ACT ONE FADE IN: EXT. HOMESTEAD - DAY SIX 1 MIKE rides up to the homestead at a gallop, calling as she approaches: MIKE Colleen! Brian! COLLEEN and BRIAN hurry out of the homestead, reacting with concern when they see the worried expression on Mike's face. COLLEEN Ma, what's wrong? MIKE Has Sully come by the house? COLLEEN No. Mike looks around, trying to figure out what to do. BRIAN What happened, Ma? MIKE (fast, urgent) There's been some trouble at the reservation. Brian, will you ride out to Andrew's clinic? Tell him to get to the reservation -- some Indians and soldiers have been wounded. I've treated most of them, but some of the minor injuries still need tending to. BRIAN All right. MIKE Colleen, I'd like you to ride into town with me and stay at the clinic, while I go look for Sully. COLLEEN Where is Sully? MCKAY (O.S.) Good question. (CONTINUED) 2. CONTINUED: 1 Mike turns to see MCKAY and two soldiers riding up. As they approach, Mike falls silent. MCKAY I wanna know where Sully's takin' the Indians. She says nothing. McKay rides closer. His tone is not threatening -- he only wants to get information. MCKAY How much do you know 'bout all this? MIKE I don't know anything. MCKAY Sully was behind it, wasn't he? Again, Mike says nothing. MCKAY Was he the one who set off the explosion? (no answer) Was he the one who got the Indians all them horses? Colleen and Brian react to this, and McKay sees it. He looks back at Mike, who hesitates a moment... then: MIKE As I said... I don't know anything. McKay gives her a long, hard look. After a moment, he gestures to his men and rides off in frustration. Mike looks back at Colleen and Brian, who watch her in stunned silence. EXT. STREET IN FRONT OF CLINIC - DAY SIX 2 Mike and Colleen (holding up Katie) ride up to the clinic in the wagon. As they climb down and start toward the clinic: MIKE I'll need to take some additional medicines with me. COLLEEN I'll make sure the clinic is ready, just in case. MIKE Thank you, Colleen. (CONTINUED) 3. CONTINUED: 2 Colleen stops Mike at the clinic door, a thought hitting her: COLLEEN Ma... what should I tell Matthew? Mike hesitates a moment -- this is very difficult for her. MIKE Nothing... DOROTHY (O.S.) Michaela! Mike turns to see DOROTHY hurrying over from the Gazette, looking very worried. DOROTHY Soldiers rode through town earlier, warnin' everybody about an uprisin' at the reservation. Is it true? MIKE I'm afraid so. DOROTHY Cloud Dancin'? Is he all right? MIKE I don't know. Most of the Indians have escaped into the hills. The army's searching for them. (beat, quieting) Dorothy... have you seen Sully? DOROTHY No, why? >From the look on Mike's face, Dorothy suddenly realizes: DOROTHY Did he have somethin' to do with the uprisin'? Mike pulls Dorothy aside, lowering her voice in a private moment. MIKE I believe so. DOROTHY Oh, Michaela... Mike's emotions are starting to slip, revealing the desperation she's feeling: (CONTINUED) 4. CONTINUED: (2) 2 MIKE I lied to the army, Dorothy. I told them I didn't know the extent of his involvement. But he helped stage the revolt. He provided horses for the Indians -- DOROTHY Michaela, what're you gonna do? MIKE I don't know. But I have to do something... Mike quiets, as she sees something off-screen that troubles her: +ANGLE - STREET CORNER 3 coming around the corner of the Gold Nugget is McKay, leading five captured Indians on foot. One of the Indians is the Arapaho Elder (the one who recognized Sully as the Indian Agent). The Indians' hands are bound as they walk behind McKay (who's on horseback). Following behind the Indians are two soldiers (also on horseback). +CLOSE ON MIKE 4 reacting as McKay rides by. He gives her a quiet look as they proceed into town. HANK and a few MEN come out of the Gold Nugget, and LOREN comes out of the General Store, as McKay leads the Indians around the corner, heading for: +THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE 5 where MATTHEW is just riding up out front (from the direction of the train station). ROBERT E and GRACE come out of the livery, PRESTON out of the bank, and JAKE out of the barbershop, joining the other townsfolk who gather to watch as Matthew turns to face McKay. MCKAY Sheriff, I need a place to lock up these Indians. I can't spare any men to watch 'em -- need every soldier I got out searchin' for the others. 