Disclaimer: I only own my OC's. ALW owns everything else. Well not quite everything but you know what I mean.

A/N: Just to let everyone know I have taken the advice of my readers. I already had a USB stick I had just not used the darned thing as I am not very adept at using technology. Having lost so much already for like the third time, I forced myself to try. Voila, it worked. I now keep everything there daily updating.

I have restored my chapters somewhat. As I get ready to post I will work to fill in with greater detail. I got the gist of the chapters they just need to be fleshed out. I have been staying up until 2 or 3 in the morning to work on them. Last night I stayed up until 4. I finally wrote the last chapter I had lost and even finished five addional chapters. So I am all set to go. I am even loading my chapters here just in case. I can only put 15 here but that's better than 0.

I do apologize if some future chapters aren't up to par because it is hard to rewrited something in the exact same words you used the first time. So please keep that in mind as you read. As always I would appreciate your input. Thanks. Now on with the show.

Chapter Fifty-two

Night of Rescues

Morning came with a blaze of pure sunshine. Matthew had hoped for many clouds, clouds that would cover the sky when the moon came out at night. This little snag he felt was only the small trickle that led to much bigger problems ahead. He had not slept well last night. He had gone over and over their plan. It was the best they had. There were so may things that could to wrong. They had too little margin for error. In fact they had none whatsoever. The least little thing could affect everything with fatal results.

Everyone was restless all day long. They carried on meaningless conversations, played cards, or simply sat in silence contemplating the task before them. Tonight they would make their way to the fort in an attempt to gain the freedom of Raging Bear and Moon Shadow.

Darius lay on his bedding looking up at the sky. He pictured Dove's face in the blue of the sky. He preferred to think of her as White Dove, but knew it could be dangerous if he slipped and called her that in front of someone who did not know them. Her heritage was not something she would, or could hide. It was just safer not to draw attention to it if ever they were among anyone other than those they had already met.

He hoped they could live among the white's in harmony. As far as he was concerned there was nothing to hold anger over. He had not lost anyone to this inexplicable war. It seems as if every country he had ever been in they were just recovering from some war or just heading into one.

Raoul contemplated how his life would change again once he had a woman who lived for him, loved only him. At one time he thought that would be Christine. Fate, or God, whoever arranges these things had given him a second change. He would move heaven and earth to please Fawn. He wanted to start again. A family did not seem so far away now that he could see another woman in his future.

Matthew sorted through everything that could possibly go wrong tonight. So much depended on split second timing. One little misstep could be the end for them all.

While this group waited out in the open Nadir and Hayden had finally arrived at their own destination. If those two men had not had women waiting back home one of them would have been staying with Andrew's charming mother. Indeed she did not look old enough to be anyone's mother. At least not like any mother Hayden or Nadir had seen.

Erik had taken Katherine into a place where they could have some privacy. He had begun to feel this heavy weight begin to pull at him. When he had this feeling before it meant some disaster was headed his way. He wanted to hold on to her tightly, never letting her out of his sight. He hugged her to him so fiercely she protested that she could hardly breathe. His kisses branded her as his own. He could not absorb enough of her essence into him. Katherine had to force him to let her go so they could return.

As the sun finally began to descend after seeming to hang in the sky for an indefinite amount of time, they began to make their preparations. Plans were gone over once more. Everyone knew the part they must play. Raoul, Darius and Erik were to stay with the horses. They would only approach the fort if they heard gunshots. Knowing it was useless to tell the three men to leave them if they did not return within a reasonable time, Matthew told them to at least show great caution. There was no need for everyone to be captured or...He did not finish that sentence. They were all too aware of what could happen.

Erik, Raoul, and Darius looked on as Katherine and Matthew used the darkened burned wood remnants to spread over their face. Katherine noticing their concentrated stares explained this would keep the moon or any light from reflecting off their faces.

