A week later on the prairie with a small brook running nearby where Springs Dawn watched Kimberly (now dressed like she had been in the 1700s) and Logan sat on their knees in front of each other eyes closed. Slowly they opened their eyes. Shifting to their feet, they raised their hands in stances.
After they sized each other up for a couple seconds before she threw a kick to his head. Ducking under it, he threw a punch that she deflected along with the follow up before ducking under the third blow. Coming straight, she threw an upper cut that he deflected and spinning around she threw another strike that he blocked. Then the next thing he knew she forced him down to one knee his shoulder locked out.
"Tap out," she goaded a look of triumph on her face.
"You think it's going to be that easy?" and the next thing she knew the roles were reversed.
With one hand on the ground, she kicked out at his knee. Releasing his hold on her, he jumped back as she rolled forward onto her feet. Going at her, he ducked under a fast spin kick before flipping back as she dropped down the sweep his legs out from under him.
Back on his feet, he threw a spin kick that he threw that she ducked under then side flipped out of reach of his sweep. Back on her feet, she threw a hard roundhouse to his head that he blocked with both hands before countering with his own. After blocking it, she spun on her heel throwing a kick that he handsprung away.
Back on his feet, he threw himself at her spinning throwing a kick that she dropped into a split. Turning to face her, he watched as she regained her feet and dart at him and up his bent leg kicking him in the back of the head as she jumped over him. Rolling back onto his feet and facing her again, throwing a kick that she ducked under then caught his follow up then tapped him in his face with a backhand. Leaping up he swung his other leg up high toward her head, which she ducked under it. Landing on his back, he gave her a sound kick toward her face causing her to release her hold.
Curling up he leapt to his feet and turning was in time to see her leap at him. Stepping back, he avoided one kick then was hit across the face by a second. Stunned by the blow he stepped back and she pushed forward. Grabbing his arm as he threw a punch and flipping around him forced him down to one knee and locked out his arm again.
Finally rolling his shoulder he spun around knocked her back with a sweep of his arm. Flipping back, she came down into a split hands on guard. Rolling back onto her feet, she drew out a whip chain and held it fully extended in both hands.
Stepping forward she sent it spinning through the air on either side of herself. After wrapping it around her neck once, she whipped it at him, and he hand sprung backward to avoid being struck then flipped to the side as she whipped to toward his feet. As he landed, she spun around toward him sending the weapon at him again. Which he caught in his hands.
For a few seconds they looked at each other before they grinned. "Great workout today, Trini taught you well," he complemented and released the whip chain and she neatly folded it.
"thanks gymnastics certainly helped, and this is a good way for us to stay on our game for the nationals," she said, as she slipped into a pouch at her waist then glanced at Springs Dawn before continuing in a low voice so not to be over heard. "And on that notion thanks on introducing me to Robert E for it, hey…do you think he could be…?"
"It was a pleasure, and we'll have to ask Zack when we get back," Logan said, and turned to Springs Dawn, as they got close.
After eyeing Logan, she turned to Kimberly. "You were right to suggest your name Dancing Heron…I just wish that you and White Fighting Falcon could teach the people what you know."
Lowering his gaze Logan said nothing as he bent to pick up his quiver and rig. "I'm sorry Springs Dawn but we can't…for the same reasons that some members of the people can't teach what they know," Kimberly explained for them. After a second Springs Dawn nodded in understanding before moving off.
Glancing over to watch her return to the horses Logan saw her pause. Then slowly turned to lock eyes with him before continuing. "She likes you," Kimberly muttered, as they walked to the brook.
"I noticed," Logan muttered, back as they dropped to one knee and cupped water into their hands.
"Do I have to remind you that Ashley is waiting for you back home?" she asked, and Logan paused after they took a drink.
Slowly he looked at her. "I haven't done anything Kimberly…I'm not that kind of a guy," he defended face hard at the accusation.
For a few seconds she was still before slowly nodding. "You're right…you haven't done anything…you aren't that kind of a guy. But I think the only reason you haven't broken the news to her that you're involved with someone…is that a part of you does feel the same about her," and unable to think of anything to say he lowered his gaze. "You're treading on dangerous ground Logan…," and he raised her gaze to her's. "I'm not going to tell you what you should or shouldn't do…all I'm going to say is…be the person I love and respect."
For a few seconds Logan held her gaze. "Come on," and he gave a whistle as they stood straight and Wildfire came over with Kimberly's horse. "We gotta meet Sully to get to the reservation," and both hopping onto their horses rode out following the brook.
When they met up with Sully at a bend in the river and slipping from their horses let them go to graze. At the sound of horses coming they turned and watched Black Kettle come toward them through the reeds on the other bank with a small band of braves in horses in a single file line behind him. "You know what I find kind of funny," Kimberly muttered, next to Logan as Springs Dawn approached her father.
He looked at her frowning. "What?"
Slowly she looked at him. "That in the two times I was thrown to the past I find more acceptance and peace with people that history deemed savages."
At that, he chuckled. "Ironic isn't it?"
Before another word could be spoken between them, the sound of gunfire reverberated through the air and three things happened in rapid succession. Jerking in the direction of it Logan's face went pale as Black Kettle sharply turning his horse around shouting and the braves turned back toward the river. Sully jerked straight from his crouched position at the brook. "Army rifles!" he snapped.
"It's coming from the village!" Logan barked as Black Kettle rode close. "We're coming with you!" he offered looking up at him.
Looking down at them, he shook his head. "'No you three should not be involved in case it goes bad…I would not have harm to any of you, Springs Dawn you stay hidden,'" and with that he urged his horse across the river and disappeared from sight.
After eyeing the spot where he had disappeared from sight for a couple seconds Sully called Wolf back as the animal darted across the river and he turned to leave. Kimberly turned to Logan. "Who would attack the village?" she muttered, worry, and fear for the people lacing her voice.
His jaw setting as his face hardened Logan answered in a deep growl, "Custer!"
By the time they had gotten back to town, they were in time to see Custer parade into town some of his men wounded. Then Kimberly gasped, "Cloud Dancing!" As they watched him, being pulled along by his bound hands and a large gash on the side of his head seeped blood down one-half of his face.
"Well at least he's alive…," Logan muttered, watching the precision ride up to Jake's and both wounded was brought inside. "Come on lets go see how bad he is," he said, as a crowd began to gather outside and Michaela moved forward with her bag leaving Brian and Mathew at the wagon outside the store.
Moving forward the small group met up with her and pushed their way to the front of the crowd. In time to see Custer sitting in Jake's barber chair with a man, they knew as Blue Eagle before him. They watched as he turned the man's head with his boot and eyed him as he drew the boot across his face with a mad gleam that sent a shiver down Logan's spine.
As Dr. Mike entered the room, he looked up. "I'm sorry, but you'll have to leave. This not a place for women," he said, catching sight of Michaela.
Looking at him, she straightened. "I'm Dr. Quinn; I'm a surgeon," she proclaimed.
As he his eyes narrowed Logan saw a glint of recognition in them. "Quinn, is it?" and nodding he sat back in the chair. "Chivington told me about you," he muttered, he eyed Logan and Sully and Logan his another shiver down his spin at the coldness in the man's eyes.
"I'm sure he did."
Slowly his eyes returned to her. "I'm General Custer. Mr. Slicker, would you like some assistance?" and both Logan's and Kimberly's eyes darted to Jake. And they saw Cloud Dancing sitting his hands still bound on a stack of wood by the iron furnace.
"As long as she don't get in the way," he muttered, in a hard voice.
"More like show him up," Logan muttered, and Kimberly nodded as Mike moved forward with a wave of Custer's hand.
At the sound of parting feet behind them both turned and watch, Custer's Sargent lead Robert E. into the shop. "The blacksmith is here, sir," he said.