5. +ON MIKE, DOROTHY AND COLLEEN 6 as they come around the corner, watching as: +MATTHEW 7 says nothing, hesitating, troubled by the sight of the Indians. McKay produces a telegram. MCKAY I got orders to take over your jail, with or without your help. Matthew finally steps aside, and McKay's men usher the Indians into the jail. MATTHEW How many more are still out there? MCKAY I don't know. Thirty or forty. Maybe more. We're also lookin' for Sully. Matthew reacts. MATTHEW Sully? What'd he do? MCKAY He's the one who started the revolt. Keep your eye out for him. Let me know if you see him. Matthew absorbs this in silence as the soldiers come back out and mount up. MCKAY Thanks for your help. (re: the Indians) We'll come back for 'em soon's we round up the rest. McKay turns to the people who are gathering around. MCKAY You folks best head back to your homes, where it's safe. McKay and his men ride off out of town. Matthew, still stunned, glances over to see: +MIKE 8 Mike, watching him, looking increasingly worried. 6. +BACK TO MATTHEW 9 who shakes his head in frustration and disappointment at Sully. EXT. WOODS - DAY SIX 10 It's late afternoon as SULLY and CLOUD DANCING ride up to an outcropping of rock. WOLF is with them. Sully climbs down and ties off his horse before helping a weak and exhausted Cloud Dancing down from his horse. He leads Cloud Dancing to shelter under the outcropping and gently lays him down. SULLY You all right? CLOUD DANCING I am tired. SULLY Just rest. We'll stay here tonight. Sully turns to stare out at the woods, scanning the surroundings. SULLY The others should be here soon. We'll get started north in the mornin'. CLOUD DANCING Sully... Sully turns back to Cloud Dancing... and for the first time, he sees the worried look on his face. CLOUD DANCING You must leave me. SULLY No. CLOUD DANCING Travelling with me will only put yourself in greater danger. SULLY I don't care. CLOUD DANCING Your family -- SULLY I'm not leavin' you, Cloud Dancin', and that's the end of it. (CONTINUED) 7. CONTINUED: 10 Cloud Dancing quiets. The two share a look -- this is important to Sully. SULLY I'm stayin' with you 'til I know you're safe, no matter how far -- Sully suddenly quiets as FOOTSTEPS are heard. He draws his knife and waits, but then breathes a sigh of relief as: +WALKS IN THE NIGHT 11 and several Indians appear through the trees. SULLY Where are the others? WALKS IN THE NIGHT Many were captured. The army is sending for re-enforcements. SULLY We'll be safe here tonight, but we'll need to start movin' at first light. Walks in the Night reacts with skepticism: WALKS IN THE NIGHT Where will we go? SULLY North. Follow the Powder River up to Montana, to the unceded Indian territory in the Tongue River Valley. CLOUD DANCING It is the homeland of the Northern Cheyenne. WALKS IN THE NIGHT And then what? Wait for the army to find us? CLOUD DANCING We will be safe there. SULLY The territory belongs to the Indians. The whites can't -- (CONTINUED) 8. CONTINUED: 11 WALKS IN THE NIGHT The white man can do what he wants. Soon all land will be his. Walks in the Night looks at the other Indians, sees that they share his resolve. He turns back to Sully. WALKS IN THE NIGHT We were born in this land. SULLY The army will find you. WALKS IN THE NIGHT The army will find us no matter where we go. But until then, we will live free... and we will strike back at them for the deaths of our people. Sully's starting to get angry. SULLY This isn't what we talked about. I didn't help you so that you could start a war -- WALKS IN THE NIGHT (also angry) They started the war! Walks in the Night looks to the others as he takes out a small pouch. He dips his fingers in the pouch, then smears red dye (made from bloodroot) across his face. WALKS IN THE NIGHT And now we will finish it. The Indians nod agreement. Walks in the Night turns back to Sully. WALKS IN THE NIGHT (in Arapaho) Thank you. SULLY Don't do this... But he's already moving away, leading the Indians back into the woods. Sully looks to Cloud Dancing, who shakes his head sadly. 8A. INT. CLINIC - LATE AFTERNOON - DAY SIX 12 Colleen brings a small bottle of chloroform over to Mike, who is just finishing restocking her medical bag with supplies and medicines. (CONTINUED) 9. CONTINUED: 12 COLLEEN Here's the chloroform. MIKE Thank you. Mike puts the chloroform in and shuts the bag. MIKE I think that's it. COLLEEN Be careful, Ma. Mike forces a reassuring smile and starts out. EXT. CLINIC - CONTINUOUS - DAY SIX 13 Mike comes out and hangs her medical bag on FLASH's saddle. But before she mounts up, she notices Loren, the REVEREND, Jake, Hank and a few soldiers standing in front of the Gazette, watching as McKay questions a very nervous Dorothy. Mike starts over, stepping up beside the Reverend