Title: Aftershocks
Author: Cindy Ryan
Catagory: Jimmy/Lou/Kid, angst
timeline: late third season
Summary: When Lou takes a bullet meant for Jimmy how will the other Riders react?
Notes: This hasn't been beta read so all mistakes are mine.

Pony Express Rider Louise McCloud stepped out of the barn and closed the door. The young brown haired woman rubbed the back of her neck wearily. With less than three weeks till her wedding to Kid, Lou had been taking extra runs. Even though Kid protested about the extra runs insisting it put her in more danger Lou knew she could save money by
doing them. Money she could use to by her new husband a wedding present.

As Lou rounded the corner of the bunkhouse she heard raised voices coming from the horse corral a few feet away. As she stopped in the middle of the porch Lou saw Jimmy Hickok arguing with a man she had never seen before.

The tall thin black haired man in his late twenties leaned toward Jimmy and stabbed him in the chest with his finger.
Lou winced as she stepped off the porch and started walking toward the pair. Jimmy had a temper especially when a person egged him on.

"......I'm not denying that I killed your brother!"Jimmy was saying by the time Lou reached his side.

"So why won't you fight?"The stranger replied angrily his right hand resting lightly over the colt in his gun belt.
Jimmy noticed Lou then and shot her a look that clearly said 'stay out of this'. He turned his attention back to Myers,"I have no reason to fight you. I have no quarrel with you."

She ignored him,"Jimmy, what's goin' on?"

Myers glanced at the bunkhouse and surrounding buildings,"So is the great
Wild Bill Hickok a yellow belly after all? My brother deserves justice and he will get it one way or another."

Before Lou or Jimmy could move Myers yanked out his colt and leveled it at Lou. Before she could even draw her own weapon to defend herself Myers fired.
The bullet slammed into Lou's chest knocking her off her feet.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"Jimmy shouted in a tortured voice as he drew his ivory handled colt and whirled to face Myers.

Jimmy didn't allow Myers to get a shot off. Hickok fired once and Myers fell to the ground. Dead instantly from a bullet wound to the head.

Jimmy was instantly at Lou's side, wincing as he spotted the blood quickly covering her shirt. Franticly he felt for a pulse. It was there but very weak.
All the blood made it difficult for Jimmy to know if her wound was in her shoulder or her chest. He could only pray it was her shoulder. Jimmy didn't want to think of the possibility of loosing Lou.

"Teaspoon!!"Jimmy bellowed not wanting to move from Lou's side.

However there had been no need for the gunslinger's call for help. Teaspoon and Rachel had immediately come out of the bunkhouse at the first sound of gunfire.

"Oh my God."Rachel murmured as she saw Lou's still form.

Former Texas Ranger Teaspoon Hunter glanced from the dead stranger to Jimmy and then to Lou's still form,"What the hell happened?!"

"He challenged me to a fight."Jimmy replied tensely his gaze never leaving Lou's still form.

Teaspoon glanced at Rachel,"Go get Doc Miller. I don't think we can risk movin' her into town."

Rachel nodded and quickly ran down the main street of Rock Creek.

************

The brown haired man in his mid-twenties known to others only as the Kid stepped out of Rock Creek General store. Kid shifted his load of three bags of flour before turning his head to the right.
What he saw made his heart constrict with fear.
Rachel Dunne was running as fast as she could down the street.
The other riders stuck behind Kid couldn't see the reason their friend had stopped so suddenly.
Then Cody none too gently pushed Kid out of the way and was just in time to see Rachel stop at Doc Miller's banging on the door.
Kid shoved the bags of flour into Cody's arms and ran toward Rachel. He reached the blonde woman's side just as Doc Miller opened the door.

"Rachel,"Kid asked struggling to keep the fear out of his voice,"What's wrong?"

When Rachel's gaze met his, Kid felt fear so intense that he could no longer breathe.

"Kid,"Rachel began as she struggled to catch her breath,"Lou's been shot."

"Where is she?"Kid demanded not quite able to keep his voice from shaking.

"Bunk house."The older woman replied sadly and Kid was off running before she had completed her sentence.

**********

In the three hours that Doc Miller had been in tending to Lou the other Riders had learned to make a path for Kid's pacing.
Otherwise they'd get run over by their worried friend.

Everyone that is except Jimmy. The young gunslinger stood at the end of the porch in the farthest corner he could find.
Jimmy had avoided everyone since Lou had been shot, especially Kid. He could barely deal with his own guilt about the shooting let alone face the others.

Not being able to take Hickok's self imposed standoff any longer Cody moved to stand next to his friend.

