Forward:

There were several episodes from the five season run of The Rifleman that I felt lacked closure. Two of those episodes were The Debt and None So Blind. While I initially struggled with the entire premise behind those episodes, I finally decided to try to make sense of what the writers had given us in those stories. To do that, I had to not only look at those particular episodes, but also consider those events within the context of the Rifleman saga as a whole. I ended up drawing from several episodes to try to understand what might have been going through 13-year-old Mark's mind when he helped Mr. Reynolds and Faye. The following episodes may give readers more context to this story, and can be viewed on the FilmRise Television Youtube channel or read on the Riflemanconnors website:

The Trade (S1, E24)

One Went To Denver (S1, E25)

Bloodlines (S2, E2)

The Wyoming Story (S3, E20/21)

Short Rope For A Tall Man (S3, E27)

Vaqueros (S4, E1)

Skull (S4, E14)

The Debt (S4, E23)

The Tinhorn (S4, E24)

None So Blind (S4, E25)

I may not be able to bring closure to every aspect of these two episodes, but I hope you all enjoy this story as I attempt to take them one step closer to a satisfactory ending.

Judgement and Justice

It had been a trying few weeks, and Lucas found himself at a loss as he listened to his son's complaints. He carefully considered his response, not wanting to do any more to strain their relationship, but unable to give Mark what he wanted.

"Son, I can't bring you; you weren't asked to come."

"But you think Mr. Reynolds should still be hung!"

"I do."

"Then it's not fair that you're the only one going!"

"Mark, there's nothing I can do. You weren't invited to go and I'm not going to spring you on the governor. …I know how concerned you are about this, but you've done everything you can- including a number of things you shouldn't have. While yes, I disagree with you about what Reynolds's outcome should be, I hope you can find comfort in the fact that your words last time at least persuaded the governor to have a second conversation."

"It doesn't mean anything if the two people having that conversation both want to see him dead."

"…It's not a matter of "wanting" him to die. It's a matter of justice and protecting those he might harm in the future. And while I'll answer the governor's questions truthfully, I will present your position if I have the opportunity."

"Why do you have to go at all? The least you could do is just not say anything!"

"Because a man's life is hanging in the balance and the governor wanted to discuss more of what happened. I'm not going to withhold information that could help him better understand the situation. There still is the chance that what I tell him could persuade him to commute the sentence."

"Like that's going to happen…"

"Mark," Lucas reprimanded, warning in his voice.

"I don't understand why you won't try to help him!"

"I'm trying to do what's right and fair. Don't you trust that?" He waited for a response, only to be met by silence. "…Mark?"

"…I don't know what to think right now."

"Son, when have I not-"

Mark stood from the porch steps, shaking his head as he started towards the door. "Goodnight, Pa."

Lucas dismissed his immediate feelings of frustration, knowing his son was still struggling with the events of the last month and that Mark's conflict had more to do with his own actions than his father's. Still, it was unsettling for the rancher to see that look of distrust in the boy's eyes, and he wondered just how long it would take for Mark to come around to the truth.

The next morning, Lucas walked into the barn to find his son already saddling up.

"Where are you going so early?"

"I just need some time to think… alone."

The rancher nodded in understanding, bringing his foot to rest on the milking stool. "I won't take that away from you… every man needs time to think. But there also comes a time when he needs to talk about what's troubling him."

"Yes sir."

"Don't be late for school."

"I won't."

A few hours later, Lucas rode into town and made his way to the jail. As he entered, he found the marshal unlocking the door to the cell area of the office.

"I'll be right with you, Lucas-boy. Mr. Drake, this way."

The rancher watched as a well-dressed man followed Micah to the back part of the office, the marshal returning a few moments later and again locking the door.

"Just let me know when you're through." Micah stepped to the pot bellied stove as he offered Lucas a cup of coffee.

"No, thanks. Just who do you have locked up back there? Not too many of your customers can afford a lawyer like that."

"Elbert Sullivan."

"Sullivan? I thought he was locked up in Raton."

"He was; the trial was moved here. The judge didn't think the folks there could impartially serve on a jury. Which brings me to asking you a favor."

