The moment he saw Grayson's ranch Spirit slowed, coming to a halt at the fence turning his head when Lucky jumped down. "It's okay, Spirit. I don't like to ask him for help but we don't have a choice." Lucky explained and he snorted following just behind his rider as Lucky approached the porch.

"Lucky, we could just find the sheriff and your dad." Pru suggested and Lucky paused with her hand inches from the door. "You didn't think of that did you?"

"Of course I did, Pru but those bandits and Mia could be long gone by then. Besides if he doesn't help then we'll go get my dad." Lucky answered, knocking on the door before she stepped back. When no one answered she knocked a little louder as Abigail and Pru dismounted heading towards the porch as Lucky started to get frustrated. As she started to reach over intending to knock a third time the door opened to reveal Grayson who blinked at her as she lowered her fist.

"What do you three want?" Grayson growled at them walking past them as soon as Lucky stepped back. Once he noticed the PALS following at his heels Grayson rolled his eyes turning around once he reached Xerxes. "Well?"

"Mia's in danger, Grayson." Lucky explained and for a brief moment Grayson's eyes widened then he snorted turning his attention to adjusting Xerxes' saddle and she sighed. "These two bandits came after us and when Mia raced past them they chased after her."

"Why would two bandits be after Mia?" Grayson asked before he caught himself and he narrowed his eyes at Lucky, climbing onto the saddle before Xerxes started to walk away.

"Grayson, I'm telling you the truth. Mia's the one who said we should ask you for help." Pru told him and he just shook his head not listening until Spirit darted into Xerxes' path and after looking at the other horse with two wide eyes Xerxes snorted pushing past.

"You're askin' me for help? Why don't you go lookin' for the sheriff? That's his job not mine." Grayson answered leading Xerxes away and Lucky shook her head pulling herself back onto Spirit's back before her horse started to head towards Miradero.

"Lucky, what are we going to do? Grayson doesn't care that those two men are after Mia." Abigail asked and Lucky chewed her lip nodding towards the town.

"We need to find the sheriff and my dad. I'm positive they'll help Mia even if Grayson won't." Lucky answered before the PALS raced back towards the town not realizing that Grayson had heard every word. Once Xerxes left the ranch behind Grayson looked down at the ground searching for any sign of Mia and Thunder or the two bandits Lucky mentioned. Grayson couldn't find any signs of footprints or hoof-prints and he started to question why he'd believed the PALS in the first place until Xerxes' ears pricked up.

"What is it, Xerxes?" Grayson asked his horse who snorted staring straight ahead until Grayson shook his head. "You can hear something can't you? Is it Mia?" Unable to tell him Xerxes led him towards the sound of a horse whinnying and once they reached the clearing Grayson leapt down from his horse as soon as he saw a jet black stallion tangled up.

"Thunder, where's Mia?" He asked as soon as he rushed over and Thunder whinnied trying desperately to untangle himself. "Just stay still alright?" He said, quickly pulling the ropes away from Thunder's legs and once he was free Thunder climbed to his feet whinnying.

When Thunder started to paw the ground beneath his hooves Grayson looked down with a frown finally finding three sets of boot prints along with two more sets of hoof-prints. "One of those are Mia's prints I'm sure of it but those definitely aren't hers. Maybe that girl was telling the truth after all." He muttered and Thunder whinnied as he rushed after Mia until Xerxes raced towards him blocking his path. "You can't just go rushing out to rescue Mia. We need to sneak up on them." Grayson explained, pulling himself onto Xerxes saddle and Thunder lowered his head snorting at them.

Shaking his head Grayson followed the boot and hoof-prints with Thunder walking beside him and Xerxes, his eyes staring ahead though his attention moved to Grayson when he climbed down from his horse. "I can hear voices." He whispered and Thunder tried to push past him until Grayson grabbed his bridle and Thunder lowered his head blowing air through his nose hard enough to knock Grayson's hat to the ground. "Just stay calm, Thunder. I won't them hurt Mia but you need to stay back with Xerxes." He told Thunder who rolled his eyes before he nudged Grayson who nodded.