"Jimmy,"The blond man began quietly,"This ain't your fault."

Jimmy turned so fast that he nearly knocked Cody to the floor in the process.

"I'm surprised you can say that with a straight face, Cody." Jimmy snapped as he walked toward the porch stairs.
Cody caught Hickok a few feet from the door.

"I can say it because its the truth!"Cody countered very aware of the fact that Kid had stopped pacing.

Jimmy turned glancing behind Cody to Kid. Hicock yanked out his guns and placed one on the railing between Buck and Jesse. He stepped past Cody as the other Riders stiffened waiting for the inevitable confrontation.
Jimmy thrust the colt into Kid's right hand.

"I know you want to do it, Kid."Hicock stated calmly,"So go ahead."

"I have my own gun."Kid replied. The quiet anger in his voice sending chills down everyone's spine.

"Don't worry, Jimmy."Kid stated as he stepped forward tossing the colt to the ground,"If she dies, so will you."

Teaspoon Hunter exchanged a concerned glance with Rachel as they helped Doctor Miller. They both had heard the exchange between Jimmy and the Kid.

"They're just lettin' off steam, Rachel."Hunter assured her quietly as he glanced at Lou's still form.

"I'm afraid my prognosis won't ease the tensions any." Miller said sadly as he moved away from the bed wiping his hands on a towel.

"Will she make it?"Rachel asked quietly.

The doctor met her gaze,"I managed to get the bullet out and clean the wound. But I'm afraid she's lost a lot of blood."

"That ain't an answer."Teaspoon replied sharply his gaze moving past Miller to the young woman he loved like a daughter.

Miller shook his head,"If she makes it through the night without a fever she's got a fightin' chance."He glanced at the closed door,"You want me to tell the boys?"

"No, I'll do it."Teaspoon replied as they moved toward the door,"Thanks for takin' care of her, Doc."

Miller nodded,"Just wish I could do more. I'll check in on her tonight."


The six Riders glanced anxiously at Miller's retreating form as Teaspoon stepped out of the bunkhouse.

Kid noticed him first. "Teaspoon? Is she alive?"He demanded in a choked voice," Doc wouldn't say much..."

The gray haired man placed a reassuring hand on Kid's shoulder,"She's hangin' on, Kid."He replied quietly

"How bad, Teaspoon?"Jimmy asked in a hoarse whisper voicing what was on all of their minds.

Teaspoon sighed as he ran a weary hand along the back of his neck. "Doc got the bullet out but Lou lost a lot of blood....."

Kid blanched and quickly moved past Hunter into the bunkhouse not being able to hear the rest.

"Will she die?"Jesse asked sadly as he moved away from the railing.

Teaspoon glanced at the teen. "Doc didn't know, Jesse. It's really up to Lou now. All we can do is wait."

*********

Even with all he had seen during his time with the Express, Kid was still amazed at how fast things could change.
The young brown haired man closed the door of the bunkhouse behind him as he stepped forward pulling a wooden chair away from the table. He placed it next to the bunk that held Lou's still form.

"There are easier ways to get out of doing your runs, Lou."Kid said softly as he sat down taking her hand in his.

The coldness of her skin brought the reality of the situation crashing down around him.

"Oh God, Lou."Kid whispered in a tortured voice as he brought her hand up to his left cheek,"Don't you do this. I can't picture my life without you. Please don't die on me, not now. We have our whole future ahead of us, Lou. You promised you'd grow old with me....you promised."

**********

Jimmy watched the heart-wrenching scene through the bunkhouse's window. The others had reluctantly gone back to their chores, after all there was mail to be delivered.
Teaspoon approached the young man gently placing a hand on Hickok's left shoulder as he came to stand next to him.

"This may not be the right time, son, but I gotta ask you some questions about the shooting."Teaspoon stated as he watched Jimmy warily.

Jimmy's gaze never left Lou's still form. "I told her to stay out of it, Teaspoon."His voice trembled and broke forcing him to swallow hard and begin again. "But she was tryin' to protect me.....bastard Myers didn't even give her a chance to defend herself."

Teaspoon nodded sadly as he followed Hickok's gaze. "What started this?"

Jimmy sighed as he ran a weary hand along the back of his neck. "Way I figure it....Myers must've spotted me in town when I came back from my run this morning. When I came out of the bunkhouse he was standin' by the corral callin' me out. I tried to talk him outta fightin', Teaspoon, I really did. But he wouldn't hear of it. I had killed his brother a year or so back and he wanted revenge no matter what the cost."

"I know you want to be close to Lou, right now Jimmy."Teaspoon replied quietly,"But I think it'd be best if you stayed out of the Kid's way. At least until we know."

