Disclaimer: If you recognize it, I don't own it. Larry McMurtry, Rysher entertainment, and probably a lot more people I've forgotten do. I'm just borrowing them for my own entertainment and will return them when through. Gray Fox and Jesse Calder, though, are MY creations and I'd like to be told if you plan to use them. I'll probably say yes anyway.

Author's note: This is an AU story, based on the Lonesome Dove Saga by Larry McMurtry. AU means that some of the faces, features, and facts might have been altered. If there are any questions, send them through my profile and I'll try to answer them quickly.

Author's note #2: I know I've been neglecting my other stuff, and I PROMISE to work on them when I can, but this took hold and wouldn't let go.

Author's note #3: Reviews are like food and water to me. If you read, won't you please review?

Part Six

Dawn found them just outside the canyon. They'd been able to rest the horses a bit, but they knew it wasn't enough. The place was eerily quiet, only the crickets singing, and both Rangers looked at each other again. Then Call took out a white bandana and tied it around the end of his rifle and raised it to fly in the breeze. "No point in putting it off," he mentioned as he let his buckskin start to pick his cautious way forward. "Gray Wolf!"

They continued into the canyon, the white flag in clear view, watching the rim out of the corner of their eyes for any signs of ambush. Famous Shoes called out in Comanche but there was no answer.

They'd made it almost to the other end of the canyon when Comanches surrounded them, weapons raised, looking furious. Famous Shoes spoke with them for another minute and turned back to Call and Gus. "They say to get off your horses and leave your weapons here before they will take you to Gray Wolf. They are afraid you mean to trick them to be able to kill Gray Wolf."

Call shook his head. "We're not like the soldiers. We show a white flag, we mean it." He was quietly outraged over the thought, and he figured Gus was probably hopping mad by now. He knew the Comanches for the most part understood English and he didn't know enough Comanche to catch up with what they were jabbering at the tracker.

Famous Shoes shook his head. "They know who you are," he said simply. "They say they trust you no more than the soldiers. You will have to earn their trust."

Call and Gus exchanged another of those cryptic looks, and then Call got down and took off his gunbelt to drape it over the saddlehorn. His face looked like a thundercloud, but he supposed he understood their reasoning. They didn't have much call to trust any white man, and the Rangers had been harassing the Comanches for a long time. He waited until Gus had done the same and motioned for them to get on with it.

They were led to a higher spot on the cliff wall, to a cave that couldn't be seen from the ground. Famous Shoes went in first, gesturing for them to follow. He spoke rapidly to Gray Wolf and then stepped outside. He would remain close, in case he was needed, but he'd also give them privacy.

Gray Wolf looked each man up and down slowly and then motioned them to sit by the fire with him. "Why have you come?" he asked quietly.

"Your friend is in trouble," Call said simply. "The soldiers want to hang her for helping you."

"And we aim to keep that from happening," Gus chimed in quickly. "She told us what you done for her. Seems like you might want to help us with that."

Gray Fox nodded slowly, his face impassive. "Scout Calder is a rare creature," he remarked. "Of all the whites I have met, she alone has been trustworthy. She understands our ways." The young Comanche paused a moment. "How will you save her? I will not be welcome in your great village. I would be risking my own life to go there."

"Just like she put hers on the line to rescue you," Gus replied. "If you don't come back with us, the soldiers are gonna hang her, just because she helped you. That don't seem right, somehow. What'll it be, Gray Wolf? Take that risk and save her life, call it even, or just sit here and let her die? Seems like a pretty piss poor trade, to me."

Call watched the Comanche's face carefully. He didn't think the man would let Jesse die; but he wasn't completely sure.

The silence stretched out, heavy and oppressive. Finally he spoke, but the words weren't what the Rangers expected. "Why is the scout's life so important to you? Tell me this and I will think on your request."

Gus and Call glanced at each other again. Gus wasn't even sure what drove Call on this one, other than respect for the gal's spirit. Hell, he admired that himself. She'd made a life for herself even after the Comanches had taken most of her options away. It wasn't a great life, in fact it was a damn lonely one, but it was still a hell of an accomplishment. But he wasn't sure what Call's motive was for this. Sense of fair play, mostly. Woodrow Call honored his word when he gave it. He'd promised her he'd save her, and he was going to try. That was what Gus thought.

Call looked away, and then met Gray Fox's eye squarely. "Because she's my friend." That was all he said. The words were stark in their simplicity, but Gus had to look twice to see if it was Woodrow Call talking. That admission was tantamount to him calling Maggie his sweetheart. He'd never done so, even though the whole town knew he was sweet on her. But stubborn didn't even come close to describing his friend. He'd never told Maggie how he felt, he'd never claimed the son he'd fathered on her, so to hear him so baldly mention a gal as his friend took Gus completely by surprise.

Gray Fox nodded. "Go back to your horses. I will think on what you have asked and tell you my decision before the sun rises to midday."