Hi all!

So, great news! I've finished the sequel to this story already! We're just over halfway through this story and I'll continue to upload until it's completed then start uploading the sequel.

I have given it a lot of thought and I'm leaning towards the possibility of writing a series of shorter stories with a single storyline instead of more longer ones. There's some episodes I wish to write my own rendition of and I think in doing it this way it would be better. I do have some ideas for longer stories too, I'll just see how things go. However, I can promise now once this story is complete there is a sequel to arrive.

Anyway, enjoy!

Chapter 18

'Ssssh Missie, its okay sweetheart-' Adam soothed softly, the girl clutched in the throes of a nightmare. For sometime she'd been whimpering and crying in her sleep, her cries becoming louder the longer the nightmare continued. At first he'd thought she might come out of it on her own but now as she started to toss and turn in the hammock he wasn't so sure. 'Come on honey, wake up-'

Her father was there, standing right in front of her with a gun pointed at Adam's head. 'Thought you could run, didn't ya Missie?' He chuckled as she started to run towards him. 'It's a bit late for you to come back.' The gun went off, the man collapsing to the ground with blood pouring from his head.

'No!' Missie screamed, falling to her knees beside his body. 'Adam, Adam!' It was no good, his eyes staring back at her in death. 'No, no no!'

'My dear Missie.' He purred as he came up beside her, his hands on her shoulders. 'I want to show you something.'

Crying and screaming she was torn away from the man's body, being pushed towards a clearing in the forest. As she got closer she could see the graves of her family, her mother and step father, her siblings. They weren't the only graves though, there were more. She wiped her tears to see better as her father pushed her towards them. Ben Cartwright, Adam Cartwright, Hoss Cartwright and Joe Cartwright.

'This is what happens when someone tries to stop me from taking what's mine.' He hissed in her ear. 'You caused this, you caused them all to die. This is all your fault. Your a worthless bastard-

'Missie!' Adam shook her shoulders firmly, trying to snap her out of the nightmare as she started to scream loudly. 'Missie, wake up.' The girl's eyes flew open with a gasp, her breath coming in heaving sobs as she looked up at him with tears drenching her cheeks. She flinched as he extended his hand towards her, the girls fear and terror of him written on her face. God, what had that monster turned this poor child into? 'Sssh honey-' He tried again softly, caressing her cheek gently with his thumb. She flinched as he wiped her tears away, still speaking quietly and soothingly to he. 'It's alright sweetheart, its me, Adam.' A flicker of recognition flashed in her eyes.

'A-Adam?'

'Yes honey, it's me. I'm here now.' The girl took a deep breath as she started to look like she was calming down. 'Your alright Missie, your safe. I'm here.'

The girl shook her head, the nightmare still terrifying fresh in her mind. Adam, her father was going to kill him- 'My father-' She tried to get the words out inbetween strangled sobs. 'He w-wont stop till he-he gets w-what he wants. M-me. He'll k-kill you if y-you g-get in the way.'

'Missie, Missie sweetheart, listen to me.' He placed his hand beside her head, stroaking her warm cheek gently once again. 'Your father is in jail, he can't hurt you or anyone anymore. He's going to trial and the judge is going to decide what to do with him but he'll never be able to hurt you again, I promise. It's over Missie, your safe.'

'Really?'

'Yes Missie. It's all over.' Adam replied softly, the girl slowly starting to calm down now with his touch and quiet words. 'You rest now my dear, you need to keep your strength up.'

She nodded then reached her out towards him as he went to stand up. 'Stay, please.'

The pain and fear in her voice as her lip quivered once more was heartbreaking, the poor child so scared and vulnerable- 'Alright.' He found himself agreeing to her request and the child attemped a small smile. He smiled back to her kindly as she took his hand in hers, closing her eyes as he started stroaking her hair back. 'Everything is going to be alright now. Go to sleep sweetheart, I'm right here.'

The child clossed her eyes and Missie was asleep once more. Gently he laid her hand back down across her chest and covered her with the blanket again. He looked at her to mske sure she was still asleep then stood, heading out from underneath the shelter to fetch more water.