Leaning forward Custer immediately began. "I need two sets of irons, uh, ten feet of chain, key locks if you have them. How soon can you have that ready?"
Eyes shifting to him Logan watched Robert E.'s hard face. "Sorry, I can't help you, General," he said, then turned to leave.
"Can't or won't?"
Slowly Robert E. turned back to the man. "I ain't very good at making chains. They always seem to break. You, uh, best look for another blacksmith."
"Is there another blacksmith in town?"
"Don't believe so."
For a few seconds Custer eyed him before glancing at the Sargent. "Corporal Hill knows how to work iron. Doesn't he Sargent?"
"Yes, sir," the man said, and he stepped aside for Robert E. who turned and left. As he did, he met Logan's, Kimberly's, and Sully's eye who gave him a discreet nod of thanks.
"I'll need someone to help me take this man, that man and this man to my clinic down the street," Mike instructed as they turned back to her. "I'll see to them later. They'll need water and try to make them comfortable," she finished before bending down to examine Blue Eagle.
"What the hell are you doing?" Custer snapped jerking forward in his seat to seize her arm stopping her.
"This man's been seriously wounded," she explained trying to pull her arm out of his grasp.
With quick jerks, he shook his head. "You will take care of my men first!" he snapped. "Sargent, lock these Indians up in the liveries!" and at once men moved forward pushing her aside to carry out his orders
"No, no please, you can't, I…" she protested as the men carried Blue Eagle way and the shoulders halted the three at the door as they tried to intervene. "He'll die if I don't do something immediately!"
As she finished Custer leapt from his seat drawing his pistol and pointed it at Cloud Dancing. "You will take care of my men first! Or this one will die now!" and he cocked the weapon. "Now…now…now…," and the group froze at the hungry glint in his eye.
"There's no need for the Lieutenant Colonel," and Custer's eyes shifted to Logan. "She'll take care of your men," he shifted his eyes shifted to her's.
For a second she held it before looking back at Custer and nodding. He hesitated for a second before jerking his gun and she moved forward. As he decocked it and holstered it Logan gave a light sigh in relief and the three of them turned to go. "You there!" he paused not looking back. "My Rank…is General."
Slowly Logan turned back to him. "I'll acknowledge you by that rank…when congress officially grants it to you… Lieutenant Colonel," and he walked away.
When he rejoined the other across the street at Grace's Café, he leaned heavily on a table breathing hard. "You were right," he looked up at Sully. "That man is insane."
For a second Logan held his gaze before shaking his head. "No…I was wrong he's not just insane…," and straightening he looked back at Jake's as Custer watched his men taken to the clinic.
"He's a sadist," Kimberly finished in shocked horror.
The next day Logan leaned against the railing of the bridge looking out at the people coming out. "You ought to take Cloud Dancing to the fort. Suppose them Dog Soldier decide to attack," he heard Horace say to Jake as they walked outside.
"Them Dog Soldier are nothing but a bunch of cowardly renegades. They haven't got the guts to attack a whole town," Jake defended with a jerk of his hand.
Famous last words, Logan thought as Kimberly came out behind them eyeing the soldiers moving about some mingling with the people. Trying to strike up conversations with some of the women to listen in or find out more. Only to have their husbands pulled them away from her.
Shaking his head at that he watch Olive come out calling to Jake. Only to have the Reverend gently pull her aside. At that, Logan arched an eyebrow trying to remember the last time he had done that since he's known him. "Perhaps now's not the best time to be opening your dance hall," he said, turning to look at her and Logan's eyebrows arched.
"A hurdy-gurdy. There's a big difference," Olive corrected as Logan's mind raced.
"We, that may be, but considering the soldiers…," and the Reverend waved his hand around the area and Logan's eyes fell on Custer as he came out.
"Oh, my girls will always dance a Bible-with apart."
"Now speaking of which," and the Reverend rested his hand on his. "There are some people who say there should not be dancing so close to the church."
For a second Olive was silent before she said, "Well, I only care what the Good Book has to say, Reverend. And I'm really partial to that passage from Ecclesiastes that goes," and she thought for a second. "'To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven, a time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance," and with that she turned from and walked away. Leaving him speechless.
Turning his eyes back to Horace and Jake as the former said, pointing, "Custer, Logan was right he ain't a real General. Just calls himself one," as they watched the man interact with the people.
"What's the difference?" Jake asked, and turned from Horace. "As long as he's doing the fighting for us, I don't care what he calls himself…"
"Horace," Olive interrupted walking over. "Are you gonna play in my band?"
"Yes, ma'am," he said, smiling as he nodded down at her. "Going home to practice right now," with that he strolled off a slight spring in his step.
"What about you Jake?" she asked, turning to him.
After rolling his hat in his hand, he glanced at her. "Somebody's got to look after those soldiers," he finally said.
"I need you, Jake," she said, frowning.
At her words, he chuckled. "Why did you announce in church you're looking for a banjo player?" snarky.
Logan gapped. You gotta be kidding me.
"You don't play the banjo," Olive protested.
"A banjo would drown out my concertina," Jake pointed out in the same stuck up snarky tone.
At once Logan's face fell into his hand. I'm starting to think guy came up with the phrase 'look out for number one.'
"I need you more than some old banjo player, Jake," Olive said, sweetly and Logan peeked at her through his fingers.
For a second there was silence before he gave her his signature grin. "I'll see you at rehearsal," and walked away.
Smart move Olive, play to his ego.
It's not hard when it's as big as his, Red Dragon commented as Kimberly came over.
"Did you learn anything?" he asked, when she got close, and they started back through town.
"Well the Hurdy-Gurdy is confirmed…much to the dismay of some of the town folk," she muttered, as they stopped at Grace's Café and sat down.
"Yeah that's what I heard," and she eyed him. "What? Not everybody goes to church," he shrugged.
"Well I kind of wish the men here would stop treating me like I have the plague," she muttered, glancing around as people sat at other tables.
"You're a paradox to them Kimberly," and she glanced back at them. "How often do you think they've met a strong independent woman? Especially one that dresses like a man," and he waved his hand at her buckskin pants and moccasins.
For a second she held his gaze before she shrugged. "I guess you have a point," then turned to watch Custer walk into the clinic. "Though I still can't believe that for so long history praised him to be a hero," she said, in a whisper so only he could hear.
"It's because for many years history was written by white people," he replied in the same undertone and she looked back at him. "Do you honestly think they would cast anyone like him in a shadow? Even though they've earned the title walking dancing devils," and she paused at his words looking at him.
Realizing his error, he tried to act like nothing was wrong. "Did your dad tell you about that other trip to the past?" she asked, eyes narrowed.
He shrugged. "You thought he wouldn't?" and that line just stuck with me."
For a second she kept looking at him speculatively before shrugging. "What did he tell you?" she asked, as Grace came over and took their orders.
"That you Delaware name was Dancing Heron," he said, when they were alone again arching his eyebrows.
At that, she chuckled. "What? I liked it," she defended then grew serious. "Now back to the matter at hand…"
Over the next hour, they talked in hushed tone about what should be done for Cloud Dancing. The clamor of the after Church crowd helped to cover their conversations from prying ears. Pausing as Grace came over to take their dishes away. Then Logan frowned looking over Kimberly's shoulder.
Turning in her seat to follow his gaze. And gapped at the sight of Black Kettle riding toward the town at the head of a small group of Cheyenne riders bearing a white flag. Sully at his side with Wolf running o keep up.
Climbing to their feet they looked over at the clinic as the Sargent rushed in as they walked out to meet the Cheyenne in front of the clinic. Two lines of soldiers met them on the porch of the clinic as Sully slipped from his horse to stand next to them. And like a mad wild boar flailing its tusks Custer walked out of the clinic with Mike following close behind.
