Blistered and Bruised

No sense sticking around

Lou felt she'd be of little use.

Staring at the fire,

She wondered again

About Bruce.

It be a miracle that he

Made it clear.

Buck was working hard

She could see his fear.

It felt slightly guilty

To just disappear.

Billy however

Was in trouble.

She wanted to get

To him on the double.

Brody was waiting

When she got back.

Standing on the porch

Of her shack.

His face was filled

With concern.

"He's been very

badly burned."

"It's not good, Lou

There is little I could do.

Are you sure he wouldn't

Be better off in town?"

"Not with Doc also down."

"I hate to ask but Buck

needs help looking for Bruce

And Shamus is still on the loose...

And I..."

"I got it covered, Lou."

He gave me a chaste

kiss good-bye.

When Lou got inside

She couldn't hide

Her surprise.

Billy was standing

By the bedroom door

"Sorry Lou,

but I can't stay anymore."

His shirt was off

The burns were bad

His back was covered

In welts.

He saw her staring

"This isn't the worse I've had

or the worse I've felt."

"Billy, you're hurt

Besides you can't

Go anywhere without

A shirt."

His clothes were a wreck

And the burns hurt like heck .

"I'll find some clothes

But it's time I go."

"Where to?"

"I must find Rue."

"Let me help you?"

He smiled at her,

"You've done enough, Lou."

"How I wish that were true?"

She grabbed a shirt

From Brody's pack

Made a salve for his back

"Sure there is no way

To convince you to stay?"

"She needs me Lou.

The threats are gone

Rue needs me now

Something's wrong."

How did he know...

He felt it in his soul.