He glanced up at the sky as he filled the canteens at the creek, it was late in the afternoon already. Night would soon be falling again and he could hear the howl of a coyote in the distance as it prepared for a hunt. Missie's fever hadn't broken dispite the care he was giving her and if anything it was only getting worse. He'd been doing everything he possibly could do but yet it didn't seem to be enough.

With the canteens full he made his way back to the camp and placed extra wood on the fire before returning to the girls side. Taking the cloth off her forehead he wet it again then wiped her face down before placing it back. He repeated it with the other cloths she had on her in an continued effort to reduce her fever. Until the doctor arrived there wasn't much else they could do.

He sat back, watching the gentle rise and fall of her chest. His father had left before sun up to head to Virginia City to fetch the doctor, he hoped he'd arrived there without any trouble. He knew it'd be another day at least before help returned, he just hoped the girl would last that long.

The lights of Virgina City were a welcome sight to the weary traveler, Ben Cartwright as his horse stumbled along underneath him. He's ridden the buckskin gelding hard and fast all day, barely stopping to rest unless it was absolutely necessary. Over and over that worrying thought in his mind played on, that even his best might not be good enough. As much as he hated to think of it, it was possible the girl might already be dead. He'd checked her over before he'd left that morning, the fever still ravishing the girls weak body. She was fighting but given the fact she still hadn't fully recovered from her last ordeal he already knew the odds weren't in her favour.

They finally reached town, Buck wearily stopping when he asked for a halt outside the livery. He parted the gelding firmly, thanking him without words for a job well done. One of the workers came out to meet him and he handed him the reins after he dismounted. 'Be sure to look after him, he's been worked hard.'

The man could see that in the dried sweat caked onto the beast. He knew the Cartwrights cared for their horses, they never ran them like this unless the situation was dire. 'Yes sir Mr. Cartwright-' He nodded, rubbing the gelding's forehead. 'You have my word he'll be well taken care of.'

'Thank you.' He replied then turned to head down main street. Every muscle and bone in his body ached as he walked, the ride had been just as hard on his horse as it had been on him. As he made his way down to the doctors office, music from the saloons filled the streets mixed in with the sounds of patrons inside. Someone inside one shouted to him as he went past but he ignored them. He had business to take care of.

Paul was just finishing up for the night when the door opened, a very wearied and exhausted Ben walking through. 'Ben, when did you get back to town?'

'Just now.'

'Sit, you look fit to drop.'

'No, I can't stay long-'

'Sit.' He pulled out a chair from his desk, glaring at the grey haired patriarch. 'Even just for five minutes.' He finally gave in and took a seat in the chair, watching as he went over to the stove to fix himself and his friend some coffee. 'What's the trouble?'

'We found Missie yesterday.' Ben replied soberly, getting down to business quickly. 'I had to leave her with Adam, she's too weak to travel.'

Paul poured himself a cup of coffee from the kettle then offered one to him but he declined. 'What's the nature of her condition?'

'She's been beat up real bad, flogged with a whip, her back is shredded. Her feet are cut up too, I tended to the worst of her wounds with what supplies I had but there was only so much we could do. That's in addition to fever. When I left she was quite delirious.'

'How were you treating her?'

'Cleaning her wounds with warm water, using whisky on the worst ones. Keeping wet cloths on her and getting her to drink as much she was able.'

'You've done everything right then.' In his mind he was already going over inventory of what might be needed in caring for the girl. 'I'll be ready to head out by morning.'

'Thank you doc. I'm going to organise for a wagon to follow so we can take her home when you think it's safe to move her.' He stood up Paul started grabbing supplies off the shelf to take with him. 'I'll leave you to organising your supplies, I need to speak with the Sheriff. We'll meet at the livery stable before dawn.'

The doctor nodded as he left and he made his way to his next point of call. Opening the door to the Sheriff's office he was surprised to see Hoss and Joe with Roy. 'Boys, what are you doing here?'

