up to stand. He moaned softly as he put a hand down on the bed to support himself as the room began to spin. His vision cleared and he made his way to his dresser, quickly pulling off his nightshirt and slipping into a pair of pants and one of his chore shirts. Dressed, he turned to his mirror and made a half-hearted attempt at smoothing his unruly hair. Taking a deep breath, Joe emerged from his bedroom door and began a slow descent of the stairs.

He was momentarily surprised to see the lengthy shadows on the floor below, indicating that it was nearing evening chore time. He groaned at the realization that the day had gone by yet again, and that he had been oblivious to it. Determined now to do what he could to get things back to normal, he decided that he would make his way to the barn to begin his chores. So lost was he in his thoughts that he was unaware of the concerned eyes watching him.

'Joseph?'

Joe was started from his musings and stopped on the bottom stair. He blinked once and stood, frozen, as he attempted to get his bearings. Ben stood from his desk and moved towards his youngest son, laying his hand gently on the boy's shoulder.

'Joseph? Are you alright, son?'

Joe looked up as if hearing his father's voice for the first time. His eyes quickly dropped back down to the floor and his cheeks flushed with shame as he recognized the worry he again saw on his father's face. He was tired of causing so much worry. Ben felt his stomach twist upon seeing how his son couldn't even bring himself to look his father in the eye. Cupping the boy's' chin in his hand, he gently pushed Joe's head upwards, forcing the little boy's eyes to meet his own. His voice, when he spoke, was warm and gentle.

'Joseph, you know you can talk to me about anything, don't you?' He waited for the boy to respond, and when Joe didn't answer, he tried again. 'Joseph, do you hear me?'

'Yes sir,' the boy's voice rasped softly, his eyes glistening with tears.

Ben's heart broke at the sight, and he responded in the only way he knew how-he pulled his son into a fierce hug. Joe buried his face in Ben's waist, and Ben just stood silently, one arm wrapped around his son tightly while his other hand stroked gently through the boy's hair. He held him tightly until the tears stopped and Joe began to squirm away.

'Now,' Ben, hoping to lighten Joe's mood, changed the subject. 'Are you hungry, son? Hop Sing will have dinner ready shortly.' His eyes watched his son's face, pleading with him to try.

Joe, still embarrassed by the emotional release, gave his father a small smile, grateful for the attempt at normalcy that his father was extending. He didn't speak, just nodded his head slowly. Ben released the anxious breath he'd been holding and smiled back at the boy.

'Good…come then,' he said quietly, indicating with his hand the dining room table.

Joe looked in the direction his father was pointing, his breath catching slightly as he noticed his two older brothers for the first time. Sitting at the table, both Adam and Hoss were trying their best to ignore their little brother's embarrassment. It was Hoss acknowledged Joe first.

'Oh, hi-ya, Shortshanks,' he said quickly, trying his best to keep the worry out of his voice. 'Ya hungry?' He glanced over at Adam and smiled weakly. 'Hop Sing was jist about gettin' ready ta git us somethin' to eat.' He pointed to his stomach and laughed heartily. 'Hope he made a ton. I's so hungry, I could eat this here table!'

He and Adam both grinned widely at the resultant chuckle from Joe. Ben clasped his youngest's shoulder tightly as he steered the boy towards the table. They were barely seated before Hop Sing entered with a large tray. Setting the tray down on the table in front of Joe, the cook smiled at the boy before lifting the lid.

'Little Joe need eat,' his eyes warm and his smile widening. 'Hop Sing make Little Joe favorite for dinner.' He scowled in mock disgust at Hoss's happy whooping as the lifted lid revealed the tray of fried chicken and mashed potatoes. 'Hoss Cartwright betta' not eat all Hop Sing cook,' he warned testily, slapping at Hoss's outstretched hand. 'Save some for rest of family.'

Hoss snorted and turned to his plate, but Ben and Adam both sat motionless, watching the exchange intently. Their faces broke into smiles of relief when Joe reached towards the tray and almost shyly helped himself to some of the chicken. Adam looked at his father quickly before turning his attention to his own dinner.

