Whispers in the Dark

by RJane's Vindication

Multi-chapter, prequel. Terrorized by what he just can't remember, Joe's nightmares threaten to destroy not only him but his whole family as well. Can his family solve the mystery and unlock the buried secrets before it is too late? Or will the nightmares become reality and consume them all? Please review, I'd love to hear from you!

9. Chapter 8

A/N: I am so, so sorry that it has taken me so long with this update! I went on a lovely vacation to the coast of Florida, so needless to say, my writing did not get done. I was hoping to post before, but just didn't make it – and then vacation took over. Hopefully this chapter makes up for it!

Thanks to help789, BJ2, BettyHT, judyann, Aurea, Wendylouwho10, MJ, gaben, and ElizabethLostS for the feedback. I absolutely love hearing from everyone—you guys are the best. And as an aside to Elizabeth—yes, there's going to be a lot more and I promise I will finish this story. I never want to be guilty of leaving a story hanging!

And now just a quick note on this chapter: I have read a number of fanfics that incorporated a stronger friendship between two characters wherein they can communicate fluently in a foreign language. I've always really liked this idea, and have used it here. I make no claim to it as being mine, just am borrowing it for a bit. This dialogue is formatted in italics for clarity.

Well, I think that is enough for one day—on with the story! Thanks as always for reading… and, if you can spare a minute, I'd love to hear what you think! Enjoy! :)

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Feeling completely drained, it was the sound of heavy footsteps outside on the boardwalk that brought Ben's head back up from where it had been resting in his hands. He'd lost all track of time after the tears had subsided, just sitting and brooding, his mind wandering over random thoughts. The door to the sheriff's office opened, and Ben's eyes shifted in time to see the concerned expression on Roy's face. He stood quickly, groaning slightly as he stretched in an attempt to ease the cramping in his back.

'Ben, I…I just want you to know…' Roy stood in front of his friend, his gaze down on the hat he was twisting in his hands. He looked up quickly, his face serious. 'I don't intend to see any vigilante justice in my town.' He moved quickly to continue when he saw Ben's face reddening with a renewed anger. 'But I also don't intend to let this go on any longer than it already has.' Determined eyes met Ben's angry ones. 'It's time to get justice for both of those boys; it's been too long already.'

Ben understood the offer in his friend's words, and his anger abating slightly, he allowed himself a small smile. 'Thanks, Roy,' he whispered, extending his hand to the sheriff to shake. Pumping Roy's hand up and down firmly two times, Ben then turned to the door as he put his hat back on his head.

'I'll keep an eye on him, Ben,' Roy said firmly as Ben opened the door to leave. 'Ashcroft's been talking to a lot of people. He's bound to get careless sometime, let too much slip.' He paused thoughtfully for a moment. 'You're right, there is more to him than just questions. I'll get word to you, if I find out anything; you have my word on that.'

Ben just nodded, unable to speak as he stepped outside.

'Take care of him, Ben.'

Ben turned to look at the weathered sheriff, a lump in his throat as he saw the emotion visible on Roy's face. He nodded again, determination evident on his chiseled features. 'I will, Roy. You can count on it.'

Closing the door behind him, Ben began to make his way down the busy street towards the livery. His short trip to town had stretched into hours, and his horse was no longer at the hitching post where he'd left him. Ben ruefully smiled as he knew that, in the hours that he'd been in town, his friend had seen to his horse. The smile died on his lips as frustration at the situation again took over. A part of him knew that Roy's hands were tied in the matter, that he was doing all he could, that the sheriff had done what he'd thought best those five years ago. But doing their best didn't seem much of a consolation to Ben as he continued to hurry down the street, his mind still reeling to some extent with what he'd learned in his few hours in town.

'Mr. Cartwright, is that you?'

Ben didn't even hear the quiet voice at first, so consumed was he with his thoughts that he kept right on walking. The voice called to him again, more forceful this time, and Ben came to an abrupt halt at the touch he felt on his sleeve.

'Mr. Cartwright?'

