Ok so this is a long chapter to make up for not updating in the past few days. It's filled with a lot of goodies so hopefully ya'll will like it. We get to see hope for the girls. And news on Joe. Also Adam and Hoss take out their revenge on Ross. So Please enjoy and Review, review review. I am so loving hearing everyone's reviews and sometimes they even give me some inspiration. Thank you to EVERYONE who has reviewed. I am almost to 50 reviews and I couldn't be happier. I also can report that I already have the ending to Sisters and Brothers planned out. It will have a happy ending after much much more drama and tragedy. Then I can start on the sequel which will have the main characters settling down. We have around maybe another 10- 15 chapters before it ends though. Anyway please review as usual my wonderful little friends. Lots of love Keninalily21

Kathleen awoke to the sound of rummaging. She looked up to see Lila working on some rope and a branch. She could tell from the sun that it was around lunch time. She couldn't hear any voices from outside so she assumed the men were out.

"Lila what are you doing?" Kathleen crawled out of bed and tiptoed over to Lila next to the door.

"I'm setting up a trap to get us out of here. I don't know about you, but I don't want to stay here and find out what they have planned for us." Lila tightened up a rope lifting a bucket up above the door.

"Lila let's just wait. I'm sure the guys will find us soon."

"Kathleen you are the one who always told me not to depend on anyone, but myself." Lila glared at her before going back to setting up her trap. Kathleen smiled to herself. So she has been listening to me all these years.

"You're right Lila, but I've also stressed not to act before thinking. I doubt you've thought this through. They are 5 of them and 2 of us. We wouldn't stand a chance Li." Lila rolled her eyes and never missed a beat on her work. She knew she had to do this to get them out. She knew her sister would let them do whatever to herself to save her. Lila wasn't about to let those asses lay a hand on Kathleen or go after Isabelle.

Kathleen had made her own plan. She was going to bargain with Duke. She would do whatever to get him to let Lila go and take her and run. She didn't care what happened to herself, but she wasn't about to let them touch Lila, or Isabelle. She had stayed with the Cartwright's long enough to know how they operated too. She couldn't bear to see any of them get hut because of her. It was bad enough Joe had been shot to make a point and she could only pray he was alright. Adam and Hoss were probably on their way now and 5 against 2. They didn't stand a good chance.

Kathleen leaned back against the wall getting lost in her thoughts. Where had everything gone so wrong? She had been with Duke for 2 years and never once had he shown this side of himself. How did she not know who he truly was? That he was capable of killing her family. If she had realized this 5 years ago her parents would still be alive. But then she never would have met the Cartwright's or bonded with her sisters like she had. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a crash as she turned to see Lila dropping the bucket on one of the guards head as he fell to the ground she ran out. Kathleen ran to the door screaming after Lila, but was grabbed by the guard. Lila got to the middle of the room as the men appeared. The first guy cracked his knuckles and gave a sure," I've got this boys." He ran for Lila, Lila jumped up on the table and kicked a basket of fruit in his face. He fell, but quickly shook it off. As he rose Lila grabbed a handful of tin plates and threw them on his head. With him dazed the next guy stepped forward, Lila flipped off the table and delivered a quick kick to his stomach, the guy fell to his knees gasping for air as she punched him in the nape of the neck. The first guy and the last snuck up from behind Lila and grabbed her arms.

"Not so powerful now are we little girl?" Lila flipped and double kicked them from behind causing them to land face first. She kicked both their heads. Just as she thought she had won someone grabbed her hair from behind and threw her to the ground. The others were recovering and soon joined in. For every punch the guys threw, Lila threw 4. Every time she fell Lila immediately got back up and was back in the fight. Soon the fight started to take its toll on Lila and she fell and didn't get back up. Duke had been standing back watching with a cold look on his face. He called for the guys to move and he walked over to Lila, slowly.

Lila could feel the sweat rolling off her face and back. Her side's ached from being repeatedly kicked. Her face was throbbing in time with her racing heartbeat. Lila could feel a growing wetness on the side of her face; blood was stinging her eyes as it dripped from a gash on her hairline. She knew she couldn't give up. If they wanted her or Kathleen they were going to have to kill her first. Lila looked up straining her blurry vision to focus. The air was burning her lungs as she took in a deep, shaky breath. Duke was standing above her with a grim, cold, hate filled stare.

