{"id":5339,"date":"2003-10-06T01:18:17","date_gmt":"2003-10-06T05:18:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5339"},"modified":"2026-07-31T08:49:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T12:49:28","slug":"trust-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5339","title":{"rendered":"Trust (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>Visiting a friend in jail has consequences that Joe doesn\u2019t expect.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0 (8,545 words)<\/p>\n

Disclaimer:\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Trapped<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leaning on the bar of the Silver Dollar saloon, Adam Cartwright said, \u201cA beer, please, Cosmo.\u201d He smiled his thanks as the glass was placed by his elbow and took a deep draught of it. \u201cWe\u2019re in for trouble,\u201d he commented in a low voice.<\/p>\n

Standing next to Adam at the bar was his younger, although taller and heavier, brother, Hoss. He glanced sideways at Adam. \u201cHow come?\u201d he asked, putting down his glass.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile I was over getting the mail, I overheard Rudi telling someone that Peter Davis was arrested last night.\u201d Adam took another deep slug from his glass.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh-oh,\u201d Hoss groaned. \u201cWhat fer?\u201d<\/p>\n

Glancing sideways and meeting his brother\u2019s eyes for the first time, Adam replied, \u201cBank robbery.\u201d<\/p>\n

The reaction he got was everything he could have hoped for. \u201cWhat?\u201d Hoss exclaimed, putting down his glass with a bang. \u201cYa gotta be kiddin\u2019!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I was,\u201d Adam responded, wryly. \u201cJoe\u2019ll be fit to be tied when he hears this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking around uneasily, Hoss asked, \u201cWhere\u2019s he at?\u201d<\/p>\n

Raising one eyebrow and grimacing, Adam replied, \u201cAt the bank.\u201d<\/p>\n

*****************<\/p>\n

Waiting for the teller to gather the money he had requested, Joe Cartwright couldn\u2019t help wondering why all the bank\u2019s employees were staring at him uneasily. He glanced surreptitiously down at himself, but no, he didn\u2019t appear to be splattered with mud. There was no easy way to the check that he hadn\u2019t split the seat of his pants, but they felt fine. His hat was on straight and he hadn\u2019t accidentally put on Hoss\u2019 ten-gallon hat, or Adam\u2019s black one, both of which were too big for him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, John,\u201d he whispered, as the teller came back. \u201cWhy\u2019s everyone lookin\u2019 at me funny?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what you mean,\u201d John mumbled, flushing.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t give me that!\u201d Joe responded, exasperated. \u201cYou know what it is! Now, tell me, please!\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking down, John put the last of the money into the pouch and shoved it under the bars to Joe, who tucked it away inside his jacket automatically. \u201cAll right,\u201d he agreed. \u201cI\u2019ll tell you.\u201d Taking a deep breath, John said, \u201cPeter Davis was arrested last night while trying to rob the bank.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a single instant, Joe just gazed at the teller. \u201cIt\u2019s not true!\u201d he stated, but his denial lacked vehemence. \u201cThere\u2019s got to be a mistake!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo mistake, Joe,\u201d came a deep baritone voice from behind Joe. He turned to see the bank president, Mr. Wilson, standing there, with a bandage round his head and a black eye. Joe felt his insides turn over. \u201cI saw him myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

*******************<\/p>\n

The door of the jailhouse sprang open and both Sheriff Roy Coffee and Ben Cartwright, Joe\u2019s father, turned in surprise. \u201cJoe!\u201d Ben exclaimed, both surprised and embarrassed by his son\u2019s precipitous entry. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Peter?\u201d Joe cried, his eyes flashing. \u201cRoy, is he here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJist settle down, young\u2019un,\u201d Roy advised. \u201cHe\u2019s here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to see him!\u201d Joe declared.<\/p>\n

****************<\/p>\n

Exchanging glances, Ben and Roy could only make wry faces at each other. When Ben had arrived in the jail a short time ago, to check that Roy was still coming out a few nights later to play checkers, he had been shocked to discover that Peter Davis had been caught red-handed robbing the bank. Davis and Joe had become fast friends.<\/p>\n

This was something of a surprise to Ben. They seemed an unlikely pairing. But then, everything about Davis was a mass of contradictions. He was tall and very muscular, and to look at him, you would assume that he was a cowboy or a miner; someone who did manual labor. But he wasn\u2019t; he was a book-keeper. Davis had fine pale blond hair, with black eyebrows. His dark brown eyes came as a shock in the fairness of his skin. He spoke quietly and gave the impression of being quite a gentle man, yet he always carried a gun, frequently lost his temper and often became involved in brawls. He generally kept everyone at arm\u2019s length \u2013 except Joe.<\/p>\n

Quite how Joe had come to be such a good friend of Davis\u2019 was a matter for speculation amongst the other Cartwrights. Joe had never said, and they hadn\u2019t liked to pry. Usually with Joe, information either burst out of him, or was released in a gradual trickle, but this time he kept his peace.<\/p>\n

As it happened, Joe had kept quiet because Davis had asked him to. They had met one night when Joe, on the outskirts of Virginia City, had heard some firing from up ahead. Racing thoughtlessly into the fray, Joe was in time to see one man ride away, and found Davis on the ground, just getting to his feet with a graze on his cheek.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank,\u201d he panted to Joe. \u201cHe was trying to rob me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right?\u201d Joe asked, torn between helping Davis and chasing the thief.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019m fine,\u201d Davis replied. He brushed the dust off his clothes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ought to tell the sheriff,\u201d Joe suggested, contenting himself to stay where he was. He would never find the thief in the darkness.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d rather not,\u201d Davis responded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d Joe demanded. \u201cHe was gonna rob you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but he didn\u2019t get anything, thanks to you,\u201d replied Davis. \u201cAnd to be perfectly truthful, it\u2019s embarrassing admitting that a big guy like me almost got robbed on the road. Please, don\u2019t tell anyone?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, if that\u2019s what you want,\u201d Joe agreed, easily. He thrust out his hand. \u201cI\u2019m Joe Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPeter Davis.\u201d And they shook. Joe found himself often in Davis\u2019 company after that, for the secret they shared seemed to bond them together. Having something of a temper himself, Joe could understand how Davis could lose his temper with very little provocation, and being friends with a Cartwright didn\u2019t do Davis any harm.<\/p>\n