Ben lifted his eyes to stare at the vaguely familiar face in front of him, the young man's brown eyes studying him intently. Ben's brow furrowed as he eyed the young man from top to bottom, taking in the fancy boots, the expensive clothes, and the sandy blonde hair sticking out in slightly awkward tufts from under the felt-lined hat. Not quite able to place the young man, he was forced to resort to asking.

'And you? Is there something I can do for you, son?'

The young man smiled at the endearment, and his eyes lit up with a hint of mischief when he realized the predicament the older man was in. Extending his hand, he joked lightly,

'Mr. Cartwright, I'm not surprised you don't recognize me, it's certainly been a few years.' He watched the older man's face with amusement as he noticed the recognition starting to dawn. 'It's me, Josh And…'

'Josh Andrews!' Ben's memory returned to him, recognition bright as he took the extended hand and pulled the young man towards him, giving him a quick embrace. He pushed his oldest son's former best friend away from him so that he could look at him appraisingly. 'It's good to see you, boy! What have you been doing with yourself, young man?'

'Well, I decided to take myself on out to see what all that fuss was about regarding those California gold mines,' the boy responded easily, pulling his hat from his head and restlessly running the brim through his fingers.

'And?' Ben prompted, momentarily allowing himself to forget the problems that had brought him to town in the first place. He had always been fond of Josh Andrews; the boy had befriended his son Adam when times had been difficult, and Ben had always felt somewhat fatherly towards the boy. 'Did you find out what 'all that fuss was about'?'

'If you're asking if I struck it rich,' Josh grinned widely, 'I guess it wouldn't be bragging too much to tell you I've done pretty well for myself. Got me a claim, hit a pretty rich vein soon after.' He chuckled, no modesty in his tone as he continued. 'Some of those old prospectors just couldn't stand it. 'Beginner's luck,' that's all they could say.'

'That's wonderful, son,' Ben smiled back, noting the fineness of the young man's impeccable suit. He mused at how the boy sure appeared to be doing well for himself. 'And what brings you back to Virginia City?'

'Just catching up, mostly,' Josh's eyes flitted up and down the busy street before settling back on Ben's face. 'Ma and Pa are getting up there in years, now, and I wanted to see how they were making out with things.'

'Does Adam know you're here?' Ben's thoughts returned to his sons at home, feeling a slight twinge of guilt over the whole matter. He felt badly that his oldest had not been able to get away from the ranch lately; if he had, he would have met up with his friend sooner. Circumstance had lately not allowed for much in the way of relaxation or leisure.

'I saw him the other day,' Josh nodded with a hesitant smile, and Ben nodded back, relieved that at least his son knew the boy was in town. Josh cleared his throat before he continued, and his next words expressed an obvious concern. 'Actually, that was what I wanted to ask you about…'

'What is it, son?' Ben said kindly, seeing the hesitation on the young man's face.

'Mr. Cartwright…well, the day I saw Adam, he was all worried about his little brother.' Josh watched as the animation faded from Ben's face, replaced with a look of grim determination. 'Hoss said it was Joe. Mr. Cartwright, if you don't mind me asking…is Little Joe alright?'

Ben's emotions again churning just below the surface, he pondered his words carefully. Unsure of how much information he felt comfortable in giving to the young man in front of him, he cleared his throat gruffly, his tone flat and resigned.

'Well, son,' he said softly, looking deeply into the young man's concerned eyes, 'he's been going through a hard time right now. Seems like something happened to him a while back, and now he's starting to remember it. He's been having nightmares, and not sleeping well.' He paused and saw the look of surprise on Josh's face. 'But he'll be as good as new, once he gets it out of his system.' He wished he could believe the words, even as he thought on the unmentioned promise he'd earlier made to two little boys.

'Gosh, Mr. Cartwright,' Josh sighed, squinting critically at the older man. 'That sounds really rough. I sure do hope he starts feeling better real soon.'

'Thank you, young man,' Ben smiled warily. His eyes brightened at his next thought. 'Why don't you come out to the Ponderosa sometime soon? Adam would be glad to see you; it's been hard to get away at the moment, what with everything that's been going on.' He smiled warmly at the young man's momentary reluctance. 'I'm sure all of the boys would be glad to see you.'

