Title: Aftershocks

Author: Cindy Ryan

Catagory/pairings: angst, Kid/Lou

timeline: Late 3rd season

Notes: See part 1. Thanks for the continued feedback :) Also if they didn't have matches in 1860 forgive the hisotrical mistake. I didn't have time to do research. :)

"James Butler Hickok."Thompson began drawing everyone's attention. "You are charged with the murder of Robert Myers. Sentance will be death by hanging to be carried out immeaditely."

"No!"Lou shouted as the deputies approached Jimmy.

Kid was instantly behind Lou supporting her as her legs

waivered. "Lou..."

Lou shook him off as she looked at the men taking Jimmy outside. "No, Kid. This isn't right and you know it. Deep down you know it. How many times has he saved your life?"

Kid met Jimmy's gaze as Hickock was led slowly outside. "That's not the point, Lou. How many times has he put you in danger because of the situations he finds himself in?"

Tears started to form in Lou's eyes. "So you're willing to let Jimmy die because of something he can't control? He never asked for the attention that's been focused on him. Jimmy's a good person, Kid."

Kid placed a gentle hand on Lou's right arm. "If you're asking me to help him, Lou, I can't."

"Kid...."Lou pleaded as she glanced back at Jimmy.

"He was my friend too, Lou."Kid replied his voice catching. "I can't forget that I nearly lost you because of him."

Lou stepped back from her fiance. "You can't forget or you can't forgive?"

********

"What are we gonna do Teaspoon?"Jesse asked as he glanced back at the back enterance. Noah was gone.

Teaspoon was on his feet his hands resting on the back of the chair in front of him. "Already taken care of, Jesse. I want you to get Lou home before this gets ugly."

"I don't think she'll go, Teaspoon."Jesse argued as he looked at Rachel for support.

"She's not going to leave, Teaspoon."Rachel confirmed as she stood. "She and Jimmy have been through too much together not for her to try to save him."

"Figured as much."Teaspoon replied as he looked over at Cody and Buck. "Boys, see if Noah needs a hand."

"Right."Cody acknowledged as he clutched his rifle in his right hand and followed Buck out the back door.

Jesse was right on their heels before a strong hand clamped down on the youth's shoulder wheeling him around.

"Not you, son."

Jesse angerily shook free. "I ain't a kid, Teaspoon! I want to help Jimmy."

"You will by stayin' put."Hunter replied as he ushered the teen back to where Rachel was standing.

"Teaspoon, what are you planning?"Rachel asked in a worried whisper.

Teaspoon placed a hand on her left shoulder. "Don't worry, Rachel. Things will work out."

********

A block from the resturant Noah stood by a large wagon. The two horses reigned to it were nervously pawing the dirt and Noah didn't blame them.

Noah reached up and gently stroked one of the horse's manes. "Don't worry, you guys won't be a part of this."

"And how do you plan to get the wagon moving?"Buck asked as he and Cody came to stand behind Dixon. "Unless you're going to harness us to it?"

Despite the grim situation Cody elbowed his friend. "Don't give him ideas. We still don't know what the plan is."

Noah turned around allowing his friends to see the group of matches he held. "The plan is to create a distraction. Cody, Teaspoon wants you on the roof across from the gallow. Buck you and I are going to unharness these horses and push the wagon out into the street."

Cody hoisted his rifle as he started to walk away from the wagon. "One of these days I'm going to make Hickock pay up for all the times we've saved his ass."

Noah laughed as he and Buck began to unharness the horses. "I'd like to see you try, Cody."

"We're running out of time, Noah."Buck stated his dark eyes fixed on Jimmy climbing the steps of the gallow.

Noah nodded and slapped the horses urging them to move free of the wagon.

"Hand me the matches."Buck ordered as they pushed the wagon into the middle of the street.

Noah handed them over as he looked down the street at Jimmy. "I hope this works."

"So do I."Buck replied as he struck a match and lit it and tossed it into the base of the wagon.