*********************<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to see him, Roy,\u201d Joe repeated.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Joe,\u201d Roy replied, slowly. He could tell Ben had wanted him to say no, but there was nothing to prevent Joe seeing his friend. \u201cBetter give me your gun first.\u201d<\/p>\n

Giving Roy a hard look, Joe hesitated for an instant before handing the pearl-handled revolver over. \u201cPeter wouldn\u2019t do anything,\u201d he asserted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019 say he would,\u201d Roy returned. He kept his tone reasonable. He could see that Joe was spoiling for a fight. \u201cBut them\u2019s the regulations, Joe. Don\u2019 matter who it is. I gotta take everyone\u2019s gun.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Ben said softly, and when his son\u2019s green eyes cut his way, he wondered what he was going to say.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t, Pa,\u201d Joe pleaded. \u201cDon\u2019t say anything.\u201d He held his father\u2019s gaze for a moment before drawing a deep, uneven breath and nodding to Roy. \u201cCan I go in?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Roy allowed. He laid Joe\u2019s gun on his desk as Joe opened the door between the office and the cells. He stepped through and closed it firmly behind him. He didn\u2019t want his father and Roy eavesdropping on what he said.<\/p>\n

*******************<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Davis exclaimed, jumping to his feet from the bunk. \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI came to see you, Peter,\u201d Joe responded, suddenly at a loss for words. \u201cPeter, I can\u2019t believe it! It must be some kind of mistake. Tell me what happened and I\u2019ll see if I can get Roy to believe you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Davis regarded Joe calmly through the bars. \u201cWhat good would it do?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Sighing in exasperation, Joe stopped his restless pacing and leant his left hand on the bars, turning sideways on to the cell. He didn\u2019t want to believe what he thought Davis was telling him. Not looking at his friend, he replied, \u201cIt might help you get out of here. After all, you weren\u2019t robbing the bank, were you?\u201d It was phrased as a question, but came out as a statement of fact.<\/p>\n

In a swift movement, Davis crossed the small cell, grabbed Joe\u2019 left hand, yanked it towards him and twisted it up behind Joe\u2019s back. Caught off guard, Joe lost his balance, and found himself falling against the bars. Davis\u2019 other arm snaked around Joe\u2019s neck and putting his hand on Joe\u2019s face, he effectively muffled any out-cry Joe might make while he cracked Joe\u2019s head off the bars several times.<\/p>\n

Joe fought furiously, but one bang of his head too many, and he was too dazed to resist any further, his legs turning rubbery beneath him. Davis allowed Joe to slump to the floor, still keeping his hand over Joe\u2019s mouth. He changed his grip so that Joe\u2019s arm was now through the bottom bars and with his other hand, he cautiously released Joe\u2019s mouth and hunted through his friend\u2019s pockets and after a moment, found the knife that he knew Joe usually carried. With it securely against Joe\u2019s throat, he shook his dazed victim slightly before shouting, \u201cHey, sheriff!\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a pause before the door opened and Roy appeared, stopping abruptly so that Ben, who was on his heels, cannoned into him. \u201cWhat\u2026?\u201d Ben started, before his eye fell on Joe, slumped against the bars, clearly dazed and with a knife held to his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad you\u2019re here, too, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Davis said, cheerfully. \u201cNow, you\u2019re both going to do what I want, or Joe here will suffer. I want the money I\u2019d have got from the bank last night \u2013 what, about $10,000? Bring it here, with a horse and I might let you have Joe back in one piece. Is all that clear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Roy nodded, for he had no choice but to agree. \u201cBut there ain\u2019t no promises. The bank is shut.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can wait,\u201d Davis returned. \u201cUnlock the cell,\u201d he ordered. \u201cOh, and I think I\u2019d like to have your handcuffs, Sheriff. I might want to move about a bit, and I can\u2019t risk letting go of Joe here, now can I?\u201d As Roy hesitated, Davis tightened his grip on Joe\u2019s throat, and Joe began to choke. The point of his knife nicked a spot just below his ear and a trickle of bright red blood oozed down his neck.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo what he says, Roy,\u201d Ben urged, his voice hollow. \u201cBut I\u2019m warning you, Davis. If Joe is hurt, there won\u2019t be anywhere in this world big enough for you to hide in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, yeah, I\u2019ve heard it all before,\u201d Davis responded, indifferently. He watched as Roy slowly turned the key in the lock, then dropped his open handcuffs into the cell and backed away. \u201cAll right, you can go,\u201d Davis told them. \u201cBut a word of warning. Leave that door open, so I know what you\u2019re doing. And don\u2019t bother to send anyone to shoot at me through the window. I won\u2019t be moving far from Joe\u2019s side, and any bullet that hits me will cause him untold hurt. Clear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClear,\u201d Roy agreed. \u00a0He urged Ben back into the office, leaving the door open as he had been told to. Through it, they could see Davis gather up the cuffs, his painful grip on Joe\u2019s left arm never moving. Before long, he had Joe\u2019s hands secured to the horizontal bars above him.<\/p>\n

******************<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we going to do?\u201d Ben whispered to Roy, his eyes fixed on Joe. His son was only just beginning to come back to full consciousness.<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno,\u201d Roy admitted. \u201cHe\u2019s sure got us over a barrel, Ben. I\u2019m real sorry. I never figgered he\u2019d do somethin\u2019 like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not your fault,\u201d Ben assured him. He found himself wringing his hands anxiously and consciously stopped doing it.<\/p>\n

