"Emma Jane?" Frank called when it became so dark he could barely see a foot in front of him.

"What?" her voice floated back to him through the darkness, a tinge of impatience evident in it.

"It's getting very dark," he stated the obvious. "Don't you think we should perhaps stop for the night?" He wasn't relishing a night spent sleeping out in the woods, but he was determined to honour the agreement he had made to help her find her son.

Emma Jane knew he was right and she pulled Hurricane up sharply, causing Frank to almost crash into him, "I suppose you're right," she said with a sigh, "It's just…"

"I understand," he interrupted, "but there's little chance of us being able to find Will in the dark."

She turned to face him and smiled, "The voice of reason," she joked lamely, "overriding the irrational fears of a mother."

"Of course not!" he exclaimed, stung by the insinuation that he didn't respect her feelings towards Will.

"It's all right," she replied, "I didn't mean that the way it sounded." She peered ahead into the woods, "I think there's a clearing up ahead. We can make camp there." She pushed Hurricane forward, realising that she hadn't brought anything to camp with. They rode on into the clearing anyway and she slid down from Hurricane's back.

Frank brought his horse alongside her and also dismounted, "Where should we make camp?"

"Under there," she pointed to a collection of low slung branches, "The trees should give us some shelter. I'm sorry I didn't bring anything." She glanced at him, "And I could hardly expect a city boy like you to have anything." She eyed his suit, "That suit might not be the best attire to sleep in either."

Frank looked down at his suit and laughed, "Well, unless you would prefer me to sleep in the nude…"

"The suit is fine," Emma Jane interrupted. She tied Hurricane's reins to a tree and walked over to the sheltered area.

"Should…should we make a fire?" Frank asked, looking around nervously.

Emma Jane laughed, "If I knew how, I would." She caught his look, "I may have lived here most of my life but Hank and I have spent very few nights in the woods, and even then it's usually been an accident." Her cheeks coloured slightly as she recalled one passionate encounter involving a lame horse and Hank's coat. She took off her own coat and placed it on the ground to sit on. Frank took off his suit jacket and followed suit.

Side by side, they didn't say anything for a long time, just stared out into the darkness. Frank glanced to his right and took in her profile. A high forehead, framed by wavy red hair, a small nose and full lips. He couldn't help thinking how beautiful she was, and how lucky Hank Lawson was.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked eventually.

Emma Jane turned her face to look at him, "I hope that Will's all right."

Frank placed his hand over hers, "With you as a mother, I'm sure he'll be fine."

She swallowed hard, "He's only six, Frank. He's never been out of town without either Hank or myself. He's sick…" she broke off.

"Emma Jane," he leaned in closer to her, "If we don't find him, someone else will. He'll be all right, trust me."

She smiled wanly at him, "For a New York banker you're displaying all the confidence of a New Frontier man."

Frank laughed, "Perhaps this is the life I was born for." He paused, "Your father told me about how you met Hank."

"Do you think me terribly impulsive?" she asked, "Running away from home and marrying a man I met on a train?"

"No," he laughed, "in fact, I find it quite romantic."

"You do?"

"Of course. If only Olivia and I had met that way instead of at a dreary play. We might have made it to the altar."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm not," he replied a little too brightly, "I would never have come to Colorado Springs if I had married her. Besides," he looked over at her again, "I admire you."

"In what sense?"

"It's a refreshing change to meet a woman who knows her own mind enough to do what she wants and not become trapped in an arranged marriage."

"Most of New York thought me a heathen."

Frank put his head back and roared with a laughter, "A heathen? They were probably all teeming with jealousy."

Emma Jane laughed, "I doubt it somehow, but it's a nice thought." Her smile faded as she thought back to Will.

Sensing her despondency, Frank asked her about the children, "Tell me about Victoria and Will."

A smile crossed her face again, "Victoria's eight and a half, and she's a live wire. She reminds me so much of Hank, not just in looks, but in personality too. She's going to grow up to be just like him."

"Is that a good thing?" Frank teased.

"Yes," she replied, "She couldn't be like a better person."

"What about Will?"

"Will's different," she replied, "he's been ill since he was born, he's quiet, reserved…" she sighed, "I'm not sure who he reminds me of."

"Wouldn't you say you were quiet and reserved?"

"Sometimes."

"You and Hank have done a good job." He was trying to boost her feelings.

Emma Jane looked down, "It hasn't always been easy." She played with her wedding ring, the one Hank had bought her after her original was stolen. "It's not been perfect by any manner of means."

Frank didn't say anything. It wasn't his place to inquire as to her marriage, but he wanted to be able to listen should she choose to divulge anything.

Emma Jane sighed heavily, "We broke up for a while just before Will was born. I went back to New York."

"I'm sorry."

"So am I. For the time together we lost. But…things happen. It made us stronger in the long run."