Josh pondered for a moment, and then lifted his eyes back to Ben's face. Still seeing a slight lingering of indecision, Ben gave the young man another small smile and joked weakly,

'Of course, that's if you're planning on staying in town for any length of time. Or do you have more gold to mine?'

Josh laughed and shook his head. 'Nah, I guess the gold could wait a little while.' He could see by the way that Ben was looking up and down the street that the older man was in a hurry to leave. 'Sure, I'll stop up and see Adam, sometime real soon.' He smiled again. 'Tell him I asked after him?'

'It was good to see you, son,' Ben said hurriedly, his thoughts now focused on his home and his boys. 'I'll tell Adam you'll be out to see him at some point.' He shook hands with the young man again, tipping his hat in Josh's direction as he turned to make his way back to the livery. 'Take care of yourself, son.'

'You too, Mr. Cartwright,' Josh said hastily, watching the man leave. He called after him hesitantly. 'Mr. Cartwright?'

'Yes, what is it son?' Ben turned to face the young man again.

'I sure hope everything works out with Joe alright.' Josh's voice was quiet. 'He always was a real good kid, you know.'

Ben smiled weakly and nodded his head at the young man in front of him, turning back around as he continued to the livery. Josh stared after the retreating figure, his expression thoughtful, his words more for himself than anyone else.

'Yeah, he always was a real good kid.'

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His eyes were heavy, and his limbs felt like lead, but wakefulness kept pushing at him. Unable to fight against it any longer, Joe sighed deeply and struggled as he pulled his eyes open, blinking confusedly at the brightness of the light in his room.

It was too bright in the room; the sun's rays were higher up on the blankets than they would be if it was the time he usually awakened to do his chores. It must have been pretty late, long past breakfast, and the realization left him incredibly confused. Unsure of just what to make of this only conclusion his tired mind could come up with, Joe looked around the room hesitantly, finally spotting Hoss sitting in the big chair by his bed. The teenager's head was leaning back, his mouth open, a slight snore escaping from his throat.

'H…hoss?'

Joe's throat was dry, and the word came out in a raspy croak, but it nevertheless got the older boy's attention. Hoss snapped awake instantly, his pale eyes widening first with confusion, then concern as he looked towards his little brother.

'Shortshanks! Yer finally awake!' He stated the obvious, leaning forward to touch his brother's shoulder. Joe shied away slightly, but Hoss ignored the motion, choosing to focus on Joe's immediate needs. 'How ya feelin'?'

'W…water,' Joe croaked, and Hoss sprung to his feet and rushed over to the water pitcher on the dresser, pouring a glass quickly. Handing it to his little brother, Hoss watched as Joe began to drink greedily.

'Careful, little buddy,' Hoss admonished, reaching his hand to take the glass from Joe's hand. Joe shot him a dirty look, and Hoss explained. 'Ya don't wanna get sick, drinkin' too fast. Just slow down a bit.'

Joe sighed a bit resignedly, taking just another small sip before letting Hoss have the glass. He yawned widely as he settled back down among the pillows on his bed; he was just so tired. He closed his eyes briefly, opening them again as he felt eyes on him. His brow puzzled into a frown as he watched Hoss staring at him intently. Still curious as to what was going on, he decided to put his thoughts into words.

'What…what time is it?'

Hoss smiled gently. 'Well, buddy, ya sure didn't seem ta want ta wake up. Reckon it's about high time for some lunch.'

Joe gaped at his brother incredulously. It was no secret that he was generally somewhat reluctant to get up in the morning, and that his older brother had to sometimes 'help' him out of his bed, but he'd never actually stayed asleep for so long. In spite of himself, his wide eyes began to fill with tears, and his voice trembled as he spoke.

'Pa…is Pa mad at me?'

Hoss's eyes widened in concern at the sight of his little brother's tears, and he rushed to join his brother on the bed, pulling the squirming boy into a tight embrace. His own voice rough with emotion as a result of the confusion and fear he saw on Joe's face, he spoke quickly to reassure the trembling child in his arms.

