Chapter 1: The Heist

The forest had been ablaze a few miles away from Colorado Springs for weeks now. All of the men and some of the women have been gone just as long fighting the flames in an attempt to save the town from destruction. Horace continued manning his telegraph, calling out on a regular basis for more manpower to fight the fires. Thanks to his diligence, over fifty new bodies have shown up in town in the past week. Some from the U.S. Cavalry, the others from mines and the railroad workers.

Dr. Mike, Colleen, Grace and Theresa also remained in town to treat the injuries at the Clinic as they came in. The Clinic at present had fifteen patients. Most of them were not serious, but bad enough to remove them from the fire line. Dr. Mike was on the ground level treating a fractured leg that was brought in recently. Theresa Maria Conchita Slicker, Jake's new bride and the town's schoolteacher, was tearing cloth for bandages when not assisting anybody else.

Colleen Cooper, Dr. Mike's sixteen-year-old adopted daughter, was upstairs assisting in changing dressings from burn injuries. As always, whenever she was helping out in the Clinic, her hair was tightly done up in a bun, hiding its full length and softness.

Grace was over at her restaurant preparing the food for the patients as well as for the front lines. So far they had been very fortunate. No serious injuries needed to be treated during this crisis. But with all of the help coming from around the Territory, hope was high that this crisis may soon come to an end.

"Colleen! Can you come down please?" Dr. Mike called out.

"Coming Ma," Colleen replied.

"Theresa, I'll need both of you for setting this leg," Michaela instructed.

"But of course doctor," Was Theresa's response.

Setting aside the bandage rolls that she was preparing, Theresa joined Dr. Mike next to the examination table just as Colleen entered the office.

"Colleen. Theresa. You'll have to hold down Mr. Higgins while I set his broken leg," Dr. Mike instructed.

"OK Ma," was Colleen's reply.

"I understand doctor," Theresa responded.

Speaking to Mr. Higgins, the patient, Michaela Quinn tried to reassure him before proceeding.

"Now Mr. Higgins, I know this is going to hurt, but we have to set your leg correctly so that it can heal properly."

With those instructions in mind, Mr. Higgins grabbed his belt and placed it in his mouth and started biting hard on it. With her typical smile as a sign of approval, Dr. Quinn proceeded in setting the broken bones. After much grunting and struggling from all concerned the bone was finally set. After the splint and bandages were wrapped they helped Mr. Higgins up to one of the empty cots so that he can rest.

After assuring themselves that all of the patients were resting comfortably, all three women returned to the Clinic's office. Colleen and Theresa proceeded in cleaning up the examination area while Dr. Quinn updated all of her records.

After they had finally caught up with all of their work, it was nearing dinner time.

"Ma, I'm going over to Grace to get us some dinner before another rush hits us, OK?" Colleen suggested.

"That's an excellent idea Colleen," her mother replied.

"Yes, I could also do with some nourishment," Theresa echoed.

While everybody was busy at their responsibilities, three riders rode into the town and headed straight to Preston's small Bank. These were the Ferguson's, a small gang of robbers, that were also kin. The leader was Samuel Ferguson, along with his son Billy and nephew Jeremiah. When they caught sight of the heavy smoke from the forest fire, some days back, these men assumed correctly that any town in it's path would more than likely be deserted.

Colorado Springs was the fourth town that they've plundered in the past week. So far they'd managed to empty two bank safes, while the other two were evacuated before they had arrived. This had put them in a foul mood and they were looking towards compensation from this hick town.

Dismounting they checked through the windows to see if anybody was inside. Seeing that it appeared empty they broke down the backdoor, and headed straight to the safe. Seeing it locked up was an encouraging sign for them. For if it had been emptied, the Bank manager wouldn't have bothered closing it up.

Billy, the youngest of the three was also their safe cracker. Somehow he had a natural knack to it. While he was busy at the safe, his father and cousin were keeping watch at the windows. As always it only took him a few minutes to get the right combination of the lock.

As he was opening the large door, it gave out a loud creaking groan. This caused the other two to turn around and be distracted from their vigil.

It was just at this time that young Colleen Cooper was leaving the Clinic and crossing the street heading for Grace's kitchen.

As Colleen closed the door of the Clinic behind her and stepped down the porch in the direction of Grace's, she heard what she thought to be a door creaking. Looking around she couldn't see where it could've come from, so she resumed her walk.

Then, from the corner of her eye, she thought that she saw movement from inside of the Bank. She thought this very strange, for Preston was at the fire line with all of the rest of the townspeople. Colleen decided to check and make sure that everything was all right.

From inside the Bank, Jeremiah warned his kin's that someone was heading towards them. As they ducked into hiding behind the various furniture's, Jeremiah continued to observe Colleen's approach. At seventeen, she had developed a body of a beautiful woman. He couldn't help but notice the smooth curves of her young body... Despite the layers of clothing of the period, it did not hide the curve of her breast line.

'God! Just look at them titties, ' he thought to himself, before ducking behind the door, out of sight.

