A/N: If you are a Kid fan I suggest you quit reading this story now, you will not like what happens. Sorry, this story has gone in a completely different direction than I had planned.


Several miles away, Lou sat huddled hugging herself as she continued to sob, but not just for the death of her beloved husband but the fact that the man she had once loved and who claimed to have loved her, had Buck murdered and then stolen her away and defiled her. Kid had raped her.


Lou's POV

I sat trying to pull my shredding garments closer to cover myself, my shoulder throbbing, my insides hurt, my whole body hurt. I had lost everything, Buck is dead and Kid had raped me. He is asleep now, I could try to escape but I'm too tired and weak from the blood lost from the gun shot wound and the attack that Kid had done to me. I'd never make it, plus I had no idea where I was.

A slight movement in the bushes caught my eye, right before I was grabbed from behind and Kid was apprehended by another. I saw they were Indians. This day could not get any worse. Once they realize I was a woman, I was in for a fate worse than death. But then I recognized the language they were speaking it was Kiowa. They spoke Running Buck's name.

"Please, you spoke Running Bucks name." I spoke in Kiowa, Buck having taught me in the two months we had been courting/married. The two braves looked at me in surprise; then they got a real good look at me. "You're a woman." One said in shock. "Yes, I'm Running Buck's woman of two moons." I replied. "He had Running Buck killed and took me against my will." I said pointing to Kid who was cowering in fear. "Running Buck is not dead but hurt very badly." The other brave said.

"He's alive? Please take me to him." I said trying to stand but failing. The brave closet to me caught me as I fell back. "You are hurt. We must take care of your wounds first and find new clothes. My name is Smiling Fox, this is Eagle Spirit." The young brave said. The one called Eagle Spirit tied Kid up and then went to gather supplies to tend my wounds. I could see the hatred in their eyes when they saw the damage Kid had inflicted upon me. I couldn't meet their eyes, afraid that hatred would be directed back at me.

"This is not your fault little one. The white man will pay for this crime against Running Buck's woman." Smiling Fox said through gritted teeth staring daggers at Kid. I just nodded my head. After the two Indians had cleansed and treated my wounds, they managed to find some clothes belonging to Kid that at least covered me. The warriors forced Kid upon Katy and tied him in place. Smiling Fox put me on his horse and mounted behind me. We rode back in the direction I had last seen Buck. I prayed he would still be alive when I got there.

Around mid-morning the following day, I spotted the lone tepee. Standing in front was two other braves and a chief that I had never seen in person but knew it was Red Bear from my dreams. I could hear the chanting and drumbeat. I looked again and saw the rest of our family there as well. When Smiling Fox brought his horse to a standstill and helped me down I was quickly surrounded by my loved ones. "Buck?" was all I could manage. "He's hanging on Lou." Rachel answered. I nodded.

That's when they noticed Kid. "Kid?" I heard several of them say. They did not miss the look of anger and disgust I had when they said his name. "He is the one responsible." I heard Smiling Fox tell Red Bear in Kiowa. The others didn't understand so I whispered. "Kid had Buck shot and he took me." I couldn't bring myself to tell them the rest but by the looks on the faces and conversation going on between the Indians they knew. "I should kill you now! But that would be too easy for you!" Jimmy shouted at Kid. "No! It is Running Buck's place to punish him. She is his woman." Read Bear said suddenly.

The others turned to look at him as he moved towards me. "You. You came to me in a vision. You told me to come to Running Buck." He said to me, my eyes went huge. "Please my husband. I must see him." I said in Kiowa. Red Bear seemed please I knew his language; he nodded and led me to the lodge. Behind me Kid was being pulled from his horse and tied up. My family glaring daggers at him.

Inside I saw Buck lying completely still. I feared he was dead, but I saw the slow rise and fall of his chest. The medicine man sat next to him chanting, Buck was completely naked with only a fur felt covering his lower body. The wound to his torso was covered with herbs and bandages. He was sweating; I knew he must have an infection. I moved to his side and took his hand in mine. For some reason I whispered to him Kiowa, "Please me love, don't leave me. I need you too much. You must come back to me Running Buck. I cannot live without you."

Buck stirred, his eyes opening, his hand squeezed mine. "Lou, thank the spirits." Buck whispered in Kiowa. I leaned down and touched my lips to his. "Kid?" he asked. "He is outside waiting your punishment." Red Bear said. "My punishment? Why would I be the one to punish him?" Buck asked. Red Bear looked over at me; I bit my lip and looked down. Buck reached up and touched my cheek forcing me to look at him. "Lou?" was all he said but I knew he what he wanted to know. I could only nod as a tear slipped past my eyelids. I saw Buck's jaw clench, his hands balled into fists at his side.

"He will pay Lou." Buck said in a harsh voice. "Don't worry about him Buck, please just rest and get better." I said pushing Buck back to the bed when he tried to sit up. "Your woman is right my brother. You must rest. He will not go anywhere." Red Bear said. Buck nodded before sleep claimed him again. I did not leave his side. By the following morning his fever had broken and it was deemed safe for him to travel. Buck decided for Kid to be punished by the law. He had murdered a man in cold blood and had raped me. Jimmy and Teaspoon took Kid to the jail while the rest traveled slowly with us. Red Bear came too. He would perform a Kiowa ceremony for us when Buck was healed.