by Karen

Author's Note: Thanks to Sameena for all her help with this story. You're the best!

Disclaimer: The characters of The Young Riders were created for television by Ed Spielman. The series aired on ABC TELEVISION from 1989 - 1992. This story is a sequel to my stories "Acceptance" and "Morning Sun" which took place six years after the Pony Express was disbanded.

Chapter Ten

Jeremiah came up the stairs followed by the sheriff, Doc Burke, and Kid. "I don't understand," Kid said.
"I tried to tell you all last week when we brought him here; you just refused to listen," Jeremiah said.
"What's wrong?" asked Teresa.
"Ma'am, I'm sorry, but Mr. Cross can't go home just yet. We need to keep him in town until the judge comes through," the sheriff explained.
"We can bring him back when the judge comes. He's not due for a few more weeks," Kid said.
"I'm afraid that won't work Mr. . . ." the sheriff started.
Buck cut him off, "I need to go to the jail, don't I?"
"What on earth for?" asked Teresa.
"Trying to kidnap Nathan Jones' boy," answered Buck.
"But you never . . ." Teresa started.
"Mr. Jones says I did. He'd have to. He needs a reason for shooting me," Buck interrupted. "I'm surprised I wasn't moved sooner."
"Doc wouldn't let us," explained Jeremiah.
"Is Nathan still in jail?" asked Teresa.
Jeremiah nodded. "He has to stay until the judge is here too. He did try and kill Buck."
"That's what I don't understand," said Kid. "Nathan's being charged with attempted murder. Why does Buck have to be locked up?"
"Because Nathan has accused Buck of trying to take Nicholas out of his home against his will," explained Jeremiah. "He claims he only shot Buck to stop him from taking Nicholas."
"What does Nicholas say?" asked Teresa.
"Nothing," the sheriff answered. "He just stares at the man and refuses to answer. The only thing he's said to me since coming to get help for Mr. Cross is to ask if Nathan's staying locked up for now. If he ain't willing to say more, we've got Mr. Jones' word against Mr. Cross'. That's why if Mr. Cross leaves the doctor's office he has to go to jail."
"I have the option of staying here?" Buck asked with a sigh of relief.
The sheriff nodded. "I'd need to secure you to the bed and have a deputy stand guard. Doc's wiling to act as a deputy and it's easy enough to get something to tie you to the bed."
Buck nodded, "I think I'd rather be kept here than have to go stay at the jail with Nathan. I'd just as soon not have to listen to anything he has to say."
"Fine," said the sheriff. He swore Doc Burke in as a deputy and gave him a badge. Jeremiah went and got some leg irons so they could attach Buck to the bed.
"The only other thing is no one visits without Doc letting them in, and the door stays locked," the sheriff said.
Buck nodded. Teresa sat next to him ready to cry. He took her hands, "It will be fine," he said. "I'll be alright. Please don't worry. Maybe you could get Nicholas to drop off his Bible and letter for me on the way to school tomorrow. I could look them over during the day and then he could stop by in the afternoon and we could talk. Pleas don't cry." He reached up and hugged her.
Teresa hugged him back and sat up. She wiped her eyes and nodded. "I love you," she said. "I need to go explain to the children why you aren't coming home. I'll be back in the morning." She left feeling like part of her was still missing since Buck wouldn't be coming home with her yet.
Buck smiled at her, "I love you too."
She stood. Kid, the sheriff, and Doc Burke left with her. Jeremiah started to leave after he rechecked the leg irons to make sure they weren't too tight. "I'm sorry," he said.
"For what?" Buck asked. "Doing you job?"
Jeremiah nodded.
"Don't be," Buck told him. "It will be fine. Things will work out. I do need you to do me a favor though,"
"What?" asked Jeremiah.
"I need you to get me some paper and something to write with. Then I'll need you to make a trip to Wichita. I need you to try and find Nicholas' mother and bring her back here. The sooner the better," Buck said.
"No problem," replied Jeremiah. "I'll be right back."

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