Sorry for the delay - I haven't neglected this story after all :) Thanks for not giving up on me!

Chapter 10 – When Fear Reigns

The minute Louise had seen the blood, something happened. Something inside of her cracked – and she flew outside, grabbed Sport, and somehow managed to scramble onto his back. She had galloped off before anyone even noticed that she was gone.

"Adam, what are we going to do?" Ben said, struggling with his emotions. He wanted to mourn the death of his fiancé, but right now he had to think about other things. More important things! How was he going to save his precious daughter from these bloodthirsty murderers?

Adam turned to where Louise had been standing just a minute ago, and suddenly he realized that she was gone. He dashed outside. The wagon was still there, and so was Chub – but Sport was missing.

"She's gone Pa!" Adam yelled.

"What?" Ben said, barely able to believe his ears. "Adam, she's alone! She's in danger."

"I'll take Chub and ride back to the ranch to see if she's headed that way. You tell Roy about Alice and Louise and get him to help. Hoss and Joe, go to the livery and get a couple of horses, and head off to Lake Tahoe or any other place you can think of that Louise might have gone too. And hurry!"

Adam knew that he was barking orders like he was in charge – but if Ben might lapse into a melancholy such as the ones that he had been known to in the past, then he was in no fit condition to lead a search party and hand out logical orders. Adam couldn't help hoping that the worry over Louise would help spur Ben on past the depressive states that he had fallen into before after his other wives had died. Alice and Ben might not have been married yet – but Adam knew how deeply Ben had loved this woman that now leaned on her desk, covered in her own blood.

Once he had given out his instructions, Adam strode outside and mounted Chub.

"Hoss, watch out for Pa," Adam said quietly to his younger brother before spurring Chub on. The breeze whipped Adam in the face as he tore along, but he didn't notice. He just muttered under his breath, "Oh my God – let her be safe!"

When Adam charged into the yard – something that he had not long ago scolded Louise for – he was relieved to see Sport tied up outside the barn. Adam dismounted, tied Chub up next to Sport, and rushed into the house calling Louise's name.

"Numba one son, why you shout? Why you back so early – you no like hamper Hop Sing packed?"

"Hop Sing – I've no time to explain. Louise has run off – have you seen her?"

"Why Hop Sing see numba one daughter? Do you think Hop Sing lelax all day? Hop Sing busy in kitchen. Hop Sing not leave kitchen. Why Hop Sing expected to know evelything?!"

"Alright," Adam said, trying not to get another long lecture from Hop Sing about not being appreciated. Adam turned towards the stairs, but hesitated when he saw that the gun cabinet was open. Louise had been home – she had slipped into the house trying not to let Hop Sing hear her. She had taken a rifle from the cabinet. Adam wasn't sure whether to be cross or afraid. Louise didn't know how to handle guns – she had always been scared of them! Why had she taken one?

Adam ran up the stairs and burst into Louise's room. It was empty – left just as it had been that morning. He ran back down the staircase and out of the house into the yard. He made his way to the barn, and opened the door. The barn door creaked as it swung open, and Adam stepped inside. It was quiet inside, and Adam paused momentarily to listen for any signs of life. A rustling noise sounded above his head. Of course – she was in the hay loft!

Adam made his way to the base of the ladder and slowly started to climb. He heard the click of a hammer being cocked.

"Louise – Louise, it's me," he called softly. He continued to climb. Once he reached the top, his heart skipped a beat.

Louise's eyes were wide and frightened. She was shaking her head as if she didn't know what to do whilst clasping the rifle in her hands – aiming right at her brother.

"D… don't come any closer!" she stuttered.

"Louise," Adam said, torn at her appearance. "But the gun down."

"Don't!" Louise screamed as Adam manoeuvred himself off the ladder and onto the loft. "Stay … stay there!"

"Louise," Adam said again, his eyes beckoning her. "Come on, little sister – it's alright. You don't need to worry."

Louise's eyes darted about wildly, "They took her!"

"Shh, just put down the gun – they won't hurt you. I promise."