With a slight smile on his lips Grayson headed towards some bushes ducking behind them when he heard voices, one female and two male. Once he peeked out he saw Colin and Bobby standing near Mia whose arms were tied behind my back.

"So what exactly are you going to do with me?" I growled at them and they just grinned at each other, chuckling softly as I narrowed my eyes at them.

"Haven't you figured it out?" Bobby asked and when I shook my head he just leaned in with a grin. "Once our boss gets here we'll hold you to ransom."

"You have got to be kidding me. How exactly are you going to do that? No one even knows I've been kidnapped." I replied, trying to keep them distracted while I worked on freeing my hands.

"We've already worked that out, Miss Davis." Colin laughed and I raised an eyebrow at him until he smiled at me. "By now your father has the ransom note we sent. All we need to do is watch you don't escape until our boss shows up."

"Uh huh. You haven't heard but my father's pretty tight with money. If he wouldn't help his own daughter with daily expenses why would he pay a ransom?" I countered and Bobby frowned looking towards Colin who just shrugged.

"Of course he'll pay if his darling daughter's in danger." Someone replied as Colin and Bobby struggled to answer and I turned my head to see a woman with red hair and blue eyes walking into view and I frowned when she smiled at me. "So you're Mia Davis?"

"Who's asking?" I snapped, hoping she couldn't see me trying to break free until she stepped forward leaning over me with a faint smirk on her lips. "Like I told your men my father won't pay a cent."

"Oh your father will if he knows what's good for him. I'm sure he has my letter by now and if he doesn't leave the money by tomorrow he won't see his daughter again. At least not in one piece." She laughed and I just rolled my eyes still fiddling with the ropes until she shook her head at me. "You don't know who I am do you?" She asked me and I just shook my head with a faint smile on my lips.

"That's Butch Lepray." Grayson whispered and Thunder snorted as he drew closer until Grayson grabbed his bridle again. "Just calm down. We need to think of a plan." He hissed and Thunder just rolled his eyes at Grayson.

"You're talking to Butch Lepray, Miss Davis. Show some respect." Colin told me and after a long pause I just smiled at them leaving everyone speechless.

"I don't know. I always thought that Butch Lepray was a little more intimidating." I commented and Butch Lepray held up a hand when Bobby growled at me. "Yeah I've heard of you. A supposed outlaw who had got arrested by a thirteen year old girl and her friends." I added with a smirk trying very hard not to laugh as Butch Lepray narrowed her eyes at me.

"Because of that Prescott girl everyone knows my identity but for once that works for me. Your father wouldn't dare let Butch Lepray hurt his daughter if he knows what's good for him...and you." Butch told me with a smile this time and I blinked as she chuckled. "Besides you have no choice but to behave. No one knows you're out here and even if you try to run you won't get far especially without a horse." She added and I sighed, chewing my lower lip as I silently hoped that Lucky and her friends were safe back in town.

"Do you want us to keep watch, boss?" Colin asked and Butch nodded, giving me one last glare before she walked away. After she left on her horse Grayson looked over at me as I fiddled with the rope around my wrists while Bobby and Colin talked among themselves, occasionally glancing at me with a smile. Finally I heard footsteps and I froze as Bobby leaned down as I tried to hide my hands.

"We can see what you're trying to do but it won't work. I tied those knots and no one ever escapes from them." Bobby told me, reaching down before he gave the rope a sharp tug and I frowned as the ropes bit into my wrists. "Now just sit still until Butch gets back."

With a snort I settled myself as comfortably as I could on the long grass, wondering how I was going to escape now that my plan was ruined. Still chuckling Bobby rejoined Colin and Grayson shook his head offering me a small smile as Thunder snorted softly.

"Just give it time, Thunder. We'll rescue Mia." Grayson told the stallion who shook his head looking over at me as I stared at my hands noting that all my attempts at escaping had left my wrists with rope burns. "As soon as those two bandits move away from Mia I'll make my move." He said and Thunder snorted at him, pawing the ground until Grayson rolled his eyes. "Okay what do you have in mind?" He asked not expecting the horse to rear up and hearing all the noise Bobby and Colin looked up in time to see Thunder leap out of the bushes.