Before they mounted Erik drew Katherine to him. Regardless of the other men looking on he kissed her fervently. It concerned him that this felt as if this would be the last time he held her like this or kissed her warm responsive lips. He wound his arms around her waist to pull her against him. To even voice the thought in his head silently that something could go wrong and he could lose her, shook Erik to the very core of his soul. He closed his eyes hugging her tightly once their lips had separated. He did not know if he had the strength to let her go. Every instinct he possessed was telling him to take her and run. His sense of impending disaster was clamoring inside his brain for attention. He did not feel good about this. If he could do anything to prevent her from going he would have done it gladly. He would rather go himself. Why the hell had he not learned to speak Apache?

Katherine whispered in his ear, "Erik I love you. We must go. Nothing will happen. I will be returning." Katherine wondered why as she said those words that it felt as if a lie had just been spoken. Her unease began to grow. She tamped it back down. They could not afford any doubts now. Both she and Matthew had to be fully alert and aware of everything around them. One little distraction could put them both in further danger.

Once it was dark enough they rode as close as they dared to the pens outside the fort walls. Leaving Erik, Raoul and Darius with the horses, Matthew and Katherine went on foot for a few yards then separated. Once they were close enough to be seen, they dropped to their stomachs to close the rest of the distance on their bellies.

Katherine heard Matthews call that indicated he was in his position. She returned the call. She was in her position as well. She looked toward the pen. A soldier was walking around. Katherine heard Matthews call warning of an intruder. She had already seen the man, but Matthew did not know that. She answered his call. Their calls back an forth were of nocturnal animals. Different pitches and sounds for different meanings.

Katherine caught sight of movement. It was Andrew. He was bringing the men their drinks that he had laced with the sleeping powder. In a matter of a couple of minutes the men began to seem disoriented. Andrew had originally been going to make sure they had enough of the drug to knock them out. Upon further consideration, he thought that if the men passed out at the same time after drinking the coffee he had brought it might look suspicious. He decided to only give them enough to make them feel tired and not as alert as they should be. They may even experience some stomach discomfort. Andrew had even taken the added precaution to drug several other soldiers that were not on duty so nothing would look suspicious later when it was only the guards at the pens and gate to the fort that were ill. The men would not be completely incapacitated but would be impaired. That would still allow Katherine and Matthew time to do what they had to do if all went according to plan.

The army mess being what it was, men were always coming down with ailments from improperly prepared food. Dysentery ran rampant through the ranks. Some things were downright spoiled once it reached the fort. A few men feeling less than their normal selves would not raise any suspicion.

Katherine knew where Matthew was. She moved into a position that countered his. They needed to be in sync with one another so there was less opportunity for detection. They had prayed for a cloudy night. Mother Nature had decided to deny them their request in favor of only partial concealment of a few clouds.

Voices could still be heard coming from the soldiers at the gates. Katherine and Matthew watched and waited for the two men to drink their drugged coffee. After a while the men began to make less steady circuits around the pen. Their steps began to falter.

Waiting just long enough for the men to begin to feel ill, Matthew signaled for Katherine to move forward. On her stomach Katherine pulled herself forward with her arms. The two guards sat down leaning against posts of the pen. If Katherine and Matthew were extremely careful they could be in and out in less than a minute.

Katherine was within a few yards of the pen. She could see individual bodies now instead of just a dark mass of humanity. She lowered her head for a moment to pray that things went well. Hearing Matthew's signal she started forward again. Once she was close to the pen, the grass was not tall enough to keep her hidden. She stood so she could move faster, bending at the waist as she crept forward.

She reached the pen the same time Matthew did. They both climbed into the pen. Crouching down they worked their way toward where Raging Bear and Moon Shadow had been earlier. People began to greet Matthew as Lone Wolf. Katherine was also recognized. Everyone was so malnourished they could barely move. Seeing just how bad their condition was broke Matthew's heart while firing his blood with the need to avenge such treatment to his people.

If he thought they could make it he would advise them to make a run for it while the guards were still incapacitated. That had been his original plan. If their health was not so poor they could have made it, at least some of them could have. Now only the younger men and women would be able to make their escape.