Colleen reached the front of the Bank and peered inside. Not seeing anything out of the ordinary, she turned and started back towards Grace's. Just then, Samuel accidentally knocked over a vase inside.

With just a look in Jeremiah's direction, he nodded towards the door. Jeremiah understood the instructions immediately as meaning, 'grab her.' Bursting out the door he grabbed Colleen across her chest with one arm, while muffling her scream with his other hand.

Colleen's eyes popped wide as she was grabbed from behind. Trying to yell out an alarm, just as this man's hand fell over her mouth. She could feel herself being dragged back inside of the Bank.

Waiting at the door is Samuel with a gag and rope to bind her with. As soon as they entered the doorway, both Samuel and Jeremiah busied themselves tying her hands and gagging her mouth. Colleen could do nothing but look on and fear for herself and the others still in the town, Ma, Theresa, Grace and Horace.

While these two were busy binding her, she could see another, young Billy, filling saddlebags with cash from the open safe. When he finally turned around, he let out a low whistle.

"Watch'a gonna do with her, Pa?" He inquired.

"Gonna leave her behind?" Jeremiah asked.

"Tha'd be best, boys," was Samuel's answer.

"Maybe we should take her along," Jeremiah interjected. "You know. As a hostage. Just in case."

"I don' know. What do you think Billy?" Samuel asked his son.

"I think tha'd be best, Pa," Billy told him.

"Fine, we'se taken her then," he agreed. "Jeremiah, yu be responsible for her. Don' let her loose, ya hear."

"I hear ya, uncle Sam."

Dr. Mike was beginning to wonder what was taking Colleen so long with dinner, and stepped out the doorway looking around for her. As Theresa joined her outside they noticed Grace crossing over with some of the food. So they stepped back inside thinking that Colleen must be following behind.

A minute later Grace came in and joined them.

"Is Colleen coming with the rest?" Asked Theresa.

"Why I haven't seen her all morning Miss Theresa," was Grace's reply.

This statement shocked Dr. Mike into action. She burst out of the Clinic running, followed by the others close behind. Just then the Bank robbers came bursting out of the backdoor of the town Bank, dragging a tied Colleen. They stood by helplessly as all they could do was watch as Colleen was forced up onto the extra horse that Billy got for her, and they galloped out of town.

"Nnoooo! Colleeeenn!" Was all Michaela could do, as she crumpled to the ground.

Theresa was the first to take any action. She turned and ran over to the telegraph office to tell Horace to send a call for help. That the Bank had been robbed and that Colleen Cooper was their hostage.

Grace, after making sure that Dr. Mike was all right, headed for the coral to get on a horse and headed towards the fire line for help. Dr. Mike just starred blankly ahead, sitting on the porch where Grace had lead her.

The Ferguson gang hadn't even noticed the commotion on the street behind them. They just wanted to get as far away and hide out for a couple of days. And with the young woman that they grabbed with them, they felt comfortable that they could stave off any pursuit if need be.

They rode for three hours through the woods before finally slowing down. They kept on for another couple of hours just to make sure before stopping to make camp.

When they finally stopped, they dragged Colleen down from her mount and tied her to a large tree next to them. It was Jeremiah's turn to cook. Billy was glad.

"At least you can cook," he exclaimed.

"Are yuh insultin' mu cookin' boy?" Was his father's jibe.

"Yup!" Billy sassed back, laughing.

After they had eaten Samuel walked over to his captive to talk.

"If'n you promise not to run off I'll untie yuh?" He explained to her, as he pulled down her gag.

Wetting her lips before responding only made her more desirable in Jeremiah's eyes.

"I... I promise," Colleen stammered. "Can you please untie me now. It hurts."

Samuel reached behind his belt and came back with a huge knife and cut her bindings. Colleen rubbed her wrists to get the circulation back. As she started getting up she was surprised to see a hand presenting itself to her to help. Looking up she saw that it was the one named Jeremiah.

After considering it, she decided that it would be best not to alienate any of them, so she accepted the assistance. As she was escorted to the campfire, young Billy offered her a plate of food and a cup of coffee. She accepted them both graciously.

She hadn't realized how hungry she was. It then occurred to her that she hadn't eaten anything in over eight hours. As she continued eating, the three thieves huddled together in discussion. Colleen didn't pay them any mind.

"What'cha gonna do wit her now, Pa?" Asked Billy.

"I say we pleasure ourselves," Jeremiah suggested. "I mean, have yuh seen that body?"

"Can we Pa?" Billy asked enthusiastically.

Pondering this notion Samuel turned rubbing his chin as he was watching his captive near the campfire.

'She is quite a vision.' The old man observed. 'And Billy ain't been with a woman yet. Sure why not!'

"OK. That's what we be doin' then," he told his kin's. "But yuh follow muh directions. Understood boys?"

"Sure uncle Sam," Jeremiah answered with glee.

"Yahoo!" Was all that Billy could say.

Turning back and surrounding her started to get Colleen worried. After seeing that she had finished her meal, Billy removed the fixings from her hands, and returned back to the circle. Samuel took her by the shoulder and had her stand up again.