in time to hear: DOROTHY I didn't know anythin'. The uprisin' came as a shock to me. McKay sees Mike... but his focus is now on Dorothy. He turns back to her. MCKAY You came by to see the Indian a lot when he was recuperatin'. DOROTHY Cloud Dancin' is my friend. I was concerned. MCKAY Did he tell you anythin' durin' those visits? DOROTHY Such as...? MCKAY Such as what they were plannin'... where they were gonna go after the revolt... (CONTINUED) 10. CONTINUED: 13 DOROTHY I just told you -- I don't know anythin'. McKay is finding this hard to believe. MCKAY All those visits, an' you knew nothin' about any of this. LOREN (irritated) That's what she said. How many times she gotta repeat it? One strong look from McKay quiets Loren. Mike steps closer, intervening. MIKE She's telling you the truth, Sergeant. Dorothy shares a look with Mike, then turns back to McKay, adding: DOROTHY We all are. McKay turns to Mike, holding her look for a long moment... and it's now that Mike sees just how much he's struggling with all this. He doesn't like what he's doing, because deep in his heart, he feels that the army's treatment of the Indians is wrong. What he says next is to everyone, but mostly directed at Mike and Dorothy: MCKAY Look... I know you wanna help these people. But the longer they're out there, the more trouble they're gonna be in. I'm not lookin' to get more people hurt, I just wanna -- PRIVATE (O.S.) Sergeant! Everyone looks to see the Private riding around the corner with excitement. He hurries to McKay, gesturing back over his shoulder. PRIVATE Got the re-enforcements. Mike looks over and sees something that is very unsettling: 11. +HER POV 14 Coming around the corner are several battle-hardened SOLDIERS. Leading them is SERGEANT O'CONNOR. +BACK TO MIKE 15 MIKE (apprehension growing) O'Connor... REVEREND (to Mike) Sergeant O'Conner? I thought they transferred him away from here. O'Connor and his men ride up to McKay. O'CONNOR You McKay? MCKAY That's right. O'CONNOR O'Connor. MCKAY Glad you're here, Sergeant. (gestures to the hills) I got men searchin' the -- O'CONNOR (cutting him off) We best get to the reservation. MCKAY What? O'CONNOR I want a full account of what happened... then I'll need you to co-ordinate the handlin' of the prisoners. Me and my men'll take over the search. McKay reacts -- Who the hell does this guy think he is? MCKAY I don't know how you're used to doin' things, Sergeant. But around here, I'm in charge. O'CONNOR Funny... (CONTINUED) 12. CONTINUED: 15 O'Connor reaches into his pocket and takes out a piece of paper, which he hands to McKay. O'CONNOR ... that's not what General Wooden says. McKay's anger builds as he reads the paper. O'Connor remains calm. McKay finishes, looks back up at O'Connor. O'CONNOR Now let's go. You've done enough damage for the day. McKay gives O'Connor a cold stare... but then finally backs down. He mounts his horse and rides off with his men. O'Connor casts a look at Mike, tipping his cap... O'CONNOR Good to see you again, Mrs. Sully. ... then starts off with his men, following after McKay. +ON MIKE 16 as she watches them go with increasing dread. But then she steels herself, her expression filling with determination as she hurries to her horse and mounts up. As she rides off toward the hills, we: FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE 13. ACT TWO FADE IN: INT. HOMESTEAD - MORNING - DAY SEVEN 17 Colleen feeds KATIE as Brian eats his breakfast. Both are quiet, very worried about Mike and Sully. After a moment Brian breaks the silence, voicing his darkest concern: BRIAN What if Ma can't find him? (then, quieter) What if Sully doesn't wanna be found? COLLEEN Don't say that. But from the look on her face, it's been on her mind as well. Brian looks up at her. BRIAN What if he never comes back? COLLEEN He'll come back, Brian. Don't worry. But he is worrying, and nothing Colleen can say will ease his fear. The silence of the moment is suddenly shattered as the front door swings open, and in barges O'Connor and two soldiers. O'CONNOR Search the house. Every room. One soldier goes upstairs, while the other starts ransacking the living room, tipping over furniture and dumping the contents of drawers onto the floor. Katie starts crying. Colleen and Brian react with alarm as O'Connor steps over to them. O'CONNOR Where's your ma? Colleen freezes, but Brian recovers and moves to him, masking his fear with anger. BRIAN You can't come in here! O'CONNOR Where is she? (CONTINUED) 14. CONTINUED: 17 COLLEEN (quickly) She went to look in on some patients. O'Connor