The meal was a quiet, but rather comfortable affair, and to Ben's watchful eye, Joe appeared to be more relaxed than he had been in a long while. He caught Hoss's eye and nodded to his son, grateful for the teenager's insight in planning the meal. It had been Hoss who had confided to his father and older brother Joe's urgent desire for things to return to normal, and the whole family, including Hop Sing, had done their best to make the evening as normal as possible. Finally, with the last piece of the cake Hop Sing had made eaten, Ben pushed back his plate and looked at his youngest.

'Joseph,' he said slowly, studying the boy's face as he tried to gage just how the boy was going to react, 'I've been thinking on things for a while now. I've watched you son, watched you trying to handle this all on your own.' He paused for a moment before continuing. 'Son, I don't know what happened to you that day, and I can't take it back, but I'm here now.' At the stricken look that he could see forming on Joe's face, he hurried to finish what he'd wanted to say. 'But not until you're ready. In the meantime, there are a lot of things stacking up around here. We all need to get back to work, get things back to normal.' The anxiety on Joe's face relaxed and he nodded quickly in agreement. Ben cleared his throat; he wasn't sure how the little boy was going to react to the next part. 'And that means you, young man,' he said, pointing to Joe, 'will be heading on back to school. Starting first thing tomorrow morning.'

Adam and Hoss had been silently watching their brother's changing expressions. When Joe's nose crinkled up in obvious disdain at the last part, the tension was released and they looked at each other, smiles on their faces. Joe groaned, and Ben himself couldn't hide the amused twinkle in his eye.

'Aw, Pa,' Joe groaned again, pushing his plate away with disgust. Even though he'd wanted things to go back to normal, school hadn't been a part of the normalcy he'd craved. While a decent enough student, he just plainly didn't like school. He hated the long days indoors, reading and working arithmetic when he'd much rather be outside riding or doing ranch work; he hated the long hours in the evening when he'd have to work on his assignments; but most of all, he hated the hours spent alone, the time away from his family. He scrunched his face up pleadingly. 'Do I hafta?'

Ben hesitated for just a moment. Joe was looking up at him with sad eyes, the expression on the little boy's face weakening his resolve. His heart wanted nothing more than to keep his son in his sights indefinitely, but his head knew better. Joe needed a normal routine, and this was it. Ben knew he needed to stay firm, it was really what was best for his son, but he couldn't stand seeing the sadness in the boy's eyes. Adam and Hoss both saw the struggle their father was having, and both spoke up quickly.

'Now Joe,' Adam said, deciding to take the practical approach. 'You know you have to go to school. You have a lot to learn before we can be partners, right?' He smiled affectionately at his younger brother as he remembered the wish Joe had shared with him a long time ago.

'Yeah, Shortshanks,' Hoss was quick to agree. ''Sides, I'll ride with ya! Whatta ya think 'bout that? We'll even take Storm for ya to ride.'

Ben scowled at Hoss even as Joe began to smile at the idea. He wasn't thrilled with the idea of Joe riding that half-gentled monster of a horse, but seeing Joe's agreement to go along with the plan, he sighed resignedly. Adam grinned at both of his younger brothers.

'I guess that's a plan, isn't it?' He winked at Hoss.

'Guess so, right little brother?'

Hoss's eyes glinted with sudden mischief. Reaching over to his little brother, he lifted Joe right out of his chair, holding him in a tight bear hug with one arm as he began to mercilessly tickle him with the other. Joe's shrieks of protest, interrupted by ragged bursts of breathless laughter, only grew louder as first Adam, and then Ben, joined in the assault.

Hop Sing heard the laughter from the kitchen. He breathed out a short prayer of relief in his native tongue, and then smiled broadly. Whatever lay ahead, he knew that his family was going to be able to handle it, together. The way it was supposed to be.

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

The man sat at the bar glumly, nursing the beer that sat in front of him. The town that had been so forthcoming with the information he'd been seeking had suddenly turned cold and suspicious. And he wasn't blind to the fact that every time he turned around, the sheriff or his deputy was always nearby, keeping silent tabs on him.