"Sir, you are wasting your time," Custer growled.
"Chief Black Kettle has come to try to keep the peace," Sully said, as Mike moved off to the side between the two groups. "You insist him if you don't sit down and talk."
"I won't sit down and talk," Custer pronounced without hesitation. "Not as long as his men continue to kill settlers."
"He's told you, the ones that kill are renegades. He doesn't have any control over them," Sully said, stepping forward.
"Lieutenant Colonel," and Custer's eyes shifted to Logan. "Isn't it in the best interest of both sides to find a way to live together in peace? All the tribes want is to live free in the lands and way of their grandfathers."
For a second Custer was silent then looking back at Black kettle continued as if Logan hadn't spoken at all. "He's lying!" he snapped at Sully. "I should arrest him right now. Sargent!" at once leather sung and metal clicked as weapons from both sides was leveled. Eyes darting from one to another Logan, Kimberly, and Sully reached for their weapons.
"'NO!'"
At once all eyes turned to Black Kettle who sat on his horse his hand raised in the air. Eyeing their leader the Cheyenne relaxed a hairs breath. Slowly Black Kettle turned back to face Custer. After a few seconds he said, a few words to him.
Frowning Custer turned to the three on the ground. "What did he say?"
"He said, that if Cloud Dancing isn't return but nightfall, you'll have more trouble than you can handle," Kimberly answered using her new language skills.
Eyes turning to Black Kettle like he was a bug he wished to squash Custer growled, "The Indian will remain my prisoner until he tells me where the Dog Soldiers are hiding."
For a few seconds Black Kettle was silent before he said a few more words and at his signal, the Cheyenne turned and left. "He said, you're too young and foolish to live to be a wise old man," Sully said, answering the unasked, question as Custer turned to them.
For a second three of them returned his hard gaze as Mike moved close to them. "They'll kill you. You know they will," she muttered, and they glanced at her. "Please…," she begged.
After they shot Custer, one last look they turned and walked away Dr. Mike following. Watching him go Logan focused to listen in. "General Custer, I want to see Cloud Dancing,' she said, coming beside him.
"Mr. Slicker will tend to him from now on. I prefer you your time with my soldiers," he answered as they walked down the street.
"What I do with my time is my business."
"And what I do with the Indian is mine!" he snapped facing her. "If Cloud Dancing doesn't give me the information I want in two days' time, I'll execute him," he finished jabbing a finger at her then walked away leaving her rooted speechless to the spot.
Oh no… Logan thought in horror then turned and joined Kimberly near the bridge. "We have two days," he muttered, to her.
"What will happen in two days?" she demanded.
"Custer will kill him," and the color drained from Kimberly's face.
After persuading Sully to camp near town they as the sun was setting and they were eating dinner at the Café when and commotion drew their attention. As more soldiers ran for the livery, they leapt to their feet and darted forward. "What's happening?' they demanded when they got close and several soldiers intercepted them and held them back.
"Stay back half breeds," one soldier snapped shoving them back.
Ignoring him Logan scanned the scene his nerves laced with worry for Cloud Dancing. He was about to use his senses again when he spotted Jake being led over to the livery by a soldier.
"Jake what happened?" he demanded moving forward and the soldier shoved him back again.
"Your Injin friend tried to escape," he said, wickedly.
"What do we do?" Kimberly muttered.
"We wait?" and they looked at Sully. "Jake may call for Dr. Mike. And if he does we can get in."
Later that night as predicted from the shadows, they watched Michaela ride into town. As she stopped her horse at Robert E.'s smith, they approached from the shadows. "Tell the guards you want us to translate," Sully muttered, to her as he helped her with her bag.
"But he speaks English," she returned as they moved toward the livery.
"They don't know that," Logan pointed out.
"You three can't go in there," the guards said, stopping them.
After glancing at them, Mike faced the soldiers. "I don't speak Cheyenne. Now unless one of you is able to translate for me," she said, as they slipped their weapons off and dripped them to the ground. Where Wolf moved protectively over them as they walked past the guards.
Pausing at the door Logan glanced back. "I best let the general know," one said, then moved off as the as the other reached for their rigs. Then reeled back with a jerk as Wolf letting loose a snarling bark snapped his jaws close a hair's breadth from his fingers.
"Good boy," Logan muttered, and then entered. "We don't have much time," he muttered to his friends as they moved toward the stall where a guard stood. And looking in Logan froze in horror.
Sitting chained to the wall like a dog by a thick metal collar and an equally thick chain. Was Cloud Dancing. Fresh bruises covered most of his upper torso as his head hung limply over his chest.
Eyes shifting from the scene Logan looked up at Jake as he stepped closer. "I did what I could," he said. I thought you ought to take a look,' and he waved his hand at Cloud Dancing.
As the others, moved forward Logan locked eyes with Jake for a brief second before following suit. "I'll need some water," Mike instructed looking at the guard who moved to retrieve a barrel. 'how did this happen?" she demanded when he drew close with it.
"Ran into a rifle butt, I reckon."
After shooting the man, a glare Logan looked back at Cloud Dancing. More like it was swung at him like a baseball bat he thought as he eyed bruising of a distinct shape of a rifle butt.
Mike after examining some herself cupped some water in her hands and brought close for Cloud Dancing to drink. "His shoulder's dislocated," she muttered, revealing the out of place joint from under his long hair. "I'm going to have to put it back in place," and she looked at Logan, Kimberly, and Sully. "I'll need your help to help me steady him," and they moved forward. "Hold him here and here," and the three moved to do as she said, along with Jake.
Then taking the injured arm gently in her hands, she lifted it. After giving them all one last look, she gave it a quick jerk popping it back in place. At once Cloud Dancing head shot up as he gave a barely audible grunt of pain then a groan as they felt him relax again. As she examined the shoulder, again Logan's eye's shifted as the door to the livery opened.
"I'll need to take this off," she said, fingering the pad lock keeping the collar in place. "I need a bandage. He's nicked."
"Get those three out of here—now!" at the angry command they turned and glared at Custer as more men filed in behind him.
As they moved forward to grab them Logan, Kimberly, and Logan leapt up to defend themselves. Then paused as Cloud Dancing began to speak.
Turning to look at him everyone listened until he fell silent. "What did he say?" Custer demanded.
Looking at him Sully spat. "He wants to know why you kill women and children."
Standing straight with a smug look on his face Custer stated, "The Indians ambushed my company."
A livid expression Logan growled, "So you're a liar as well a coward!" and they jerked at him then froze when pistols where leveled at their heads.
"If these three comes within a hundred yards of here, shoot them on sight!" Custer barked jabbing finger at them. "And then kill the prisoner," and jabbed a finger at Cloud Dancing as they glared at him. "Now get them out of here!"
"How dare you do this to another human being?" Michaela barked as they were being pushed out.
"It's just an Indian, ma'am."
"This man saved my life!"
"Well, now you've saved his," and just before he was pushed out Logan glanced back as Custer pulled out a gold pocket watch and after examining it snapped it closed. "You have ten minutes to complete your examination, of my prisoner, Miss Quinn."
Outside Logan received a solid smack from the man's rifle sending him off his feet. Rolling across the ground onto all four, he eyed a deep scowl on his face the men as they laughed at him then moved away. "That could have gone better," Kimberly muttered, coming close as he stood straight. "What now?"
The next day Logan and Kimberly walked into the store where they found Brian playing random notes on a harmonica. After shooting each other a grin, they crossed to where a few instruments were on display. "Mr. Bray?" they heard Brian ask Loren. "This one nickel-plated?"
"They're all nickel-plated," and glancing over saw Loren lean against the counter. "Which one do you want to buy?"