They both tensed as the outer door swung open to admit Adam and Hoss. \u201cPa,\u201d Adam said loudly as they entered, \u201cHave you heard that\u2026\u201d His voice trailed off as he followed Ben\u2019s horrified gaze, swinging around to see his youngest brother a helpless captive by the cells.<\/p>\n

\u201cNice of you to join us, fellas,\u201d Davis called. \u201cTake a seat where I can see you and don\u2019t make any sudden moves. If you value your brother\u2019s life, that is.\u201d He laughed as both Adam and Hoss subsided onto the desk, their faces white with shock.<\/p>\n

*******************<\/p>\n

As his grip on conscious improved, Joe took in his situation. His arms were fastened above his head and he could feel the handcuffs biting into his wrists. His head ached slightly from being bashed off the bars of the cell, but Joe knew it could have been so much worse. The blood that had run down his neck was drying now and was ticklish. He twisted his head slightly to rub against his shoulder. Swallowing, he asked, \u201cWhy are you doing this, Peter? I thought we were friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you thought wrong,\u201d Davis assured him. \u201cOh, you\u2019re good company, Joe, but we\u2019re not friends. But being seen with you gave me an aura of reliability it would have taken me years to build up. You see, I don\u2019t like to stay anywhere too long. And when you came in here, it gave me the chance I needed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe chance you needed to do what?\u201d Joe asked, turning his head slightly to see his erstwhile friend. Davis moved out of the cell so that he could see Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh come on, Joe!\u201d Davis scoffed. \u201cI didn\u2019t hit your head that hard! Think! I\u2019m in here for armed robbery \u2013 what chance do you think I need?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo escape,\u201d Joe replied, softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cGot it in one!\u201d Davis praised him. \u201cI knew you weren\u2019t completely stupid. This way, I can get away and I get the money I need.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d Joe muttered, for indeed he did. He wondered if Davis had found the pouch of money that had been in his jacket. Joe tried to move to see if he could still feel it, but the way his hands were restrained prevented him. There was about $1000 all told, but Joe knew that that wasn\u2019t enough to please Peter. \u201cAnd to think I came here to protest your innocence!\u201d he commented bitterly.<\/p>\n

\u201cLife\u2019s a bitch and then you die,\u201d Davis agreed, sounding singularly unconcerned. \u201cWhere\u2019d you hear about me anyhow?\u201d he asked, mildly interested. Glancing through the door, Davis could see Joe\u2019s family and the sheriff watching them. He gave them a cheery smile. He had been wondering how he was going to get out of this one; Joe\u2019s timing was fortuitous.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the bank,\u201d Joe responded. He tried to ease his position slightly, drawing up his legs so he was sitting a bit straighter, and taking some of the pressure off his shoulders. Feeling eyes on him, he lifted his head and smiled at Ben, who smiled back, unconvincingly. \u201cMr. Wilson told me he\u2019d caught you emptying the vault. I told him he was wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Joe, before I met you, I didn\u2019t believe the stories of the way you go off half-cocked, speaking before you think. You really are priceless.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Joe muttered sarcastically. \u201cBut you still haven\u2019t told me why.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy I robbed the bank?\u201d Davis asked. \u201cOh Joe, really. I wanted the money, of course. Why else would I have bothered?\u201d<\/p>\n

Suddenly, they heard the outside door open again, and Davis reacted instantly, crouching close by Joe\u2019s side, his hand shooting out to cover Joe\u2019s mouth, the other holding the knife blade to his throat. Ben rose to his feet and walked over to the intervening door and pulled it partially closed as Roy rose to greet the visitor.<\/p>\n

\u201cGot a telegram fer ya, sheriff,\u201d came Rudi\u2019s distinctive voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Rudi,\u201d Roy replied, his tone one of unruffled calm. \u201cI\u2019m obliged ta ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing,\u201d Rudi answered and the outside door banged shut again.<\/p>\n

Breathing out a sigh of relief, Ben opened the door again and regarded Joe with anxiety. Davis did not loosen his grip. \u201cHe gone?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cLock the door so\u2019s it doesn\u2019t happen again,\u201d Davis ordered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if someone comes wanting the sheriff?\u201d Adam asked. There was a dangerous edge to his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I presume they\u2019ll knock,\u201d returned Davis, his voice no less dangerous. He still had his grip on Joe, who was now struggling as best he could, trying to ease the grip on his face. \u201cGet back to your seats!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSiddown, Adam,\u201d Hoss said, quietly, but Adam heeded his brother, resuming his seat reluctantly. Hoss was no less incensed at seeing his brother man-handled in this way, but he didn\u2019t want a careless show of temper to jeopardize Joe in any way. Common sense told him that Davis could not afford to kill Joe, but that wouldn\u2019t stop him hurting Joe badly if he thought it necessary.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it, Roy?\u201d Ben asked, in an undertone as the sheriff read his wire. \u201cBad news?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYa could say that,\u201d Roy responded slowly. \u201cI sent out wires askin\u2019 about unsolved bank robberies. This is the answer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does it say?\u201d Ben urged.<\/p>\n

\u201cShare your love letter, sheriff,\u201d Davis said. He had silently released Joe, got to his feet and was now standing within a few feet of the door to the office. This was the first time he had moved from Joe\u2019s side, but neither Adam nor Hoss could risk a shot at him, for if they missed, unlikely as it was at close range, Joe was in their line of fire.<\/p>\n

Only Ben saw the flash of anger before Roy turned to look at Davis. \u201cAll right,\u201d he agreed, in a casual tone. \u201cIt\u2019s from the sheriff down in Lodge Pine. He says someone fittin\u2019 your description is wanted fer robbin\u2019 the bank there. Would that be ya?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably,\u201d Davis agreed. \u201cWhat else?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, a few more along that line,\u201d Roy replied. He cocked a warning eye at Ben. \u201cIt says ya murdered a bank clerk back in Missouri, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure did!\u201d nodded Davis. \u201cAny other bits of my career you want to share? I\u2019m truly thankful for you telling the Cartwrights all this, because they might not have believed me if I\u2019d told them. They\u2019d have probably thought I was making it all up so they\u2019d do what I told them. Now, they know that if I threaten to kill Joe, here, I mean it.\u201d He took several casual steps back, until he was standing beside Joe again.<\/p>\n