Not that Daniel Ashcroft expected to get much more useful information out of the old town anyway. While most people had been friendly enough, they didn't have the information he was looking for. They could speak in generalities about the Cartwright family, but either hadn't been around at the time or didn't remember the events he was particularly interested in. All he had gotten for his trouble was the bare facts. Little Joe Cartwright, aged five, had been friends with Timmy Rawlins, aged seven. One day, the youngest Cartwright had been reported missing by his older brother, only to be found the next day, unharmed, by his father. Timmy Rawlins had been reported missing soon after, with one glaring difference. He, unfortunately, had never been found.

Ashcroft sighed loudly in frustration as he caught yet another glimpse of the deputy sheriff, watching him from the opposite side of the saloon. The two made eye contact before the deputy moved across the floor to the barroom's swinging doors and stepped out into the night. Muttering under his breath, Ashcroft turned back around and let his fist fall heavily on the bar.

'Hey, watch it mister!'

The angry voice startled Ashcroft from his anger and he turned surprised eyes towards the direction the voice was coming from. His eyes hardened and he shrank back slightly at the sight of the burly man standing over him with a menacing scowl on his face. The man motioned to the remains of a spilled beer on the counter.

'What ya gonna do about it, mister?'

'S…sorry,' Ashcroft mumbled, signaling the bartender with a raised hand. The bartender quickly set down a fresh beer in front of the lanky young man, and Ashcroft nodded to him.

'Huh,' the man grunted, taking a long swig of the beer. Setting the glass back down on the bar, he looked over at Ashcroft with narrowed eyes. He scowled again at Ashcroft's stare. 'Ya gotta problem?'

'No,' Ashcroft hurried, rising to his feet quickly. Turning to exit the saloon, he made it two steps before he stopped and turned back around to face the man still at the bar. Ashcroft's eyes narrowed as he stared at the man, a smug smile on his lips as he stepped back towards the bar. 'Say now, I'm real sorry about what happened. I'd like to apologize, Mr. …?'

The man looked startled at the sudden change in Ashcroft's demeanor. 'Spencer,' he muttered, eyeing Ashcroft carefully. 'Brady Spencer.' Spencer jerked a thumb towards a man standing to his left, a man Ashcroft was only now noticing for the first time. 'My brother, Jonah.' The stocky man next to Spencer only momentarily looked up from his own shot of whiskey. Spencer's eyes hardened again. 'What's it to ya?' he demanded.

Ashcroft's grin only widened at the mention of the man's brother. His plan was a simple, yet effective one, and he could barely repress the glee that he felt at the fact that it was going to be even easier for him to employ than he'd first thought.

'Bartender!' Ashcroft called, stepping back up to the bar next to Spencer. When the bartender came over to him, he smiled widely. 'Another round of drinks for my two friends here!' The slightly nervous man hurried to comply. 'Leave the bottle,' he smiled once the glasses and bottle arrived, flipping a coin at the bartender. Filling the three glasses, Ashcroft pushed two towards the Spencer brothers and lifted the third up to his own lips. 'Drink up, my friends!'

'Thank ya, mister,' Jonah Spencer said as he gulped down the drink. Ashcroft's face was unreadable as he poured Jonah another drink, a drink which the man was only too happy to guzzle down.

'I'm gonna ask ya agin, what's it to ya?' Brady Spencer, still suspicious of the stranger's change in demeanor, narrowed his eyes. Unlike his brother, he had yet to touch the drink he still held in his hand. 'Who are ya, anyway?'

'Daniel Ashcroft, and pleased to make your acquaintance, sir,' Ashcroft said stiffly, doing his best to hide his growing irritation. He forced himself to smile, a smug look on his face and his voice as smooth as oil. 'Just want to have a friendly drink, that's all. You see, I'm not from around here, and this town seems to be a right suspicious and unfriendly one.' He watched Spencer for a reaction, and smirked inwardly as Spencer reacted as he hoped. 'Have you ever noticed that, Mr. Spencer?'

Brady snorted into his whiskey. 'Yeah, suppose that's a fact.' He finally drained the drink in his hand, holding the empty glass out towards Ashcroft, who quickly complied with his unspoken request. 'Darn Sheriff gave ya trouble, too, Mr. Ashcroft?'