Raising the harmonica to his lips, he played a few more notes. "Not this one. Don't sound right," and Logan grinned.
"What are you talking about?" Loren questioned as he took the harmonica from the boy.
"It's got some sour notes in it," Brian explained facing him.
"Sour notes…," Loren exasperated as he whipped the mouthpiece then cupping it in both hands played acceding notes. Then after he sent Brian a grin before raising it to his mouth again. And to Logan surprise smoothly began to play 'Beautiful Dreamer' and a sorrowful look passed over his face. "Nothing wrong with that," he said, quietly.
"You sure play good, Mr. Bray," Brian praised. "Would you teach me?"
"I never knew he could play at all," Logan muttered, and Kimberly glanced at him.
"Ah, I don't play no more," Loren said, a little uncomfortable. "Now do you want to buy it or not?"
At once Brian's face fell. "I ain't got no money."
"You can work it off…" and Logan glanced at Olive as she got up from the work on the desk she had turned from to watch. "Doing chores for me," and taking the harmonica handed it to the ecstatic boy.
"Thanks Miss Olive," he said delighted and playing random notes the whole way all but skipped out of the store.
As the boy left, Olive turned to Loren. "Sure could use you in the hurdy-gurdy band, Loren."
"Ah, I told you, Olive," he snapped. "I don't play no more," and with that he turned and walked out the back door. Taking out a silver hip flask from his back pocket as he went.
Slowly Kimberly turned to Logan. "What wrong with him?" she asked, nodding toward where Loren had disappeared.
Sighing Logan looked at her. "His wife…Maude…died of a heart attack a few months ago," he explained and her mouth opened in surprise. After shooting the spot where Loren had disappeared, another glance Logan turned to Olive. "Olive are those in tune?" he asked, gesturing to the instruments on display.
After frowning at him, she glanced over. "They should be, why?"
In answer, Logan Kimberly turned and she took down a guitar while he took down a fiddle. After Kimberly sat on a stool and Logan stood next to her, they played a few notes. Soon enough they were dueling their instruments. The bow of the violin flying up and down the strings of its partner while Kimberly alternated from her fingers plucking or drawing across the strings. Or patting the main body main body making a small drumming sound. When they were done with a quickly flurry of Logan's violin they turned to Olive. "No particular reason," he shrugged as she gaped at them.
As they left with their new positions in the band Kimberly glanced at him as they walked down the street. "Now we have an excuse to be in town," she commented in an undertone and he nodded. For a few seconds she was silent before she continued, "I spent a good portion of last night thinking about what should be done about Cloud Dancing…and I think we need to bring Dr. Mike in on this."
Pausing he looked at her. "Why?"
After glancing around to make sure they were not, being spied on she continued, "because of the guard stationed inside the livery…and personally I'd rather that be prevented for as long as possible."
For a few seconds Logan was still before a smile grew on his face. "Great minds think alike," she blinked. "I was thinking the same thing," and they continued. "But I think we might need Robert E's help as well…in getting that dame collar off him," and he glanced toward the smithy and the livery. "But for right now let's go see your grandmother."
As they expected they found her at the Clinic. Following her voice to the second floor, they found talk to the Reverend. "We have to talk about Cloud Dancing," at her words the Reverend started to move off. "He was severely beaten last night!" she snapped taking his arm to stop him.
"Yeah, I heard he tried to escape," The Reverend said.
"That's a lie!"
"Were you there?"
"We were," at once both the Reverend and Mike turned to face them. "That is if you would take our word for it?" Logan continued as they stepped forward. "After to most we're nothing more than…," and he paused pretending to think. "What was it that soldier called us last night?" and he turned to Kimberly.
"Half breed," she answered.
For a second there was silence and Mike turned back to the Reverend. "Please, talk to General Custer. It's not right to allow him to be treated this way, especially not after what he did to help us during the epidemic."
Frowning Kimberly leaned close to Logan. "'Epidemic?"' she asked, in a whisper.
"Influenza," and she nodded.
"This is a civil problem, it is not a spiritual one," the Reverend quietly and Logan sighed shaking his head. "I'm, if you want…," and the Reverend lowered his gaze to his bible. "If you want to do anything, you would have to petition his superiors in Washington."
"Would you sign the petition?" Mike demanded.
"Well, for what good it would do," the Reverend, answered shrugging.
"Well if enough of us protest, we might get him released," and again Logan and Kimberly shared a glance.
"By the time it's sent and we receive an answer it would be too late to help him. Not that the railroad would allow it," Kimberly muttered, and Logan nodded.
"I will sign your petition, but it is not going to change anything," the Reverend stated flatly. "Now, I'm sorry, General Custer is still the law in this territory and we ultimately have to answer to him," and with that he moved down the hall. "I'm sorry. Like i said before...The Church is Neutral on this."
"Forgive me Reverend…" and he turned back to Michaela. "But I thought you answered to a higher authority…" and she turned and walked the other way and down the stairs.
After watching her go, Logan and Kimberly turned back to the reverend. "You know, we know why Custer does what he does…and now we know why you won't do anything for a man who helped save this town," Logan said, and the Reverend faced him his face setting.
"And the reason…," Kimberly started then gestured to his bible. "Is in your hand…," then gestured to his reverend collar. "…and around your neck," then they turned and left where he was as his hands slowly rose to rub his collar.
The pair descended the stairs after Mike, Kimberly slowly stopped halfway down. After a few more steps Logan paused realizing she had stopped and turned back to look at her. As she stood eyes, closed face down cast. "What's wrong?" he asked, frowning in concern.
Not answering she turned and leaned her back against the wall turning her still closed eyes toward the ceiling. "It's not fair…it's just not fair…," she muttered, a tear running down her cheek.
Not needing to ask what she meant Logan ascended the stairs until he was next to her. "No…no its not," and like her his mind trailed back to when they had returned to the reservation looking for survivors. And found the mutilated bodies of women and children the soldiers had left where they had dropped. Most shot in the back when they had tried to run.
Slowly he opened her eyes as they were turned toward the ceiling. "These people…these noble people found you on the prairie…took you in…took us in…they didn't ask questions…or hesitate…and now…" slowly she looked at him. "…we can't do anything to stop what's going to happen to them," Logan held her gaze before turning away unable to think of anything to say. "I've only been here a few short weeks…and I can hardly bear it…but you…you've been here for months…," and he looked at her again. "…I can't imagine how much worse it is for you…"
For a second he held her gaze be stepping forward and leaning against the railing. "You're right…you can't," he finally said, and turned to face her. "for the second time sense I've been here…I've seen the bodies of the ones I've come to care for…mutilated…in ways that would leave…any sane person appalled…and left to rot in the sun," he said.
"It almost makes me ashamed to be white…and a Christian…"
Knowing the feeling all too well Logan nodded as he turned back to her. "Yeah…yeah it does," and leaning against the railing again he crossed his arms. "We've taken advantage of the Chinese, enslaved the Africans, tried to annihilate the Arabians a few hundred years ago, and…," he counted before pausing. "…and in this time we're stealing from the Native Americans…while also whipping them out."
"…and in about eighty years…," Kimberly continued for him. "We'll move on to the Jews…with a claim to be The Master Race," she finished as she rocked forward to join him on his side of the stairs. "Why can't we just learn from these people at had…they may have their faults…they make war and peace as easy as any race. But they except people for who they are without prejudice for their beliefs. Why did it take us over a hundred years for…at least a good portion of our race to learn that?"
"Arrogance…," Logan answered simply. "And unfortunately a good portion of it lies in religion, which can help feed pathetic small minded people with excuses to do what they do," and she looked at him.
"But what can we do? For the Cheyenne…for Cloud Dancing?" and she turned around also crossing her arms.