********

It had been two days since Lou had been shot and she had yet to awaken. Kid hadn't moved from her side except to allow Rachel to change Lou's bandages.
Jimmy had taken as many runs as possible not being able to stand the tension that vibrated through the Riders like a summer storm.
Everyone was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Teaspoon exchanged a concerned glance with Rachel as the two sat on the porch watching the gathering dusk.

"Jimmy should've been back from Willow Springs by now."Rachel commented as she watched Jesse, Buck and Cody try to tame a new mustang.

Teaspoon nodded. "I wouldn't worry about Jimmy, Rachel. He's probably keeping his distance until we know about Lou."

Rachel sighed. "And if he doesn't make it back in time, Teaspoon? No matter what the Kid thinks this wasn't Jimmy's fault. Lou needs all of her friends here and outside of Kid, Jimmy is the closest friend she has."

********

Kid stood and moved toward the second floor bedroom window and looked down at the familiar bunkhouse and corral. The Doc had helped them move Lou to Rachel's house early that morning.
Kid glanced back at his fiance and swallowed hard. She looked so tiny and fragile under the blue quilt.

A gentle knock on the door broke Kid's attention away from Lou. He was about to answer it when Noah Dixon poked his head into the room.

"I just got back into town."Noah explained having spent the last four days running an army dispatch to Fort Collins in Wyoming. "How is she?"

Kid shook his head miserably. "It's been two days Noah and she hasn't stirred."

The young black man moved farther into the room and placed a supportive hand on Kid's shoulder. "She's one of the strongest people I've ever met, Kid."Noah stated softly as he looked over at Lou's still form. "If anybody can beat this it's Lou."

************

It was nearing nine when Rachel finally heard hoof beats coming into the station. She walked to the window of the living room and pulled back the curtains. Jimmy had dismounted and was pulling his tan palomino toward the barn his shoulders slumped.

Rachel quickly grabbed her shawl and left the house. She was worried about Jimmy he had purposefully isolated himself since the shooting. Maybe she could get him to talk.

Jimmy picked up a brush and began to brush down his horse. He did the movements so automatic that Jimmy didn't realize he had completed one task until it was done. He shook his head as if to clear it and began the next step.

"Jimmy."

Hickock glanced up at the sound of Rachel's voice. Cold dread slithered up his spine as he saw the grim expression on her face. He hadn't been up to the house yet....hadn't been able to face it or the answer that lay beyond.

Their gazes locked as Rachel moved closer to the horse. Jimmy swallowed hard and fought to control the tears. Rachel didn't say anything....she didn't have to.

"I'll be gone by morning, Rachel."Jimmy stated his voice thick with emotion.

Rachel's eyes widened as she realized what the young man must've thought by her entrance. She quickly placed a reassuring hand on Jimmy's shoulder.

"No, Jimmy. Lou's still with us."Rachel replied quietly. "She hasn't woken but she's hanging on."

Jimmy ducked his head so Rachel wouldn't see the tears. He had been so afraid that Lou had died while he was gone. Especially when he had entered the station grounds and had seen no one.

"I thought....."Jimmy whispered as he raised his head.

"Come on, it'll do you good to see her."Rachel urged as she took his elbow.

Jimmy shook his head pulling away from her. "Kid's there."

"You can't avoid him forever, Jimmy."Rachel replied as she turned to face him tears glistening in her eyes. "Lou is your friend, part of this family and she needs you."

"I have to finish this."Jimmy protested as he picked up a brush and returned his attention to the horse.

"I'll have Cody finish it."Rachel offered extending her right hand.

Jimmy met her gaze for a long moment before he nodded and wearily dropped the brush. He needed to see Lou if only to apologize.

"Okay."Jimmy replied softly as he ignored Rachel's hand and walked past her into the yard.

Rachel sighed and pulled the shawl tighter around her shoulders. She hoped there wouldn't be a fight between Kid and Jimmy it was the last thing either of them needed. They used to be friends, Rachel could only pray that they would be again. No matter what happened.
**********

When Jimmy and Rachel stepped into the small bedroom Jimmy froze. Lou was paler if possible from when he had last seen her. If it wasn't for the Kid's vigil Jimmy would've thought they had already lost her.

Kid stood and moved slightly away from the bed his eyes red rimmed. Jimmy knew it was only Rachel's presence that kept Kid from tossing him out. Rachel placed a reassuring hand on Jimmy's left shoulder.

Jimmy met Kid's gaze and saw that the anger was still there. "Kid, I know I have no right to ask...."His voice trembled and broke forcing him to pause. "But can I sit with her a minute?"