looks at Colleen, who tries not to wilt under his intense stare. He then begins searching the kitchen, making a mess of the place. BRIAN What do you want? O'CONNOR Just lookin' for clues, son. When was the last time you... O'Connor suddenly stops short when he sees something out the window: +HIS POV - THROUGH WINDOW 18 of Mike riding up to the homestead. She sees the army horses in front of the homestead and reacts with concern. +BACK TO O'CONNOR 19 He heads for the front door. EXT. HOMESTEAD - CONTINUOUS - DAY SEVEN 20 O'Connor comes out as Mike rides up and dismounts, her concern turning to anger at finding him here. MIKE What are you doing here? O'CONNOR I learned that your husband was involved in the revolt. I'm just trying to determine his whereabouts. MIKE I already told Sergeant McKay that I don't know anything, so I'd appreciate it if -- O'Connor cuts her off, his voice low and menacing: (CONTINUED) 14A. CONTINUED: 20 O'CONNOR You'd better not know. 'Cause if I find out you're hidin' anythin' from me, I'll make sure you spend the rest of your life in jail. (CONTINUED) 15. CONTINUED: (2) 20 Mike is rocked by this, but struggles not to show it. She looks over, sees Colleen (holding Katie) and Brian watching from the doorway, frightened by what they just heard. Mike looks back at O'Connor and meets his stare, refusing to be intimidated. MIKE Get off my property. O'Connor holds her look, until his two soldiers come out of the house. They look at O'Connor and shake their heads. O'Connor gives Mike a last look, then climbs up on his horse and rides off. Mike moves to the front steps, where she sits, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. Colleen and Brian move to her. COLLEEN Did you have any luck, Ma? Mike looks at them, wishing she could allay their fears. MIKE No. Colleen and Brian exchange a quiet look, their fears mounting. EXT. WOODS - DAY SEVEN 21 ON CLOUD DANCING, asleep... until a HAND reaches over and wakes him. He looks up to find Sully ready to go. SULLY 'Mornin'. How you feelin', can you ride? CLOUD DANCING I think so. Cloud Dancing sits up, but as he does, Sully notices a small blood stain seeping through Cloud Dancing's shirt. He lifts the shirt to reveal that the stitches from the operation have torn open a bit. SULLY Your stitches are breakin'. Sully digs through his medicine bag, takes out some dried yarrow leaves, which he applies to the wound. SULLY Hold these to it. (CONTINUED) 16. CONTINUED: 21 Cloud Dancing holds the leaves to his wound as Sully helps him to his feet. SULLY C'mon... We gotta get you sewn up again. As he leads Cloud Dancing over to the horses... INT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE - DAY SEVEN 22 Some of the Indians in the jail cell are asleep. The others (including the Arapaho Elder) are awake, staring through the bars at Matthew, who looks down at the paperwork on his desk, avoiding their constant stare. HORACE (O.S.) Matthew! Matthew! Matthew reacts to the urgency in Horace's voice and hurries out of the office... EXT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS - DAY SEVEN 23 ... where he sees HORACE running up from the telegraph office. MATTHEW Horace, what's wrong? Robert E, in the livery, sees the commotion and comes over. Horace struggles to catch his breath as he speaks: HORACE Fella just rode into town... said he saw your homestead on fire. Matthew reacts with shock. MATTHEW What? HORACE Said the whole place was goin' up in flames. Matthew quickly moves to his horse. ROBERT E I'll go with you. Matthew and Robert E mount up and ride out of town at a full gallop. 17. EXT. MATTHEW'S HOMESTEAD - DAY SEVEN 24 Matthew and Robert E ride up, then slow to a stop when they come upon: +THE HOMESTEAD AND BARN 25 now completely burned to the ground, reduced to a pile of smouldering ruins. Matthew climbs down from his horse and moves through the debris, stunned into silence, numbed by the shock. Robert E also climbs down from his horse. He steps toward Matthew, but doesn't know what to do or say to ease his pain. Matthew turns to him -- he can't believe this has happened. ROBERT E (softly) I'm sorry, Matthew. Matthew looks back at the debris, asking himself the question: MATTHEW How'd this happen? ROBERT E You leave any lamps burnin'? MATTHEW No. Nothin'. The SOUND of horses approaching gets their attention. They turn to see Hank, Jake and Horace ride up (all have guns). They see the destruction and realize they've arrived too late. Hank and Jake dismount and step close to Matthew to break more news to him: JAKE Matthew... family