Ashcroft's face darkened, and Brady, seeing the change in the man's expression, snorted again. He emptied the whiskey again, and laughing ruefully, slapped Ashcroft soundly on the back. 'Don't ya worry none, Mr. Ashcroft. Your secret's safe with us. Right, Jonah?' Brady jabbed his brother with his elbow, Jonah snickering as he filled his glass again from Ashcroft's bottle.

Ashcroft was livid with rage but managed to keep his composure. He forced his lips into a tight smile. 'Well, that's where I was hoping you boys could help me out some.' His voice was steely, and his eyes were black with anger. 'You'd be well compensated for your trouble, of course.'

'You sayin' what I think yer sayin'?' Brady's eyes lit up suddenly at the mention of money, and he reached out a hand to stop his brother from kicking back another drink. 'What sorta help ya lookin' for, Mr. Ashcroft?'

Disgusted by the hungry greed he saw in both Spencer brothers' eyes, Ashcroft chuckled bitterly at them as he motioned them to a table. Sitting down, it only took a matter of minutes for the men to agree to Ashcroft's proposal. Pushing up from his chair, Ashcroft tipped his hat to the Spencer brothers as he made his exit of the saloon.

Walking straight to the hotel, he paused just a moment before entering. He could feel the presence of the deputy behind him, watching his every move. As he opened the door and stepped inside, he just happened to see out of the corner of his eye that the deputy was walking back towards the sheriff's office. A smile crossed his face as he closed the door behind him.

'Soon,' he whispered to no one in particular, his smile broadening. 'Soon.'

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

Sheriff Roy Coffee was sitting at his desk, putting the finishing touches on a bit of paperwork. It had been a fairly peaceful evening, with the exception of a couple of cowpokes who had gotten a little rowdy on payday and who were now his overnight guests, and Roy wanted to finish up the forms before retiring for the evening. It was getting pretty late, and Roy had just signed his signature for the last time when Deputy Singer opened the door and walked in.

'Everything's pretty quiet, Sheriff,' the deputy called cheerfully as he slammed the door behind him. Walking over to the stove, he picked up the coffeepot and shook it before he poured himself a cup of the brew. Grimacing at the bitter taste of the old burned coffee, he set the cup right back down before he turned to face the sheriff again. 'That fella you had me watchin', he went into the hotel. Looks like he's in for the night.'

'Good…good,' Roy replied as he busied himself with stacking the forms into a neat pile. Singer's report was a welcome one; ever since he'd made that promise to Ben Cartwright to keep an eye on Daniel Ashcroft, he'd made sure that he knew where the man was at all times.

'Is there anything else before I leave, Sheriff?' Singer asked as he looked to the man still sitting at the desk.

Roy shook his head. 'Thanks, Joel. No, I think everything's quiet for the night.' He nodded his head towards the back of the jail. 'Got a couple of rowdies cooling their heels tonight, but otherwise, not much has been going on.'

'Alright then,' the young deputy smiled. 'I guess I'll see you in the morning then?'

'Fine,' Roy readily agreed, standing to shake the young man's hand. 'I want to thank you, Joel, for stepping in like this. I appreciate all your help these last couple of days.'

'No problem, Sheriff,' Joel said, slightly puzzled at the older man's sudden show of appreciation. 'I'm glad I could…'

He was cut off abruptly by the heavy sound of someone running down the wooden sidewalk. It took only seconds for the door to open, the excited young man who entered gasping for breath as his voice bellowed the news.

'Sheriff! You gotta come quick! The Spencer brothers is bustin' up the saloon a'gin!'

The messenger didn't wait for a response to his news; he took off out of the door as fast as he had come in, eager to get back to the excitement. Roy stood quickly, the chair he was sitting in falling with a loud thud to the floor. His eyes flashed fire as he grabbed his gun belt and fastened it to his waist.

'Dad blame those boys! If I told 'em once, I told them a thousand times…' he sputtered furiously, 'when I get my hands on them, they're going to regret it!' He pushed angrily past the deputy into the once-quiet night.