Kid looked past Jimmy to Rachel then down to Lou's still form.

"I'm only doin' it for her, Jimmy."Kid replied quietly."Because I know its what she'd want."

Rachel stepped around Jimmy and gently took Kid's right arm ushering him out of the room.

"We'll be right outside."Rachel informed Jimmy as they left.

Jimmy took off his hat and sank down into the chair Kid had been sitting in. He hesitated only briefly before reaching over and taking Lou's hand in his holding it tightly.
If his life had taken a different path he and Lou might have had a chance at a future. Jimmy thought bitterly.Instead his past had cost Lou her future.

Letting go of Lou's hand Jimmy stood slightly so he could caress her right cheek. More than anything Jimmy wished he could switch places with her or at least take away some of the pain.
After a moment Jimmy sat back down.

"You just can't do what I say for once, can you?"Jimmy stated in a shaky whisper. "I told you to stay out of it. Wasn't like this hadn't happened before."He swallowed hard and rested his hands on the bed."God Lou, now do you see why this thing between us could never work? I only end up putting people I care about in danger. I tried to keep you at a distance but you worked your way into my life anyway.

I can't see my life without your friendship, Lou. So you have to wake up. Even if you never speak to me again....I just want you to be happy."

*********

The next morning Buck found Teaspoon leaning against the front wall of the bunk house staring angrily at a letter.

"What is it Teaspoon?"Buck asked softly as he walked toward the older man.

Teaspoon sighed as he looked up."Marshal Wilcox is coming tomorrow. Wants to ensure that charges are pressed against Jimmy."

Buck frowned. Losing Ike had been hard enough. He wasn't going to let the Riders be split apart. "Jimmy didn't do anything."

"You and I know that."Teaspoon stated worriedly."But whether Jimmy likes it or not he has a growing reputation."

Buck shook his head angrily."And Wilcox wants to use Jimmy to further his career. We can't let that happen, Teaspoon."

"Wasn't plannin' on it."Hunter agreed."Tell the others but try to keep this from Kid. This place doesn't need any more tension than it already has."

********

Kid ran a hand over his face as he stood and walked over to the window. Lou had made it through another night for which Kid was extremely grateful. But he was worried that she wasn't going to be with him much longer.

Kid leaned against the window and closed his eyes. He had never imagined his future without Lou in it and didn't want to start now. He didn't want to give up on Lou. But it had been three days. Three days without hearing her voice.

Kid opened his eyes and turned around to look back at Lou's still form. Lou was the only family he had left. His brother was dead. Kid swallowed hard at the painful memory of Jed's death and sat back down by Lou's bed. Kid gently took Lou's hand in his and squeezed it. He couldn't go through a loss like that again. Lou was his heart, always had been. He couldn't live without her.

"Come on, Lou."Kid whispered. "Please wake up......we need you."

********

Cody paced the barn where Buck had gathered the remaining Riders twenty minutes after his talk with Teaspoon. Cody couldn't believe this was happening. Everyone here was a good person. They didn't deserve the hard times that had occurred. Now it seemed like bad luck was about to strike again, determined to destroy this family.
What scared Cody most of all was that Jimmy had said barely a word since Buck had told them Wilcox was coming.

"Cody."Jesse called wearily from his perch on a hay bail. "You're makin' me dizzy."

"Sorry."Cody apologized as he came to an instant halt before walking over to Buck.

"So are best chance is Lou waking up before Wilcox arrives."Noah commented as he leaned back against one of the posts. His dark gaze drifted over to Jimmy. He couldn't help but notice that his friend withdrew further at the mention of Lou.

Buck nodded. "But from what Teaspoon said of this Wilcox I don't think Lou's statement will make a difference."

"It has to."Cody interjected quietly."Jimmy's being punished for a reputation he can't control…."

Jimmy shot to his feet and stalked toward the barn's entrance nearly toppling Noah in the process. "Maybe I should be punished."he replied defeatedly. "When Wilcox gets here let me know."

*******

Kid glanced up at Rachel's soft knock. His hand still held tightly to Lou's.

"Kid, I'll sit with her for awhile."Rachel offered as she stepped into the room.

Kid shook his head. "I don't want to leave her, Rachel."

Rachel placed a supportive hand on the younger man's shoulder. "I know, but Teaspoon needs to talk to you. It's important."

Kid cast her a concerned look before he stood. "What's goin' on?"

Rachel avoided his gaze and looked over at Lou's still form. "Teaspoon's by the corral."

Kid studied her for a long moment before leaning close to Lou's right ear. "I'll be right back."he whispered before he turned and left the room.