The rifle in Louise's hands shook violently, but Louise continued to feel the trigger with sweaty fingers.

"Louise, I'm your brother – I know you're scared, but just put the gun down!"

Adam was inching his way towards her, and the rifle was shaking more and more the closer he got.

Louise's face contorted and she shook her head as a sob sounded.

Adam was in front of her now and he grabbed the barrel of the gun. "Louise," he said, capturing her darting eyes with his own steady ones. He looked her straight in the eyes and gently pulled on the barrel, "You don't need the gun. No one's going to hurt you. You can let go."

Louise found herself nodding slowly, following Adam's head as he nodded at her. Her fingers loosened, the sweat on her palms made the gun slip through them easily, and suddenly Adam was holding the gun and laying it on the floor, out of her reach.

Louise stared at Adam with a staggered expression. She felt confused – she didn't know what to think. Everything was spinning round her head in a maddening whirl – and she buried her face in her hands, and ran her fingers over her head and through her hair, shaking all over as the tears started to fall.

"Shh, Louise, shh," Adam soothed as he scooped her up and held her close. "It's alright. Everything's going to be alright."

"No – no it isn't! They took her! The people I care for always go!"

"No – that's not true. What about Pa, and me and Hoss and Joe? Nothing's happened to us."

"B… But they're coming!" Louise stuttered in fright. "Th… they're coming to get me!"

"We won't let them get you. Pa tried to protect Alice – but she wouldn't let him. But we'll protect you Louise – I swear!"

Louise's hitched breathing became louder, but Adam felt her beginning to let her body mould into the security of his arms.

"I need you, Adam!" she whispered in a hoarse voice.

Adam held her close, "I'm here." He closed his eyes and made her a promise, "And I always will be there when you need me."

The next few days were trying ones for the family. Ben insisted that Louise stayed at home, and wouldn't let her go to school. At first, Louise appreciated Ben's instructions, and was glad to have an excuse not to go to school. But when Miss Munroe sent work home for Louise with Joe, she began to miss doing her work in the company of her friends.

Her fear began to dissipate, believing in her family who had always kept her safe. She managed to control the horrible pictures that flooded her mind, of Alice and the blood – and somehow, she recovered from her state of shock and fright that Adam had found her in.

Ben was coping well compared to how he had reacted previously to his other wives' deaths. He poured out his mind and soul into keeping Louise safe. In doing so, he wrapped her up in such a covering of protection, she felt like she would burst.

The funeral came and went; a sad ceremony with few people to honour the grave – as not that many people had bothered to acquaint themselves with the Corbys. Louise had tearfully placed the copy of Tennyson's poems that Alice had given her onto the coffin before it had been lowered down into the dark hole in the ground. Then Adam had rounded up his siblings and driven them home in the buckboard – leaving Ben to spend time with Alice alone.

Ben had made a vow to Alice before her grave that day. He knew that she had loved Louise as her own – and he promised her that he would do everything in his power to keep Louise safe, as he had wanted to do for her. If only she had let him!

As the days passed, Louise's confinement became more and more burdensome. No one had tried to harm her. No more threats had been seen or sent. No acts of violence had been performed. Life had moved on – perhaps those men had changed their minds.

Whatever the reason for them holding off from attacking, Louise was tired of living a life in hiding – and she wanted out!

"Pa, I can't stand it!" Louise finally burst out her pent up feelings of the past two weeks. It was breakfast, and her loud exclamation made everyone look at her. "I … I can't take it anymore. I want to go back to school!"

"Louise? You want to go back? I think she must have a fever Pa!" Adam said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Are you mad?" Joe asked. He had been envying her since day one of her seclusion – and nothing that Louise said about her boring solicitude could disenchant the picture that Joe envisaged of not having to go to school every day.

"No – I mean it!" Louise said determinedly. "Nothing's happened to me, Pa. I want to carry on a normal life."

"Louise – nothing has happened because we have kept you safe," Ben said wearily.

"So do you intend to keep me locked up for the rest of my life?" Louise snapped.