Looking up, Joe wondered how he could have been so mistaken by Davis. He could still see the genial man he thought he had befriended, but there was now an aura of danger about him that Joe had never seen before. He moved uneasily, for the charged atmosphere in the jail house had suddenly tensed even further. The recitation of Davis\u2019 crimes made Joe even more aware of how vulnerable he was. \u201cPeter,\u201d he began, not sure what he was going to say.<\/p>\n

In a terrifyingly swift movement, Davis kicked out at Joe, striking him brutally on the hip. Joe, unprepared for the blow, slid slightly, leaving most of his weight hanging from his hands. He winced. Before he could try to move, Davis planted his boot on Joe\u2019s stomach and began putting weight on it. \u201cSee how easy it is?\u201d he demanded. \u201cJust remember this when you get your ideas of rescuing him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss were on their feet now. Ben was gazing at Joe, ashen-faced, as Davis continued to put weight on the foot that was on Joe\u2019s stomach. Joe was trying to curl away, but couldn\u2019t, and Ben could see the fight he was waging with himself not to cry out. But a groan of pain escaped him before Davis removed his foot.<\/p>\n

Leaving Joe half-curled on the floor, he walked calmly back inside the cell.<\/p>\n

********************<\/p>\n

Gasping for breath, Joe drew his legs up closer to his chest while he tried to control the pain. As it subsided, leaving only an ache in his hip, Joe felt slightly sick. He grabbed the bars of the cell with his hands and pulled himself back into a more up-right position. The immediate pressure was taken off his hands, but his shoulders were aching relentlessly from their unaccustomed position and his hands were beginning to feel numb.<\/p>\n

Raising his head, Joe saw his family, still standing in their frozen positions, all of their gazes riveted on him. Drawing a cautious deep breath, Joe nodded slightly. \u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d he reported, hoarsely. He tried to smile, but was less than successful.<\/p>\n

Gradually, the Cartwrights relaxed enough to sit down again. Ben glanced at the clock. It had been shortly after 5 pm when Joe had rushed imprudently into the sheriff\u2019s office, ready to defend his friend. It was now past 8, with the whole of the night stretching before them. Outside, it had been dark for some time. Ben shivered. He barely felt the chill in the air, for the stove in the jail had not been lit to ward off the autumnal night. Ben shivered from fear. He feared for his sons\u2019 lives. Although Joe was the one in the most obvious peril, Ben was terrified that, somehow, something would happen to either Adam or Hoss, too. Briefly closing his eyes, he sent an appeal to heaven.<\/p>\n

******************<\/p>\n

\u201cThat day you say you were being robbed on the road,\u201d Joe mentioned as Davis paced restlessly. \u201cWas it you who was almost robbed, or were you doing the robbing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think?\u201d Davis replied, looking down at Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were trying to rob that man,\u201d Joe stated, with cold certainty. \u201cWho was he?\u201d<\/p>\n

Shrugging, Davis replied, \u201cI don\u2019t know. Some drifter; an out-of-work cowboy, who knows? I don\u2019t care, either. He was faster than me, and I almost got shot that time. Your arrival was quite fortuitous then, as well.\u201d He grinned at Joe. \u201cPerhaps you have been a friend to me, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking steadily back, Joe replied, \u201cIf I had known, I wouldn\u2019t have been, Peter. You can count on that. I would have done everything I could to bring you to justice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou Cartwrights \u2013 you\u2019re all so sanctimonious!\u201d Davis stalked away in disgust. Joe let him go.<\/p>\n

****************<\/p>\n

The chill grew deeper. A cold draft crept in through the bars of the cell and moved along the floor, adding to the chill that Joe felt already. He fought to control the shiver that ran up his spine, but the cold was seeping through the seat of his thin pants from the stone floor and he was fighting a losing battle. He smiled faintly as he recalled his father admonishing him as a small child not to \u201csit on cold stone \u2013 you\u2019ll get piles.\u201d At that time, Joe had not had the faintest idea what piles were and wondered why sitting on cold stone could give him piles. Piles of what? he finally asked Adam, who had blushed, wondering why Joe always asked\u00a0him<\/em>\u00a0the awkward questions!<\/p>\n

His amusement faded as another shiver wracked his body. Twisting his head slightly and wincing at the pain that shot across his shoulders, he saw that Davis was wrapped in the thin blanket from the bunk in the cell. It might not be much, but it seemed like the height of luxury to Joe at that moment. He only had on his thin green twill jacket, as the day had been warm enough for him not to need a warmer coat. His father and Adam both had on warmer jackets and Hoss had a blanket from the cot Roy sometimes slept on.<\/p>\n

\u201cDavis,\u201d Ben said, quietly. He had seen Joe shivering and wanted to do what he could to help his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d Davis asked, walking over to Joe\u2019s side. He stood close enough that Joe could not twist his legs around and kick Davis\u2019 legs out from underneath him.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe must be cold. Can I give him this blanket?\u201d Ben held the blanket up to show he wasn\u2019t hiding anything.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou cold, Joe?\u201d Davis asked, seeing that Joe\u2019s face was pinched and white and his jaw was clenched from the effort of trying to stop shivering.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe admitted, reluctantly. He knew there was no point in trying to hide it any longer. He tried not to think of the warmth of the blanket, well aware that Davis might decide to be cruel and not let him have it. Lifting his chin, Joe told himself he would be fine without the blanket. He would just be finer with it!<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Davis replied. \u201cPut it down there. I\u2019ll give it to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Ben told him. He dropped the blanket and moved back, his eyes caressing Joe\u2019s face, seeing how cold and tired his son was; seeing the signs of pain that Joe was suffering thanks to the position of his arms.<\/p>\n