"Inspire," he said, simply after a few seconds thought and shifted his gaze to meet her's. "We can't do anything…but we can inspire…as many of the people of this time…to fight for them. Other than that there's really not much else we can do."
A short while later they descended the rest of the stairs they stepped into the main examination room. And found her sitting at her desk a sheet of paper laying on it. "Mike what's wrong?" Kimberly asked, as they came close.
Slowly she looked at them. "I was half way through writing the petition…," and he nodded to the paper on the desk. "…when it occurred to me that by the time this is sent and I get a reply Cloud Dancing could be dead…that is if they listen to it."
For a second both Logan and Kim were silent before nodding and siting the examination table Kim nodded. "Yeah we had the same thought."
"And that's another thing," Mike continued resting her head in her palm.
"What?" Logan asked, sitting on the corner of the desk.
Sighing she looked at him. "You two are from the future…what does it matter," she sighed and looked away. "…what does it matter when you two could just tell me what's going to happen."
At her words, Logan and Kim shared a glance. "Mike we're still in high school not college we only have a basic understanding of the big things…," Kimberly said, and she looked back at her. "We're not the experts you think we are…we're…novices at best," and Mike looked at her. "And remember we're here because of…call it fate, Destiny…an accident…call it whatever you want. But we are not here on purpose."
At her words sat back her eyes lowering in thought. "Plus…," she looked at Logan. "A dear friend of mine once said, to me: 'time is an ever flowing, ever changing river. We may not always choose the course. But we do pilot the boat," and with that he picked up the petition and signed it before handing it to Kimberly. "We may not be able to change the big things…but never stop fighting for the little things," he said, as Kimberly signed it and they laid it back on the table. "It makes all the difference for these people…after all…" and they frowned at Logan paused. "…even the smallest grain of sand can alter the course of the mightiest river," and they blinked.
"White Falcon I didn't know you were so verse in philosophy…," Michaela muttered, in awe.
"Neither did I…" Kimberly said, in the same awed tone.
As he gave them a shaky smile he thought, thanks for that one buddy.
Any time…I got a million of them, Red Dragon replied.
Later in the meadow, Logan and Kimberly were working with Mathew and Robert E. in building stands and booths. While Grace on the newly finished stage teaching the girls some of the latest steps. While Kimberly was off working on her own, the boys worked with Mathew his eyes glued to the dancing girls.
"White Falcon…Robert E.," he suddenly said, bringing over Robert E.'s bucksaw white the man maid measurements while Logan was hammering at an almost completed frame. They acknowledged with series of grunts. "How do you know if a girl likes you?" At that for less than a second, both of them paused in what they were doing. A grin spreading on Logan's face as he shook his head. "I mean does she just tell you?"
Not looking up at him Robert E. answered, "It ain't so much in words, son. It's more in looks and smiles and the ways she stands close to you and the way she holds your hand when you dance," and he shot a glance at Grace. "Now, you picked Ingrid for the first dance?" and he pointed at the girl and Logan came close. Looking at him Mathew nodded. "Oh, it's sure gonna be hard to let her go when the music ends."
"So I guess you're just going to have to buy up all her tickets," Logan said, rubbing his chin as he leaned on the board Robert E. had been measuring for Mathew to saw. "So that way…," and he looked at Mathew. "You're the only one who can dance with her," and he shot the teen a grin.
"Saw son," Robert E. said, gesturing to the board and they moved away both of them grinning.
Frowning at Logan's grinning face Kimberly asked, "what was all that about?" as he got close to her.
"Oh he just wanted some advice on women," and he frowned as she to a choked snort to a rolling laugh.
"Advice on women…from you!" she said, and continued laughing.
"Hey I think I've done pretty good," he defended hands on his hips as she continued laughing. Sighing at her merf he dropped down to help her finish put the frame together. "Hey look," he said, as they moved to put it right side up.
As they lifted it up right, she glanced over. "Looks like she's going through with that petition," she muttered, as they watched Mike talk with Robert E. offering him the document in question. She then turned and tried to get Mathew's attention. "She is wasting her time," and Logan looked at Kimberly.
"With the petition or Mathew?" he asked, frowning as she nailed in the support to keep the stand up.
After glancing at him with a nail between her teeth, she shrugged. "With Mathew for certain," and she set the last nail. "With the way he's looking at her he would notice a nuclear bomb going off," and she hammered the nail home. "with the petition who can say,' and they stood next to each other and he handed her a water skin and she took a swig from it. "After all we both know that the railroad has most of the politicians in their pockets."
Slowly Logan nodded. "Then what do you think we should do about it?"
At the tone in his words, Kim's eyes snapped to his. "Logan there's not a doubt in my mind that we should get Cloud Dancing out, but how?"
Before he could answer, he glanced back at Mike as she walked toward the graveyard where Loren was sitting under the mighty oak planted there. A flash from silver came from his hip flask in the sun light. "Maybe you should go help her," and as she frowned at him he nodded in their direction.
"Isn't that usually your job?" she asked frowning.
Lightly sighing he turned to her. "I have never lost someone to the degree that you and he have. So I'd be diving head first into unknown territory. But you on the other hand…," and he paused. "…know what help him the most…after all didn't it would help when Tommy talked to you after your father's funeral?" for a few seconds she held his gaze as she thought it through. Then without a word, she turned and walked in their direction.
Never lost anyone close to you? Red Dragon repeated as he watched her go. You're forgetting Elizabeth.
At once Logan's gaze lowered. I didn't lose her…I let her go and he turned back to the work at hand.
One could say you did…you lost her to fate.
Leaning against the tree Michaela looked at Loren as he stared at Maude's grave. "Drinking's just a temporary remedy, Mr. Bray," she said, adverting her gaze and he gave a slight jerk of surprise not looking at her. "When it's gone…the pain and the loneliness will still be there."
"Oh, well, what do you know about it? You're not even married."
"No," Mike admitted with a gentle sigh. And tuning walked around the tree to sit down next to her. "No, but I was engaged."
"And I lost my father," and both turned as Kimberly walked over and leaned against the tree.
Looking back at the grave Mike continued, "We were so much in love. I'd never been so happy in my life," for a second there was silence between the three of them. "My fiancé was captured at the second Manassas," and finally Loren turned to her surprise on his face as a look of sorrow covered Mike's. "Died in a Confederate prison," then both women turned to Loren. "I believe we know something of what you're feeling these days."
For a second they were still then Loren offered his hip flask and she took it in her delicate hand. "How'd you lose your father lass," Loren asked, Kimberly as Mike took a small sip of the whiskey and shuddered.
Slowly Kimberly adverted her gaze. "He was killed…by rebels," and after handing back the flask Mike eyed her for a second as Loren took a sip, himself and they turned back to the grave.
"Maude loved to dance," Loren said, simply then chuckled. "Well, that's where we met, you see," and he turned to them a small smile gracing his lips. "At a dance,"
With a chuckle, Kimberly nodded. "That explains why you've been so adamant against the hurdy-gurdy," and he glanced at her.
Sighing he looked at his wife's grave. "We would have been married forty two years," and his expression turned somber.
"Forty two years," Mike said a thoughtful look on her face.
Then both turned as Brian's voice called out, "Ma!" and Kimberly frowned as he ran over to them. "Ma, they're going to shoot Cloud Dancing!"
"What!" Kimberly barked and the three took off running for town. Logan quickly at her side. "They're going to…!" she started to bark at him.
"I know!" he snapped interrupting her.
When they arrived on the scene, they were in time to see Cloud Dancing being led out of the livery by soldiers with the flurry of a drummer and against the wall of a building. "No!" Michaela shouted as the towns people gathered to watch. And both Logan and Kimberly pushed to the front with her. As Mathew and Olive held back Brian and Colleen. "General Custer, you can't do this!" she barked reach the man watching from the side.