"And gave you Will."

She looked at him sadly, thinking if only he knew. But she stopped short of revealing what had happened to her and her fears regarding Will's parentage. There were some things he didn't need to know.

"What about you?" she asked, "Would you like children some day?"

"Of course," he grinned, "I have two sisters and two brothers, so I come from a large family. We always had such fun together and I want that for my own children too."

"I'm not sure I could have handled two sisters. One was enough for me."

"Well, Emily is four years older than me and Susan four years younger, so I was always piggy in the middle," he chuckled, "They used to tease me mercilessly.

Emma Jane laughed, "What about your brothers?"

"Michael is six years older than me and Stewart a year younger."

She tried to figure this out, "So, it goes, Michael, Emily, you, Stewart and Susan?" He nodded, "No wonder you were teased, you really are in the middle."

"How about your family?"

"My sister Lydia was four years older than me and we never had a good relationship. She died of influenza nine years ago. My brother Thomas is two years older than me and we're very close," she smiled at the thought of her brother, "He's married to a lovely woman named Clara and they have two children now."

"I suppose not everyone can have a close knit family," Frank remarked ruefully, "I was very lucky."

"What I didn't have as a child, I hopefully have with my own family now," Emma Jane said, "I've tried to make sure that Hank and I are close for the children."

"I can tell that you love him very much."

"I do. Does that surprise you?"

"No," he shook his head, "Sometimes it is the most unlikely pairings that last the longest."

"Well, I can safely say that Hank and I were an unlikely pairing."

"I think Olivia and I were perhaps too similar," he mused, "we would never have made each other happy. I should be grateful to Sir Gregory Ross for stealing her from me."

Emma Jane gaped, "Sir Gregory Ross?" Frank nodded, "He's one of the wealthiest men in the whole country!"

"I know," Frank nodded, "How could I ever compete?"

She felt a rush of pity for him and put her hand back on his arm, "I'm sure you'll find someone who loves you and appreciates you for who you are." Her heart was pounding loudly in her chest remembering her vision.

"Do you really think so?" he looked deep into her eyes, feeling his own heart pound.

"Yes," she replied, but her voice sounded faint.

"I suppose so," he said, "I do believe there's someone for everyone in this world."

Emma Jane held her breath, "Do you think Hank is the person for me?"

Frank didn't say anything for a long moment, "Yes," he said quietly, "I'm rather afraid he may well be."

SSSS

"Pa!" Victoria ran into the room where her father was recuperating and threw herself onto the bed, causing Hank to groan.

"Careful," Michaela warned her gently, "Your father's still in a bit of pain."

"Sorry," Victoria said, crawling up next to Hank and fixing him with her clear blue eyes identical to his own, "Are you ok, Pa?"

"I'll be fine," he reassured her, "Ain't it time ya were in bed?"

"Mandy said Ma wouldn't mind if I came to see you," Victoria replied. "Pa? When's Ma comin' home?"

Hank glanced at Michaela who shook her head, "Don't know, Vicky. Soon, I hope."

"Me too." Victoria laid her head on her father's chest and hugged him.

"Time to go,' Michaela said after a while.

"Ok," Victoria replied reluctantly, tearing herself away from Hank, "I love you, Pa."

"I love ya too, Vicky," Hank replied, a lump in his throat.

Michaela held out her hand and Victoria climbed down from the bed and allowed Michaela to take her out. She waved as she went and Hank waved back. When the door closed behind them, he lay back and looked at the ceiling.

"Emma…" he murmured, "Wherever ya are, I hope yer ok."

SSSS

"Sarah?" Preston stormed into their bedroom with such a crash that Sarah almost dropped her book.

"For heavens sake, Preston!" she exclaimed angrily, "Must you come barrelling in like some common cowboy?"

"I'm sorry, my dear," Preston replied, "but have you seen Mr Williams? He appears to be missing."

"Well he hasn't been in here," Sarah replied tartly, "unless you think I'm hiding him under the bed."

Preston smiled sarcastically at her, "Hardly."

"I did see him this afternoon though," she said thoughtfully, "I spoke to him in town."

"About what?"

"Well, I told him about Hank, and Emma Jane disappearing to find her son. To be honest, he seemed quite perturbed about it. In fact, he ran off before I had finished speaking. It really was quite rude."

"Hmm," Preston rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "Where do you suppose he went?"

"Perhaps he went into the woods after her," Sarah joked, "Perhaps they're lost out there together."

Preston didn't say anything. Surely not…?

SSSS

"I'm a terrible person," Emma Jane said after a long pause.

Frank looked at her in surprise, "How so?"

"To think I was so concerned about the Gold Nugget, that I thought it was the worst thing in the world," she sighed, full of melancholy, "I never realised that it would become so insignificant in comparison to what's happening now."