'Aw, Shortshanks, he ain't mad at ya,' he soothed. 'We're all just so worried about ya, that's all.'

Joe allowed himself to relax into his brother's comforting embrace. Hoss continued to keep him close, running his large hands up and down his little brother's back in a gesture of comfort. The little boy's mind began to wander, remembering bits and pieces of what had happened the night before.

'W…what happened?' His eyes narrowed as he pulled away from his older brother. 'Where's Pa? And Adam? What's goin' on?'

'I'm right here, little buddy,' Adam answered as he quickly strode into the room. Sitting down on the bed next to his brothers, he brushed a hand gently through Joe's hair. Looking straight into his little brother's worried green eyes, Adam continued quietly in his attempt to soothe the boy. 'Pa just had to go to town for a while. He'll be back soon.'

Adam could see the doubt in his little brother's eyes as Joe turned his head away. His throat tightening as he saw the despair on the boy's face, Adam moved his hand from Joe's hair to cup the little boy's chin, lifting it slightly so that he could look deeply into the boy's emerald eyes. His voice was soft and gentle as he spoke.

'Joe, everything is going to be alright, you have to believe me. Now, do you remember anything that happened last night?'

Joe's chin trembled, and his eyes began to fill again as he stared somewhat blankly at his two older, concerned brothers. Hoss had slid even closer to the little boy, his arm draped across the slight shoulders; Adam still held the boy's chin in his hand, giving him a small smile to encourage him. Joe's eyes grew darker as he began to think about what his brother had asked him.

'I…I remember that nasty medicine,' he mumbled softly. Shooting a glance at Hoss, he added, 'Hoss brought it to me.'

Hoss dropped his eyes to his lap, the guilt beginning to line his face, and Adam felt a twinge of sympathy for his younger brother. He smiled weakly at Joe, urging him to continue.

Joe bit his lip as he concentrated. 'I got really sleepy…I think I fell asleep?' He looked at his brothers for confirmation, and they both nodded solemnly. Joe's eyes widened and he shivered as he tried to pull away from his brothers. Adam could see the little boy's breathing start to hitch, and when Joe spoke again his voice was barely a whisper. 'Why, why'd he do it?'

Hoss's arm tightened on his brother's shoulders, and he and Adam exchanged a nervous glance above Joe's head. Willing his voice to stay calm, Adam's eyes found his brother's again, and he hoped the contact would calm the distraught boy.

'Who, Joe? Who was there?'

Joe shook his head violently as he desperately attempted to again pull away from his brothers, trying to avoid the intentness in Adam's eyes. Adam's hand refused to move, and Joe was forced to maintain the eye contact. The little boy gulped back a sob as tears beginning to trickle down his cheeks. Adam felt sick at being the cause of this latest anguish for the little boy. But knowing that it was going to help Joe in the long run to talk about it, he pursued.

'Joe, you need to tell us. What happened, what do you remember?'

The front door downstairs opening and closing echoed suddenly through the silent house, giving Joe the reprieve he had been looking for. Adam and Hoss both turned towards the sound, expecting to see Ben Cartwright striding through the bedroom door only seconds later. When their father didn't appear, Hoss and Adam again exchanged a look before Adam rose slowly to his feet. Hoss pulled the whimpering Joe even closer to him, and the stunned child didn't resist the strong arms that held him firmly.

'I'll go see what Pa found out in town,' Adam mumbled to Hoss, who nodded absently in return. The young man quickly left the room and went down the stairs, anxiety building as he tried to stop his racing thoughts.

Not seeing his father in the big room, where he'd expected him, Adam's anxiety only continued to grow. Hearing a noise in the kitchen, he turned and walked towards the sound, practically falling over the small man who had suddenly appeared in the kitchen doorway.

'Hop Sing!' Adam's voice was a mixture of surprise and relief at the sight of the man. 'I thought you weren't coming back until the end of the week.' He sighed again and gave the cook a slight smile. 'I can't help saying that I'm glad you came back early.' He noticed the steam wafting from the bowl the man was holding in his hand, and his nose crinkled at the unappetizing smell that came with it. 'What's that?'