'Came to see if there was any news of you Pa.' Joe replied, expecting Adam to come in any moment but the door didn't open again. 'Where's Adam?'

'Back with Missie.'

'You found her then?' Hoss questioned.

Ben nodded. 'We did.'

Roy could see he wasn't speaking the whole truth, not just yet. 'How is she Ben?'

'Three quarters dead-' He replied, unable to keep the anger out of his voice any longer. 'Adam and I found her yesterday wandering in the drylands. We got her back as far as Rocky Creek but she's too weak to go any further. I've already spoken with the doc, him and I are heading out in the morning.'

Hoss didn't like the sound of that at all. 'What's wrong with Lil Miss Pa?'

'Missie was flogged and beaten sevearly before she managed to get away-' He turned back to Roy. 'You can add those charges against the man in that jail cell as attempted murder. Maybe murder, I don't know if she's still alive or not. She wasn't in good shape when I left to get help this morning.'

Roy shook his head in disbelief and sympathy. 'I'm sorry to hear that Ben. If it's any consolation he and his men will be standing trial at the beginning of the week just as soon as the circuit judge gets here. I expect with the charges, most, if not all, will be hanged.'

He nodded. With what he'd seen Missie had been through he'd make sure justice would handed to them one way or the other. 'What about the three my sons brought in?'

'They'll be standing trial at the same time. The men in the split off group will too, my deputy and his men caught up with them and brought them in yesterday.'

'They had some of our stock with them Pa.' Joe added, leaning against the wall with his arms folded infront of him. 'Six of our range horses. They'd been stealing horses all around the county.'

'They're also responsible for numerous stage and bank robberies in the region too.' Roy continued. 'They had quite the crime syndicate going, it's been baffling lawnen like myself for the last few months. It's been good they've finally been caught though and will face up to the law'

Ben was quiet for a moment then looked back at Roy. 'What about the boy Blake? What will happen to him?'

'He's staying over at the hotel, I've got one of the ladies taking care of him.'

'What about the boy's father?'

'I expect he'll be hanged.' He replied simply. 'I've got confessions from all the men, the boy's father was one of the men responsible for robbing the Ashtown bank and stage coach office.'

'Surely that's not a hanging offence though?'

'He denies taking part in the murder of Missie's family but the other men say he was. Only Missie will be able to tell us that. He's guilty on the other charges though.'

'I don't wish to see the boy be made an orphan.'

'Neither of us do Ben but if he is guilty of murder he will hang.' He looked at Ben, the older man looking bone weary. 'You'd do best to get some rest Ben.'

'Can't, I still need to organise a wagon and supplies-'

'I'll take care of that. Boys, go take your father to the hotel and see he gets some rest.'

'Yes sir-' Hoss replied, grinning at the look his father gave him. 'Let's go Pa.'

The girls fever peaked later that night, Adam sitting at vigil at the girls side, wiping her face with a cool cloth. The whisky was gone, he'd used the last of it to clean the infected wounds on her back. There was nothing more he could do, except sit and pray for the fever to break. The girl had been delirious from fever all day, whispering names and sentences he tried to peice together. One thing stood out, the girl calling over and over again for her mother. He wet the cloth again, wiping her face gently as her breathing became more ragged and laboured. Something told him it would be soon and it would go either way for the girl. Fight Missie, come on. You can do it. He encouraged in his mind, watching over her as tenderly as if she were one of his brothers. The girl had made quite an impression on his heart, in all their hearts. That had been evident in how they'd all worried for her when she'd been kidnapped. It went deeper then just their obligation to care for her, the girl had become like one of the family.

Missie felt herself walking towards a bright shining white light far off in the distance. The light was calling her, beckoning her to come to it. She felt herself running, running as fast as she could to the light. She came closer, closer, she was almost able to touch it now-

The girl stopped breathing, Adam's blood running cold when his ears failed to hear the rasping breath the girl would take. His eyes focused on her chest, there was no rise or fall. He sat in stunned silence for a moment, as if unable to believe the child was gone. No. She was going to fight-

She came through the wall of light, gasping in surprise as she came out on the other side. Her mother was standing in front of her off in the distance. 'Mamma!' She yelled as she ran towards her as fast as her legs would carry her. 'Momma, I've missed you so much!'