"You have to take everything in context," Frank replied sensibly, "At the time, it was the worst thing in the world. When all this is over, and everyone's home safe and well, no doubt the problem will rear its ugly head again."

"You're right. I just wish I knew what to do about it."

"Must you always be the one to fix everything?"

"If I don't, no-one else will." She paused, feeling suddenly disloyal, "I don't mean that Hank and Jake don't make a good job of the business…"

"But?"

"But…they often don't seem to consider the consequences of their actions. Take the whole scenario with the Spring Chateau for example," she turned to face him, "at the time, I could see the problems that the competition was going to create, but all Jake and Hank were interested in was trying to outdo Preston, not realising that they never could."

"In terms of money."

"In terms of everything." She looked up at the dark sky, "Sometimes I wish we had never bothered opening the hotel. Sometimes I wish Jake's father had never given him that bloody gold nugget!" she dropped her head into her hands.

Frank put his arm around her shoulders, "It's never as bad as you think it is."

"Isn't it?" she pulled her head up and looked at him, "You're a banker, you know the score. You see hundreds of businesses every year going broke. You must be able to see what we're up against here."

He nodded, "Of course I can. But there's no reason to suggest that the Gold Nugget is going to go under."

"Isn't there?"

"No," Frank smiled at her, "there are plenty of things you can do."

"We've tried a lot of ways to get customers in, and it worked for a while, but now…" she sighed heavily again, "It won't be worth finding Will if I don't have a home to take him back to."

"Have you thought about a loan?" Frank asked suddenly.

Emma Jane laughed bitterly, "Preston runs the only bank in this town and I'm sure he would take no greater pleasure than in turning us down."

"You wouldn't have to go to Preston."

"Frank, you work for him," she reminded him, "there's no way you could put a loan through the bank records without specifying where it was going."

"I wasn't talking about a loan from the bank," he dragged out his idea, afraid of her reaction.

"I don't understand."

"Well, it's just sitting there in my bank in New York," he explained hurriedly, "It was supposed to be for my wedding to Olivia, and our honeymoon, but now that it's off the cards…"

"I can't take your money," Emma Jane replied, "We can't take your money."

"It wouldn't be a gift…"

"No."

"Emma Jane, listen to me," he regarded her seriously. "It would be a proper loan. I can draw up the papers and go over them with you so you understand all the terms." He paused, "It's not charity."

"You should keep it," she insisted, "Who knows, some beauty in Colorado Springs might take your fancy and you might need it."

Frank didn't reply, knowing the only beauty in the town to take his fancy was already spoken for.

"It wouldn't be right," she continued.

"Please," he said, "as a friend?"

"Sully always told me you shouldn't mix money and friendship," Emma Jane replied, "It can get complicated. And I value your friendship, Frank. Too much to throw away on a loan." She sighed heavily, "We'll think of something. Besides," she smiled, "it's late and we should be getting some sleep."

Frank merely nodded. His mind was already beginning to create an elaborate scheme which might help them all in the long run.

SSSS

When Sully and Matthew arrived at the North Creek Reservation, hoping to ask Cloud Dancing if he had seen Emma Jane, the man himself met them at the entrance.

"What happened?" Sully demanded, catching sight of his friend's face.

"Dog Soldiers," Cloud Dancing replied, "It is nothing. Do not worry."

"They hurt you?" Matthew asked.

Cloud Dancing nodded, "I went to Shady Grove to ask if they had seen Emma Jane's son. We were both captured."

"Both?" Sully frowned.

"Myself and Emma Jane. She ran."

"Ran?"

"She escaped," he reiterated, "I took the punishment."

Sully and Matthew exchanged glances, "I'm sure she would never have left you there on purpose," Matthew said, "She's not like that."

Cloud Dancing put his head on one side, "I can understand her fear and her desire to be free, but she has no consideration for the Cheyenne."

"I'm sorry," Sully said redundantly.

"It is not your fault. Not all are afraid. Not all run," he smiled, "Some are true friends."

"Did you happen to see where she went?" Matthew asked.

"Back towards the trees," Cloud Dancing pointed.

"Thanks," Sully turned his horse around and Matthew followed suit, "Why would she leave him? He was trying to help her?"

"You heard what he said," Matthew replied, "not everyone feels the way we do bout the Cheyenne. And she is married to Hank," he added for good measure.

"Come on," Sully said, "let's look a bit longer and then call it a night."

SSSS

She was running, running as fast as she could, and yet she couldn't seem to make it any further towards the light. It remained the same distance away, mocking her at her inability to reach it. She kept running, faster and faster, opening her mouth to scream and yet nothing would come out. He was behind her, gaining on her. If he caught her, it would all be over. She would never escape him. She tried to scream again, but again there was silence. Then she felt his hands grab her shoulder and she struggled to free herself. But he was pushing her down and down towards the ground, cutting off her air, his hands around her throat…

Emma Jane woke with a scream and realised the arms that were around her belonged to Frank.

