Title: Aftershocks

Author: Cindy Ryan

Catagory: Jimmy/Lou/Kid, angst

timeline: late third season

Summary: When Lou takes a bullet meant for Jimmy how will the other Riders react?

Notes: This hasn't been beta read so all mistakes are mine.

Kid returned to Lou's room to find his fiance asleep. Rachel rose from the chair her gaze worried.

Kid held up his hand to halt whatever conversation the older woman was going to start. "Don't say it, Rachel."

Rachel smiled as she placed a hand on his right shoulder. "I'll say it anyway. I'm glad you went to see him."

"I did it for Lou."Kid stated firmly his gaze never leaving Lou's sleeping form.

Rachel nodded. "I know you did. But this family may be forever changed after tomorrow.....I just don't want you to have any regrets."

Kid's head snapped up and his eyes flashed. "Regrets? The only regret I have is that I didn't marry Lou sooner. If I had we would've been far away from Jimmy Hickcock."

A sad shadow crossed Rachel's face. "Kid, what happened was an accident. He tried to keep her safe....just happened too fast."

Kid shrugged. "Maybe but things ended the same way they always seem to around Jimmy. I lost my brother to him Rachel and I damn near lost Lou....I'm not going to help him tomorrow. I just can't."

Rachel took her hand away from Kid's shoulder and opened the door. "I know where you're coming from,Kid, I do but life is far too short. Things are changing....don't waste the time we have left with this family being angry and revengeful."

********

Teaspoon stepped into his office and fought the urge to tell Wilcox to get out of his chair.

"Settling in alright?"Teaspoon asked as he glanced over at Jimmy. Hickcock was laying down on the cott his feet up against the front of the cell. The young man's eyes were closed but Teaspoon knew he wasn't asleep.

Wilcox nodded as he leaned back in the chair feet propped up on the desk. "Just fine. My men appreciate the town's hospitality."

Teaspoon gestured toward the cell. "Mind if I have a few minutes?"

Wilcox swung his feet off the desk and stood. "Stay as long as you like. For a murderer I've never seen anybody so popular. I'm going to patrol and stretch my legs. Close the door on the way out."

"Will do."Hunter replied as Wilcox left.

"I'm surprised you're being nice to him."Jimmy commented his eyes still closed.

Teaspoon smiled. "I'm not. Just didn't want to waste any furniture by decking him."he paused as he noticed the untouched tray of food. "Rachel'll be upset that you didn't eat that."

Jimmy shrugged but didn't open his eyes. He didn't want to see the disappointment on the elder man's face. "Didn't see the pont of wasting it on a dead man."

Teaspoon sighed and he walked over to the cell door grasping one of the bars. "I thought we'd been over this."

Jimmy finally opened his eyes. "I'm just facing fate, Teaspoon. It finally caught up to me. Wilcox is gonna hang me tomorrow. Nothin' I can do about it."

Teaspoon's eyes flared angerily. "Do you want to hurt Lou? Because that's exactly what you're doin'."

Jimmy sat up and swung his legs toward the floor. "That's the last thing I want. I've never admitted this to her but I do love her. I may not have a future with Lou, her's is with Kid and always will be. But I won't be the one to endanger that."

Teaspoon leaned against the bars. "She treasures your friendship, Jimmy. She'll never get over it if you give up and let Wilcox win."

Jimmy sighed. "I'll be at the trial. I'll tell the judge what happened. That's all I can do Teaspoon."

Hunter glanced behind him at the open doorway. "If things go south.....just want you to know to be ready. We have a plan to get you out."

Despite himself Jimmy smiled. "Just like always."

Teaspoon nodded as he returned the smile. "Get some rest."

"Thanks Teaspoon."Jimmy called as Hunter started to leave.

"For what?"Teaspoon asked as he turned back.

Jimmy shrugged. "Everything."

Teaspoon nodded in understanding before turning and leaving the sherriff's office.

********

Midnight found Rachel sitting in her kitchen sipping a mug of hot tea. No matter what she tried she couldn't get to sleep. Her thoughts were too jumbled.....her emotions too high.

After everything Rachel just couldn't believe that this was how everything was going to end. It just wasn't fair....they had pieced things back together after Ike died. They had endured the increasing dangers and the presure of the upcoming war.

Rachel glanced up as she heard the door open and close and saw Teaspoon enter the kitchen. Rachel smiled half heartedly in greeting and stood to pour him a cup of tea from the kettle.

"Couldn't sleep either?"Teaspoon questioned unnecessarily as he sat down at the table.

Rachel shook her head as she placed another mug in front of Hunter and retook her seat. "No and from the lanterns I saw on in the bunkhouse we aren't the only ones up."

Teaspoon nodded. "I talked to Jimmy tonight. Think I changed his thinking a little."

Rachel's face brightened. "You got him to fight?"

"I got him to talk to the judge."

"That's a start."Rachel replied sadly as she traced the rim of the mug.

Teaspoon reached out and touched Rachel's hand in friendly reassurance. "I promise, Rachel. I'm not going to let this family fall apart."

Rachel smiled briefly. "I know, but maybe Jimmy's right on one thing."

"What's that?"Hunter asked.

"Perhaps there are some things we can't control."

Teaspoon nodded. "I believe that on some level, Rachel. But I also have to believe that we have a say in our own fate."

"I hope you're right, Teaspoon. They need each other whether they want to admit it or not."