'For youngest brother,' Hop Sing said quietly, taking in the surprise on Adam's face. He moved around the young man and continued towards the stairs, offering an explanation over his shoulder. 'He not himself for long time. He needs this.'

'How…how did you know to come?' Adam's voice was rough with emotion, and Hop Sing stopped on the stairs for a minute to turn to the oldest Cartwright son. He could see the concern on the young man's face, and feeling sympathetic to the obvious depth of emotion, he gave Adam a tiny smile.

'Hop Sing just know that boy in trouble.' He turned and headed back up the stairs towards Joe's room, disappearing from Adam's view as he turned the corner.

Adam was just about to follow Hop Sing back up the stairs when the sound of an approaching rider met his ears. Glancing quickly out the window, he recognized the figure of his father atop his horse, racing quickly through the yard. Adam was out the door and on the porch to greet the man before Ben had even stopped in front of the hitching post.

'Pa?'

Adam looked inquisitively at his father, unsure of what to make of the look on his father's face. Ben appeared lost in his thoughts, and upon hearing his son's voice, he started quickly, his eyes widening slightly. Looking up to meet Adam's worried face, he smiled grimly.

'Hello, son.' His eyes shot up to look at Joe's bedroom window. 'Everything alright here? How's your brother?'

'He's been sleeping, mostly,' Adam answered honestly. 'He just woke up a few minutes ago. Hop Sing went up to give him…'

'Hop Sing?' Ben questioned. Seeing Adam nod in his direction, a faint smile crossed Ben's features. His next words were more to himself than the young man in front of him. 'I don't know how he does it, but he always seems to know when Joseph needs him…'

'Pa?' Adam cleared his throat and looked at his father, bringing the man back from his again-wandering thoughts. 'Pa, what did you find out in town?'

Ben sighed wearily as he put a hand on Adam's shoulder, ushering the boy into the house. Adam froze at the sound, and Ben turned to him, his eyes darkening as he noticed the apprehension on his oldest son's face.

'We need to talk,' Ben whispered softly, the words doing nothing to calm Adam's growing concern. 'And we will, as soon as I go upstairs to check on your brother. Give me a few minutes, and I'll explain everything.' Adam could only nod dumbly.

Ben moved with purpose towards the stairs. He nearly ran into Hoss as the boy was making his way down the stairs. Noting the confusion on the teenager's face, Ben stopped and looked at him.

'Hoss, son? What's the matter? Is your brother alright?'

Hoss's pale eyes widened as he noticed his father for the first time. Shaking his head blankly, and then just as quickly changing his mind and nodding in agreement, he just mumbled his response. 'Yeah Pa, I guess so. Hop Sing told me ta give him 'n Joe a minute…'

'Why?' Ben's eyes narrowed slightly as he continued to stare at his middle son. Hoss only shook his head to signify he didn't know the reasons behind the request, and then as if his mind suddenly realized who he was standing in front of, his next words came out in a sudden rush.

'Pa, what did ya hear in town? What's goin' on?'

Ben patted the boy's shoulder and pointed to where Adam was still standing downstairs in the big room. 'Go, wait with Adam. I'm just going to go check on your brother, and then I'll be back down. We have a lot of things we need to talk about.'

Hoss nodded and continued down to the big room below, and Ben took a deep breath before continuing up the stairs and down the hall towards his youngest son's room. His hand was on the doorknob when he heard the voices he recognized to be those of Hop Sing and his youngest, and what he heard made him freeze in shock.

He'd always known there was something different about the relationship between the wiry cook and his youngest son. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that Hop Sing had been in the Cartwright household as long as Joe had, or maybe it was how the little boy had always needed the attention of others, or maybe it was just Joe's inquisitive nature. Ben wasn't entirely sure of the reason. He'd just known that there was something special between the two, a 'connection' that none of the rest of the family had ever been privy to.