"Sargent!" he snapped and taking her by her shoulder's and moved her out of the way of the firing squad.
"You said, two days!" she yelled.
Looking at her Custer simply said, "I changed my mind."
"You can't execute a man without a trial!" the reverend snapped as he stood next to Dr. Mike taking one of her upper arms to hold her back. And she shrugged him off.
"What's his crime?" Olive demanded as she kept her hold on Colleen.
"He's an Injin!" and both Logan and Kimberly glared at Jake. "He's gotta have done something to be shot for."
"The only crime this man has done was save all of you during the epidemic!" Logan barked scanning the crowd. "This town would have been whipped out if it wasn't for him!"
"He's right! This man saved our lives!" Michaela snapped pointing at Cloud Dancing. "You can't let them do this!"
"Can't believe you're going to kill a man in cold blood!" the reverend snapped close to Custer.
As the sound of pounding feet Logan, Kim, and Michaela turned to see Sully run up. "Sully, help us stop them," Mike pleaded as they met him.
"He doesn't know anything!" Sully snapped at Custer.
Eyeing them Custer said, quietly, "Why don't you ask him one last time?"
After shooting Michaela, a look the three turned and they walked briskly to Cloud Dancing. "Tell them anything?" Sully hissed out half pleaded of his brother. "Lie to them."
"Just say something…," Logan pleaded.
"Please Cloud Dancing," Kimberly begged.
For a second Cloud Dancing looked at them. Before he slowly shook his head. "No…," he finally said, and their faces fell. "I see the truth…," he continued.
For a second Logan was silent before thinking a tear running down his cheek, that they'd kill you no matter what you do, and Kimberly gave a sniff.
Slowly Cloud Dancing nodded. "Good-bye, my friends," he said, sorrowfully.
For a second they held his gaze before Sully turned to look at Custer. "Sargent! Carry out your order!" Custer barked at once took hold of Michaela and moved her into the Reverend's hands out of danger from the firing squad.
"Detail, ten-hut!" the Sargent snapped as Kimberly gave Cloud Dancing a peak on the cheek the three moved away as the squad snapped straight with a flurry of the drummer.
"You can't do this!" Mike shouted as she tried to break free.
Standing next to Kimberly, Logan watched in horror as the soldier's formally readied their weapons. Out of instinct and desire to save his friend, he reached for the magic. And hid the flinch as his morpher shocked him.
Logan we can't interfere! Red Dragon snapped at him half scorning half mournful.
With another flurry of the drum, the squad leveled their weapons the Sargent's sword held out before him. "No!" Mike screamed.
"Fire!" the Sargent shouted and the rifle's fired with a deafening roar.
Three things happened at once Cloud Dancing gave a violent jerk. Colleen screamed turning into Olive. And Mike all but tore the reverend from the ground in her struggles to reach Cloud Dancing.
Then as the echo of the gunfire faded Logan's stare turned from horror to amazement as Cloud Dancing was still standing. Then a new sound reverberated in his ears. The sound of the soldier's laughter.
"I'll be damed…," he heard Jake mutter.
"Blanks…," Logan muttered, breathlessly as Cloud Dancing stood straight. Then whipped his head around to face Custer as he stepped forward a look of pleasure on his face as Mike lowered her hands and Colleen turned to look.
"Take him back," Custer ordered before walking away.
Turning back Logan watched as Cloud Dancing was led away and Mike moved close to the three of them. "Next time Custer will kill him," Sully stated with a sigh that turned into a wolf like growl.
"We can't let that happen," and Mike turned to look at them. "We've got to do something."
"Then we gotta think of something quick," and their eyes shifted to Logan. "Because we only got till tomorrow morning if we're lucky."
Glancing over Kimberly eyed the reverend and Olive. "And I think we're going to need help," and Mike and Logan walked over to them.
"….dame soldiers, executions…" the Reverend was saying as they walked along the covered porch of the General Store. "It's not right to go on with this."
"I have to agree with you," Olive said, nodding
"No," at once both paused and turned to look at Mike and next to them and Logan below one foot on the porch hands on his knees. "No, you can't call off the opening of the hurdy-gurdy."
"Why not?" Olive asked, in confusion.
"Because…," And Logan and Michaela shared a worried glance and Loren joined them leaning on the porch. "People just don't stop living just because something bad happens," she quickly said.
"I don't think the town's up to it right now," Olive stated hands going to her hips scanning the town before looking back at her.
"Everyone's been looking forward to this for weeks," Mike continued.
"Not me," and Loren moved inside.
Sighing Olive turned to follow. "Wait," Mike said, stopping Olive a hand on her arm and both looked at her again. After shooting Logan a look. Which he gave a small discreet nod. "There's another reason; a much more important reason," Mike said, quietly to them and they frown.
"And we need your help," Logan said, just as quietly and they looked at him.
Later Logan and Kimberly by the bridge eyeing the newly constructed preparations for the hurdy-gurdy. All along with the bridge were decorated for the event with balloons and banners. Turning they watched Sully and Wolf come toward them.
"Did you talk to Robert E.?" Kimberly asked when he came close and they turned to walk across the bridge with him.
Sully nodded. "He'll do it," and Logan breathed easier as he eyed Olive giving instructions to the girls.
On the other side the broke away and both Logan and Kimberly moved toward where the band was warming up. "And what are you two doing here?" Jake asked, eyeing them his concertina in his hands as they drew close.
"They're part of the band Jake," at once he turned to Olive as she came close.
With his signature chuckle and grin, he looked back at Logan and Kimberly. "Well we don't have the kind of dances that need a drum or a flute," he said, and couple grinned at that.
"You worry about your own music Jake and let Logan and Kimberly take care of their own," and Olive turned to them. "By the way I may need you to get something for me in town later," and Logan nodded.
Later under the pretense of getting some medicine from the clinic with Sully. They neared Olive and the Reverend talking to each other near the bridge. "I'm worried," the reverend was saying.
"Well, try not to look it," Olive said, glancing at him. "We're doing the right thing."
"I know that."
"And remember," Logan muttered, as they passed in front of them locking eyes. "You two got the easy jobs tonight."
A short while later concealed in Robert E.'s corral they watched as he finished with one of the soldier's horses. After the man paid him and both he and his mount moved on Sully gave an almost silent "psst," after they moved closer to the fence.
After shooting them, a glance Robert E discreetly moved toward them. Pulling something from his pocket. "Here's the key," he said, handing a set of fake keys to Sully.
After giving him a nod they moved back and he returned to the forge. After eyeing the hayloft window Logan looked at Kim and in turned, they gave each other rapid signs. Then squatting down he cupped his hands as she shuffled back before darting at him keeping low. Playing her foot in his hands, he gave a heave and with a flip, she silently disappeared through the window.
After circling around the building, Logan and Sully entered through the back door next to a couple horses. Peering around them they saw Cloud Dancing sitting on the ground once more chained to the wall. Sitting in front of him his back to where Logan and Sully were concealed was a soldier cleaning his rifle as he ran a rag over it.
Biting his lip Logan laid his hand on a horse to get it to utter a grunt and Cloud Dancing's eyes swiveled in their direction. And began to chant loudly.
Moving forward Logan and Sully shifted past the horses taking cover from various spots. Eyeing the soldier ready to move fast if he noticed them. Shifting out from behind the cover of a wagon they slowly drew near Sully drawing out the fake keys as they did. The soldier to preoccupied to notice as Logan drew back a fist ready to knock him out if he made a wrong move and Sully inched his hand toward the real one's hanging on a peg just over the guard's shoulder. As the guard clicked open, closed the chamber, and cocked the rifle Sully smoothly slipped the fakes into place.