"Now look here Missy," he started.

"Colleen," she corrected. "Colleen Cooper."

"Fine. Misssss Cooper," he said with spite. "We been on the run now the better part of a month an' we need some distractin'. And we all figured you's it."

"Wha... What do you mean?" She asked, concern showing on her face.

"Just what he said," Jeremiah chided in. "We's want company an' yu just volunteered."

The realization of the statements just sank in and she turned to try and escape. But since she was encircled, she was easily prevented from doing so.

"Now listen here Misss Cooper. I'll have none of that. Either you behave or I'll knock yuh out. Yuh understan' me?"

"Ye... Yes," she answered meekly.

"Fine, now you stand up straight on the other side of the fire and yuh stay there," he ordered. "Understood."

Colleen walked over to where she had been told and stood there, too scared to do otherwise. Samuel told his youngsters to sit and make themselves comfortable for the show he had in mind. So they all sat back and looked at their prisoner across from the fire. The glow cascading over her features was erotic in a way.

Now that they were settled down, Samuel was ready to begin with his instructions.

"Now Misss Cooper. Let's start with yur hair," he started. "Why don' yuh show us what yuh truly look like."

Colleen slowly complied with his command and undid the bun, letting her shoulder length brown hair cascade down to drape itself around her soft neck and shoulder.

"Now tha's nissse," the leader lisped. "Now then, I want yuh to start peeling off them clothes of yours nice and slow like. Yuh can start with the shoes."

Colleen hesitated, not sure if she should go through with these vile men's demands.

"Yuh gonna do it yourself," he growled at her. "Or do yuh wanna have Jeremiah do it for ya?"

"But slow," Samuel leered at her. "We got all night here."

"Make her do it," Billy said excitedly.

But still Colleen hesitates at their demands. It just wasn't proper for a woman to undress in front of any man.

Jeremiah pulls out his large Bowie knife and flips it through her hair. Then draws it near her throat in a threatening manner.

"Now take off your clothes," he hissed at her. "Now undress! Start with the shoes."

Colleen reluctantly slipped her dainty feet out of her shoes and let them drop to the ground.

"Stockings," Samuel continued.

Again Colleen complied and sat on a boulder and one at a time removed her black stockings from her slim legs. The three bandits were salivating at the mere sight of her naked calves, before she dropped her skirt back down to cover herself.

"That there shirt thing now," he leered at her. "Peel it off."

Colleen couldn't believe her hears. Was this animal telling to undress in front of the three strange men.

"Please, no," she pleaded. "Not that."

"Listen here Missy. Iffen yuh don', then I'll cut yur clothes off an' leave yu naketh in the woods," he told her harshly. "Now yuh start gettin' them thingys off right now.".

She followed his instructions without further back talk. Slowly, enticingly she unfastened one button after another, working her way from the high neck collar, until she reached the last. This opened the front of her shirt, exposing the corset and camisole that were squeezing her tits towards the top, forming a deep cleavage that pleased the three lecherous men.

"Slower. An' from the top," Samuel instructed.

With trembling hands, she reached behind her to undo the bow that held her skirt. After having undone the bow, she reluctantly let the skirt slip down her white petticoat. This drew lewd catcalls from her captors.

"Now, I don't have to tell yuh what's next, do I?" Samuel continued with his directions.

Resigning herself to the inevitable, Colleen reached behind her and unfastened her skirt ant lets it slip down to her feet. Leaving with only her underthings to hide her body from their leering eyes. Her modesty instinctively had her hands trying to close the front of her shirt.

"Tut, tut, tut. Now yu know better 'an that," Samuel critiqued her.

She immediately dropped her hands to her side.

"Hav'er take it off, Pa," Billy was getting impatient.

"Patience Boy. I'm a doin' this for yuh, yuh know," his father told him. "Yuh'll enjoy it more this way."

"Now Missy. What do ya think should go next," Samuel asked.

'God! He's trying to humiliate me.'

Colleen was beginning to see where this was heading. But what choice did she have. She was going to have to play along if she was to get back home.

"My under-sh... shirt," she stammered.

"Good answer. Well, go ahead then," he applauded her submission. 'Things should go easier from now on, ' he thought to himself.

"C'mon," Billy shouted impatiently. "C'MON!"

Colleen proceeded in removing her under-shirt. First one arm, then the other, while trying to cover her front as much as possible. Jeremiah, who was indeed enjoying the show, had picked up a long twig to twist. But seeing Colleen's reluctance, whipped it across her hands. The stinging sensation of that whipping twig was enough to convince her to not conceal her treasures. Exposing the front of her corset to the lewd men caused her to blush furiously. Catcalls came from each of the three bank robbers. Her breast seemed to want to surge out of its top.

"How you enjoyin' this cusin, uh?" Jeremiah asked. "UH?"

Young Billy was starting to salivate, for what was to come. Colleen also noticed the bulges building up in each of their crotches. Soon after, she was blushing again, as all three started rubbing themselves there. This caused her to blush to an even a brighter tone to her cheeks.