Picking up the blanket, Davis dropped it carelessly over Joe\u2019s legs, but Joe didn\u2019t mind. After a few moments, he could feel the added warmth creeping up his legs. Although it never reached his butt, Joe felt warmer over all.<\/p>\n

*******************<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we going to do?\u201d Adam asked quietly. Joe had his eyes closed and Adam wondered how his brother could sleep in that position, but after a few seconds, Joe\u2019s eyes opened again. Adam\u2019s fists were clenched.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see what we can do,\u201d Ben admitted, equally quietly. It was now almost midnight. Outside, the town was quiet, and Roy was glad, in a way, that there had been no disturbances. On the other hand, if there had been, he might have risked taking a pot shot at Davis through the jail window. He hated to feel as powerless as this. \u201cDavis holds all the cards.\u201d Ben gestured to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere must be summat we c\u2019n do,\u201d Hoss muttered. \u201cI hate ta see the young\u2019un sufferin\u2019 like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all do,\u201d Adam agreed. \u201cSurely there must be something.\u201d He curbed the impulse to rise to his feet and pace. As time wore on, Davis was becoming tenser and more unpredictable.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur only chance may come while Davis is trying to escape with Joe,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cI hate to leave him there as much as you do, but I don\u2019t want to jeopardize his safety.\u201d He rubbed Adam\u2019s shoulder gently for a moment, feeling the muscles tense beneath his hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you Cartwrights saying?\u201d Davis called through. \u201cBreak it up.\u201d He was hovering over Joe and they reluctantly moved apart.<\/p>\n

*********************<\/p>\n

Laughing, Davis sat down by Joe. \u201cWhat do you want, Peter?\u201d Joe asked, wearily. He was beginning to feel a bit breathless, although he couldn\u2019t understand why. His shoulder muscles were cramping painfully and his hands had almost no feeling in them.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what I want, Joe,\u201d the other responded.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not what I mean, and you know it,\u201d Joe told him. \u201cWhat do you want to do when you get out of here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to get away,\u201d Davis replied. \u201cAnd I think I probably want to kill you to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy wait?\u201d Joe wanted to know. \u201cWhy not kill me now? You\u2019ve got plenty of other hostages to torment.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment, Davis just looked at Joe. \u201cI didn\u2019t know how I was going to get out of here, Joe, I\u2019ll be honest. I trusted that something would turn up. It looked pretty bleak for me until you came. Even though you weren\u2019t allowed to have your gun, I was fairly sure you would be carrying your knife. And its effective, Joe. I\u2019m going to get what I want; the money from the bank. And I\u2019ll have my freedom, too. You\u2019ll have to take your chances I\u2019m afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI came here because of the trust I had in you,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cI believed you were innocent.\u201d He met Davis\u2019 gaze steadily. \u201cI know better now, of course, but I would like to know why. Why do you rob banks? You\u2019re not stupid; you get any kind of job you wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing, Davis shook his head. \u201cYou don\u2019t understand, do you? Its simple, Joe. I don\u2019t really want to work. Working is so boring! But I like to live the good life. I like to drink and gamble and that requires money. So, when I get a bit short, I rob a bank.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what about the people?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cDo you ever think of the people whose money you\u2019ve stolen? And what of the person you killed. He might have had a wife and a family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve killed more than one person,\u201d Davis admitted. \u201cAnd I don\u2019t think of them, any more than you think of the people you\u2019ve killed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat makes you think that I don\u2019t think about them?\u201d Joe retorted. \u201cBecause I do. Not all the time, but I do think of them.\u201d He tried to ease his shoulders again. \u201cWhy do you pretend to be someone you\u2019re not? Why do you stay in a place for a time before you rob the bank?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Davis admitted and for the first time sounded a little uncertain. \u201cBut I guess I can\u2019t be on the run all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it worth it, Peter?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cI don\u2019t think you\u2019ll get away from here, even if you do kill me. Give yourself up now. All right, you\u2019ll get a few years in jail, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll hang!\u201d Peter declared, flatly. \u201cDon\u2019t forget, Joe, I\u2019m wanted for murder.\u201d<\/p>\n

Biting his lip, Joe subsided for the moment. He flicked a glance at his family. Ben was still looking at him. Hoss had his eyes shut, but Joe didn\u2019t think he was asleep. Adam was swinging one leg restlessly as he sat on the edge of the desk. Roy Coffee was leaning against the wall. \u201cWe were friends,\u201d Joe stated, returning to the attack. \u201cOh, deny it if you like, but we were friends. \u00a0Is it going to be that easy to kill me, if that\u2019s what it comes down to?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou felt what I did to you earlier,\u201d Davis replied. \u201cThat was easy for me. What do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBeating me up is different,\u201d Joe responded. \u201cBut can you kill me? Can you honestly say you can look me in the eye and kill me without thinking about those times we shared? Can you?\u201d Joe\u2019s voice had risen slightly and his tone was challenging.<\/p>\n

The next moment, Davis was on him, the knife pricking under Joe\u2019s chin. Joe heard Ben cry out, but he fearlessly met Davis\u2019 gaze. After a long pause, Davis lifted the knife away from Joe\u2019s chin and slid the blade down his cheek, the flat against the skin. Joe\u2019s eyes were still locked with Davis\u2019. Sliding the blade across Joe\u2019s mouth, he turned it so the tip ran up the young man\u2019s cheek. A thin ribbon of blood appeared and began to run down Joe\u2019s face. For a moment, there was no pain, then the cut began to burn like fire, but Joe voiced no sound.<\/p>\n

Leaning in close, Davis whispered, \u201cYou tell me \u2013\u00a0friend<\/em>!\u201d He rose and walked back into the cell.<\/p>\n