Joel Singer watched the retreating figure of the sheriff, sighing loudly as he scuffed the toe of his boot on the floor. Placing his hat back on his head, he sighed again as he followed the man out into the night, shutting the office door behind him.

'So much for a quiet night,' he muttered sullenly. He could hear the excited shouts and the banging and thudding of what he could only guess was barroom furniture getting louder and more pronounced the closer they got to the saloon.

Roy strode purposefully into the saloon, drawing his gun from the holster as he entered the swinging doors. He ducked quickly as a chair came hurtling in his direction, splintering against the wall just behind him. Pointing his gun at the ceiling, he fired one shot, the boom from the gun deafening in the crowded room.

'What's going on here?!' he bellowed into the suddenly silent room, his eyes angrily scanning the crowd. Seeing the men he was looking for, his face pinched into a scowl as he strode over to the two men in the middle of the room. He roughly grabbed the arm of one of the men, hauling him none too gently up onto his feet.

'Brady Spencer!' Roy roared, giving the man a fierce shake, the movement causing Spencer to moan and clutch at his head. 'What in Sam Hill is goin' on in here?!' Not waiting for a response, he dragged the young man towards the door, motioning for Singer to collect Brady's brother. 'What did I tell you, last time you broke up the saloon?!'

Brady moaned again and leaned heavily against the sheriff, Roy struggling to keep him from falling back to the floor. He pushed the drunken man out into the darkness and Brady staggered and fell against the hitch rail. Roy glanced back in time to see Joel Singer dragging a nearly unconscious Jonah towards the jail. Turning back to Brady, his eyes narrowed again and his voice was cold.

'Well, what did I tell you?' he prompted angrily.

'Goin'….g-goin' ta j-jail,' Brady slurred, doing his best to keep himself standing. Roy just snorted in disdain at the sorry mess of a man standing in front of him.

Brady Spencer and his brother Jonah were known to have a reputation for finding trouble. Twenty-six and twenty-four respectively, they were old enough to know better. It didn't seem to matter, however: they seemed to have a talent of getting caught up in any and all the ruckus that occasionally got started in town. Hard-headed, hot-tempered, and sometimes just plain gullible, they'd been warned of the consequences that were bound to come with their continued indiscretions. Still, for all the scrapes they had managed to get themselves into over the years, Roy had found that he couldn't help but like the boys. Rarely starting trouble themselves, rather always being talked into it, Roy had always tried to give them a bit of fatherly advice and would warn them to behave. Now, Roy thought resignedly, he'd have to act on the threat he'd made the last time the Spencers had been the cause of trouble.

'That's right, Brady,' Roy said, feeling no sympathy when the young man again moaned and grabbed at his head. 'You and Jonah are going to be staying in my deluxe accommodations tonight.'

Roy pushed Brady through the open jailhouse door and into the cell that Deputy Singer had already dragged an unconscious Jonah to. He couldn't help a faint smile at the sound of loud snoring already coming from the younger Spencer brother. He dropped Brady down rather unceremoniously onto the cot, not visibly reacting to the groan of pain as Brady landed hard. He watched the young man for a moment as Brady drifted towards unconscious, and shaking his head, Roy moved to turn away. Something made him stop, and he turned back to face the nearly asleep drunk in the cell.

'Who was it talked ya into it this time, Brady?' His voice was quiet, and then he smirked before continuing. 'Sure hope it was worth it.'

'Uh…' Brady moaned as he lapsed into a drunken sleep. Roy had to strain to hear the young man's nearly inaudible mumble. 'Y-yeah. Ah…easy…t-twinny d-duhlars… ev-uh m-make…'

Roy stood watching the two young men as Brady's snores began to do battle with Jonah's. Brady's comment perplexed him, but he knew it would be useless to try to get anything from the drunken boy now. Any questions would have to wait until they'd slept it off. Scratching his head, he turned back towards the office where Singer was making a fresh pot of coffee.

What on earth did Brady Spencer mean?