'I've missed you too my little sugar bug.' She replied as the girl came closer, holding her hand out at the girl to stop her from hugging her. 'No Missie, you can't hug me.'

Her forehead wrinkled in confusion. 'Why Momma? You're right here. I've missed you so much. Don't you want me anymore?'

'Oh honey of course I want you, I love you darling, you know that.' She replied sadly. 'You can't stay here, it's not yet your time Missie. It's not yet time for you to join me.'

'What do you mean? Where am I?'

'Your at a crossroads, between life and death-' She cast her hand out at the horizon behind her, a vision of the girl lying in the hammock with a black clothed figure beside her. 'It's here you have to make a choice.'

He gently but quickly picked the girl up from the hammock, lying her down on the pine needle floor of the shelter. Tilting her head back so her airway was clear he opened her mouth, pinched her nose closed and began to breathe into her mouth, her chest rising and falling with each breath he gave her. He repeated it over and over then began to thrust down on her chest, alternating between the two techniques he'd been taught by his grandfather. Come on Missie, come on! Fight Missie! Fight! He begged desperately, watching her chest for a moment to see if she'd started breathing yet. She hadn't.

'A choice?' She questioned. 'What kind of choice?'

'If you want to live or die.' Her mother motioned back to the wall of light, the image now showing that of the man leaning over the girl, trying to get her to breathe. 'If you touch me, you are choosing to stay here and your life on earth is over. If you want to go back, all you have to do is walk through that wall of light. The choice is up to you.'

'What should I do?'

'I can't tell you what to do honey, the decision is yours and yours alone.' She replied, watching the man leaning over the still body of her child. She knew who he was, she'd been watching her daughters life since she was in this place. 'He looks like he's worried for you. Who is he?'

'Adam Cartwright-' Missie turned back, cringing a little as she saw him placing his mouth back on hers, trying to get her to breathe again. 'Ewwww.'

Her mother laughed, that deep jolly laugh. 'He's trying to keep you alive while you make up your mind whether you want to stay or go.'

'He's been very good to me, all of them have-' The girl replied slowly as she thought about it. 'He's got a father and two brothers, they've taken me in and given me a home-' She sighed, trying to figure out her decision. 'I want to stay here with you Ma but they-' The vision changed to an image of how the Ponderosa ranch would be without her presence anymore. Ben and the boys going around their day but there was no laughter in the house, no girl running around to tease them. 'I think they need me more. I just don't know.'

'Well, you need to make up your mind. You don't have much longer to decide.'

'Come on Missie!' Adam begged as he pushed down on her chest once more. He waited to see if her chest rose then placed his ear against her body to listen for her breathing, her heartbeat. There was nothing. 'No, you're not giving up just yet Missie, not if I say anything about it. Come on Missie, breathe!'

'I have to decide.' She sighed, watching Adam working over her still body. Something tugged at her heart at the way he was begging her to come back and she began to realise just how much he did care for her. 'I'll go back Ma.'

She smiled as she started to fade away, the wall coming closer to swallow the girl up again. 'Good girl. I'll always be here watching over you. I'm proud of you my girl.'

'No, wait ma! There's still so much I want to ask you!' Missie held her hand out, trying to stop her mother from going. 'Please Ma!'

'No my dear, you must go back. I'll always be with you-'

The girl gasped loudly, taking a deep breath to fill her lungs with air as her heart began to beat again. Adam sighed in relief, placing his ear down to her chest to hear the steady rhythm of her beating heart. 'Thank you God.' He whispered softly, looking at the girl. Her eyes opened slowly, focusing on him and he smiled kindly. 'You had me worried, child.'

'Ma, Ma?'

