Missing

At the Ponderosa Joe heard horses in the yard. He walks out of the house to see both of his brothers mounting off their horses.

"Hey little brother" said Hoss cheerfully. Joe had a worried look on his face which concerned both brothers. "What's the matter Joe?" asked Adam sensing something was wrong.

"Did you guys see Amelia on the trail?" asked Joe apprehensively. Adam and Hoss exchange glances. "NO why is something wrong?" asked Hoss worriedly.

Joe shakes his head. "I don't know maybe I'm just worrying over nothing but I have a bad feeling that something is terribly wrong".

Sheriff Roy Coffee who was the best and oldest sheriff in Virginia City and a close friend to the Cartwright's rides up to them with Amelia's horse and processions.

"Roy what happen?" asked Adam worriedly when he saw his baby sister's horse and things. Now he knew something wasn't right.

"I don't want worry you boys but it looks like Amelia is missing and might be in some kind of trouble" said Roy.

"Where did you find the pinto and her things?" asked Hoss as they walk over to the horse. They were solicitous to see the blood on the saddle.

All three boys' faces went paled. "I found her gun and hat at the side of the main road near a spot of blood. Her horse was grazing in a field not far from where I found her things" said Roy.

Adam touches the stain on the saddle and saw the blood on his fingers. Hoss and Joe saw the concern look on their brother's face.

"Had Amelia's gun been fired?" inquired Adam his hands quivering. "No it hadn't" said Roy. Adam closes his eyes and takes in what he had heard.

If the gun handed been fire then that means that Amelia wasn't sot in self defense which means that someone intentionally shot her. Why would someone intentionally shoot a little ten year old girl? Please God let her be alright!

"Though I did find a note in Amelia's saddlebag" said Roy handing it to Joe. Joe reads it and was shock by what it said: An eye for an eye; you'll never see your precious Amelia Rose Cartwright alive again!"

Joe's eyes became in rage with furry and fear. Adam and Hoss saw the rage and fear on their brother's face. "What is it Joe?" asked Hoss.

Joe crumbles the note in his hands. "Someone kidnapped Amelia" said Joe furiously. "Who would do a thing like that?" asked Hoss worriedly.

As far as he knew they didn't have any enemies but they sure did now. "What did the note say?" asked Roy. "An eye for an eye; you'll never see her alive again" said Joe remembering it word from word.

He storms over to Cochise and adjusts the saddle. Adam and Hoss walk over to him. They understood the anger and fear their brother felt. They also understood that Joe had a special loving bond with Amelia and how he wanted to protect her.

They knew what Joe's temper was like and they weren't gonna let Joe do something that he would regret. "Where are you going?" asked Adam.

Joe turns to him with tears in his eyes. "Adam our little sister is out there hurt or worst and I'm not gonna stand here and do nothing".

Adam turns to Roy. "Roy can you send a wire to our Pa and tell him what happen?" "Of course Adam and I'll organize a search party" said Roy.

"Thanks a lot Roy" said Hoss gratefully. "I hope Amelia's alright. She's a tough young lady. I'm sure she'll be just fine" assured Roy trying to ease the boys' nerves.

"Let's hope so Roy" said Hoss. Roy nods his head and rides away. Hoss and Adam turn to see Joe's lip quivering. Adam places a comforting hand on his brother's shoulders.

"We're just as worried about her as you are Joe but she's a touch girl. We just gotta have faith and hope that she's alright" said Adam. Joe looks at his with tears streaming down his cheeks.

"I know you're right Adam but I keep thinking about the blood on the saddle. Adam, that's our baby sister's blood. For all we know she could be dead" said Joe sobbing.

He couldn't imagine life without his baby sister and prayed to god that she was alright. "Don't even say that Joe. Like Adam said we gotta have faith and hope that she's alright" said Hoss.

Adam's heart broke to see his little brother in tears. He pulls the boy in his arms and consoles him. "Let it out Joe it's alright" soothed Adam stroking his brother's head.

After a few minutes Joe started to calm down and pulled away from Adam. He looks at his brothers sheepishly. "I'm sorry I promise to stay strong" said Joe wiping his eyes feeling ashamed for breaking down in front of his two heroes.

Joe always wanted to be brave and strong like them and felt embarrass that he had shown he wasn't strong or brave like them. He promises himself that he won't shed anymore tears; he was gonna be strong for his brothers, his father and most importantly his sister.

Adam touches Joe's shoulder reassuringly "Oh Joe don't feel bad it's ok to show that you're scare and worried but you don't have to hide it from us ever"

"I'll try to be strong for Amelia but I'm just so worry about her" said Joe. "So are we little brother but we have each other and we'll get through this. Amelia will be found and she'll come home safe and sound" persuaded Hoss.

Joe looks at him "You really believe that?" "Yes I do" said Hoss confidently. Joe smiles "Then I believe it too" said Joe. "We love you Joe" said Adam. "I love you too" said Joe.

The tree brothers shared a tight embrace.

Meanwhile…..

Ben was riding through town when he saw a group of men hovering on the street in front of the Sheriff's office. Curiously Ben rides up to them and mounts off his horse.

He walks through the crowd and in the Sheriff's office. "Ben! Boy am I glad to see ya" said Roy relieved to see his oldest and dearest friend.

"What's going on Roy? Why are there so many men outside?" asked Ben. "They're for the search party" explained Roy.

"Search party what search party?" asked Ben confused. "I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this Ben but I'm afraid that Amelia was shot and kidnapped" informed Roy.

Ben's face whitens. "Do you have any idea as too who took her?" asked Ben. "No I don't but I'm gonna send those men out to look for her" said Roy.

"Do the boys know?" asked Ben apprehensively. He couldn't imagine what his sons were going through. Roy nods. "They took it hard especially Little Joe but they seem to be hopeful".

"I better get to the ranch let me know if you find out anything" said Ben as he rushes to the door. "I will Ben don't worry we'll find her" assured Roy as Ben hurries out the door.

He walks out of the Sheriff's office and through the crowd. He mounts on his horse and rides away.