*****************<\/p>\n

Ben was on his feet, gazing at Joe in undisguised horror. \u201cJoe!\u201d he said, watching the blood oozing down his son\u2019s cheek and soak into the collar of his shirt.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep your distance, Cartwright!\u201d Davis ordered. \u201cKeep your distance or I\u2019ll kill him!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d Adam took Ben\u2019s arm. He eyes flitted between Joe and his father, who was as pale as his youngest brother. \u201cPa, please,\u201d he said, urgently, and pulled Ben back to the desk, where he made him sit down.<\/p>\n

\u201cDavis, you\u2019re gonna pay fer this!\u201d Roy warned him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, yeah,\u201d Davis replied, unconcerned. He looked down at Joe. \u201cYou still think I\u2019ll find it difficult to kill you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking up, Joe met his gaze. \u201cYes,\u201d he replied, simply.<\/p>\n

Giving a bark of laughter, Davis went back into the cell. Joe fought back a wince and met Ben\u2019s eyes. \u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d he told him. \u201cPa, honestly, I\u2019m all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Ben began, but Joe interrupted him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve nothing to be sorry for, Pa,\u201d he stated quietly. Each word sent a new wave of agony through his face. \u201cI trust you, Pa. I trust you and Adam and Hoss. Do you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

Blankly, Ben shook his head. What did Joe mean?<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand, Joe,\u201d Adam assured him. \u201cYou can trust us.\u201d He nodded, to add emphasis to his words and saw Joe nod slightly in return. Seeing that Ben still did not understand, Adam leant in close and whispered, \u201cJoe trusts us to get him out of this, Pa. What ever we decide to do is all right by Joe. He\u2019s telling us to do what we have to, to get him out of this mess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I see,\u201d Ben agreed. His eyes were still locked with Joe\u2019s. \u201cYou can trust us, son,\u201d he told him.<\/p>\n

The corner of Joe\u2019s mouth quirked slightly. \u201cI knew I could,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n

***********************<\/p>\n

It was almost 4 am. The cold was intense and there was a bitter frost outside. The silence in the jail was absolute. Davis crouched near Joe, who was resting his head back against the bars of the cell. His cheek had stopped bleeding, but the pain hadn\u2019t lessened any. His hands had no feeling in them, although he was still able to make his fingers wiggle, and his shoulder muscles were in constant spasm. Every now and then, a cough forced its way out of Joe\u2019s throat, and it hurt the muscles in his chest. Joe did not know that the position he was in, with his hands forced above his head, was causing the breathing difficulties he was having. All he knew was that he was incredibly uncomfortable and in pain.<\/p>\n

For some time, Adam had been drawing aimlessly on a piece of paper. He looked down at the concentric circles he had drawn and realized that perhaps he had found a way to tell Ben, Hoss and Roy of his plan to rescue Joe. Trying not to make it obvious, he began to write. Since Davis had been watching Adam doodle for some time, he paid no attention when the oldest Cartwright son began to write.<\/p>\n

After a while, convinced that he had written down everything he needed, he slid the paper over to Ben. \u201cPa,\u201d he whispered and nodded at the paper. Ben rubbed a weary hand over his face and glanced down.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s risky,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Adam replied, equally quietly, as Hoss moved the paper slightly so he could see it. Roy read it over his shoulder. They eyed Adam gravely. \u201cJoe said he trusts us,\u201d Adam reminded them.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Adam\u2026\u201d Ben began.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe trusts us,\u201d Adam interrupted. \u201cWe have to do something, Pa; Joe can\u2019t take this much longer. He\u2019s hurt and needs our help. It\u2019s not a great plan, but what else do we have? Davis might kill Joe at any time, in a fit of temper. He\u2019s becoming more and more erratic. What other choice do we have?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have no other choice,\u201d Ben agreed. He looked down at the paper again, his heart in his mouth. Adam\u2019s plan was simple, but risky. When Davis moved away from Joe, one or other of them would take a shot at Davis. The risk came from the chance of hitting Joe if they were not 100% accurate, or having the bullet ricochet off the bars or walls. But as Ben said, they had no choice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you all whispering about?\u201d Davis demanded. Lack of sleep was telling on his temper and the waiting seemed to be interminable.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were asking each other if they are all right,\u201d Joe retorted, before Ben could say anything. \u201cIt\u2019s something that family and friends do \u2013 check that everyone is all right. But you wouldn\u2019t know that, would you, Peter? Because you don\u2019t have any family or friends!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, Joe!\u201d Davis shouted and kicked him. \u201cJust shut up, damn you!\u201d He kicked Joe again. Both blows landed on Joe\u2019s hip, which began to throb painfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe truth hurts, doesn\u2019t it?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

With a snarl, Davis rounded on Joe and delivered a back-hand slap that caused Joe\u2019s cheek to start bleeding again. Again, he lifted his foot and kicked Joe hard on the hip, seeming to forget the knife he held in his hand.<\/p>\n

This was the chance that the Cartwrights had been waiting for, yet for an instant, they all sat there, paralyzed. Then Adam reacted, drawing his gun and firing at Davis.<\/p>\n

The bullet hit Davis in the back of the shoulder, sending him staggering against the bars. Catching himself, he slowly straightened, and as Hoss fired at him, he plunged the knife into Joe\u2019s shoulder. Joe let out a shriek of pain as Hoss\u2019 bullet caught Davis in the stomach. For a moment, the outlaw just stood there, gazing down at his stomach in disbelief as a bright flower of blood blossomed there. \u00a0Amazingly, he took several steps towards the Cartwrights, then, his hands clutching at the injury, he collapsed slowly to the floor.<\/p>\n

For a frozen instant, none of them moved, then Ben found himself at Joe\u2019s side, his arms around his injured son, heedless of the blood staining his clothes as he sought to give Joe what comfort he could. \u201cJoe,\u201d he cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Pa,\u201d Joe replied, unable to say anything else. His muscles began to tremble and a cough shook his slender frame.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go git the doc,\u201d Hoss offered and Ben heard the door bang shut as Hoss raced away. Roy went over to check on Davis while Adam found the keys for the handcuffs and released Joe\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n