"What is it?"

"The trial doesn't start until next week, but strangers are already starting to come into town and I have the responsibility of making sure nothing happens to Sullivan between now and then."

"Need help keeping the peace?"

Micah shook his head. "Ben and Tom can help me with that. I'm sorry to ask this, especially with all the work you're having to put into the fields, but there's a witness in Santa Fe that needs extra protection. You'd be paid for your time if you were willing to ride up and bring him back."

"As long as he doesn't have to be here before Saturday, that'd be fine. The governor wants to meet to discuss Reynolds again and I probably won't be back until late Friday night at the earliest."

"When did you find that out?"

"Last night; Amos came by the ranch with a special telegram." Lucas started to change the subject, but noticed the look in Micah's eye. "…There's more to the favor?"

"If there was any other-"

"Just spit it out," he chuckled. "You'll talk me into it, one way or the other."

"The judge and I don't think it's a good idea for this witness to stay around town before or during the trial. We figure it would be best to keep him at an outlying farm while he's not in court."

Lucas nodded, letting out a heavy sigh. "We'll put him up for you."

"I appreciate it, Lucas-boy. Now that that's out of the way, what brings you into town?"

"I came to ask you a favor, but you just talked yourself out of it."

"What do you mean?"

"I was going to see if Mark could bunk in with you while I was gone, but like you said, there are going to be too many strangers in town. I think I'd feel better if he stayed at the ranch."

"He's coming in for school anyway, isn't he?"

"Yes, but I don't want him hanging around town. The types of folks that come in for any trial usually mean trouble; with Sullivan… I'm sure it will only be worse."

Micah nodded in agreement. "I'll try to catch him before school in the mornings to make sure everything's going fine at the ranch."

"Thanks."

"How's he taking staying here while you go to Santa Fe?"

"Not well. It's been a rough few weeks and this certainly isn't helping."

"I thought the two of you sorted everything out after we got back?"

"We talked about it, but we didn't get anything resolved. I don't understand what's causing him to act out like this. First helping a convicted murderer escape, then helping Faye track down Mack…"

"Have you asked him why?"

"What?"

"You said you don't understand what made him do those things. Have you asked him why?"

Lucas thought back over the long lectures he had given his son before shaking his head. "No, I… I don't suppose I have."

"It may take him a while to give you an answer, but you've raised him better; there's something troubling his thinking."

The rancher nodded, thinking back to the distrust in his son's eyes the night before. "I just hope that whatever it is, we can get to the bottom of it."

"I'm sure you will, Lucas-boy."

"This witness I'm picking up, what's his name?"

"Don't have a name. Just drop by the sheriff's office when you get there; I'll wire ahead so they'll be expecting you. I appreciate you doing this."

"No sense in you leaving town, especially since I'm already going that way. Mark will be glad to have someone else around the ranch, too." Lucas let out a deep breath as he glanced out the window. "I better get going, I need to run a few errands before I head back to the ranch."

"I'll see you when you get back."

The sun had nearly set that evening when Lucas heard a horse in the yard. He stepped out of the cabin, greeting his son as Mark dismounted.

"I expected you home hours ago; what happened?"

"I'm sorry I'm so late. Miss Pritchard needed help with some things around the schoolhouse."

"Needed help or you got yourself into trouble?"

"Honest, I didn't do anything wrong. She just asked for my help, and before we knew it, the sun was half gone."

Lucas nodded as Mark took BlueBoy's reins and started towards the barn. The rancher followed, noticing how tense his son's frame was.

"Get everything sorted out this morning?"

Mark stopped, letting out a heavy sigh. "Pa, I… deep down, I know what I did was wrong… with Mr. Reynolds and with Faye. …But there are still some things I'm trying to understand and… I know you want to talk about it, but I just-"

"It's alright."

"…It is?"

Lucas nodded. "We've already tried talking about it and haven't gotten anywhere. I don't think we're going to get anywhere until we understand why you acted the way you did, despite knowing that what you were doing was wrong. While I'm gone, I'm hoping you come up with an answer, because you're the only one who can."