"Thunder?" I called out and he whinnied, blocking Bobby and Colin from reaching me as he stomped the ground. Confused but a little relieved as well I stared as both men tried to get close to me only to stumble back as Thunder snorted and reared, snapping his teeth at them.

"That's her horse. Butch Lepray could that horse for a fortune if we can catch it." Bobby said, quickly grabbing a rope from his horse's saddlebag before he turned back to see Colin staring at me. Not giving them a chance to lasso him Thunder shot forward knocking Bobby on his backside before Thunder rushed past him, stomping the ground as Bobby stumbled to his feet. "You stay here and I'll catch that horse." He told Colin who stared as Bobby climbed onto his horse's saddle. As they raced after Thunder, Colin crossed his arms staring at me with his eyes narrowed like this turn of events was all my fault.

"So I'm stuck here guarding you? Perfect." Colin grumbled, turning around and I just shrugged, wondering why Thunder didn't try to rescue me. My answer came seconds later when someone clamped a hand roughly over my mouth and I nearly cried out until I saw a familiar pair of brown eyes staring at me nodding towards Colin who had his back turned away.

I found myself staring at Grayson who carefully removed his hand from my mouth as he quickly released my hands from the ropes, watching with a faint smile as I rubbed my wrists. I blinked as he started to sneak up behind Colin just as the bandit turned around. "Hey you're..." Colin began until Grayson pulled back his fist, striking the bandit in the face and when Colin stumbled back Grayson grabbed him by the collar of his shirt.

"Where's Butch Lepray?" Grayson hissed and Colin just blinked at him, now sporting a black eye. "Answer me!" He snapped only to hear a gun click and he stared as Lepray returned holding a gun the muzzle aimed at Grayson's chest.

"Like we're going to tell you that. You and that darn horse of yours. You're lucky that Lepray caught up with me." Bobby growled and I had to stifle a laugh when I saw the amount of dirt and grass smeared across his shirt, jacket and pants. Despite the gun aimed at him Grayson chuckled and Bobby narrowed his eyes when he saw us looking at the mess on his clothes. Lepray rolled her eyes as he looked down the gun aimed at the dirt as he brushed at his clothes and Grayson grinned, quickly moving forward before he lunged for Lepray and the loaded gun.

When Colin tried to help I kicked him hard in the knee and he growled, turning his attention to me as I backed away turning my attention to Lepray and Grayson, each throwing punches at the other as Colin went for the gun. I rushed forward but I wasn't quick enough as Colin recovered the firearm and after giving me a glare he aimed it towards Grayson who was distracted by Bobby who tried to help Lepray. As soon as I saw Colin aiming for Grayson I raced forward putting myself between him and the gun, grabbing for the gun in an effort to pull it away from my friend.

I managed to yank the muzzle away from Grayson only to hear the gunshot that turned everyone's attention back to me in time to see Colin staring at me. When I noticed blood dripping down my left hand I looked down to see blood seeping through my armpit . "Huh...I think I've been shot." I mumbled, covering my armpit with my right hand mildly surprised to see blood dripping through. As I fell to my knees Grayson rushed to my side preventing me from falling face first onto the grass and as he laid me on my back Bobby grabbed the still smoking gun from Colin's hands.

"You idiot. If she dies they'll hang you." Lepray snapped at Colin, nodding towards her horse. "Grab some bandages and fix this mess." She ordered Colin who quickly complied as Grayson ripped away a piece of my torn shirt revealing the wound.

"Bullet went right through your armpit and missed your bone so I won't have to go digging around in there or set the bone. You're lucky you didn't have your arm blown off." Grayson told me as I stared at him and he sighed as I struggled to sit. "Just lie there and be quiet. I promise I won't him touch you." He hissed at me noting the sheen of sweat on my forehead as Colin returned with a roll of bandages and a needle and thread.

