Summary: Chapter One and Two: The twin's plans are going well. They were able to get the money, rifles, food, and a diversion. The diversion was blamed on Hoss and they felt sorry for that, but not enough to go back.

Chapter Three: The Journey

Jax and Joe:

"I can't believe we are going," Joe said

"I know and every adult in our house has no idea and won't until tomorrow.

"I kinda feel bad about Hoss."

"We'll make it up to him.

After that the trip was a lot of fun. They laughed and imagined what they would see and hear.

"I think the buildings are going to be huge," Jax said. "Adam says the architecture is amazing. Do you think there'll be a lot of buildings?"

"I don't know, Pa says there are."

"What is the first thing you want to see?"

"I want to see the ships. Could you imagine living on a ship?"

"I don't think I would like it. I want to see land not only water. I love the trees surrounding Lake Tahoe too much," Jax replied.

"But we could see so many places and do so many things. Pa talks about his sailor days when he tells us stories. It sounds so exciting, " Joe said.

"Maybe when we're older we can try it. Besides right now I'd miss home, Adam, Hoss, and Pa too much. So would you."

"You're right. But I still think it would be great to see the world," Joe said dreamily.

"What do you want to see first?" Joe asked after a few minutes.

"Seals, I read about them in one of Adam's book. They sound amazing. Do you think we'll see some?"

"We'll look until we find them, I promise. I also want to see whales."

"They live under the water," Jax reminded him.

"Todd Justice said he saw them," Joe said.

"Todd lies," Jax said.

"We can hope."

"True. Adam says one of the best book stores west of the Mississippi is there."

"You and your books, I swear you are as bad as Adam," Joe teased.

Jax responded by punching him hard in the arm. "Oww."

"There are dime store novels there too. So you can get some more of those without Pa or Adam telling you which ones you're allowed to buy."

Joe was rubbing his arm and glaring at his sister.

"I didn't punch you that hard," Jax said smiling. "Your glare is becoming like Adam's." Jax said spurring Miss Lily forward not wanting to get punched by her brother.

"You have to stop sometimes," Joe joked.

"Not until you promise not to hit me," Jax said.

"Fine, I promise not to hit you," Joe said. Knowing that left a lot he could do.

Jax slowed down Miss Lily and Joe caught up, the minute she was in reaching distance he pinched he hard.

"Oww." Jax said glaring at him and started rubbing her arm.

"I didn't hit you," Joe said smiling.

"Truce?"

"Truce."

"What time should we make camp?" Jax said.

"About another hour," Joe said.

"I want to light a fire before it gets dark, plus I'm hungry."

"Ok, how about a half an hour?"

They set up camp near the Truckee River. Joe caught two fish and Jax made some beans and both had one biscuit and one cookie. With their bellies full and warm from the fire they went to sleep, dreaming of the big city.

The twins woke up after having a restful night sleep. They fed the horses and caught some fish for breakfast and dinner.

"Ready?" Joe asked.

"Yep."

They got on the horse and continued their trip to San Francisco.

"Do you remember, Mama," Joe asked.

"I remember some things. Like the smell of her perfume and the way she brushed my hair," Jax answered, "How about you?"

"I remember her singing us to sleep and reading us books. She would always let us fall asleep together and Pa would carry you back to your room."

"I wonder how life would be different if she was still with us."

"Don't hit me," Joe said this time moving his horse out of her reach, "but I think you would act more like a girl."

"Maybe, but Hoss said Pa was always worried because she was so reckless." Jax said.

"So that's where we get it," Joe said laughing hard, "Adam is serious and Hoss is sweet. All of us are stubborn and proud like Pa."

"What do you think she would say about this trip?"

"Well, I think she would be like Hoss and let us get away with it. She might have even saved us from Pa," Joe said smiling.

"I don't. Remember when we saw that baby bear by the lake and I wanted to pet it?" Jax asked.