He'd caught snatches of conversations in the past between the two, nothing more than short whispers, and always when the two had been alone. The little boy had always been fascinated with the tiny cook, often being found spending his time with him in the kitchens or gardens. After Marie had died, the hours spent together had only increased, as somehow the time together was therapeutic to the grieving child. Ben had wondered, secretly and once out loud to Adam, who had noticed it too, if there had been something more to the relationship between the two.

Hop Sing's wrath and sharp tongue were somewhat legendary. The man had no qualms at speaking his mind. Ben himself had been not only a witness to but more often than not the source of Hop Sing's scalding words, shouted angrily in some language he only guessed he was glad he didn't understand. He and his boys had always joked about Hop Sing's wrath and the angry gibberish he'd shout at them, but he'd always wondered. Wondered when Joe would duck his head away when his father or brothers were the focus of the onslaught of angry words. Wondered if perhaps one of his boys knew more than he had let on.

Ben stood frozen in the hallway, unable to turn the knob as the shock of what he was hearing paralyzed his senses. It wasn't the words that were being spoken, for he was familiarly unaware of what the words meant. It was the ease in which the words were being spoken, and the person who was speaking them. He stood there for a full minute, totally lost in the fact that his youngest son was speaking candidly and rapidly for the first time in days. And it wasn't English he was speaking.

He shook his head in stunned amazement as he turned and went back down the stairs. Apparently what he'd always wondered about his youngest son was correct. Joe had always known more than he'd let on. And, it seemed, the kindred relationship the little boy had found with the oriental man was what he needed right now. Ben wasn't sure if he was saddened or relieved at the revelation.

He started to wonder how many other secrets his youngest son was holding onto.

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Hop Sing pushed open the door to Joe's bedroom, pausing for just a moment to take in the scene in front of him. Hoss was sitting in the big chair that had been pulled up close to the bed, his face one of obvious concern. But it wasn't the middle Cartwright son that Hop Sing focused on. The youngest Cartwright was lying on the bed and his eyes were closed, but the attempt at feigned sleep didn't fool the small man. No, he knew the boy all too well, and that old trick wasn't going to work at all.

Hop Sing cursed silently as he took in the boy's haggard features; his skin was pale and his eyes were sunken in dark purple shadows. It was obvious to him that Joe hadn't been eating properly, the boy's slight frame now even more so; he looked as if the slightest breeze could knock him over. The signs that had spoken to him had been correct when they'd told him to come back here; he muttered a barely audible curse in Cantonese as he moved forward into the room, setting the bowl he was carrying on the top of the dresser.

Hoss turned at the slight noise the cook's abrupt movements made, but Joe remained still, his eyes tightly closed. Hoss opened his mouth to speak out loud his surprise, but Hop Sing only gave a sharp shake of his head to silence whatever the teenager was going to say. When he spoke, his voice left Hoss no choice but to obey.

'Numba two son,' Hop Sing ordered curtly, not turning his attention from the boy on the bed. 'Older brother needs to talk to you, downstairs. Leave me a minute to talk to little boy.'

Hoss's mouth opened to protest, but promptly shut as Hop Sing's slight frame moved to push the much larger teenager out of the room. Hop Sing pulled the door shut and turned back to the boy on the bed.

'I know you are awake,' his voice was low but commanding as he spoke in his native tongue, knowing the boy before him could understand every word he was saying. They had a connection, after all. 'Open your eyes.' A ghost of a smile formed on his face as the little boy slowly opened his eyes to look at him.

'Little one,' he greeted softly, reaching for the bowl he'd left on the dresser. Handing it to the boy, his voice was sharp when Joe crinkled his nose in disgust at the smell and attempted to push the bowl away. 'Drink it now. It will help.' He smiled again as Joe reluctantly swallowed all of the bitter liquid, and then he handed him a glass of water. 'Here, now drink this.'

Joe gulped the water down quickly before handing the glass back to Hop Sing. The boy's eyes dropped down to the hands he had folded in his lap, and he began to absently clutch at the blanket still covering his legs. Hop Sing studied the boy intently for several seconds before he spoke again, still in his native tongue.