'No honey, it's me. Adam.' He replied gently, stroking her hair back. 'Your very sick my dear I'm afraid.'

'Ma? I saw her-' The girls voice trailed off as she realised that her Ma wasn't there with her, tears starting to run down her cheeks. 'She was there with me.'

'Missie, you need to rest honey.' He soothed, wiping the tears off her hot skin. He didn't know what she was speaking of but she was quickly becoming too excited, spending strength she could ill afford to loose. 'Come on my dear, it's alright. Don't cry. It's alright.'

'I miss her.'

'I know, I know you do. You can't think of that right now though my girl, you need to rest. You have to rest.' The girl nodded, fresh tears running down her cheeks. 'You'll be alright.'

She bit her lip, trying to stop her crying. All she wanted was to be held, to be hugged. To be reassured she was safe, that she was going to be okay. 'A-Adam, can you give me a hug?'

'Of course honey.' He soothed and gently took her in his arms, covering her in a blanket so she didn't get chilled. The girl took a deep breath, resting her head on his shoulder as her eyes closed. 'Sleep honey, I'll be right here.'

Adam woke a couple hours later, surprised that he'd dosed off. He looked down at the girl in his arms, her skin looking very pale in the moonlight and for a moment he was worried she'd passed while he slept until she took another breath. He touched her forehead gently and sighed with relief. Her fever had broken.

Thank you Lord. He prayed in his mind, grateful the girls fever had broken. The worst of it was over for her now, she would pull through. He could feel it. She was a fighter, even though she wasn't related by blood he'd swear she had the Cartwright spirit and determination. It was a miracle, pure and simple.

His legs were numb from the girl lying on him and carefully he picked her up, placing her back in the hammock then set about waking his legs up. He looked over at her while he was rubbing his legs, coming to the realisation of just how much he cared for her. When he thought she had died he'd put everything he had into getting her breathing again. It was more then obligation he had towards her, it was more then just caring for another human being. He loved that girl. He'd come to think of her as a sister. That girl had been through enough, she deserved to have a family who loved and cared for her. If you don't end up taking custody of her Pa, I will. He promised himself, looking at her sweet face as she slept without the delirium of fever. There was no way he was willing to let her go, not after saving her life a second time, the first having been finding her in the bear trap.

Quietly he got up, slowly making his way to the fire. His legs were still asleep but waking slowly as he soaked the coals and placed more wood on then set about preparing himself some coffee. By word, he needed coffee after the night he'd had.

He guessed the time to be early morning, guessing correctly as the sun started up over the horizon. He looked over at the girl, she was still sleeping peacefully and he stood up again. With her fever broken he felt a little better about leaving her to check his snares. He'd set a couple traps down near the creek to catch rabbits to eat, now with the girl feeling a bit better she'd need to be able to eat too.

Grabbing the empty canteens to refill them he made his way to the creek, a look of satisfaction coming across his face upon seeing he had rabbits in all three snares. That'd be enough for the day by far for both him and the girl. He filled the canteens up then went back to take care of the game.

Dispatching of the rabbits was easy enough, slinging the carcasses over his shoulder as he made his way back to camp. Missie was still asleep when he walked back in and placed the rabbits down to skin before he checked on her. Her skin was warm but not feverish, just warm from the sunburn she'd sustained while escaping from her father. He contemplated waking her so he could tend to her wounds but thought against it. It could wait. The girl needed her rest.

He went back to the fire and settled down to business of preparing the rabbits to eat. Rabbit stew was on the menu, it'd be hearty enough for the girl to eat and good enough for him. He'd grown tired already of the plain beans he'd been eating, the thought of rabbit stew sounding mightly good right about now.

It didn't take long for him to finish with the rabbits, placing them in the pot with what other ingredients he had to turn it into stew. That done he helped himself to some coffee and sat by the fire to drink it, the sun rising steadily to announce it being early morning. He wasn't thinking of that though, happy to just sit and watch for the stew to be ready. Already the strong aroma of cooking rabbit could be smelt upon the morning air, he knew if Hoss was here he'd be asking every five minutes if the stew was finished yet or not.