"Yeah. Pa told you not to go near it because of its Ma."

"I think our Ma would be protective like that, so she might be first in line to tan our hides," Jax said laughing.

"No, she would be the first to give us hugs and understanding before handing us over to Pa." Joe said laughing.

"No matter if she would tan us or protect us, I wish she was here," Jax said with tears in her eyes.

"Me too."

Adam and Hoss:

Adam and Hoss arrived at the house a little past noon both exhausted.

"I hope Hop Sing made a good dinner," Hoss said.

"All I want is a hot bath," Adam said.

"Where are the twins? They always come out to greet us," Hoss said.

"Pouting, because I wouldn't let them stay and watch," Adam said, but something in his gut told him maybe that wasn't true.

Hop Sing came out and handed both men a sandwich knowing they would be hungry, but he wouldn't let them in until they had a bath.

"Where wittle Joe and Jax?" he asked holding their sandwiches.

"Here with you," Adam said.

"No they say, they stay with you last night." Hop Sing said.

"So they haven't been here all night?" Hoss said worried.

"No."

"Hoss, I'm going to the tree house, you go to the cave, and we'll meet at Marie's grave. I swear those two aren't going to be able sit comfortably until Pa gets home," Adam growled.

Hoss and Adam met at Marie's grave both not having any luck. They rode back silently to the house.

"Go check Joe's room, I'll check Jax maybe they left us a clue," Adam said.

"Joe took clothes and his knife," Hoss said.

"So did Jax," Adam said.

As they walked downstairs and saw two of the rifles missing.

"Maybe they went hunting," Hoss said hopefully.

"They know better than to touch those guns. So they wouldn't go hunting. Let me think for a minute."

Adam sat down at his father's desks and thought. Finally it hit him it was like pieces of a puzzle: the broken fence, Jax's wanting to learn how to bake, Joe willing to white wash the smoke house without complaining, them not arguing with him about not staying on the ridge, and Jax's sudden fascination with maps.

"They're going to San Francisco," Adam said.

"WHAT! Pa won't allow me to wander around that city by myself."

"I'm sure of it. The minute I catch those two I am going to wail the tar out of them."

"Me too," Hoss said with conviction. "They broke that fence, didn't they?"

"Yes. Meaning on top of everything else they snuck out of their window again. I'm going to nail both windows shut when we get back."

"And they lie Hop Sing. Hop Sing use spoon on them when they get home." Hop Sing said angrily, "The steal food too." Making Adam think again,

"They wouldn't."

"Wouldn't what?"

Adam used his father's key and opened the desk drawer. As he feared most of the emergency cash was gone.

"Hoss, Pa's going to kill them."

"They stole money?"

"That's what I'm saying little brother," Adam said, "Hop Sing, we need fresh supplies. I want to leave within the next three hours. Once we are on our way, will you go to Virginia City and wire Pa what is going on."

"Yes. Hop Sing can't believe how foolish children being."

"Me neither, Hop Sing, me neither," Hoss said walking up to his room to get his stuff together. Adam did the same.

"Hoss, we can't take Chub and Sport. They worked too hard the last few days," Adam said as he was getting his stuff together.

"You're right. I'll saddle up Midnight and Peanut," Hoss said. "Would it be faster if we took the stage?"

"I'm hoping to meet them on the road and drag them back here kicking and screaming," Adam said. "Those two will take their time so their horses won't get too tired. We'll ride ours a little harder catch up."

Adam and Hoss left four hours after finding the twins missing. Less time than Jax predicted.

Ben:

The negations lasted longer today, but he almost that the lumber contract set. As he walked into the hotel the front desk man stopped him.

"Mr. Cartwright, you have a telegram."

Ben rushed over, hoping everything was alright. He had to sit down after he read what it said,

Jax and Joe went to San Francisco

Hoss and Adam try to catch them.

They telegraph once they find them.