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

He had been waiting, his eyes wide as he watched the street. Daniel Ashcroft's mouth quirked up into a steely smile as he saw first the sheriff, and then the deputy, head down the street towards the ever-loudening sounds of fighting coming from the saloon. Stealing a glance of the room around him, his smile became even broader as he realized the lone occupant, the man keeping watch over the front desk, was just as engrossed in the unfolding drama down the street as the sheriff and deputy. He moved stealthily along the floor towards the back door, slipping out into the dark night completely unnoticed.

He ran silently through the back lots until he reached the dark and quiet livery. Opening the barn door just enough so that he could slip inside, he breathed a sigh of relief at the silence that surrounded him. He didn't bother to light a lantern as he quickly saddled his horse, not needing the light to perform the routine task. Pulling a coin from his pocket, he set the money on the storage ledge just above the stall, where he was sure the livery owner would find it in the morning. He didn't want to be accused of cheating the man, after all.

Leading the horse to the door, Ashcroft stuck his head out into the night air tentatively, his eyes scanning the darkness for any signs that he'd been spotted. Seeing no one, he pushed the door wider and led his horse into the cooling night air. He walked the horse to the edge of town, taking all precautions to make as little noise as possible. He grinned at the sound of thin yells and scuffling that were still echoing from the saloon on the other side of town.

He had just reached the edge of town when the commotion finally quieted and the night was still again. Ashcroft took a moment to swing his leg up over the horse's flank, pulling himself effortlessly up into the saddle. His smile grew wide and his eyes glinted as he kicked the horse into a gentle trot, allowing the animal to pick up speed the further he got away from town. He even allowed himself a small chuckle as he left the town behind completely.

'Thanks, boys,' he laughed as he continued to pull further from the town and closer to his goal. 'You did your part real well.'

And that old fool of a sheriff was none the wiser.

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

Brady Spencer groaned as his eyes struggled open, the daylight sending a searing pain echoing through his skull. Holding his head in his hands, he weakly pushed himself to a sitting position, his eyes tightly closed against the light. Once the swirling dizziness had eased, he cautiously opened his eyes to investigate the surroundings around him, wincing as the light again assaulted his senses.

'Mornin' Brady,' the cheerful voice rang mercilessly in his ears, bringing on another wave of pain that was followed closely by the urge to throw up. 'No…no ya don't,' the voice warned. 'You throw up in my jail and it'll cost ya.'

Brady swallowed harshly as he breathed in deeply through his nose, exhaling through his mouth in an attempt to calm his rolling stomach. His stomach settled just a little, he lifted confused eyes to the direction of the voice. He was surprised to see the very annoyed face of one Sheriff Roy Coffee peering down at him.

'Sh..sheriff,' he croaked, his throat suddenly dry. Roy seemed to anticipate the young man's need and held a dipper of water out to him. Sipping it slowly until it was gone, he took a moment to gather his thoughts before turning back to the sheriff. 'Th..thank ya, Sheriff.' The sheriff only sighed in response, and Brady got the distinctive impression that he should know more about what had happened than he seemed to know at the moment. Swallowing the little pride he had left, he reluctantly came to the conclusion that the only way he was going to find out was by asking. 'What…what is goin' on here? How come,' he slowly turned his eyes to the sound of familiar snoring coming from the other side of the cell, 'how come me an' my brother is locked up?'

Roy shook his head angrily. 'I was hoping you could tell me,' he scoffed at the young man. 'What in tarnation got you boys so riled up last night that ya had to go bustin' up the saloon?' He banged his fist against the bars, the resounding clanging sending Brady into another wincing grimace. 'Dang it, Brady! What's goin' on in that fool head of yours, boy?'

Pieces of the previous evening were starting to fit together in Brady's pounding head, and he had a feeling that what he was remembering wasn't going to make the irate sheriff in front of him any happier. He sighed. 'Guess we wasn't thinkin', Sheriff.'

'Well now, I certainly couldn't tell that!' Roy replied sarcastically. Brady hung his head slightly, shamed. Roy saw the repentant look on the boy's face and lightened up on him just a bit. 'Okay, Brady. Just tell me this one thing …who was it that got ya goin' this time?'

