Mission: Imposse-ble

Buck had made a decision, he'd thought long and hard.

And didn't want to spend his life in a stable yard.

Hugh said he'd keep his promise to always be there.

Now Buck had a family; one that really cared.

He'd offered to help build the new forge in town,

and told Hugh he'd help hold the old one down.

He wasn't cut out for teaching - no way!

So he turned down Hugh's offer to teach at the PHA.

Hugh still treated him like a son, and Blink had come back.

It seemed like everything was back on track.

But Lou was a day late and he started to worry.

Hugh wanted to put together a search party in a hurry.

"Let's give her some time," Buck said nervously.

"It's only a day, let's just wait and see."

------------

Bruce raced into town with his horse in a lather,

calling for Buck as he slid from the saddle.

Buck was standing outside CG's door,

more frustrated and confused than he'd ever been before.

"Bruce? Why...where's Lou?"

"You don't know...do you?"

Bruce breathed a sigh of relief.

At least he wouldn't have to deal with disbelief.

At that moment CG and Petra emerged from the house,

and both began to speak before Bruce could open his mouth.

"Where's Lou? Why isn't she here, and why

Did I get this letter from Write?"

Bruce's eyes widened. "What letter? What does it say?"

CG read, "Lou never came back to County that day."

Buck froze as CG read her mail.

"What does that mean?" His face grew pale.

Bruce slumped in defeat. "Fine, you might as well know.

I left Lou back at County 'cause the Judge said I could go.

He wants Lou for himself and now he's got her.

I'm supposed to say that I shot her."

He told the whole story of Lou and the Judge

and how now, once again, he was on the run.

"You left her?!" Buck started to get mad.

"You...you stupid idiot! We're all that she had!"

Bruce slouched lower. "I thought you should know about

it. If you're going to get her, count me out."

Buck paced back and forth until Petra grabbed his arm.

"Buck...I don't want Lou to come to harm."

That made up Buck's mind and he started to pack,

said goodbye to Petra, then swung onto his horse's back.

A ways from town Buck found his way blocked

by three men with guns, their sights on him locked.

"Why, look, it's Buchanan! What a surprise!

Didn't think we would come? Well, get wise!"

The posse from County hooted with glee

but Buck wasn't sure who they were supposed to be.

Buck's hand drifted low to the sheaths at his side,

"I knew you'd come after me," he lied.

They made him ride before them, keeping his back exposed.

In a brief moment of anguish, Buck let his eyes slide closed.

They rode to a ravine and pushed Buck to the edge.

He felt the empty space beyond the ledge.

He took a deep breath and pulled his knives out.

Flung one two; heard the resulting shouts.

Three guns fired at once, but only one bullet hit him.

He sank to the ground, hearing, "Come on! Get him!"

More shots, more shouts, then...nothing more.

Buck thought he'd crossed over to the Other Shore.

He opened his eyes and Bruce stood there.

Bareheaded, determined, his gun in the air.

"I couldn't let you go alone." Bruce seemed ashamed.

"I'm done running and playing games."

Buck pulled himself up. "Hand me your gun."

He walked to the last man, who couldn't run.

"Tell me where Lou is," he evenly said.

He cocked the gun and leveled it at the man's head.

The man babbled something about how Lou had been moved.

Buck glanced at Bruce, unsure what to do.

The man stared up at the twins and muttered an oath.

Buck pulled the trigger, and the barrel smoked.

Buck bandaged his wound and got ready to ride;

He left the ravine with Bruce at his side.

They were off on a goose chase with no solid clues,

but they were determined to track the Judge down and get back Lou.