Hop Sing

Ben read the telegraph three more times and decided that the contracts would have to wait. He was buying a ticket to San Francisco so he could find his youngest children and thrash them within an inch of their lives and they weren't leaving the yard until they were married.

"Can you get a message to Mr. Chrisp, I have a family emergency and need to leave," Ben asked the clerk, "Also please find out when the next stage to San Francisco is."

"Today at five," the clerk said.

He had two hours, so he would be able to do something. Before getting on the coach, Ben telegraphed Sheriff Coffee,

Twins took off to San Francisco

Any help would be appreciated.

Ben

Sheriff Coffee's message came back about an hour later,

Constable in San Francisco informed

Not very helpful

Said kids runaway every day

Good luck.

Roy

Before getting on the stage Ben got another message that said he would not get the state lumber contracts due to his leaving early. Fueling Ben's temper about the twin's foolishness and how it was going to affect the Ponderosa. Then he took a breath, his children were worth more than a million contracts.

Ben got on the stage and said a quick prayer. He couldn't lose any of his children.

Joe and Jax:

"I wonder where Adam and Hoss are?" Joe said.

"Hopefully a ways behind, Adam is going to ride the horses faster than we are," Jax said.

"Do you think they wired Pa?"

"No, I think Hop Sing wired Pa." Jax said trying to lighten the mood. Joe laughed at that.

"So when should we get there?"

"Sometime tomorrow."

"Good, I'm sick of biscuits, beans, jerky, and fish," Joe said smiling.

"Me too. I don't know how Pa, Adam, and Hoss do it all the time."

"Could you imagine doing this trip in the winter?"

"I wouldn't it's too dangerous. Remember that story about those people who got stuck in the mountains?"

"Yeah, kinda, Donner or something. We were only six when it happened."

"Most of them died. People still talk about it in the winter."

"But that was before the road. Wouldn't it be safer today?"

"Doubt it, snow is snow."

"Plus you hate being cold," Joe joked.

"So do you," Jax said smiling all of a sudden her smile disappeared. "Joe, there's a man in a cart up there."

"Should we hide?"

"No he already saw us."

The little old man drove toward the two children.

"Hi ya," He said smiling.

"Hi," they both said.

"It's dangerous on this road. Boys, where are you parents?"

"We're meeting our Pa in San Francisco. It's a surprise." Jax said.

"If you were my young'uns the surprise would be your backsides warmed for coming down this dangerous road."

"Yes sir," Joe said, "He might do just that."

"Well Ethel will have my hide if I let you two sleep out in the wild. Come on back to the house. We'll get you a hot meal and a bath."

"Thank you sir." Jax said.

"My name is Ebenezer. What's yours?"

"I'm Jax and this is my brother Joe."

"Well come along don't doddle."

Like Ebenezer said Ethel was excited about having the children in the house. The first thing she did was order them to take a bath. She made an amazing beef stew and fresh bread. For desert there was cherry pie. The twins were on their best behavior, using proper table manner, and saying please and thank you. Ben would have been proud.

"You can both use my son's room. He has his own house now in San Francisco," She said still fussing over them. "Good night"

"Miss Ethel, can we do some chores for you in the morning. Pa would be angry if we didn't pay back your hospitality," Joe said.

"No need dear. It was wonderful having children in the house."

"Thank you again ma'm," They both said.

Before they knew it they were sound asleep.

The next morning Ethel packed them a good lunch.

"Make sure you get to San Francisco today. No doodling. I don't want you to sleep another night along this road," Ebenezer said firmly.

"Yes sir, thank you again." They said riding off

Ethel took her husband's hand and said,

"It was so nice to have children in the house again."

Ebenezer said,

"Yes it was, but I hope their Pa take a belt to both of them for this foolishness."

"If he's anything like you, he will."

Adam and Hoss:

"So how close do you think we are?" Hoss asked.

"Well looking at the tracks, we shouldn't be more than a half day behind them."