Urgently Matthew told them to be still. He told them the guards were only going to remain disoriented for a few minutes. He was here to save their chief. If he could take them all he would. They understood that their freedom was in their own hands. It was up to them to make their own decision. Chance freedom or die a captive. There was no real decision to make. There never had been. It did not matter anyway. They had resigned themselves to dying if they stayed. Go and take a chance of being recaptured and hung or die on the way to their new prison. They would rather die at their own hands than slowly at the hands of the Whiteman. If they were shot while trying to escape it would at least be an honorable death.

One of Matthew's closest friends, Black Hawk said he and a few others would attempt to create a distraction so that Lone Wolf would have time to get to safety with Raging Bear. He would give them the count of twenty heart beats then they would begin their own escape. He wished his friend luck shaking his hand and patting him on the back knowing they would more than likely never see one another again. They would never be a tribe here on this earth again. They would only be a tribe in the spirit world.

Matthew and Katherine finally found Raging Bear. He did not look well. Moon Shadow was beside him. Next to her was a woman with a little girl of about three years of age. Raging Bear roused himself to speak to Lone Wolf. "I did not know if you would make it my friend. I feared I would meet my ancestors. I am weak Lone Wolf. I will make this journey even if I must die in the attempt. I want to see my daughter. Andrew said she was doing well. He said I had much to thank you for White Eagle."

"We must hurry Raging Bear. We have already lost too much time. Let me help you to your feet. Moon Shadow, are you able to walk alone? Do you need help?" Matthew sounded tense with his fear for everyone's safety in the next few minutes.

"I am stronger than I look. Our chief has sacrificed half his rations to give to others. I was one of those who took what he offered. He refused to eat while his people starved. Knowing one of us had to remain strong, I ate." Moon Shadow stood in a crouching posture.

Matthew and Moon Shadow each took an arm lifting Raging Bear up. Helping Raging Bear to his feet, they began to make their way to the edge of the pen. Raging Bear assured them he could walk on his own. Matthew began to lead the way silently touching his people with one hand as he passed. He did not notice Katherine stopping after only a few steps or Raging Bear stopping to look back at Katherine.

Katherine felt a tug on her arm. She looked back to see the woman with the child gripping her arm weakly. The eyes searching her own held only pleading. Raging Bear stopped just in front of Katherine. He saw the exchange. He knew well what the woman was asking. Had he not asked the same of Lone Wolf?

"Please, White Eagle, take my daughter. She has many years yet I wish for her to live. I beg your forgiveness for anything I have done. Please take her. Look into her eyes and see her innocence. I am not strong enough to last but a few more days. My daughter, Quanah, will be on her own. She will not survive. Please I beg of you." Though her body was weak her grip held tight, keeping Katherine from moving forward.

Katherine looked to see that Matthew and Moon Shadow had already left the pen. They were already reaching the taller grass. Lone Wolf had thought Raging Bear and White Eagle were right behind him. Knowing how short their time was he did not think she would stop for anything. Raging Bear had assured him he could make it by himself. Lone Wolf needed to keep his hands free.

Lone Wolf had reminded Katherine just before he stepped out of the pen to run and not look back. He did not know Katherine and Raging Bear had stopped until he was near the line of trees. It was too late to go back. He waited to see if either of them made it back.

The other men were getting prepared to make their own escapes as well as give a distraction so their chief had a chance for escape. They would make that sacrifice. Katherine weighed her options. Really there was no choice. She could never turn her back on a child. Nodding her head she allowed the woman to give her the child. The woman embraced her child knowing this would be the last time she would see her. She whispered something in the child's ear to which the child answered with a nod of her head, then hugged her mother back fiercely.

Once Katherine's arms tightened around the little girl she began to cry for her mother. She remembered Katherine from the days when she would sing to the children and tell them stories, but she wanted her mother. Katherine placed her hand as gently as she could over the little girl's mouth. Wrapping her arm around the little girl she began to move toward the rails of the pen. The woman placed her hands over her mouth to quiet the sounds of her sobs. The light of the moon traced the tears down her cheeks. She wanted to wail out loudly, but knew she could not.