'Aw, just some fella buyin' us drinks in the saloon,' Brady mumbled, then moaned in despair as another thought came to him. He lifted nervous eyes up to meet the sheriff. 'How…how much is it gonna cost this time?'

The look on the boy's face was too much for him to handle, and Roy had to quickly disguise the laugh into a cough as he shook his head quicklyy. Giving himself a moment to compose himself, Roy turned to face the boy, his voice cool even as his eyes twinkled with amusement.

'Well there, son,' he drawled slowly as he counted on his fingers. 'Ol' Roddy figured about ten for the tables…and five for them chairs you two busted up, and another ten for the windows…course, about eight dollars for all them bottles of whiskey that got broke…and throw in another five for the big picture mirror…' he smirked again as the color drained from Brady's face. 'All said and done, you're lookin' at about forty dollars. How you boys plannin' on payin' for all them damages?'

Brady angrily threw his head back against the wall, instantly regretting the action as another wave of dizziness overtook him. He groaned as he held his head in his hands, his disgust evident. 'Shoot,' he mumbled, more to himself than anyone else, 'that's gonna take all the money that Ashcroft fella gave us…'

'Brady Spencer!' Brady was stunned when the sheriff grabbed his shift collar and pulled him violently forward, causing him to collide with the bars of the cell. In all the scrapes he and his brother had gotten themselves into over the years, he'd never seen the sheriff this upset before, and the sudden violence scared him a bit. Roy shook the young man once, and his voice, when he spoke again, was deadly.

'Brady Spencer, I ain't gonna ask you but this one time, so you better tell me the truth. Are you sayin' some man named Ashcroft paid ya money to get in a fight?!'

Brady felt his knees weakening to water as he stared dumbfounded into the sheriff's cold expression. He knew better than to cross the man, and he knew enough to know that the sheriff would make good on his threat. Swallowing harshly, he nodded slowly. Roy shook him again.

'What else did he do?'

'W-well, Sheriff,' Brady said meekly as Roy relaxed his grip and the young man slid back to sit on the cot. 'He just got ta talkin', that's all. Said this town, 'specially you, Sheriff,' he looked up quickly to Roy and then right back down to the hands he was twisting nervously in his lap, 'was awful suspicious of everythin' and everybody. Asked me and Jonah to give 'im a few minutes, then we was to create a big ruckus. Paid us twenty dollars each to do it.'

Roy felt sick to his stomach as a feeling of dread washed over him. Not sure if he wanted to hear any more of the story, he asked hesitantly, 'Did he say why?'

'That's what was right funny 'bout it,' Brady frowned. He looked up again into Roy's troubled face. 'Didn't even stay ta watch. Just said he needed a bit of a distraction.'

'Joel!' Roy roared, turning quickly from the stunned Brady and running into the front office. Joel Singer stood from where he'd been sitting at the desk and looked questioningly at the Sheriff. 'Joel! Get on over to the hotel, and get there quick! I need you to check on that Ashcroft fella!'

'But Sheriff,' the deputy protested, 'I saw him go into the hotel last night myself, and he hasn't left since then, I would have seen him…'

'Don't question me, boy!' Roy roared, the urgency in his voice sending the deputy hurrying to comply. Joel nervously strapped on his gun and put his hat on his head before rushing out the door and down the street.

Roy paced anxiously from one side of the small office to the other, hoping against hope that what he now feared was true wasn't actually happening. It only took a few minutes for Joel Singer to return, and Roy's expression darkened when he saw the young deputy's face.

'Sheriff, he's gone. Horse too. Hotel clerk ain't seen him since last night.' Joel hung his head sadly as he relayed the news. When he looked up, he saw that the Sheriff had already put on his own gun belt and had reached for his hat. 'Where you going, Sheriff?'

'Stay here,' Roy said hoarsely, not even turning to look at the young deputy standing behind him. 'I'm going out to talk to Ben Cartwright.' He strode purposefully out the door, slamming it firmly behind him. Joel Singer shook his head as he watched the man walking away, unaware of the tears that had pooled in the seasoned lawman's eyes or the gruff whisper that begged forgiveness.

'I'm sorry, Ben. Powerful sorry.'

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}