"Should we make camp tonight?"

"We better, for the sake of the horses. Plus we get up before them."

Hoss watered and fed the horses, while Adam started the fire. The cooked supper and laid down to sleep.

About an hour later they heard the familiar sound of a gun cocking. Making them both wake immediately.

"Money," the two men said. Adam looked at his gun. "No time. You or your friend will be killed and it wouldn't change a thing."

"Hank, grab their guns," He said, "Money now."

Adam threw him his purse, so did Hoss.

The men rode away with their horses, guns, and money.

"Those two are really going to pay for this," Adam growled.

"This isn't their fault," Hoss said in defense of the twins.

"If they hadn't left home, we wouldn't have been robbed. Get some sleep. We have a long day tomorrow."

"What's the plan?"

"Hope a stage or buggy comes by and we get a ride. If not we walk our way to San Francisco."

"Great."

"Still think this isn't the twin's fault?"

"Yes," Hoss said stubbornly, but he was really mad at them right now.

The next morning Hoss and Adam grabbed what was left of their stuff and started walking towards the main road. Luckily they only had to walk five miles before a buggy pulled up.

"You boys need a ride," The man asked.

"Yes sir, we were robbed last night," Adam said extremely grateful.

"I'm sorry bout that," Ebenezer said. Thanking the heavens that he had taken those children home with him. "Where ya heading?"

"San Francisco," Adam said.

"Well, come up to the house. My wife loves to feed people and I'll see about helping you get to San Francisco."

"Thank you, sir,"

Ethel was excited yet again to have young people in her house.

"Two set of brothers in two days," she said smiling.

"Ma'm?" Hoss asked

"Oh last night, two of the sweetest boys stayed here. They were so well mannered and behaved."

"My wife is soft. I told them their Pa was gonna tan them good for being on this road."

"Sir, what were their names?" Adam said, knowing the answer.

"Jax and Joe. They never told us their last names," Ebenezer said.

Both Hoss and Adam let out an audible sound of relief.

"Do you know those two sweet boys?" Ethel asked.

"Yes and the minute I find them I am going to follow your advice, Ebenezer." Adam said. At the couple's look of confusion he added, "They're my twin sister and brother. We have been chasing them from Virginia City. They thought they were old enough to explore the world on their own."

"Jax was a little girl?" Ethel said.

"Yes um. Jax is our little sister," Hoss said.

"Gentlemen, if you promise to give them a couple of very hard swats from me, I will let you borrow two of our horses," Ebenezer said angrily. He hated it when children lied to him.

"Yes, sir I will even tell them who they came from." Adam said, "I promise I will bring your horses back as soon as possible."

"Find those precious children, before they get hurt," Ethel pleaded.

"Yes ma'm" Hoss said, "Thank you for the food."

Adam and Hoss rode off toward San Francisco feeling better that the twins were ok this morning. Adam just hoped he would have a hold of them by tonight.

Ben:

The moment Ben was in town, he headed to the constable's office. The man was no help.

"Sir, there is nothing I can do for you. Children run away every day."

"Do you have any idea where they end up?" Ben asked.

"Do you really want to know?"

"YES"

"Some the undertaker, others shanghaied, others jail that happens more when they don't have any money. The lucky ones who have money see the boats, seals, and whales. Walk around the city, buy stuff and stay in nice hotel rooms. It's dangerous no matter if they have money or not. Pick pockets, swindlers, and ruffians surround the city. Hopefully they aren't foolish enough to go into the taverns. Most of the barkeeps will chase them out with a club hitting them at least once."

Ben was pale by the time the constable finished.

"Do your children have money?" the constable asked

"Honestly, I don't know," Ben said.

"Did you have money at the house?"

"Yes."

"They probably took it. So your odds of getting them back just increased. Go to your hotel room and I will send for you if I hear anything."

That was three days ago. He had to do something so he decided to walk around the city, hoping to find things the twins might want to see.