"You honestly think you can win, don't you? Well I hate to inform you jackass but you're done for. You can keep me and my sister here for as long as you wish, but we will keep fighting you bastards. And then Adam and Hoss will find you. Oh you'll be sorry then and I'll be sure they put a bullet straight through your forehead." Lila smiled through her cracked lips and even went so far to spit in his face. Kathleen couldn't believe her little sister, but deep down she couldn't be prouder. The smile from her face quickly dissipated when she saw Duke pull a gun on Lila. Kathleen panicked. No she was not going to lose her. She tore herself from the man's arms and ran between Duke and Lila. The gun was now digging into her stomach as Kathleen looked up trying to find the old Duke in his eyes. His warm forest green eyes were all but black. He looked like a stranger.

"Duke please don't hurt her. She's just a child Duke I'm begging you please just let her go. "Kathleen began speaking with her hands pointing to herself and back to him as she tried to convince this lost soul to take her instead. "I'm the one you want Duke, it's always been us, and it can be that way again. I sweat I'll do whatever you want; be whatever you want. We can get married and have a family everything we dreamed of and planned all those years ago."

"Kathleen you can't. Don't give the ass the satisfaction of winning. He's a bitch."

"Lila just shut your mouth." Kathleen never lost eye contact with Duke. Those lost cold eyes that seemed to radiate this dark, hungry energy. Duke was the first to break eye contact as he lowered his eyes, letting them travel up Kathleen's body as he reached out to grab her. He pulled her to him. She found herself inches away from his face.

"If you swear to keep your promise I will let her leave."

"I swear Duke, just let her go." Kathleen was begging by now.

"Also you have to kiss me, and not one of those little kisses. A real passion filled kisses like we use to sneak into the barn to do." Duke smiled again. He knew he had her right where he wanted her. Kathleen gulped as she looked at his lips. She hadn't been with him in years. She use to think of those kisses and being with him all the time, but when Adam showed up and they shared a kiss everything had changed. Now she couldn't think of kissing anyone else. Besides Adam's lips looked much better.

Kathleen looked back to Lila who was begging her not to. One of the smaller guys who she had heard being called Josh grabbed Lila and pulled her back against the wall. Kathleen turned to Duke and leaned against his lips. They were cold and rough. She quickly discovered he had chew in his mouth and every time she went to kiss him deeper some of the juice and chew got into her mouth. She willed herself to not gag as she felt his tongue enter her mouth and go to work. This was torture. It seemed to last forever, but he soon pulled away smiling like a hyena.

"Just like old times love. Alright boys release the girl and take her down the mountain."

"No wait I have to say goodbye and give her some supplies she won't survive without them."

"You have 5 minutes darlin'" Lila was in tears. Why had she done this? Didn't she realize he would never let her go? That she would never see them again? Kathleen the woman who had sacrificed everything for her sisters was making the ultimate sacrifice.

"I'm so sorry Kathleen. For everything I've ever said or done to you please don't do this."

Lila hugged Kathleen tighter letting the tears fall. Kathleen pulled away and held Lila's head in her hands wiping away the tears. She remembered the day Lila was born how small she was, and now before her was the amazing young lady she had become.

"Lila you have to stay strong for me alright? Head back to the Ponderosa and stay with the Cartwright's. They will take care of you. Be kind to them and Isabelle and tell her how much I love you both. You have to take care of each other now okay? Promise me you will?"

Lila barely managed to choke out an," I promise."

"I love you so much Lila. You are a beautiful, strong young woman. I couldn't be prouder to call you my sister." Kathleen kissed the top of her head before wrapping her in a tight hug. She slipped something into her dress before they were interrupted by Duke and Josh.

"Times up ladies. Josh take her down the mountain and make sure she doesn't come back. Here is a bag with some basic supplies. So long. Don't worry I'll take good care of your sister." Duke tossed her a green bag as Josh grabbed her arm and shoved her out the door. Lila turned around to share one last glimpse of her sister. "Bye sis."

Adam and Hoss rode up to the Guildstone ranch with revenge in mind. Ross and Baxter had to have the girls hidden out here somewhere. The hands were giving strange stares and whispers as they went on about their business. Adam and Hoss knew they didn't have much time to search.

"How about instead of turning the place upside we go straight to the source Ross Stone his self. "

Hoss smiled at his brother as he got of his horse." I like the way you think."

Hoss saw a worker nearby; he went up to the guy, no older than 16, and grabbed him by his shirt and lifted him up into the air and shoved him against the barn door.

"Please don't hurt me. I don't have any money and I don't know where Mr. Stone hides his money."

Adam stood behind Hoss flexing his hand, "We don't want any money kid. All we want to know is where we can find Ross."

"Tell us and we let ya go just like that."

"I don't know…" Hoss lifted him higher as the boy began kicking his feet and screeching.

"All right! He's over by the stables."

Hoss dropped him with a satisfied smile as he and Adam headed for the stables.