'What do dreams tell you, Joseph Cartwright?' The use of his full name got the boy's attention, and he lifted his eyes to meet Hop Sing's even gaze. He could see the fear in the boy's green eyes, and came to sit down next to him. His voice dropped even lower into a whisper. 'What has you so afraid?'

Joe hesitated, the tears starting to build in his eyes again. Hop Sing could tell that the child was terrified, but also knew that if he was ever going to get better, he would need to talk about it. He decided to try another tactic, one he knew would be sure to get the boy to talk.

'If you do not talk, then I must guess you are lazy and just trying to avoid work.' He pulled the blankets away from the boy's body as Joe fought him. 'Do not fight with me, little one. Do not bring shame on your family…'

'Stop!' The boy pleaded desperately, and Hop Sing released his grip on the blankets. Joe pulled the cover back over himself, his body quaking as he shivered uncontrollably. The tears began to spill down his cheeks as he looked at his friend with wide, scared eyes. The words spoken in Cantonese were as fluent as if he had been born speaking them. 'Please! I try and try, but I just can't remember!'

'Think,' Hop Sing whispered back, putting his hand on the boy's shoulder. 'Close your eyes…what do you see?'

Joe closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Shakily releasing it, he opened his eyes again to stare directly at his friend. Hop Sing felt the familiar wave of foreboding again as he watched his young friend struggle. The signs that had been speaking were all pointing at something, something that was not good.

'The voice…the voice changed, Hop Sing. It was nice to me, but then…' Joe's voice broke and he threw himself into the man's arms. 'Then the voice came after me…it grabbed me…tried to pull me away, away from everyone.' He lifted his tear stained face to look at Hop Sing, the words tumbling rapidly from his mouth. 'I was all alone…that voice, he was going to get me…it was a very bad voice…' Joe's voice trailed off as he turned away and stared at the wall.

Prayers and curses began to fight in Hop Sing's mind as he puzzled as to how to best comfort the boy in front of him. Whatever had happened to him had been terrible, and the worst part of it was that the boy had apparently suffered alone. His eyes widened as he remembered the only time in all of Joe's life that the boy had been separated from all of them, completely alone. Eagle's Nest.

'What did the voice do?' Knowing now what he needed to do, Hop Sing asked the question that would hopefully bring this whole nightmare out. He prayed fervently that he'd read the signs correctly.

'Little one, what evil did you see?'

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'I'm going to kill him!'

Ben stiffened and lifted startled eyes up from where he'd been staring into the fireplace. His expression hardened as he watched his normally stoic eldest son storming around the room, the young man's face red with rage. Out of the corner of his eye, Ben noticed Hoss's expression of dumbfounded shock, his pale eyes wide as he stared silently at his older brother.

As he had walked back downstairs after hearing Hop Sing and his youngest conversing together, Ben had done battle with himself on just what he should tell his older boys about what he'd found during his trip to town. Once in front of his sons, just one glance into his oldest's worried eyes had reawakened Ben's anger, and he'd soon found himself unable to contain himself. He told them everything, straight forward and to the point, withholding nothing.

Staring at Adam's display of rage, Ben suddenly wasn't so sure he'd made the right decision. He had noticed the minute he'd ridden into the yard that Adam was now wearing the gun he had been given for his birthday, and Ben now watched uneasily as Adam's fingers almost absently traced the Colt revolver. He was a little surprised by the vehement outburst, even as he had to admit that the boy's reaction wasn't anything different than he himself had felt earlier. Why had he expected a different reaction from the son who so emulated him? Ben smiled grimly at the thought, even as he now moved to calm the young man.

'Now, son…I need you to…'

'No, I mean it!' Adam stopped his furious pacing to stare glaringly at his father. 'I swear, Pa…if he so much as looks at Joe…' His voice trailed off as he turned and walked to the fireplace, pounding his fist against the smooth stones.

'He's not going to, son,' Ben promised sternly, putting a hand on Adam's shoulder. A sharp laugh escaped his throat. 'Besides, he's already been warned.'