'A-Adam?'

The stew was forgotten at hearing the weak calling of his name, Adam placing his cup down as he stood up. Missie was awake as he walked in and he knelt down beside her. 'I'm here Missie, what's the matter?'

'I'm thirsty.'

'Alright, I've got some water right here.' He picked up a cup he'd kept beside her for that very purpose, filling it from the canteen. Gently he lifted her head, placing it to her lips. 'Steady now, not too fast. There's plenty of it.'

She drank slowly but steadily, finishing the whole cup off then looked up at him. He looked exhausted and she had a feeling she was the reason. 'I've been sick, haven't I?'

He nodded as he stroked her cheek with his thumb. 'You've been very sick I'm afraid. How are you feeling now?'

'Something terrible, I hurt everywhere. What happened?'

'You don't remember?' The girl shook her head and he sighed. He took a moment to think of the right words to say then started to explain. 'Missie, a few days ago, your father kidnapped you from our ranch-' He saw her stiffen, her eyes widening at the mention of the man. 'He took you away and beat you quite badly, you got away and ended up in the drylands a few miles from here. Pa and I found you out there and brought you back. You've been very ill.'

'And you stayed with me the whole time. I could feel you beside me.'

He nodded. 'Pa left to get help, he should be back later today. I'm sorry all this happened Missie, I shouldn't have let it happen-'

'Adam-' She reached up, touching his cheek gently. His skin felt rough from the stubble growing, it reminded her of her Pa when he hadn't shaved for a few days. 'Adam, this isn't your fault so don't go blaming yourself, please. It's on no one but me, I'm to blame. I should have done something sooner-'

'Missie, it's not your fault either. Your father is the only one to blame.'

Missie managed a little grin, getting exactly what she wanted to hear from him. 'Yes, only my father is to blame. Not you, not me.'

'Why you-' His eyes sparkled with admiration upon realising she'd turned it on him. He chuckled, kissing her hand gently 'Missie, your a wonder.'

'I know.' She replied with a smile them sobered. 'But Adam, please, don't blame yourself. Your not to blame for this happening, this or me getting caught in that trap you set-' She saw the look on his face but continued anyway. 'I know you blamed yourself for that too but it was wrong. None of this was your fault. Sometimes things happen without there being anything anyone can do to stop it. Your a good person Adam, one of the best I've ever known.'

'I know the company you've been in, the competition ain't too fierce.' The girl went to laugh then gasped abruptly, sucking a deep breath in and he frowned. 'What's wrong Missie?'

'Pain-' Was all she was able to get out through gritted teeth. Pain radiated through her chest, taking her breath away. Breathe, breathe through it. She could see the concerned look on Adam's face, trying to put a brave face on for his sake. 'Ribs-'

'It's alright, just breath honey.' He held her hand firmly, the girl squeezing it back as her eyes scrunched shut, trying to catch her breath. 'That's it, that's it.'

The pain finally started to subside, the girl able to breathe easier and she opened her eyes again. 'Don't make me laugh Adam.'

'I'll try not to.' He was worried about her, not liking to see her being in pain. 'Where does it hurt?'

'My ribs. Really bad, really sharp. Worse then my other pain.'

'You've probably got cracked ribs then-' Adam sighed. 'You've really been in the wars I'm afraid my girl.'

'I'll live.'

'All the same, I better take a look.' He pulled the blanket down off her chest, lying it back just above her hips and he started to unbutton his shirt she was wearing. 'I'm sorry I have to look at you Missie, I know it's not proper but I'm afraid neither one of us has much choice.'

'At least you ain't twenty men with one thing on their mind.' She flinched when his fingers hit a tender spot on her side, taking a deep breath in. 'Yeah, that hurts Adam.'

'You've got a lot of bad bruising, what happened?'