Louise didn't even realize that she had spoken out of turn until she saw Hoss and Joe grimace, Adam pinch the bridge of his nose and shake his head slightly – and Ben stand up from his chair with a dark look in his eyes.

"Do you think I'm doing this to make your life a misery? Do you think I'm happy to have to keep you here, or at least wherever I am all the time? I want what's best for you – I want to keep you alive. Alice wouldn't let me protect her. That was her choice! But I'm keeping you safe, whether you like it or not. For a girl of your age, you have far too many ideas how your life is going to be. I am your father and I will decide! Is that understood?"

Louise found herself sinking lower into her chair as Ben shouted at her.

"I … I'm sorry Pa. But please … I can't stand it any longer!"

"You'll stand it for as long as I tell you," Ben stated firmly. He sighed as he sat back down, "I only do it to keep you safe, Louise. I love you too much to put you in any danger."

Louise turned her head away. That was all Ben ever said – and she was tired of hearing it. It was always the same old reason. No, Ben wouldn't let her out of his sight until those men were caught. Louise threw down her napkin and ran from the table, up to her bedroom. If only those men would get caught.

If only!

At the breakfast table, Adam looked across at Ben. "She's bored – no nine year old likes to be cooped up. So long as I'm with her, can I take her for a ride this afternoon? We'll stay on the Ponderosa – we won't go too far. I'll get my business on the yard done quickly this morning, and then I can take her out. Well, Pa?"

Ben looked at Adam, and a glimmer of a smile touched his lips. He patted Adam's hand where it rested on the table. "You're a good big brother, Adam. Take your gun and a rifle – and don't be out for more than an hour."

"We won't," Adam said, tossing down his napkin and standing up. "Excuse me – I think I'll go tell her now."

Adam went up the stairs and into Louise room. He found her leaning out of her open bedroom window, obviously debating climbing out.

"I wouldn't if I were you."

Adam's voice startled Louise, and she spun around quickly, knocking her head on the window in the process.

"Adam," Louise moaned, rubbing her head. "Why d'ya sneak up on me?"

"Why were you leaning out of the window?"

Louise huffed and threw herself down onto her bed. "I'm sick of four walls. Pa only let me out of the house for the funeral! That seems like ages ago now! I even miss school – and that's saying something. Adam, I've got to go out or I'll scream. Pa won't even let me go and ride Salt. I can't even go and do my chores without you or Hoss escorting me out with a gun."

"Louise – I think you're exaggerating just a bit," Adam said, smiling with amusement as he crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"I'm not and you know it," Louise said. She noticed his smile, and shoved him in annoyance, "Stop laughing at me!"

"Now, now," Adam said. "No shoving, or I won't take you out riding with me this afternoon."

"Well, if you don't want me to shove you, you shouldn't … what did you say?"

"I said, would you like to come riding with me this afternoon. I'm afraid I'd have to – how did you put it – escort you with a gun?! If you wouldn't like to, I'll just go by myself," he said as he stood up, pretending to leave.

"Not want to?" Louise said, jumping up and grabbing his arm. She tugged on it excitedly, "You mean to say Pa actually said I can go?"

"Come on – Pa's not trying to be a spoil sport by keeping you in here. It's for your safety. I just managed to put in a word for you!"

Louise threw her arms around her brother, "Thank you, Adam. I knew it had to be your doing. You're the best!"

"That's right," Adam said, grinning at her as he ruffled her hair and made her scowl. "I'm glad you realize it!"

The rest of the morning didn't seem half so bad as Louise looked forward to her ride with Adam. And when the clock finally struck one, Louise hurried down to the barn, tacked up and mounted Salt, and then checked that Adam was ready too. He had freshly loaded his six-shooter – which made Louise roll her eyes.

"You ready, Adam?" she asked.

"You bet," he said.

So Louise kicked Salt on – and they rode out of the yard together – Louise enjoying the freedom that came with a pleasant ride on the Ponderosa.

Right - I'll try to update again as soon as I can. I'm so busy with college and work (and doing late shifts too) hat I don't know when I will have time to update. But please have patience with me and this story. I will update when I can. Please review. :)