down the road from here just stopped us, said they saw a buncha Indians runnin' around out here earlier. Matthew looks at Jake, troubled by this revelation. HANK Looks like the Dog Soldiers all over again. ROBERT E The Indians started the fire? HORACE I don't understand it -- why would they wanna burn down Matthew's homestead? (CONTINUED) 18. CONTINUED: 25 Matthew ponders this a moment... and then it suddenly hits him: MATTHEW The jail... ROBERT E What? Matthew runs back to his horse. MATTHEW They wanted to get me away from the jail! Matthew mounts up and takes off at a gallop, followed by the others, who hurry to catch up with him. EXT. STREET - DAY SEVEN 26 Townspeople run for cover as a group of Indians, (now wearing war paint on their faces) led by Walks in the Night, ride through town FIRING guns in the air. Grace pulls the Reverend around a corner, away from danger. +AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE 27 Two Indians kick open the front door. They run in, and a moment later, the captured Indians follow them out, climbing up onto their horses and riding off out of town. Walks in the Night rides up to the Arapaho Elder (the last Indian out of the jail) and jumps down from his horse. He helps the old man onto the saddle, then smacks the horse, sending it galloping off. Another Indian rides by and tosses a lit stick of dynamite into the Sheriff's Office. A moment later it explodes, blowing out the front of the office. Walks in the Night steals a horse from a nearby hitching post and rides out of town, FIRING his gun as he goes. As the streets fall silent... +NEW ANGLE - THE OTHER END OF TOWN 28 Matthew, followed by Robert E, Jake, Hank, Horace ride up and turn the corner, reacting with shock when they see the destruction at the Sheriff's Office. Matthew jumps down from his horse and steps over, staring in disbelief at the hole in the wall caused by the explosion. As he peers through the hole into the jail cell: PRESTON (O.S.) They're gone. (CONTINUED) 18A. CONTINUED: 28 Matthew and the others look to see an enraged Preston coming out of the bank, rifle in his hand. (CONTINUED) 19. CONTINUED: (2) 28 PRESTON They just escaped, rode out of town with a marauding band of savages. Matthew looks back at the hole in the wall... and now his shock turns to anger. He storms into the office as Grace rushes over to: GRACE Robert E! Robert E moves to her and hugs her, as more frightened townspeople begin emerging onto the street around them. ROBERT E You all right? Grace manages a nod, but she's still scared. ROBERT E Where's Anthony? GRACE Home. ROBERT E C'mon. They start toward their house, passing by Hank, who now sees something down the street and reacts: HANK (to Jake) Look... Jake turns to see: +TERESA 29 staggering into town on foot, in obvious pain. She's filthy, her dress torn and covered in soot. She clutches her arm, which is burned. +BACK TO JAKE 30 as he rushes over to her, followed by the others. Loren joins them from the store, and Dorothy comes over from the Gazette, but Jake is the first one to get to her, putting an arm around her for support. JAKE What happened? (CONTINUED) 20. CONTINUED: 30 TERESA They... burned my house. HANK The Indians? She nods. TERESA I tried... to put the fire out... She looks at Jake, the tears coming. TERESA I have lost everything. The pain and exhaustion overwhelming her, she practically collapses in his arms. Jake lifts her up. JAKE Let's get you to the clinic. DOROTHY Michaela's not there. JAKE Where is she? DOROTHY I don't know. LOREN Haven't seen her all day. JAKE (to Hank) We'll take her to Andrew. Hank leads the way as Jake carries Teresa in his arms, heading off to get a wagon. As Dorothy, Loren and Horace watch them go, Preston steps over, still angry. PRESTON (to Dorothy) You see? This is what happens when you try to befriend them. Now Dorothy's starting to get angry. DOROTHY This has nothin' to do with that! PRESTON I told you not to get involved. The more you give them, the more they take -- (CONTINUED) 21. CONTINUED: (2) 30 DOROTHY Don't you have that backward? PRESTON This is going to cause irreparable damage, not just to your career as a journalist, but to our newspaper as well. DOROTHY Spare me the lecture, Preston. (reminding him yet again) Our newspaper is a partnership, of which I own fifty-one percent. Preston steps close to Dorothy -- he's fed up with her. PRESTON You own it because I loaned you the money. And now, because of your reckless handling of the enterprise, I'm forced to call in your loan. This staggers Dorothy. DOROTHY