Task completed the pair slowly drew back the way they came. As they did, the still unsuspecting guard leveled the weapon on Cloud Dancing. Pausing at the door Logan watched as Cloud Dancing stopped chanting eyeing the man.
Click!
With a chuckle, the man returned to running the rag over the weapon. Remind me to hit him really hard later, Logan thought and silently closed the door. And Kimberly joined them after jumping from the hayloft to roll across the ground.
As they neared the bridge, Sully kept shooting them a glance. "Something wrong?" Kimberly asked looking at him.
"What was that?" he asked.
At that, they frowned. "What the way she got in?" Logan asked, jabbing his thumb at Kimberly. He shook his head. "What this?" and Logan made a few signs. He nodded.
"It's a special language for the deaf," Kimberly explained. "In our time it's called American Sign language or ASL."
Sully nodded. "It looks a lot like the sign language of the plains Indians," he commented as they reached the other side.
"I wouldn't be surprised if it was inspired by them," Logan muttered, as they neared the lemonade stand manned by Loren.
"Hey, Sully, White Falcon, Dancing Heron!" Brain called out seeing them as they approached and Loren handed him a cup of lemonade.
"Brian," Kimberly muttered, with a nod.
After also nodding to the boy, Sully slipped Michaela the keys hidden in a leather pouch. "Here's that medicine you wanted."
"Did you have any trouble securing it?" she asked, slipping it into her bag. They shook their heads.
"Sully, will you dance with me?" Colleen asked, coming close and smile on her face.
Slowly Sully looked at her. "Maybe when I get back," and after a few seconds that he locked eyes with Mike he moved off as Colleen dropped her gaze disappointed.
"Logan, Kimberly!" looking over the pair saw Olive come toward them. "Sorry but it looks like I'm going to need you to run that errand for me. You may miss some of the opening numbers but I really need you to do this for me."
The pair glanced at Michaela. All know they crossed the point of no return. "What do you need Olive?" Logan asked.
A short while later after Logan and Kimberly had left Dr. Mike with Brian's hand in her's skipped around one corner of the raised dance floor. As she shook her head after looking at Mathew too shy to approach the girl now that the moment was here. "Can I have another lemonade?" Brian suddenly asked, of her.
Mouth dropping she grinned down at him. "You've had two already?"
"I've had five," he corrected and her expression turned to half a grin. "But I'm still thirsty."
Chuckling she shook her head for a second then reached into her purse. "Here you go," she said, handing him some money and he took off flying toward the stand.
After watching him go, she glanced at the dance floor. To seeing Custer dancing with one of the girls. Feeling like her legs had turned to lead she turned toward the bridge and trying to act normal and not look worried though her heart was pounding walked forward.
A short while later after she talked her way inside. She knelt before Cloud Dancing in the livery examining him her back to the guard blocking his view from what she was doing.
As she listened to his heart with her stethoscope, she glanced over her shoulder to see the guard rolling up a cigarette not looking at them. It was now or never. Laying the stethoscope aside she reached in her bag and as quite as possible drew the keys out of the pouch before turning back to Cloud Dancing as she felt the eyes of the guard shift back to her. Gently she raised a bandage to Cloud Dancing neck taking the padlock in hand.
Glancing over her shoulder again, she smiled at the guard, which he returned with a slight nod, and she turned back to Cloud Dancing. After shooting another glance over her shoulder again and seeing that, he was occupied by his cigarette again. She reached back into her bag and silently lifted the keys out and using the bandage to quite the noise unlocked the pad lock. Quietly slipping the padlock away, she kept the bandage where it was to cover the loss. As she slipping the keys down the front of her dress, Cloud Dancing held it in place. As she glanced over her shoulder again as she packed away her things.
Standing she turned and started to leave. "Oh, I forgot my stethoscope," she said, pausing at the entrance of the stall and the guard paused pointing. "Would you get it for me, please?"
After glancing from it to her, he nodded. Rising to his feet and as he walked over she drew out the keys from her dress and quickly replaced the fake keys with the real ones. But in her haste, the perspiration on her hands, and her nerves. The real keys dropped to the ground with a small clatter.
Turning to look at the guard as he turned at the noise. She discreetly covered the fallen object with her foot.
Before anything else could happen. Seizing his chance Cloud Dancing throwing the collar off sprung to his feet and seized the guard in a choke. As the man was drawn back into, the stall his grunts and struggles caused the horses to whinny loudly.
Mike turned at the sound of the guards outside barking, "What was that?"
"Come on!"
And burst into the livery on both sides.
As two came round the corner. A bare-chested figure in leggings and a breechcloth dropped form a small pile of hay bales onto them sending them to the ground.
Before the two behind them could react another figure hanging upside down from the rafters dropped between them. And tapped them on the shoulders. After they turned to face the figure, it drove both its fists into their faces launching them off their feet and fall, unconscious before they landed on their backs onto the unforgiving floor.
At the same time on the other side, another figure attacked the guards that came in at the other door. First lurching forward kicking one in the back sending him to the ground before turning and grabbing the second man's rifle. He drove its elbow into the man's face before knocking the dazed man's gun out of his hand following up with its knee into the man's gut. And after he drove the man's face into a post the soldier was quickly put into a choke. When he went limp, he was dropped to the ground and spinning around the figure kicked the man across the face sending him spinning to the ground out cold.
Looking back at the first figure, she was in time to see the first swing wildly at it. After ducking under it, the figure drew a tomahawk and gripping it by the blade and drove the blunt end into his gut. Before knocking him out with the follow up. As the man dropped, the second soldier grabbed the man from behind and tried to choke him out. Grabbing the man's arm as they bobbed about the figure threw him over his shoulder to the ground. Before he could pounce, the man spun on his back kicking the figure's legs out from under him. As the soldier leapt at him the figure rolled out of the way and facing the soldier again against drove the blunt of its tomahawk into his gut before knocking him out with a swipe to the face.
"Nice work," the third figure said, coming forward.
As the second flipped to the ground. "Where'd you learn to fight like that?" and they all stepped into the light and Mike jerked at the sight of war paint on all their faces.
"I taught him," Logan said, as he as he and Kimberly moved to help Could Dancing who had collapsed after his surge of effort. "It was only a little jujitsu, which can be passed as wrestling in these days," he protested in an undertone under her glare.
"Better fake tying you up," Sully said, reaching Mike.
Nodding she turned and held her hands behind her back. "Quick!" she urged as he secured them with a leather cord.
"I won't tie you to tight," he reassured her as he finished and she faced them.
"A gag, Sully," she urged and he complied before turning and helping the other two with their friend wrapping his arms around two of their shoulders for support.
As they were making their exit through the back doors, they heard the other door open Michaela gave a sudden cry and a shot rang out. Turning Logan and Sully saw Custer glaring at them like a little boy whose favorite toy was being taken from him. Reacting at once, Sully grabbed a pitchfork and hurled it like a spear toward the man before he could fire again.
It caught him in the arm one of blades piercing his forearm pinning it to the back wall. And in that moment of distraction, they left.
Once outside they brought Cloud Dancing to a group of ponies. After helping him onto one, they watched him ride out as fast as the animal would carry him. Leading the others so it would look like they all rode out.
When he disappeared from sight, they darted across the street and into the clinic. By the light of the moon shining through the cracks, they changed in separate rooms and washed the war paint off. As he was finishing Logan looked out through his window across the street to the livery.
Curiosity and worry for Michaela getting the better of him he focused. His vision zooming it to look through a crack he watched her wrap a bandage around Custer's injured arm. "Sir, pony tracks at the west edge of town," he heard the Sargent said, coming close. "That's how they got away."
"We'll head after them at first light," Custer growled.