'Boot to the stomach would do that.' She sighed, trying not to think of the fact her chest was exposed. Despite only being twelve already she was starting to grow a womanly figure. The men her father had with him certainly had made that known to her. 'And fists. He wanted to make sure I didn't run but I didn't like their idea of 'hospitality' so to speak.' Another sore spot was touched, this time the girl yelping loudly in surprise. 'Yeaouch.'

'Sorry Missie.' He replied grimly, running his fingers over the other side of her ribcage. 'You've got two cracked or broken ribs on that side from what I can tell I'm afraid.'

The girl rolled her eyes. 'Oh joy. How lovely. Guess they'd have been able to do as they wished if I was still there, I wouldn't have been able to fight back.'

He thought for a moment, wondering how to bring up a delicate question that had been in his mind since she'd been kidnapped. 'Did-' She yelped again, this time he could feel clearly where the rib was broken. He felt bad for causing her more pain, finishing off checking her over as quickly as he could. She had at least three cracked or broken ribs, the bruises and swelling on her ribcage not looking good either. He buttoned the shirt up again and tucked the blanket around her once more. 'Did they hurt you in that way?'

'I-I don't know Adam.' Her voice was soft, speaking as she were ashamed as she looked away from him. 'I was unconscious for most of my time there, they could have done anything. I was awake when one man came over, he was touching me for a long time and I couldn't do anything about it-'

The girl started to sob softly and he placed his hand gently on her shoulder. 'It's alright honey, you'll be alright. It won't happen again, I promise.'

She nodded, regaining her composure after a moment. 'I was so scared Adam, they kept talking about what they wanted to do to me and how they were going to do it-'

'Sssh, don't think of that now.' He soothed gently. 'It's in the past, it's over now. They're all locked up away where they can't hurt you again.'

Her lip quivered as she looked up at him. 'I'm scared.'

'I know you are honey but everything will be okay. Pa will make sure that they'll never be able to hurt you again.'

'I don't want him to know-' She whispered softly. 'It's the girls fault if they get raped, my father said so.'

'That is not true.' He replied firmly but gently. 'It is not your fault at all for how those men acted towards you. Some men don't have any respect for women at all, they think they can do what they like and get away with it. They're the lowest of the low, they're a disgrace. Never believe anyone telling you it's your fault because it's not. My Pa taught me to respect women and girls, it's a pitty more didn't teach their sons that.'

'It's embarrassing-' Her cheeks were red but not from her sunburn. 'The way they were looking at me, talking about me-'

'Your not there now honey, it's in the past. I know it's hard to get out of your mind but you'll have too to move forward.'

She nodded after a moment. 'I know.' She looked up at him, trying to smile. 'I feel a little better now.'

'Good girl. You know I'm always here for you to talk to.' He glanced over at the fire, the stew should be ready by now. 'Now, how about something to eat?'

Fun fact- I did some research about when CPR and rescue breaths were first started for this chapter to see if it'd fit with the timeframe of Bonanza and I was quite presently surprised!

According to Wikipedia-

In August 1767, a group of wealthy and civic-minded citizens in Amsterdam gathered to form the Society for the Recovery of Drowned Persons.[3] This society was the first organized effort to respond to sudden death.[4]

And part of how they resuscitated people was with early forms of CPR and rescue breaths. Obviously this practice wasn't that widespread until much later in the 1950's+ but I thought the liberty of using this would be allowed given Adam's grandfather was a sailor and he could have picked up the knowledge of this practice and passed on his knowledge to Adam.

Another thing too, Missie's experience is based on a story of something that happened to my mother before I was born. She had an allergic reaction to medication a hospital gave her for food poisoning and collapsed in my father's (her boyfriend, a few months before they were married) arms as they walked out of the hospital. He thought she had died, she wasn't breathing and she had no pulse. Luckily they were able to save her otherwise I wouldn't be here now! She describes however she was in a most peaceful place, she never experienced such peace before and everything was blue. She recounts when they woke her up she was annoyed they took her from that peaceful place! I decided to base Missie's 'death' from her story and so that's the story of how this storyline came about.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and this behind the scenes note. Till next Time!