Katherine had only gone a few careful steps when she heard her name whispered.

"White Eagle you have come to comfort an old man on his journey." Katherine could barely recognize this thin skeletal man as the man who could still trap and hunt with the men when the weather did not stiffen his bones or they had to move too quickly. He had not been a warrior for many years but he had still been fierce although slower with age and aches of the old.

"Fire Walker it is good to see you to. Is there anything I can do for you?" Katherine knew she did not have time for this but she could not leave that old man here to die. He would haunt her until her own death claimed her.

"Can you stand Fire Walker? If I help you can you stand?"

"I will make it if I have to crawl. If I die ten steps from this dark place I will dance to my victory. At least I will die in freedom."

Katherine quickly looked around. The men were readying their distraction. They had picked up small rocks. They all knew that they would more than likely die as rocks were no match for guns with bullets that pierced skin and bone. A couple had taken the rifles of the disabled soldiers. Katherine dare not think what had happened to the soldiers. The guns could be used just as Katherine and Raging Bear began to run to the weeds drawing fire away from them.

Katherine helped Fire Walker to his feet. Lone Wolf would be in the trees by now looking back for her and Raging Bear. she hoped he did not come back for her. Raging Bear had not gone far. He waited for Katherine.

"We have to go Raging Bear. Once we are outside the pen, run and do not stop for anything. Nothing do you understand? It is far better for me to be caught than you." She did not know the truth of her words but she hoped he would believe her. Katherine had just put her foot outside when she heard shouting.

"Stop! Stop! Or I will shoot." One of the soldiers from the gate had regained his senses enough to be headed to make his rounds. Once his shout was heard guards posted all around the top of the forts tall barrier began to shout out instructions to soldiers on the ground. Soon there were many soldiers just outside the gates firing in the direction of the pen. If they were caught and the soldiers had been killed as she suspected they all would hang or be shot by a firing squad. Since bullets cost tax dollars they would dance at the end of a rope. Katherine woud not let that happen.

"Go. Now. Run and do not look back." She urged the other two on when they would have lingered wanting to try to make sure others would go free.

It was not completely dark, as the moon was fairly bright as it glinted through the few clouds, but still they could only make out shadowy figures heading into the tall grass. If they were not stopped they would soon be in the trees. Once in the thick undergrowth of trees they would be hard to find in the dark. It would be too dangerous for the soldiers who were not familiar with the surrounding terrain to track them at night. Only the very experienced soldiers could hope to come out safely. Most of those here at the fort were new recruits. They were sent here to allow the more experienced soldiers free for battle, tracking and rounding up of renegades.

The braves in the pens climbed out then charged toward the gates. They threw their rocks yelling out the most bloodcurdling cries. Those cries alone stopped a few of the newer recruits in their tracks. They thought for sure a war party had begun an attack. The order to fire brought them out of their stupor. They commenced firing. One by one they picked off the braves. Those men had given their lives bravely for their chief. To die for him had been something they considered a high honor.

Two braves had separated from the ones charging the gates. They were the ones with the guns. They began to fire drawing attention temporarily to them.

Soon there were only three figures headed for the trees. Bullets came in a rapid succession of gunfire. Suddenly Raging Bear stopped. It was as if he had been shot. "I see it Katherine. The flaming star, I see it. It is my time."

"Keep moving. You are mistaken. Please there is no time." Katherine placed her body behind Raging Bears. It was an unconscious move to shield the older man. One she had come to think of not as a father, but a man she could respect and one who would treat her as almost an equal.

She looked back to encourage Fire Walker. He lay on the ground. Katherine ran back the few feet to get to him, Raging Bear following her back.

Katherine knelt down to the old man. He had been shot too many times to count in the dark.