"…Yes sir." Mark turned to take the saddle off BlueBoy, Lucas's hand stopping him.

"Son, I know things haven't been right between us these last few weeks, and I know we can't ignore what happened. But just for tonight, I'd like us to forget as much of it as we can."

Mark looked up at his father, knowing he didn't want to leave with hard feelings between them. He nodded, faintly smiling. "…Thanks, Pa."

Lucas slapped his son's shoulder, stepping back so Mark could place his saddle on the sawhorse. "You had a test today, didn't you?"

"…I did."

Hearing the hesitancy in his son's voice, Lucas let out a heavy sigh. "How bad was it?"

Mark walked to his saddle bag and pulled out a piece of paper before slowly handing it to his pa. Lucas looked the test over, his brow furrowing in confusion before he looked up to see the mischievous grin on Mark's face. He laughed, shaking his head as he put an arm around his son.

"Well, looks like all that studying paid off, after all. Best mark this year, isn't it?"

"Yes sir. Miss Pritchard said it was the highest mark of the class."

"When I get back, we'll celebrate with supper in town."

"How long do you figure you'll be gone?"

"I could be home Friday night, but I doubt it. Especially now since Micah has me bringing back a witness. I'll more likely be home Saturday afternoon."

"What witness?"

"They're moving the Elbert Sullivan trial here and there's a witness in Santa Fe that needs protection. Micah wants me to bring him back and put him up here… you might set up the army cot in the front room Friday afternoon in case we do get back late that night."

Mark nodded. "I'm assuming you asked Micah or Miss Milly if I could stay in town with one of them?"

"I was going to, but I don't want you spending a lot of time in town while I'm gone… too many strangers coming through with the trial starting next week. I do want you to check in with Micah before school each morning."

"I will."

"Go ahead and finish with BlueBoy, then join me in the house; I've got supper on the table."

Wednesday evening saw Lucas walking inside the Santa Fe jail. A tall man looked up from behind the desk, greeting the rancher as an easy smile settled on his face.

"Well, Lucas! I didn't expect to see you back here so soon."

"Micah didn't wire you?"

"Wire? What… oh, you must be here to pick up that prisoner. My deputy told me he got a telegram saying someone from North Fork was coming; never said who."

"I'm here to take a witness back to North Fork for the Elbert Sullivan trial… I don't know anything about a prisoner transfer."

"Leave it to the Marshals to keep out information. Your witness is a convict trading his testimony for his freedom. I don't recommend keeping him and Sullivan together. Does Micah have a deputy that can keep an eye on him, preferably away from town? Sullivan's men have already tried to get at him once."

"…I already told Micah I'd keep his witness at the ranch."

"What about your son? Putting up a witness is one thing, but a convict…"

"He won't mind spending a few days at the neighbor's ranch. Actually, I might send him to the Wilsons' in Marionette."

Before the sheriff could respond, another voice carried through the office. "Don't worry, Lucas, I won't cause any trouble for you or the boy."

The rancher turned around and pushed open the door leading to the back room. "Sam?"

"You two know each other?"

"Lucas and I grew up together."

"Is there going to be a conflict of interest here?"

"No," Lucas answered. "Morley and I are on good terms… he asked me to help turn him in about three years ago."

"Help turn him in?"

"It's a long story," Sam chuckled. "You don't have to worry, Sheriff. I don't have any reason to run… I like the idea of being a free man in the eyes of the law. And as long as Lucas is willing to forget about that poker game in Houston, I don't think he'd have any reason to want to hurt me."

"So you did cheat."

"I didn't say that," he answered with a sly grin. "When are we headed out?"

"Hopefully late morning. I have business with the governor first thing."

"Lucas, did Micah deputize you before he left?"

"No. Like I said, we didn't know our witness was a prisoner."

The sheriff nodded. "I'll have to swear you in before you take him into custody, then. …You want to borrow a pair of six-guns for the trip?"

"My rifle will do fine, thanks. I'm going to get settled at the hotel… it's been a long ride. I'll see the two of you tomorrow."