Ch 18

Teaspoon and the others made camp after another day of traveling. Emma set about making some slight supper for everyone. Jimmy motioned for Noah. He wanted to try to walk some.

"Where you want to go?" Asked Noah

"Don't really care, just need to try to walk some." Said Jimmy as Noah helped ease him up.

"Don't overdo it Jimmy." Scolded Lou.

"I can't be down forever. I need to do this."

Noah tried to steady Jimmy as best he could. Teaspoon saw and got under his other shoulder.

"How am I supposed to do this with y'all under both arms?"

"We can't have you fallin so just walk along with us. Better than nothing." Said Teaspoon.

Noah and Teaspoon were surprised at how little Jimmy weighed. He had gotten so thin. They managed to walk around the small campsite before Jimmy was ready to sit back down. They eased him down into the wagon.

"Wasn't too bad." Said Teaspoon.

"Yeah sure."

"That was good if you ask me since you were almost dead just a few weeks ago." Said Noah.

"I guess. I'm so sick of this shit." Huffed Jimmy.

Emma came and brought him some food. He just looked at his plate.

"Eat Jimmy. If you want to get your strength back, you have to start eating better."

"I got him Emma." Said Lou as she came and sat across from him. Teaspoon and Noah moved to the other side of the fire.

"Come on eat."

"I just ain't hungry."

"You either force it down or I will force it down you."

Jimmy cocked an eyebrow at Lou.

"I mean it. I haven't just got you to lose you."

"Got me huh?"

"Yes."

"Lou, you really think you want to be with me? You don't think it has nothing to do with what just happened to us?"

"You saying you don't have feelings for me?"

"No Lou, it's not that. God. I don't know how to say this. I guess, I just want you to make sure this is what you want." Jimmy said looking at his food.

"Just stop over thinking things. Lord you are tiring. This is what I want. Now shut up and eat this food."

Jimmy smiled slightly and began to try to eat. Halfway through, his stomach turned at the food. He pushed his plate away.

"That's it. Really." Said Lou.

"You don't understand. I can't eat anymore."

Emma walked over and looked.

"He did good Lou. I think he is good."

"Thank God." Said Jimmy.

Lou smiled and started helping Emma clean up their plates. Jimmy laid back in the wagon and closed his eyes. He felt Lou get in beside him and snuggle close. He didn't open his eyes but he smiled.

The following day, they made it to the outskirts of the town of Benton. The next stop would be Sweetwater. Teaspoon and Noah set up their little camp once again. It would be their last night on the trail. Teaspoon and Lou once again readied themselves to run into town for a few things to hold them over. As they left, Jimmy pulled himself up beside the wagon.

"What the hell you doin?" Asked Noah as he came over.

"Standin."

"Why?"

"Cause I feel like it. That's why."

Emma watched the two smiling. She carried on with her tasks.

"Let me help."

"Nope, I got this." Jimmy said as he slapped at Noah's hand.

"And since you got to your feet, just where do you think you are goin?"

"Over to that tree."

"Really."

"Yep."

"Well let's see it."

Jimmy glared at Noah. He let go of the wagon and stood up straight. He wobbled a bit and took hold of the wagon again. He waited for a few. He let go again and took two steps. He glared at Noah again. He walked slowly and steady until he made it to the tree. He hugged the tree once he got there. Emma laughed and Noah smiled.

"Look at you." Said Emma.

"Told you." Panted Jimmy.

"Proud of you Hickok. Now come on back."

"Nope."

"What was that?"

"No."

"Is that a no?"

"Ya heard me."

"I don't think he did." Said Emma.

Jimmy grunted.

"What's wrong Jimmy?" Asked Noah.

"I can't let go of this damn tree."

"Why is that?"

"You know why."

"You need some help, do ya?"

"No I don't." Jimmy glared at Noah and pushed away from the tree.

Noah saw him go for it and ran over to him. The world got dizzy and Jimmy went to fall. Noah caught him as he fell. Emma ran over all the fun gone.

"Jimmy? Honey?"

He opened his eyes and looked at them.

"Got a little dizzy. I'm good now. Let me get up."

"I don't think so. Noah, take him back to the wagon."

Jimmy didn't put up a fight as he was laid back down in the bed of the wagon. He was so tired. He closed his eyes and went fast asleep.

"Ever think you could meet someone as hard headed as him?" Asked Noah.

"I'm just glad to see him getting back to his old ways. Things are starting to look up." Smiled Emma.

"What's even better is we will be home tomorrow."

"You are right. Things are definitely looking up. Can you fetch me some water from the creek? I need to change Jimmy's bandages before supper."

"Be right back."

Noah walked down to the stream with Emma's pot. He bent down to fill it with water. Someone came up behind him and grabbed him around his neck. He dropped the pot onto the edge of the creek and tried to pry the arm from his neck. As he was struggling, he felt a horrible pain in his side. He tried to scream out but the man's hold only got tighter around his neck. He felt it again. The world started to blur and Noah fell down onto the wet ground unconscious. The man straightened his jacket and shirt. He walked back toward their little camp.

Emma was waiting for Noah's return. She was bent over the fire adding some more wood. She heard footsteps coming.

"Thought that creek must have moved." She said laughing.

She went to turn around but before she could, everything went dark as she fell to the ground beside the fire. The man looked to the wagon. He made his way over.

Jimmy was sleeping but he felt like someone was staring at him.

"Go away. I'm tired." He said.

