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 Fourteen

The next morning Anne-Marie awoke and went to find Amelia. She found her in the kitchen preparing breakfast.
"You must help me prepare for a trip. I must go with Mr. McCloud to help Isaac."
"Are you sure you want to go? He could go bring Isaac to you, couldn't he? Wouldn't that be easier? Less painful?" Amelia asked expressing her concern that if Anne-Marie had to face Nathan it would bring back too many bad memories.
Anne-Marie shook her head, "No, I must go. I fear that both Isaac and Buck are in danger; I can help them. I can make sure Nathan goes to jail."
"How?"
"I told the sheriff here about what happened, remember? He looked and tried to find them, but couldn't."
Amelia nodded as she continued with her cooking.
"Well, he had a wanted poster made. I need to get a copy and take it to Mole Hill to prove he is a wanted criminal. Please say you will help me," Anne-Marie said.
Amelia nodded. "First let's eat to build up your strength. Then while we pack your things, Mr. McCloud can go take care of getting a buggy."
She took the food from the stove and headed into the next room where Jeremiah and Margaret sat talking.
When Anne-Marie walked in, Jeremiah stood and went to her, "Are you alright? I didn't mean to upset you. I'm . . ."
She cut him off, "I'm fine, Mr. McCloud. I'm a bit surprised to find you still here, but fine."
Jeremiah smiled, "I couldn't leave without knowing that you were alright, and it's Jeremiah, please."
"Jeremiah, thank you for your concern," Anne-Marie smiled. "I'm glad you're here we need to talk." She sat down at the table next to Margaret. As they ate she explained her desire to go back with him to Mole Hill.
They decided to make all the arrangements and leave the next day, hoping they would get back to Mole Hill the day before the judge arrived.
They traveled at a good pace, stopping every so often to allow Anne-Marie to rest. Jeremiah and Anne-Marie spent much of the time talking and learning about each other's lives. Anne-Marie was relieved to find out that Jeremiah knew the story of how she met Buck, and that he didn't care that she had allowed herself to be put in the situation where she would have had to give herself to men for money. It made it much easier to open up and talk about other things.
"None of them knew?" Anne-Marie asked as Jeremiah told her of how Louise had ridden for the Pony Express in order to make enough money to get him and Teresa out of the orphanage. "Well, they eventually found out when she came and took us back from a man claiming to be our father," he said and then told her the story.
"That must have been very frightening for you and Teresa," she said when he finished.
Jeremiah nodded. He looked at her as they rode. He didn't know what would happen when they reached Mole Hill, but he hoped after the trial was over she would stay in town. He really didn't want to move. "You feeling alright?" he asked.
She nodded, "Why?"
"We're almost there. I was hoping we could keep going. We lost some time the other day so the judge probably came in yesterday. That would mean that the trial started today. I don't want to get there too late. Things could be in a real big mess if we get there after everything is all finished."
She reached over and placed her hand on his arm, "Then keep going, go faster, do whatever you need to. I'll be fine."
Jeremiah glanced at her and smiled. "Thank you," he said and he sped up the horses.
As they entered the town, they both sensed that something was wrong. "It's too quiet," said Jeremiah. "There should be people out and about; it's just a little after noon."
"Where would the trial be held?" asked Anne-Marie.
"The saloon."
"Let's start there," she said.
Jeremiah nodded and headed towards the saloon. As he was tying the horses to the hitching post they both heard Buck yell, "No! You can't do this! It's wrong to put the boy in danger like this!"
"Mr. Cross, I'll not tell you again, Sit down and keep quiet of I'll have you removed. Mr. Jones has the right to call whatever witness he thinks will help his case. Now, if you have an objection to this witness that you can explain calmly, I'll be happy to listen, but I will not have you yelling in my courtroom. Do you understand?"
Buck took a deep breath to steady his nerves; he glanced back at Teresa who was sitting with Louise, Kid, Morning Sun, and Nicholas. He saw the terror on Nicholas' face and decided that he needed to spare the boy for this ordeal anyway he could. He faced the judge again and said, "The boy doesn't want to testify. He's afraid that if he tells the truth and the decision goes the wrong way he'll be hurt. Isn't there some way to settle this without his testimony?"
The judge sat thinking. Finally he looked at the sheriff, "Is there anyway to find out what happened without talking to the boy?"
The sheriff stood and said, "Not that I can figure out, Your Honor. There were only three people at the scene - Mr. Jones, Mr. Cross, and the boy."
The judge nodded. "Thank you. Since we need the third party's version of what happened young Nicholas will have to tell us what he saw. Please take the stand, Nicholas."
Nicholas stood and began walking towards the judge. He did his best not to look at Nathan, not to notice the hate-filled glare being sent his way. He paused by Buck's seat. As he began to move forward, Buck stood. "I tried to take the boy against his will. He doesn't want to testify because he's afraid I'll hurt him if I get off," he said.
"Is that true, Son?" the judge asked looking closely at Nicholas.
Nicholas looked at Buck who nodded slightly. He looked at Nathan who sat grinning. Nicholas knew from that look that Nathan was plotting how to hurt him once he went back. He turned to look at Teresa and noticed movement in the back corner of the room. He looked closely at the two people entering the saloon. "Mama?" he whispered.

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