********

Kid found Teaspoon leaning against the fence of the corral watching one of the new horses. As he got closer Kid was struck by how tired his friend looked. Teaspoon had seemed to age ten years in the span of days.

"Rachel said you wanted to see me, Teaspoon."Kid stated as he leaned against the fence next to the older man.

Teaspoon glanced over at him for a long moment. He looked torn. "I shouldn't tell you this."

"What?"Kid demanded as he pushed away from the fence. He didn't like the expression on Teaspoon's face. "Did the Doc say something about Lou that you didn't tell me?"

The former Texas Ranger shook his head. "No, this isn't about Lou."

"Then what?"

"Jimmy…."Teaspoon began but Kid cut him off and backed away.

"I don't want to talk about him."Kid shouted angrily as he started back toward Rachel's house.

Teaspoon caught up with him. "We have to."

"Why?"Kid demanded in a choked voice. Jimmy had been one of his closest friends once. They had drifted apart in recent months and now with Lou…

Teaspoon let out a breath slowly and took off his hat. "I got a letter. A Marshall named Wilcox is lookin' to make a name for himself. He'll be here tomorrow."

"For Jimmy."Kid finished quietly as he glanced back at the house.

Teaspoon nodded. "He's going to take him into custody."

Kid's eyes narrowed dangerously as he turned away. "Good."

"Kid!"

Kid threw up his hands as he gestured toward Rachel's house. "He caused her to get shot, Teaspoon."he replied his voice shaking. "I can't forget that."

"I'm not askin' you to."Teaspoon replied quietly as he took a step forward. "Just…"

Kid shook his head angrily as he turned away and walked toward the house. "I won't help him, Teaspoon. Not after this."

Teaspoon watched him walk away with a heavy heart. This family was falling apart and there didn't seem to be a damn thing he could do about it.

***********

Early that evening as Rachel was preparing dinner and a tray to take up to Kid, Buck blew through the door like the devil himself was on his heels.

"Buck, what is it?"Rachel asked fearfully not sure what more this family could take.

Buck paused for a moment to catch his breath as he leaned one hand against the staircase railing. "Just came from Tompkin's. Marshal Wilcox is here and lookin' for Jimmy."

Rachel's hand flew to her mouth. "He's early....."

Buck nodded. "They must've rode through the night."

Rachel reached out and touched the young Kiowa's shoulder. "You have to find Jimmy....."she implored quietly. "We have to get him out of town before Wilcox comes here."

"I ain't runnin' Rachel."Jimmy replied from the kitchen doorway where he had entered the house from the back.

Rachel and Buck whirled around.

"You have to, Jimmy."Rachel stated wishing her voice sounded stronger than it did. "There's no way Wilcox is interested in a fair trial.....you'll hang."

Jimmy shrugged his eyes dark and hooded. "So I'll hang.....maybe that was my destiny after all."

"That's not what Lou would want."Buck replied angerily not used to seeing Jimmy of all people give up so easily.

A shadow of pain snaked across Jimmy's face as he shoved his hands into his pants pockets. "Not her choice."

"It's not yours ethier, Jimmy!"Rachel shouted just as Teaspoon and Cody entered through the front door. "Your life isn't just yours.....your part of this family whether you like it or not. You have to let us help you."

"Best thing for everyone is if I let Wilcox do what he wants."Jimmy replied stubbornly avoiding Teaspon's gaze.

Teaspoon's eyes narrowed sharply as he came to stand next to Rachel. "That's enough of that kind of talk, Jimmy......"he looked from Rachel to Buck and back again. "Will somebody fill me in on what's goin' on?"

Buck glanced back at Jimmy before repling. "Wilcox is here. He's lookin' for Jimmy."

"I might as well make his job easy."Jimmy stated defiently as he started toward the front door. He never made it past Cody.

Cody stepped in front of his friend blocking his path. "I'll knock you out if I have to, Hickock."

Jimmy smiled slightly. "You never could, Cody."

"I think I stand a good chance."Cody replied wishing Hickock wasn't so damned stubborn.

"That's enough, both of you."Teaspoon ordered as he looked out the window. The sun was just setting. They might still have time to get a few miles between them and Rock Creek."Jimmy, get your gear. Cody saddle three horses."

Cody nodded and quickly left the house leaving the door open behind him.

Jimmy whirled around eyes blazing. "Why aren't any of you listenin' to me?! I'm not runnin'"

"You don't have a choice."Teaspoon replied firmly as he turned back to Rachel. "Do you have any food ready that we can take with?"

Rachel nodded. "I was just fixin' dinner. I'll see what I can get together."she replied before disappearing into the kitchen.