Once I realized what the bandit intended on doing to my bleeding wound I shook my head, my shoulders visibly shaking until Grayson narrowed his eyes. "I'll do it and before you argue it's your fault Mia got shot. Unless you want your hostage to bleed out be quiet and let me work." He growled at Colin who narrowed his eyes until Lepray shook her head fixing the bandit with two narrowed blue eyes.

"Just do it, Colin. We need Mia alive to collect that ransom money." Bobby agreed and Colin just snorted, handing over the bandages, needle and thread with a sneer on his lips before he stepped back.

"Just relax, Mia. I won't let you bleed out. Wound's not as bad as it looks anyhow." Grayson whispered, threading the needle. "Just kept still." He added and I winced as the needle moved closer to my armpit. Shaking his head Grayson reached out grasping my right hand and giving it a squeeze a faint smile on his lips when I managed a weak smile in return.

"Do what you have to do, Grayson. Your fault I got shot." I whispered, swallowing as he carefully held my left arm out keeping pinned to the grass and as the needle grew closer I closed my eyes so I wouldn't see the needle pierce my skin.

I groaned fighting the urge to pull away from the needle as Grayson worked as quickly as he could, stitching the bullet wound closed though he did find his attention moving to me whenever he heard me whimpering. By the time he finished I had my right hand clamped over my mouth to stifle my cries and he gave me a tiny smile dropping the bloodied needle next to me before he reached for the bandages.

As he worked I noticed that despite how rough he could be Grayson's hands were surprisingly gentle as he wrapped my arm up, paying close attention whenever he saw me flinch or whimper. "Nearly done, Mia." Grayson told me as he wrapped my arm with two rolls of bandages before he helped me sit. "There now stay put and try not to get shot again." Grayson told me as I trembled and when I fixed him with two narrowed eyes, my right hand pressed to my bandaged arm he chuckled softly. "Should have known you were trouble."

A few minutes before the gunshot Thunder raced towards the town snorting before he reared up, nearly colliding with Spirit who neighed at him. "There you are. Where's Mia?" Lucky asked and Thunder snorted nodding back the way he'd run and she nodded as Pru and Abigail joined them on Chica Linda and Boomerang.

"Where did you say you saw the bandits heading?" A male voice asked and Thunder snorted lowering his head until the man on horseback shook his head. "Easy boy. I'm the sheriff of Miradero and we're trying to find your rider." He pointed out and Thunder just neighed turning around before he pawed the ground.

Nodding everyone followed him at a gallop as Thunder rushed back the way he'd come from making sure that he didn't get too far ahead. But as he neared the area where he'd left Mia and Grayson he reared up as a gunshot echoed through the area.

"That was a gunshot." Lucky said as Spirit neighed, the wild stallion chasing after Thunder who galloped ahead leaving their friends behind. They reached the area in time to see Grayson with an arm wrapped around my shoulders and Thunder rushed forward when he saw me holding a hand over my left arm, bandages covering the arm from my shoulder to my elbow. Shocked at seeing Butch Lepray free from prison no one moved until Thunder whinnied eyes narrowed at Lepray who raised her eyebrows at the jet black stallion.

Smelling the smoke from a recently fired gun and seeing the same gun in Lepray's hand Thunder reared up, kicking the gun from Lepray's fingers and as all three bandits rushed to arm themselves they heard a gun click just as they reached for the gun. "I wouldn't do that if I was you." The sheriff warned, his own pistol aimed at Bobby and Colin and they slowly put their hands in the air backing away even as Lepray looked towards her own horse.

"Mia, what happened?" Lucky asked and I slowly opened my eyes in time to see her jump from Spirit's back, both rider and horse walking towards me as I leaned on Grayson for support.

"Tried to shoot...Grayson. Got shot instead." I managed to groan, blinking when the light became too bright. "Dizzy." I added and Grayson tightened his hold on me as I closed my eyes again.

"Don't look too good either, Mia." Grayson agreed and I just groaned, resting my head on his shoulder. "Taking you back to Miradero so Doc Wilkins can look at that bullet wound."