What? PRESTON Effective immediately. DOROTHY You can't do that. PRESTON Believe me, I don't want to. But you've left me no choice. Dorothy quiets a moment, absorbing this shock... and then she looks back at him, trying to summon her strength. DOROTHY Fine. I'll just start another paper. Preston glances around the street, at the many people giving Dorothy cold looks. He turns back to her. PRESTON Not after this. He walks off, rifle in hand. Under the weight of the townspeople's stares, Dorothy feels suddenly alone. She turns to Loren, her eyes pleading for support. (CONTINUED) 22. CONTINUED: (3) 30 Loren looks around at the people, knowing full well that any show of support for Dorothy will turn them against him as well. But despite this, he steps over to Dorothy and puts his arms around her, offering comfort. EXT. HOMESTEAD - DAY SEVEN 31 Mike comes out of the homestead and steps over to Flash, who is tethered out front. Colleen and Brian step out behind her and watch as she hangs her medical bag on the saddle horn, then climbs up onto the saddle. COLLEEN We'll finish cleanin' up the homestead while you're gone. MIKE Thank you, Colleen. I'll return before nightfall. BRIAN Good luck. Mike attempts an encouraging smile, then starts off up the road as Colleen and Brian head back into the house. +ON MIKE 32 as she rides only a short distance before something out of the corner of her eye stops her: +HER POV 33 of Matthew, coming up the other road on horseback. He doesn't see Mike -- his eyes are on the homestead. +BACK TO MIKE 34 as she struggles with what she should do. She quickly climbs down and leads Flash off the road, tying her to a tree branch. She then moves closer, taking cover behind some brush. From this vantage point she is able to see and hear what's going on at the homestead. What she sees is: +MATTHEW 35 riding up and dismounting. MATTHEW Dr. Mike! (CONTINUED) 23. CONTINUED: 35 Colleen and Brian come out of the house as Matthew climbs the steps. COLLEEN Matthew, what's wrong? MATTHEW Where's Dr. Mike? BRIAN She just left. MATTHEW Where'd she go? Colleen and Brian suddenly grow quiet, feeling awkward. +ON MIKE 36 watching this... and feeling terrible about it. +BACK TO SCENE 37 as Colleen fumbles for an answer. COLLEEN I don't know. She didn't say. Matthew looks at her, growing suspicious. Colleen quickly tries to change the subject: COLLEEN Is somethin' wrong? MATTHEW Indians just escaped from the jail. They burned the old homestead. Colleen and Brian react with shock. COLLEEN Oh, Matthew... +ON MIKE 38 also reacting with shock. Torn, she doesn't know whether to step forward and reveal herself, or stay hidden and go after Sully. 24. +BACK TO MATTHEW 39 as he looks past Colleen through the front door, reacting with increasing suspicion to the mess inside. MATTHEW What happened in there? BRIAN Soldiers came by, messed up the place. Matthew goes in, followed by Colleen and Brian, who shuts the door behind them as he relates the story: BRIAN Me and Colleen were eatin' breakfast with Katie, and Sergeant O'Connor just barged right... The door shuts, leaving: +MIKE 40 with a decision to make. But before she can decide what to do, a whistle is HEARD from the woods. Mike reacts -- she knows that call. She quickly fetches her medical bag and starts toward it. EXT. WOODS NEAR HOMESTEAD - DAY SEVEN 41 Mike comes through the trees to discover Sully waiting for her. A wave of relief washes over her as she runs to him. MIKE (hushed) Sully! He pulls her close, wrapping his arms around her in an emotional embrace. SULLY I'm all right. MIKE I was so worried. He kisses her, calming her a bit. Then: SULLY C'mon. Don't got much time. He takes her hand and leads her further into the brush, where: 25. +CLOUD DANCING 42 lies, looking very weak. Wolf is beside him. The two horses are tethered nearby. MIKE Cloud Dancing... She quickly moves to him, noticing the blood stain on his shirt. SULLY His stitches are breakin'. Mike lifts Cloud Dancing's shirt and examines the wound. MIKE The bleeding has stopped, but I'll need to re-stitch the wound to make certain it doesn't start again. (to Cloud Dancing) You'll be fine. She moves a few steps away and opens her medical bag, preparing a needle and thread for suturing. Sully steps close to her as she works. She casts a glance at Cloud Dancing, then turns back to Sully and lowers her voice, the anger inside her beginning to surface. MIKE (hushed) I can't believe you did this. SULLY (also hushed) They asked for my help. I couldn't turn my back on 'em -- MIKE This was not the right way