Adam lifted his eyes to look at his father, the deadly seriousness on Ben's face doing nothing to quell the burning hatred the young man felt for Ashcroft. He didn't want to admit it, but the rage he felt was scaring him. He'd never felt anything so intense in his life, but it didn't change what he thought. Adam knew he would kill the man if he came near his brother, and he wouldn't hesitate to do it.

'Pa…whaddya mean?' Hoss's anxious voice questioned. His pale eyes widened in recognition as his gaze switched between his brother's and father's faces, and his features suddenly grew cold and withdrawn. Generally gentle and optimistic, Hoss was unaccustomed to the feelings of rage and hate that he too felt growing in his stomach. He turned pleading eyes to his father. 'Pa, what are we gonna do?'

Ben ran a hand through his hair as he staggered back to the settee and sat down. He had no plan, and still had no real idea as to the cause of the whole unending nightmare. The rumors Roy had heard in town added to his anxiety, but did little to shed any light on the mystery. He was spared the task of having to form an answer to his son's question as a slight figure appeared suddenly from the upstairs. Hop Sing strode purposefully towards Ben, coming to a stop directly in front of him.

'Mista Cartwright,' he greeted cheerlessly, watching his employer's face intently. He knew that Ben had been standing outside the bedroom door when he and Joe had been talking, and he could tell by the expression on Ben's face that the man had been shocked, and slightly hurt, by what he had just learned. Hop Sing clicked his tongue briskly, that mattered little now. There would be time to deal with hurt feelings later; right now there were more important things to discuss. The signs had spoken, and time was of the essence.

'Mista Cartwright,' he repeated, 'we need talk.' He anticipated Ben's question when the man turned his head anxiously towards the stairs, and he was quick to offer his reassurance. 'Youngest Cartwright son fine, I give him special drink to help sleep. But enough on that for now…' he paused, his voice firm in it's repeat, 'we need talk, now.' His gaze shifted from Ben's face to Adam and Hoss still standing beside their father, and then back to Ben again. 'Alone.'

'No,' Ben whispered, shaking his head as he noticed Adam's mouth begin to open in protest. 'My boys are as much a part of this as I am. They stay.' The matter settled, Ben waited for the man to continue. He looked at Hop Sing resignedly, a hint of jealousy tingeing his tone. 'What did he tell you?'

'How'd ya know?' Hoss couldn't resist asking the question that he'd wondered the answer to since the small man had made his appearance in Joe's room. 'How'd ya know to come when ya did?' Hop Sing smiled faintly at the wide-eyed curiosity displayed on the teenager's face.

'Family know when other family members in trouble,' he said softly, causing a small smile to cross Hoss's face. He straightened and looked back at Ben, noticing the man's softening features. 'I just knew the little one needed me.'

Ben swallowed rapidly, feeling a slight wave of shame at his behavior. Hop Sing was his friend; no, a part of his family, and he would be forever grateful for that. Hop Sing had a special bond with his son, and if that bond was going to help them solve this nightmare sooner, Ben knew he had to put his own feelings of inadequacy aside. He needed to put Joseph's well being first, and if it was Hop Sing who was the one who was able to get through to his son, then he was resigned to let it be.

Hop Sing's eyes never left Ben's face. 'I know you were behind door when little one spoke, you hear but not understand.' He saw from the corner of his eye Adam noticeably tense in sudden understanding as realization dawned; Hop Sing knew Adam had suspected also. 'But no more of that now. Little Joe needs our help.'

'Did he tell you anything at all?' Ben's voice was pleading, hoping, even as the sorrowful look on Hop Sing's face filled him with dread. 'Hop Sing, please. Do you know what happened to him?'

'Something very evil,' the man's voice whispered harshly, surprising Ben with the venom it contained. 'The evil try to take little boy away, but he escape.' Hop Sing glanced up to the ceiling, slight pride in his voice. 'Little one fight, very brave, very strong. But now…'

'What?' Adam whispered, asking the question that everyone was afraid of. 'What now?'

'The evil has come back. The evil want to take Little Joe again.'