"Trail will be mighty cold by then, General," the Sargent said, then snapped to attention as the man's cold eyes turned on him. "But we'll be ready to ride, sir," and he after Custer dismissed him moved off.
"Where should I post my bill?" Mike asked when the pair was alone.
He looked at her before looking away. "To the quartermaster, Fort Collins," then he returned his gaze to her. "And Dr. Quinn, I suspect you were part of a conspiracy," and she held his gaze. "Aiding the escape of a federal prisoner is a serious crime."
"You found me bound and gagged," she pointed out as she was tying off the bandage. "I was hardly…"
"I heard you cry out a warning, madam," he accused further.
For a second she was silent still holding his gaze as she finished. "Your mistaken sir, I cried out in fear," and with those words she reached for her bag.
"Dr. Quinn…," pausing as she turned to leaved she looked at him again. "You are a traitor."
At his words, her face-hardened. "I've dedicated my life to repairing the damage that men like you bring on this world, and frankly, Mr. Custer, I don't want any more of your business," and with that she swept from the livery.
I wonder if it's her throat, he's imagining in his grasp? Red Dragon asked, as Custer flexed his hand testing the movement his knuckles going white as he fisted his hand.
Who knows, Logan thought turning from the sight and picking up the item Olive wanted joined the others as they left through the back door.
They joined Mike as she was cross the bridge. "Are you three all right?" she asked, in concern under her breath.
"Not a scratch," Kimberly reassured her.
"And Cloud Dancing?"
"Safe in the mountains by now," Sully murmured. "Said to thank you for what you did."
"What we did," she corrected.
"You've got the courage of a warrior," and Logan glanced at Sully.
"He said that?" she asked, also glancing at him.
"No, I did," and with that he moved off for a time when it would be better for him to come back.
When they reached the hurdy-gurdy, Logan and Kimberly made for the band and picking up their instruments seamlessly melded into the music. They watched as Mike moving little sluggishly moved between Olive and the Reverend. Giving discreet nods of their success as she did before placing a thankful hand on Robert E.'s arm and he nodded in return.
As they tried to ignore Jake playing slightly out of tune Logan glanced over at Olive as she was trying to talk Loren into playing in the band for at least one song. When she over rode his objections he pointed out that he didn't have a harmonica. Which was over ridden by Brian who proudly offered his.
Sighing in defeat, he took it as the song ended. "Hey look at that," Logan said, and nodded over to where Mathew was sitting with the girl and talking. "Don't know much about women eh," he rubbed nudging Kimberly. Shaking her head a grin on her face, she playfully shoved him back.
"Gentlemen," Jake said, as Loren came close. "And lady," he continued catching Kimberly's glare. "I believe we all know, 'Beautiful Dreamer,'" and the band got ready waiting for Loren's cue.
As he started to play and the band played along. After watching with a grin as the Reverend and Olive started to dance Logan frowned at a new pair on the dance floor. Nudging Kimberly, he nodded to them. And they both watched both Mike and Colleen glide across the dance floor.
"How many people can say they've seen both their great, great, great, grandmother's dance together?" he whispered into her ear.
"More like my great, great, great, great, grandmother and my great, great, great, aunt," and he frowned. "My great, great, great, grandmother's name was Katie," she pointed out and he shrugged in response.
Later while the band was taking a break, Logan and Kimberly were getting a drink when Michaela approached them. As they raised their cups to drink, they eyed her. "Is there something wrong?" Kimberly asked.
Mike shook her head no. "I just wanted to say Kimberly…," and she looked at her. "…or Dancing Heron, which ever you prefer. I just wanted to say that if you ever want to talk about your father…," and she trailed off a look of sorrow passing over her eyes. "My ears are open…I…," and she shifted uncomfortable. "…I know what it's like to loose a father."
For a second Kimberly was still before she smiled. "I appreciate it," she said nodding.
A relieved smile growing on her face Michaela nodded back. "And your welcome not to answer but…you said he was killed by rebels…is there a war happening in your time?" she asked in an undertone so not to be over heard.
Kimberly lowered her gaze. "You could say that for the part of the world he was in," she murmured just as quietly then raised her gaze again. "Like you he was a doctor. At the time, he was working for the W.H.O. or World Health Organization, and Doctor's Without Borders. He was in the Congo of Africa. One night…," and he paused as her voice hitched and looking away as a tear ran down her cheek. Sighing Logan placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and she continued, "…one night a group of rebels against the government there. He died saving twelve people from them."
For a second Michaela was silent then stepping forward enveloped Kimberly in her arms. "I am so sorry, I am so sorry, and I'm sure your father had…"
"It was you."
At those words, Michaela jerked back looking at her. "What?" she asked barely able to keep it to a whisper.
Smiling as she whipped away a tear Kimberly said, "You were…are my father's hero. You inspired him to be a doctor and after tonight…," and she placed her hands on Mike's shoulder's she smiled. "…I can see why."
A big grin on his face Logan watched the pair of them. Knowing there was nothing left to say between the two of them. Then a shout spoiled the moment and they turned to face Olive.
"Logan, Kimberly! Get up here you two! It's the last set for tonight!" she called out to them.
"Be right there Olive!" Logan called back and turning back something caught his eye. "Excuse me," and they watched as he moved away. When he reached her, he sat down next to Colleen on the bench. "You know I think somebody here was promised a dance," he commented.
She glanced at him. "But you're in the band," she pointed out frowning on confusion.
"I believe he's talking about from me," at once Colleen spun in her seat and beam at Sully standing right behind her.
After smiling at her, he turned to Logan. "You don't have to say anything my friend, I have a band to get back to," and standing he climbed to his feet and rejoined the band.
As Logan picked up his borrowed fiddle, he paused. Leaning close to Kimberly, he whispered into her ear. After a seconds thought she nodded.
"Hey guys, me, and Kim here have a good song for one of the last number," he said facing the others.
At his words, Jake cocked his signature eyebrow. "Oh yeah…says who?"
"Me," and they turned to look at Olive. "They have more than proven themselves capable musicians and I'd like to hear if they can sing as good," and she nodded to Logan and Kimberly.
After returning the nod in thanks, they faced Jake again. Who had a sulking look in his eye. "Okay now you guys watch us for the cues and listen good for the notes, and Jake…," and he turned to Kimberly as she gave instructions. "Smile…and try to keep up."
When she was done and Logan stifled a chuckle the pair faced the crowd and began to play a soft tune. "Someday, when we are wiser
When the world's older
When we have learned
I pray someday we may yet
Live to live and let live," Logan sang slowly as he played.
"Someday, life will be fairer
Need will be rarer
And greed will not pay," Kimberly sang plucking soft notes on her guitar.
"Godspeed, this bright millenia
On it's way, let it come someday…"
"Someday our fight will be won, and
We'll stand in the sun, in
That bright afternoon…"
"'Til then, on days when the sun
Is gone, we'll hang on
If we wish upon the moon."
"There are some days, dark and bitter
Seems we haven't got a prayer
But a prayer for something better
Is the one thing we all share."
"Someday, when we are wiser
When the whole world is older
When we have love."
"And I pray someday we may yet."
"Live to live and one day, someday…"
"Someday life will be fairer
Need will be rarer
And greed will not pay…"
"Godspeed this bright millenia
Let it come
If we wish upon the moon…"
"One day, someday...soon."
"Someday soon…" and as Kimberly finished Logan watched as Sully gave Colleen one last spin into his arms and the young girl beamed at him while a few people applauded.
"If he's not careful he could have a crushing girl on his case," Logan muttered as they gave small bows.
"You should know," Kimberly retorted.
SO SORRY IT TOOK ME SO LONG LIFE AND OTHER THINGS HAPPENED PLEASE REVIEW