Ross was inside brushing his horse talking to his self about last night. His eye was bruised and his lip swollen and cracked. He turned to see Adam and Hoss approaching him. Ross backed away hands up," Now guys ya'll have no business here. I barely even landed a punch on Joe. And what I did do he deserved by starting the fight."

"We aren't here about that."

"We here cause Kathleen and Lila are missing. Someone shot Joe last night and took the girls." Ross was cornered. He looked around the room for a way to escape something he could use to get away.

"I swear I had nothing to do with that. Ask anyone I came straight home. I didn't shoot Joe or touch the girls. Besides why would I have to kidnap Lila she would have come willingly?"

As soon as the words had left his lips Adam had punched Ross in the stomach.
"Tell us where you have the girls NOW!"

"I've already told you I don't have the girls." Adam hit Ross again and repeated the question. This went on for about 10 minutes. After Ross couldn't stand own his own Adam set him up against the wall and just let go. He took out all his anger on Ross. He let go of his fear for Joe. He released his guilt and hurt about leaving the girls behind. As Hoss realized what Adam was doing he moved Ross out of the way and grabbed Adam by the shoulders and shook him.

"Adam hold up there brother. This ain't you." Adam fell to his knees as Ben, Isabelle, and Baxter walked in.

"Adam, Hoss what are you doing here?" Hoss and Adam looked up with wide eyes. Baxter and Isabelle ran to Ross's side to examine him. He set himself up and spoke," They thought I took Lila."

"I assure you Ben he did no such thing. Now I am sorry your girls are missing, but you can ask Doc Martin we went straight there after the ball and then home."

Ben shook his head at Adam and Hoss who were at a loss for words. "I believe you Baxter. I didn't believe their accusations to begin with. They were supposed to be up at the sight checking for tracks."

"We did Pa. I found the tracks. Whoever shot Little Joe stayed there and waited for Kathleen and Lila to show up."

Ben lowered his head as he processed the new information. This was more complicated than he thought." I'm sorry to have bothered you Baxter, Ross I'm sorry for what my boys have done to you."

"Don't worry about it Ben, just make sure Lila gets home safe."

Ben nodded, as he walked out with his sons Baxter yelled from behind," I hope Joe is alright Ben and I hope you find the ladies."

Ben arrived home around 6 pm. Hoss and Adam took the horses to the stables where they were relieved by some of the hands. Isabelle could feel the tension and ache around her as she thought of ways to lighten the mood. As soon as everyone was inside the silence took hold.

"Isabelle would you go upstairs and check on Joseph?"

Isabelle was happy to be able to leave the room and headed up the stairs. It was now just Ben and his sons. He knew he needed to scold them on their disobedience, but he understood why they had done so.

"Adam, Hoss I-"

"BEN, ADAM, HOSS!" Before Ben could even finish his sentence, Isabelle was running to the top of the stairs yelling for them.

"He's awake. Joe's awake and he's asking for you."

She didn't even need to finish her sentence as she was followed by the Cartwrights.

They entered Joe's room to find him sitting up smiling. He was holding his side as Hop Sing was trying to rewrap his chest.

"Hi Pa. Did ya'll miss me much?"

Everyone left out a relived sigh as Isabelle let a few tears slip. Hoss grabbed her shoulder and pulled her to his side.

Ben sat down by his side and took his hand." We are so glad to have you back son."

"Joe I'm sorry to rush you, but do you remember who shot you?"

Joe closed his eyes to concentrate as last night flashed before his eyes. He opened his eyes with a gasp as everyone in the room tensed up," Duke Williams, Kathleen's fiancé."

"Duke? She told me he was dead. How could he have shot you?"

"Duke's back?" Isabelle barely whispered his name as she looked like she was about to cry.

"Isabelle you are the only one who knew him, what can you tell us about him?"

Isabelle scooted closer to Hoss as she bit at her lip," Well I was young when he was around, but I remember he was really mean to me and Lila. He never acted that way when Kathleen was around, but when it was just us he would talk to himself and say horrible things about what he would like to do with us. Kathleen never believed us when I told her so I just stopped trying."

"Adam where are Kathleen and Lila?" Joe asked hesitatingly. He feared the worst and when Adam only stared at him with hurt eyes he knew it was true. Duke had them.

"Pa what are we going to do? We have to find them. If he would shoot me and he doesn't even know me what would he do to them?"

"I don't know son. We'll contact the sheriff tomorrow and get a search party together. It's all we can do."

Lila is free and Joe is awake. Yippee for some happiness finally. Also Joe remembers who shot him so Adam and Hoss can finally go after the right guy. If they can find them. Lila needs to hurry and find her way so she can lead them to Kathleen. But now Kathleen is all alone with Duke and she has promised to marry him and start a family?! (GAG)