The pain as he brought his arms down made Joe cry out again. He tried to catch his breath enough to thank Adam, but his chest was suddenly horrendously tight and breathing was difficult. \u201cPa,\u201d he breathed, fighting down the panic he felt, and trying desperately to get air into his lungs.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake it easy, Joe, I\u2019ve got you,\u201d Ben soothed, frightened by Joe\u2019s obvious distress. He glanced at Adam, who looked as concerned as he felt.<\/p>\n

\u201cDavis is dead, Ben,\u201d Roy reported. Ben grunted. He didn\u2019t have a single thought to spare for Davis now. Joe demanded all his attention.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Joe mouthed, but there was no sound. A moment later, he slumped unconscious in Ben\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n

*******************<\/p>\n

When Paul Martin arrived at the jail with Hoss, he was shocked to find Joe lying on the bunk in the cell and a dead body carelessly covered with a blanket. \u201cBring me some more light,\u201d he ordered as he gently pushed Ben aside so he could see Joe more clearly.<\/p>\n

The most obvious injuries were the stab wound to the shoulder and the cut on Joe\u2019s cheek. He was also slightly cyanotic, although as Paul watched, he could see the normal pink coloring beginning to return to Joe\u2019s lips. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d he asked, bending over to see the stab wound more closely.<\/p>\n

Quietly, Ben told him the whole story. Paul nodded a few times before getting out his stethoscope and listening to Joe\u2019s chest. \u201cHis lungs don\u2019t sound too bad,\u201d he commented, stuffing the tubes into his pocket.\u00a0 \u201cAnd his color is improving. I\u2019ve got to take this knife out, and I want to take a few stitches in his face. However, I don\u2019t want to give him any anesthesia, because he has been having difficulty breathing. You\u2019ll have to hold him down for me. Can you do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can help,\u201d Hoss offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, too,\u201d Adam added.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Paul said, trying desperately to hide a smile. He knew he could count on the Cartwrights. \u201cHoss, take his legs, Adam, his arms, and Ben, could you hold his head still? All right, let\u2019s get started while he\u2019s still out of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Paul eased the knife out of his shoulder, Joe mumbled and tried to move, but his family held him down firmly and he didn\u2019t waken. With the knife out, Paul was able to remove Joe\u2019s jacket and shirt and begin to clean the wound prior to taking some stitches.<\/p>\n

The alcohol swab brought Joe back to life with a jerk. He writhed frantically in his attempts to break free and escape the pain. \u201cNo!\u201d he begged. \u201cNo! Pa! It hurts!\u201d<\/p>\n

As Ben soothed and calmed his son, Paul worked quickly, knowing that Joe was in a lot of pain. It only took a few minutes for him to stitch the wound and he smoothed some salve on it before getting Ben to help Joe sit up so he could bandage the injury.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow does your chest feel now, Joe?\u201d Paul asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cTight,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cBut a bit easier than it was.\u201d He coughed and a spasm of pain crossed his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think its just muscle strain,\u201d Paul assured him. Although Joe\u2019s breathing was clearly not normal, it wasn\u2019t as bad as Paul had feared it might be. \u201cDon\u2019t worry about it. Try and stay relaxed and that will help, all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Joe agreed. He glanced down at his hands which rested in his lap, staring with detachment at the swollen red fingers. There were deep grooves on his wrists where the handcuffs had cut into his skin. He winced.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll deal with your wrists once I\u2019ve stitched your face,\u201d Paul told him. \u201cJoe, I\u2019m so sorry, but there\u2019s very little I can give you for pain right now.\u201d He handed Roy a small packet. \u201cRoy, mix that in some water, will you please?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be all right,\u201d Joe asserted. From somewhere, he found a small smile for his brothers. Hoss was still pinning Joe\u2019s legs to the bed, although Paul wasn\u2019t doing anything at that moment, and Adam was hovering close by. Joe leant back slightly, into Ben\u2019s warmth, feeling reassured by his father\u2019s touch. A moment later, Roy brought Paul the glass of water and Paul made Joe drink the mild painkiller.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Joe, lie down again and stay still,\u201d Paul ordered, after he\u2019d given the drug a few minutes to work. He nodded at the other Cartwrights, who all resumed their posts. After a searching look, making sure they were ready, Paul began to stitch Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

Later, all Ben could remember was feeling Joe\u2019s head trembling between his hands, and the whimpering sounds that escaped Joe\u2019s control. He resolutely kept his eyes averted from the needle that flashed in Paul\u2019s hands, and when Joe finally passed out, Ben was so relieved that he almost copied his son. \u201cGet some brandy,\u201d Paul told Roy, who hurried off on his errand while Paul wrapped a bandage around Joe\u2019s face to protect the stitches. He turned his attention to the cuts on Joe\u2019s wrists and soon had them cleaned and bandaged, too.<\/p>\n

By then Roy was back with the brandy and Paul made Ben, Adam and Hoss all take a good slug. Reaction was setting in now, and they were all suffering from mild bouts of the shakes. The strain they had been under for the last 12 hours had been enormous. \u201cYou all need to be somewhere warm,\u201d Paul advised them. \u201cCan you help me get Joe across to my house? Then you can sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

As they lifted Joe, he roused and so they were able to walk him across to Paul\u2019s house, where he was settled to sleep on the couch by the fire. Ben persuaded Adam and Hoss to take the beds they were offered and Roy Coffee went home. Paul checked on Joe one last time before returning to his own bed.<\/p>\n

Sitting by the fire, Ben finally felt his own shivers abating. Joe was tucked warmly under a thick comforter and several blankets and slipped into a deep sleep. Yet although Ben was tired, he found he could not fall asleep. His mind kept replaying the scenes from the jail over and over again. His gaze lingered on the bandage on his son\u2019s face. Joe was such a handsome young man. Would there be a bad scar left behind? Paul had assured Ben that this would not be the case, for the cut was narrow and Paul\u2019s stitches would put many a lady\u2019s embroidery to shame. Yet a slight marring of Joe\u2019s facial beauty was not what was worrying Ben the most. What he feared was that a bad scar would forever be a reminder to Joe that he had given his trust to someone who did not deserve it. The memories would be enough to cope with, without adding a scar, too.<\/p>\n