"You're all right," he was saying, "you're all right, calm down…"

"What…what…?"

"I think it was just a bad dream," he told her, "You were thrashing about a bit. I was worried you might hurt yourself."

"I…" she tried to catch her breath, "it was…was a nightmare."

"Quite a nightmare," he said, still holding her trembling form to him, "How do you feel now?"

"Fine," she replied, pushing her hair away from her eyes, "I'm…fine." He made no move to release her, and she didn't ask him to, "It was just…oh…" she closed her eyes briefly, "It's a recurring dream."

"I'm sorry. I didn't realise you suffered from such dreams."

"Only for the last few years, and only occasionally."

"I see."

They sat in silence, Frank with his arms wrapped around her, Emma Jane leaning heavily against him. He rested his chin on her head, "You don't have to be afraid. I'm here with you. You're not alone." His voice was husky, and no more than a whisper.

"Maybe that's why I'm afraid," she replied softly.

"I would never hurt you."

"I know."

"I could never hurt you, Emma Jane."

"I know."

He released her slightly and turned her face to his, "I think you're a remarkable woman. I've never met anyone like you."

"I'm not that special."

"Yes, yes you are." He looked deeply into her eyes, "I've only known you a few days. Hell," he swore, "this is only our second conversation and yet…I feel as though I've known you my whole life."

"My father's very good at boasting," she replied, never tearing her gaze from his.

"His words couldn't have described half the person you are."

"Frank…"

"Don't…don't say anything," he interrupted her, "I'm not a fool. I know you're married and that you love Hank and your children…" he broke off, "but I can't help feeling the way I do. I courted Olivia for six months before I even contemplated proposing marriage to her. But if you were free…"

"But I'm not."

"But if you were," he insisted, "I would propose it right now."

"My life would be so different," she said, and she remembered the vision of the dinner party and the ship, and Will as a strong, healthy young man, "everyone's lives would be different."

"Least of all, mine," he replied throatily.

Before she had time to respond, to pull away even, Frank had pressed his mouth to hers. She knew she should resist, should hit him or something, to indicate that his advances weren't welcome…but she didn't. She allowed him to kiss her, even kissed him back, pressed her body against his, knowing that it would be the one and only time she would ever give way to what could have been.

SSSS

"You hear that?" Matthew held up his hand causing Sully to pause.

"What?"

"Ssh." They both listened, "That. There, it sounds like crying."

"I hear it," Sully replied, "It's coming from over there." He urged his horse forward deeper into the forest where the crying became louder. "Over this way," he guided Matthew and they emerged into a small clearing where the crying was definitely audible, "Hello?" he called, "anyone there?"

The crying stopped abruptly. Sully slid down from his horse and crept forward, glancing in all directions. Matthew followed him and they split up to circle the clearing. As Matthew reached the furthest edge, he saw a small boy huddled against a tree, hiding his face from them.

"Will?" he asked softly, crouching down in front of the tine figure, "Will, is that you?" The boy turned his face and in the light cast by the moon, he could see it was indeed the subject of their search, "Sully, over here!"

Sully raced over to join them and knelt down beside Matthew, "Hey Will," he greeted him, "How ya doing?"

Will didn't reply. His face was pale and streaked with tears and he was shivering.

"Here," Matthew took off his coat and wrapped it around the little boy, "We should get him back home. Let Doctor Mike take a look at him."

"You're right," Sully held out his arms to Will, "Come on, Will. We'll take ya home."

"Ma?" Will said hopefully.

"Yeah," Sully replied, scooping him up, "back to your Ma." He lifted him up and sat him on his horse before mounting himself.

"Which way?" Matthew asked.

"If we cut through here it should be quicker," Sully replied, leading the way. He held onto Will with one arm as they guided their way through the darkness back to the path. The moon was full in the sky, casting enough light to guide them.

After they had ridden for a half hour, they emerged onto an unfamiliar path.

"You sure this is the right way?" Matthew queried.

"If we go around here, we should find it," Sully replied glancing down at Will who was by now fast asleep. He pushed his horse across the path and through into another clearing. As they entered, they saw two horses tied up nearby. Sully held up his hand and pointed to the find. Matthew nodded and they moved slowly forward.

When they rounded the trees, Sully pulled up sharply, Matthew alongside.

"What is it?" he asked, looking at his stepfather. Following Sully's gaze, his mouth dropped open at the sight of Emma Jane Lawson in Frank Williams's arms.

I very much hope to have another chapter up really soon, but I'm going offline on 15th June as I'm moving into my flat and apparently it can take up to ten working days for the broadband connection to be re-established. So, if there's no other chapter before then, then I'm afraid it'll prob be a bit of a wait until I'm reconnected. Sorry!