to help. It's only making things worse. SULLY Can't get any worse. Mike pauses a moment, looks up at him. MIKE They burned the old homestead. SULLY The army? MIKE The Indians. (CONTINUED) 26. CONTINUED: 42 Sully reacts with disappointment as Mike resumes working. SULLY (quietly, almost to himself) Wasn't s'posed to happen like this... MIKE O'Connor's back. He's looking for you. He ransacked the house, frightened the children. Sully is angered by this, but remains unwavering. SULLY Don't worry. Soon's I get Cloud Dancin' to safety, I'll come back, and we'll just tell 'em I was out huntin' -- MIKE They saw you, Sully. They know you were involved. This is news to Sully. He reacts, realizing what this means. MIKE When they find you -- SULLY I'll figure somethin' out -- MIKE (suddenly flaring) You should've figured it out before you went and did this! Before you placed yourself and your family in danger! CLOUD DANCING (O.S.) It is my fault. Mike quiets and looks over to see Cloud Dancing watching them. CLOUD DANCING (to Sully) I should not have let you do this. (beat, troubled) I should have stayed on the reservation. Mike steps closer, seeing the deep anguish in Cloud Dancing's eyes. She then takes a long look at the clothes he's wearing... and the scars he bears. (CONTINUED) 27. CONTINUED: (2) 42 Weak and sick, he no longer resembles the proud man she once knew. After a moment, Mike shakes her head, her voice softening: MIKE No... She looks at Sully, then back at Cloud Dancing. MIKE You don't belong there. Sully touches her shoulder. She puts her hand on his for a quiet moment, then begins re-stitching Cloud Dancing's wound. As she works: MIKE Where will you go? SULLY We'll ride north. Follow the Powder River up to the Tongue River Valley. Sully reads the look on Mike's face, and knows what she's thinking. SULLY I'll come back, Michaela, I promise. Just as soon as Cloud Dancin' is safe. MIKE (concerned) And then what? The army is going to arrest you -- SULLY We'll think of a way outta this. But in the meantime, you don't know where I am. You just go about your life like normal. The less you involve yourself in this, the better. (off her look) For the kids' sake. Mike realizes that this is the right thing for her to do, but it still pains her greatly. She nods, then finishes stitching Cloud Dancing's wound. MIKE Try not to travel too fast, or make sudden movements. You still need to rest as much as possible. (CONTINUED) 28. CONTINUED: (3) 42 Cloud Dancing nods. Mike hands him the bottle of carbolic acid and a few medical supplies (suturing needle, thread, extra bandages, etc.) as Sully helps him to his feet. MIKE Take these with you. You might need them. CLOUD DANCING Thank you. SULLY We should get goin'. CLOUD DANCING (to Mike) Tell Dorothy that I am sorry I could not say good-bye to her. I want to thank her for writing her book... and for our friendship. MIKE I'll tell her. Standing there facing Cloud Dancing, Mike suddenly realizes that this is the last time she will ever see him (or so she thinks). The emotions quickly overwhelm her. MIKE I don't know if I can say good-bye, either. Cloud Dancing nods. He too is struggling. CLOUD DANCING Perhaps we will see each other again. MIKE (tears coming) Perhaps. Mike moves to him and hugs him, hanging on for a long, difficult moment. Mike finally lets go. Cloud Dancing gives her one last look... CLOUD DANCING Good-bye. MIKE (barely audible) Good-bye. ... but just as he and Sully start off: (CONTINUED) 29. CONTINUED: (4) 42 MATTHEW (O.S.) Stop. The three look to see: +MATTHEW 43 standing nearby, drawing his gun. This is a very difficult moment for him -- he's not proud of what he must do. MIKE Matthew -- MATTHEW (eyes on Sully) You're under arrest. SULLY Don't do this, Matthew -- MATTHEW (angry now) You think I want to?! The whole town is in a panic 'cause a you! People are gettin' hurt, on both sides! SULLY Listen to me, Matthew. If you arrest us, it'll affect us all. This hits Matthew hard... but not as hard as what Sully says next: SULLY (re: Cloud Dancing) And you know what they'll do to him. Matthew looks at Cloud Dancing... and weakens. SULLY Put the gun away... and let us go. You never saw us. Mike looks at Matthew, waiting to see what he'll do next. Matthew turns to her, then back to Sully... He knows he can't arrest them, but he's angry that Sully put him in this position. After a moment, he lowers his gun in frustration. SULLY Thank you, Matthew -- (CONTINUED) 30. CONTINUED: 43 MATTHEW Just go! Sully looks to Mike. He gives her a kiss, embracing her one last