"White Eagle, thank you. Now I will go to the great beyond a free man. I did not have many winters or summers left. I would have not had any if I had gone to this place Flo..ri..da. It is my time Katherine. My one regret is that we did not share a buffalo hide." He chuckled then began to cough. Looking back Katherine saw soldiers headed their way. She had to leave. She glanced back down to say her good-bye only to see Fire Walker had already made his last journey.

Once again she hoisted the little girl onto her hip. Raging Bear took the lead as was his right as chief. He would lead them into battle or to freedom. Katherine did not quibble as this way she could shield him. Who she thought would shield her was a mystery.

Katherine tried to stay as close to the ground as she could and still hold onto the child, so that she would give them as little target as possible. She could feel bullets passing by her in a flurry of gunfire. Raging Bear was flagging a bit. He was beginning to slow down. The dirt around her shuddered as bullets hit the tightly packed dirt, leaving little holes dotting the ground. Almost into the tall grass, Katherine felt the sting of the first bullet that hit the back of her shoulder. She dropped to her knees from the impact. Her grip tightened on the little girl. Raging Bear stopped, looking back over his shoulder. The pain was almost enough to drag Katherine down altogether. She knew she could not give into the pain. Pain would defeat her if she did.

"Go on. I am alright. I just stumbled." As Raging Bear moved to come back toward her Katherine said, "No go on. We cannot be caught." With reluctance Raging Bear turned and began to head in the direction of the trees once more. He knew White Eagle had been hit. She had been behind him. She had shielded him from the soldier's bullets.

The pain was so intense Katherine wanted to give in to it, but knew she could not. She forced herself to her feet. Shifting the child into a firmer grip, Katherine took a few more steps. She paused to catch her breath as a fiery bolt of agony shot through her side. Again she fell to her knees. It took her longer to pull herself up to her feet this time.

She at last made it to her feet taking stumbling steps forward as the child began to seem a heavier burden than she had been earlier. Katherine would not put her burden down. Either they both made it, or neither one made it.

Once again Katherine shifted the little girl higher on her left shoulder as she felt the little girl begin to slip from her arms. Katherine continued on toward the tree line she could now see dark, shadowy shapes just ahead. She saw that Raging Bear was almost to the trees. A dark shape was just ahead of him. He joined that shape and another. Raging Bear must have caught up with Lone Wolf and Moon Shadow. Either that or Lone Wolf had come back for them. She prayed Lone Wolf knew not to come back for her and risk them all. She willed herself to place one foot in front of the other. At first it was slow progress. Step by step her pace became a little faster. Driving the pain from her mind by sheer willpower alone Katherine kept heading toward the trees. She reminded herself that Erik was waiting in those trees. She had to make it. She had to.

Every step she took brought her closer to Erik. His voice whispering in her ear not to give up drove her on when her body wanted to drop to the ground. Each time she felt her knees giving way she heard Erik's whispered words of encouragement.

Katherine's feet began to feel as if weights had been added to her moccasins. Thoughts of her mother flitted into her mind. She would love to see her mother again. No, I must not think like that. I have to stay with Erik. We have just found one another. I will make it. I must.

Matthew and his companions made it back to the three waiting men. Raoul and Darius rushed forward to help the now completely exhausted Raging Bear. Matthew had dragged him the last few hundred yards. Erik began to feel panic take over his whole being when he did not see Katherine. They had been in the trees when they had heard the gunfire. Now they stood just at the edge where the growth was less dense.

Erik's heart had dropped to his feet. That foreboding he had felt before had turned to the surety that something was wrong with Katherine. He could feel it as if it were his own body that was experiencing the pain. Fear for her safety turned to anger when he did not see her.

He grabbed Matthew tightly by the arm to ask urgently, "Katherine. Where is Katherine? I swear to you, if you sacrificed her for this man, I will kill you both. When did you see her last? Was she on her way back?"

Matthew cursed as he turned back the way he had come, taking a few steps in the direction he had just traveled a few seconds ago. His eyes scanned the surrounding area. Katherine had been right behind him inside the pen. When he had heard close footsteps behind him he had thought they were Katherine's but it was Moon Shadow behind him.