As Joe turned over in his sleep, his jacket, which had been dropped on the bottom of the couch, fell to the floor. There was a distinct thud and Ben frowned, wondering what on earth Joe was carrying that made that noise. Lifting the jacket, he found that there was more weight on one side than on the other and he put his hand into the jacket pocket.<\/p>\n

Gazing at the bank pouch in his hand, Ben realized that he had forgotten that Joe had gone to collect the wages for the hands that day. Joe could have offered that money to Davis for his freedom, Ben thought, yet hadn\u2019t mentioned it at all. The money didn\u2019t matter to Ben \u2013 his sons were far more important \u2013 yet Joe hadn\u2019t mentioned the money at all. Of course, Ben knew it wouldn\u2019t have been enough in itself to realize Joe\u2019s freedom, but he was touched anew by his son\u2019s determination not to give up something that was important to them all.<\/p>\n

More relaxed now, and beginning to be sleepy, Ben sat down and gazed into the fire. With sudden clarity, he saw how lucky he was with his sons. They worked alongside him willingly, each taking on some of the responsibility of the ranch. They liked each other, respected each other and trusted each other. It was that trust, stated so publicly by Joe that had allowed Adam to suggest the plan by which Joe was freed. Had Joe not said that, there would have been no attempt to free him at that point.<\/p>\n

His head nodding, Ben realized that Joe had said he trusted them, not just for one specific thing, but as a sweeping statement. He trusted his father and brothers to do the right thing, the thing that would keep him alive, accepting that any decision they made was in his ultimate best interest. Sitting up straighter, Ben looked at the sleeping young man beside him. Joe looked a vulnerable 16, but Ben knew that he would trust Joe \u2013 trust any of his sons \u2013 with his life. What more could any man ask? That he was loved, liked, respected and trusted by his children \u2013 there was nothing better than that.<\/p>\n

Ben slipped into a peaceful sleep.<\/p>\n

***********************<\/p>\n

By noon the next day, the story was all over town. Ben had sent Adam and Hoss home that morning with the supplies they had picked up the previous day, charging them, unnecessarily, with telling Hop Sing what had happened. He stayed with Joe, who was still feeling a bit breathless. Paul was pleased with the progress of his hands, which were no longer swollen and red, but back to a more normal color. None of Joe\u2019s injuries were showing signs of infection, which was good, but Paul wanted to keep an eye on the cough Joe had, just in case. He also had some blood loss to make up, but he was young and strong and Paul knew he would be back on his feet by the following day.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you seen the bruise on my hip, Pa?\u201d Joe asked, as he rested in front of the fire. \u201cIt rivals that one I had on my butt that time, do you remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember you talking about it,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cAnd I remember Hoss teasing you about it, but oddly enough, son, you never offered to show it to me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t offer to show it to Hoss, either!\u201d Joe exclaimed. \u201cI never did get him back for that, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d hedged Ben, \u201cthere was quite a lot going on at the time, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue enough,\u201d Joe agreed. He squirmed around slightly and slipped the blanket down to show his father the rainbow that decorated his right hip. Ben winced in sympathy. \u201cNow, don\u2019t say you haven\u2019t seen this one!\u201d he chided his father teasingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I won\u2019t,\u201d Ben assured him. He eyed Joe closely. \u201cYou seem in good spirits today,\u201d he remarked, cautiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am,\u201d Joe agreed, sobering slightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny particular reason?\u201d Ben enquired, still keeping his tone light.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m alive,\u201d Joe returned, bluntly. He saw Ben wince and hurried to apologies. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa, I didn\u2019t mean it to come out like that. But I am alive, and yesterday, I was sure I was going to die. I know I told Peter that I thought he wouldn\u2019t kill me, but it wasn\u2019t true. I was sure he would.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be,\u201d Joe told him. \u201cYou have nothing to be sorry for. I thought I knew Peter and it turns out I didn\u2019t really. But you said it yourself, Pa, about Hoss\u2019 Uncle Gunnar. You can\u2019t ever really know another person. I thought Peter was my friend, and I found out the hard way that he wasn\u2019t. I found that out the hard way in school a few times, too, didn\u2019t I?\u201d he asked, ruefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure did,\u201d Ben agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get over it,\u201d Joe went on. \u201cBecause the most important things in my life are still the same. My family is there for me. That\u2019s important. More important than my finding out that my friend wasn\u2019t really my friend. Do you know what I mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

Touched, Ben nodded as he blinked back tears. \u201cYes, I know. Joe, what you said about trusting us\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI meant it, Pa,\u201d Joe interrupted. \u201cI trusted you, all of you, to help me get out of that situation. I had no way to help myself. I knew there were risks in anything you tried and I wanted you to know that I accepted the risks. You were unlikely to try something very risky, like a direct confrontation, so I knew that whatever you decided to do would help me in the end. And it did. Thank you.\u201d Joe wiped the tears carefully off his face. \u201cI didn\u2019t get the chance to thank Adam and Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know they\u2019ll appreciate hearing it,\u201d Ben told him, huskily, \u201cas I did. But they don\u2019t\u00a0need<\/em>\u00a0to hear it, son. They know they have your gratitude.\u201d He gently squeezed Joe\u2019 hand.<\/p>\n

For a long time, they sat in silence and listened to the sounds of the town outside the window. Then Joe stirred. \u201cAs long as I can trust my family, I have nothing to worry about,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

*****End****<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 Visiting a friend in jail has consequences that Joe doesn\u2019t expect.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0 (8,545 words)\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":12983,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[1015,23,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5339","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-joe-pa","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","wpcat-1015-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Season-1-00003.jpg?fit=576%2C432&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5339","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5339"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5339\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/12983"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5339"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5339"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5339"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}