No one said a word. He opened his eyes. He focused on the tall figure in front of him. He saw the long scar running down his face. Jimmy tried not to show his surprise.

"What do you want?"

The man didn't say a word. He reached in and grabbed Jimmy around his neck. He pulled him from the wagon. Jimmy tried to hit him. The man smirked as he watched him struggle. He hit Jimmy in the face knocking him out. He threw his still form over his shoulder and slowly walked back the way he came.

Teaspoon and Lou rode back into camp about thirty minutes later. Teaspoon noticed that the fire was burning out and kicked his horse faster. Lou took notice of Teaspoon and followed suit. They pulled to a stop in the middle of camp. Emma lay beside the smoldering fire. Lou and Teaspoon ran to her.

"Emma? Emma?"

The side of her head was bleeding. It ran down and over her face.

"Emma!"

She moaned as they gently shook her. She slightly opened her eyes.

"Emma! Where's Noah?!" Asked Teaspoon.

Lou was running over to the wagon. She jumped inside. Jimmy was gone. She slumped to the ground. Teaspoon saw Lou stumble down in despair. He knew Jimmy was gone also.

"Emma! Darling, where's Jimmy and Noah?" Asked Teaspoon.

Emma turned to look at Teaspoon. Her eyes barely open.

"Creek."

Teaspoon looked at Lou.

"Lou! Check the creek!"

Lou pushed herself up and ran down to the water. She saw Noah laying in the mud. She ran over to him.

"Teaspoon! Teaspoon! Help me!"

Teaspoon laid Emma back down and ran toward the creek. He saw Lou kneeling beside Noah. He bent down next to them. Lou was holding pressure to Noah's side. Blood oozing up through her fingers.

"Teaspoon! He has been stabbed! Is he breathing?!"

Teaspoon got down beside Noah. He took his shirt off and put it under Lou's hands.

"He is. Keep holding pressure. I'm going to hitch the wagon. We got to get them to town for help."

Lou nodded, tears falling. Teaspoon hitched the horses and picked up Emma. He put her in the back. He drove the wagon down to Louise. He loaded Noah as Lou rode beside him holding the shirt in place. They rode as fast as they could to town.

Teaspoon and Lou sat outside the doctor's house waiting on word. The doc came out a short while later.

"Ms. Shannon will be alright. She is still a little out of sorts. I think I should watch her for a few days. She took a nasty hit. Noah looks like he was stabbed two times. His wounds are pretty severe. He lost a good bit of blood. I can't really say anything to ease your minds. I'm sorry."

Teaspoon looked down at the floor. Lou just let her tears fall.

"Can I see Ms. Shannon? I won't be long."

"Sure. Just remember, she isn't quite back to her old self."

Teaspoon went in and walked to Noah first. He looked at the young man. He touched his hand before walking over to Emma. He gave her a small shake. She opened her eyes.

"Emma? I hate to bother you. I know you are hurting right now."

"Ask me anything."

"Did you see anyone?"

Emma slightly shook her head.

"Do you know where Jimmy is?"

Again she shook her head. She closed her eyes as she began to cry.

"It's ok darling. We will find him."

"Why Teaspoon? We were almost home. He can't defend himself. We can't lose him again." Emma cried.

"Don't cry Emma. We are going on to the station. We will get the boys and we will find him. Whoever is responsible for this will pay. Now rest. I'll see you shortly."

Emma nodded as she closed her eyes.

Teaspoon went out to Lou.

"She didn't see a thing. He must have come up from behind. Let's go get the boys. We gonna need em."

Lou wiped her eyes and followed Teaspoon to their horses.

Jimmy woke to his hands being tied in the front of him. He tried to pull away. He was snatched forward.

"Hello again you little smart ass fucker. Remember me."

Jimmy stopped as he stared into the face of the guard that had almost beat him to death in the mine.

"What's wrong? Thought they killed all of us eh? Well I'm smart enough to run."

"Got nothing to say? Well we got some unfinished business to take care of."

"What business is that?" Asked Jimmy.

"Never been a man that I haven't broke and I ain't bout to let you be the first."

He pushed Jimmy back down. He fell on his back to the ground. His legs were shaking and he felt unbalanced.

"You are a coward. Get me while I can't fight back you scared bastard. I'd kill you otherwise."

Bart walked over to Jimmy and stepped on his chest. He put all his weight onto Jimmy's gunshot wound. Jimmy bit down and tried not to make a sound.

"Have your fun but don't kill him."

Jimmy looked up into the face of Josiah.

"I won't boss, I'll leave him hanging on." Smiled Bart.

Jimmy looked in their faces. This wasn't going to go good for him. He thought of Lou. He knew she would come looking for him. He also knew that he may never see her again.

"What do you want? It's over." Asked Jimmy.

"What do I want? I want retribution for me and my brother." Said Josiah.

Jimmy looked up in shock.

"Surprised? Gerald was my brother. He was a good man and y'all killed him. She broke his heart. She will pay and so will you."

Bart stepped off of Jimmy and walked out of view.

"You will pay for this. Your brother was a horrible man who killed innocent people. He deserved to die."

"Bart, he's all yours. Remember keep him alive for our sweet Louise."

Bart stood over Jimmy again. He held a big hammer in his arms.

"Look at this. Remember we used these to crush rock."

Jimmy glared at him.

Bart swung the hammer over his head, it landed on Jimmy's leg right below his knee. Jimmy screamed at the top of his lungs.

"This is gonna be fun."