Matthew had looked back to see Raging Bear struggling to put one foot in front of the other. There had been no sign of Katherine.

Where could she have gone? He prayed to all the spirits and the Whiteman's God, that she had not taken it upon herself to join those who would be leading the soldiers in the other direction. Damn it White Eagle, where are you?

A rustling a few yards out drew their attention. Crouching down they waited to see who it was before firing into the grass. The figure that emerged was a woman. She was carrying what looked like a small child.

Everyone rushed toward her. Erik ran past everyone before they could even take a few steps. Erik wrapped his arms around Katherine and the bundle she carried. He brought both of them to him for a tight embrace. Katherine pushed him away not wanting him to feel the blood she she knew had to be running down from the wound in her shoulder and the one in her side. Both injuries were on her right side. The dark buckskin tunic kept the blood from being noticed in the dark. If one were to touch her they would feel the wet stickiness of her life's blood saturating her clothing.

"No time. We must hurry Erik. They will be mounted soon. We must be far from here by the first light. They may catch us if we do not put enough distance between us." It was an effort to get the words to form. Katherine was feeling light headed from the loss of blood. She was thankful they were not bareback. She could tie the one rein around her wrist and wrap the other tightly around her hand to help her stay on the horse. She wished now she had brought Misty. She and Misty knew each others moods and needs. Misty would have known how to compensate for her masters lack of direction. She would have followed Matthew.

Katherine handed the child to Erik. By now Erik realized the bundle Katherine held was a child. He took the child fearing she might protest loudly when she saw his appearance. She had already been sniffling and hiccupping. If she began to cry outright someone else would be holding her. Erik had had enough of crying females when he had dealt with Christine. Once in Erik's arms the little girl seemed happy enough. She wrapped her little arms around Erik's neck so tightly he thought he might be asphyxiated. Reluctantly he left Katherine to mount up.

Katherine knew that if she was not in the saddle soon she would not make it on her own. If they knew she was injured they would want to stop to have a look. She would not risk everyone. She grabbed the reins of her mount then placed her foot in the stirrup. Gritting her teeth she pulled herself into the saddle. She was grateful that everyone was busy mounting their own horses so they did not notice that it took her a few tries to raise herself into the saddle.

Katherine tied one of the reins as tight as she could around her wrist. The other she wrapped around her other hand several times. She pulled back testing the tightness. It seemed as if it would hold. She prayed she did not need to be held by the reins but if she passed out that would be all that held her in the saddle.

Once everyone was mounted they spurred their horses into a fast pace. At least as fast as they dared in the dark with so many trees and underbrush covering God knew what danger. Once they cleared the trees and were out in the open once more they could travel faster.

Erik had put the little girl in front of him. She had stopped crying. Now she clutched his shirt front in her tiny hands. Erik did not have time to think how right it felt to hold that small child securely in his arms. Later he would recall how trustingly she had come to him; how she had stopped her cries once in his strong embrace. For the moment escape and concern for Katherine were all he could focus on. Even with Katherine returning and seeming to be alright, that churning in his gut did not go away. He knew with certainty things were not as they should be.

Continuously his eyes returned to Katherine. Did she seem to be slumping down in the saddle? Would she not say something if she were hurt?

Looking ahead at the others he saw they were some distance away and the gap had been gradually widening. If Katherine slipped behind too much further or did not seem as if she could hold herself up any longer Erik would be calling a halt like it or not. If the fucking army came he'd give them a battle they would not soon forget.

If they feared what the Indians might do he could say positively they wanted no part of what The Phantom's mind could conjure up as retribution.

Erik decided to give Katherine a few minutes then he was alerting the others. He had not missed how the woman, Moon Shadow had been staying close to Katherine.

Erik would blame himself later for not listening to those inner warnings. Katherine might have been saved so much pain. She may not have had to struggle so hard just to stay alive.