"Not sure I can make it back, Grayson." I mumbled as Grayson started to lead me back to Thunder just as Lepray pulled her own gun from its holster making me wince, realizing that the gun she'd used earlier had probably been Bobby's. The second she aimed into the air I stumbled forward intending on blocking the next bullet's path but Lepray just smirked at me, taking aim and as she fired past my shoulder I stumbled back into Grayson who barely had time to catch me before he fell hard onto the ground.

I woke to find Grayson with one hand holding the reins his other arm wrapped around my waist as I stared down at the spot between Xerxes' ears. I barely gave it any thought the effort too much before my head lolled forward as I passed out.

The next time I opened my eyes I felt a little more alert and once I found myself lying on something soft that wasn't moving I sighed, relieved. "Finally decided to wake up huh?" A male voice asked and I turned my head to see Grayson sitting beside my bed. "You've been sleeping half the day away." He commented and I just sighed watching as he pulled his chair closer to my bed after a pause.

"Did I get shot?" I asked, still confused and he chuckled at me raising an eyebrow when he realized I wasn't joking. "Feels like I got shot."

"You really don't remember?" Grayson asked me when I started to nod only to make myself feel woozy and he reached over enjoying how wide my eyes were when he set his hand down on my right arm to prevent me from raising. "Colin tried to shoot me and you got in his way. Pretty reckless thing to do, Mia." He explained and I just snorted looking towards the ceiling. "We're in the Prescott home if you want to know. They offered to let you rest here after Doc Wilkins took a look at my handiwork."

"Thanks for not leaving. I'm...sorry that I tried to sneak Lucky and her friends off your property." I whispered, swallowing the lump in my throat as tears threatened when I remembered how angry he'd been at me and as I realized how close I'd come to losing my life to save his I felt tears threaten and Grayson reached over, briefly giving my fingers a light squeeze.

"Hey you did get yourself shot helping me so I can't stay mad at you." Grayson answered as I turned over so I was facing him. Once I noticed he hadn't removed his hand from mine I felt a tiny smile on my lips. "Butch Lepray got away this time in the confusion. Not sure where she is now but the sheriff's keeping a close eye on her two bandit henchmen in case she tries to spring them from prison." He explained and my lower lip quivered as he cracked a faint smile.

"Because of me Butch Lepray escaped. At least she won't get her ransom from my dad but I'm sure I could convince him that he should pay a reward for rescuing me." I replied and Grayson grinned at me, not knowing that we were being watched from just outside the living room. "You deserve one for coming back to save me."

"You should be thanking Thunder for leading me to you." Grayson replied getting a faint laugh for his trouble. "Xerxes too." He added and I sighed, closing my eyes. "You feelin' okay?"

"Just tired and I don't know why if I slept half the day away." I replied and he just nodded, giving my fingers a light squeeze before he rose from his chair though after a slight pause he leaned over and my lips curled into a tired smile when I felt his lips brush my forehead.

"You did get hurt protecting me so you've earned the rest. You get some sleep you hear?" Grayson whispered, listening until he heard Mia's breathing slow and he smiled to himself making his way carefully towards the hallway nearly bumping into Lucky and her friends who blinked up at Grayson. After several seconds of silence he snorted at them. "Take care of her until I get back." He muttered, stepping past them before he continued towards the front door slipping away as Lucky looked back at Abigail and Pru, the former giving her a big smile and the latter giving her a shrug.

"That went a lot better than I thought." Jim said as he checked on Mia, his daughter picking up a folded note resting on the coffee table.

"Grayson must have left that." Abigail told her friends and Pru just fixed her with one raised eyebrow pointing to the front of the note where Grayson's name was clearly visible. "I knew that."

"You know we shouldn't read that if it's addressed to Mia, Lucky." Pru pointed out as Lucky stared at the folded note fiddling with it between her fingers before she sighed. "Though I guess a little peek won't hurt. Just to make sure he's not planning something mean."

"Lucky, he came looking for Mia when she was kidnapped and even Doc Wilkins was impressed by Grayson's first-aid skills with her bullet wound." Jim commented, watching with a tiny smile when Lucky finally sighed setting the note back on the table without opening it first.