time... SULLY (a promise) I'll see you soon. ... then he and Cloud Dancing climb on their horses and ride off into the woods. Mike watches them go in silent agony as we: FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO 31. ACT THREE FADE IN: EXT. STREET - DAY SEVEN 44 Mike, Colleen (holding Katie) and Brian ride in the wagon, with Matthew riding alongside on horseback as they come into town (from the direction of the train station). The street is mostly deserted now -- the few people out move with purpose, looking on edge, guns in hand. Faces peer from windows or doorways, afraid to come outside. The family arrives at the Sheriff's Office and stops. Mike reacts to the hole in the wall and looks at Matthew, who says nothing. MIKE Matthew... I'd like you to come live with us at the homestead. MATTHEW I can't do that -- MIKE Just until you can find yourself another one. Matthew quiets, then relents with a nod. After a moment: MATTHEW I better get back to the repairs. BRIAN I'll help you. Brian hops down from the wagon, joining Matthew. They head into the Sheriff's Office as Mike and Colleen ride on toward the clinic. INT. ANDREW'S CLINIC - DAY SEVEN 45 Jake stands close by as ANDREW finishes applying a cream to Teresa's burn wound (which Andrew has already cleaned). She's somewhat dazed and drowsy -- the effects of the drugs Andrew has given her. ANDREW Is the morphine helping with the pain? TERESA Yes. It is not so bad now. (CONTINUED) 32. CONTINUED: 45 ANDREW Good. Actually, the fact that you're feeling pain is a good sign. It means the nerves aren't damaged. You should heal without complications. JAKE What's that you're puttin' on her? ANDREW A solution of nitrate of silver. It coats the wound, and helps it to heal properly. Andrew finishes and begins wrapping her arm with a loose dressing. ANDREW What's important now is to watch for signs of infection. I'd like to see you tomorrow, to check the wound and apply a fresh dressing. Teresa nods. Jake taps Andrew's shoulder, lowering his voice: JAKE Can I talk to you a minute? ANDREW (to Teresa) Will you excuse me? She nods, and Jake leads Andrew over to the corner, where he surreptitiously tries to hand him some money. JAKE (hushed) This cover it? ANDREW What? JAKE This visit. I'm payin' for it. (off Andrew's look) Her place was burned to the ground. She lost everythin'. Andrew quiets a moment, feeling sorry for her... but still, since Jake is offering... He takes the money. (CONTINUED) 33. CONTINUED: (2) 45 ANDREW Thank you. +ON TERESA 46 casting a quick glance over to see the exchange of money, which troubles her. She quickly looks away as Jake steps back over. JAKE C'mon. I'll take you back to town. Teresa nods. As Jake helps her out of the clinic... INT. CLINIC - DAY SEVEN 47 Mike sits at her desk, trying to concentrate on a patient chart, but unable to keep herself from worrying about Sully. The SOUND of horses draws her attention to the window. +HER POV - THROUGH WINDOW 48 of O'Connor and two soldiers riding past the clinic on their way to the Gazette. +BACK TO MIKE 49 as she stands and goes out. INT. GAZETTE - DAY SEVEN 50 Dorothy, working at her press, startles as O'Connor barges in, his two men following behind. As they did in the homestead, they immediately begin searching the place, spilling papers and supplies, along with furniture, onto the floor. DOROTHY (getting angry) What are you doin'?! Mike steps into the doorway, her anger rising as she watches O'Connor and his men completely ransack the place. Dorothy is helpless to stop them. O'CONNOR You wouldn't happen to know where Cloud Dancin' is right now? DOROTHY I told the Sergeant I don't know anythin'. (CONTINUED) 34. CONTINUED: 50 O'Connor finds the medicine pouch Cloud Dancing made for her. He studies it a moment, then looks back at Dorothy. O'CONNOR I talked to some of the Indians we captured. They said you spent a lotta time at the reservation... takin' notes about some book. A troubling realization suddenly hits Dorothy... but she tries not to let it show. Before O'Connor can question her further, the Private runs in: PRIVATE Sergeant, they just brought two more Indians to the reservation. Put up a hell of a fight. O'Connor turns to his men. O'CONNOR I want every inch of the place checked. O'Connor gives Dorothy and Mike a last look as he follows the Private out. As the soldiers continue their search, Dorothy edges closer to Mike, pulling her just outside the doorway and lowering her voice so the soldiers won't hear. DOROTHY (very worried) Michaela... MIKE What is it? DOROTHY Cloud Dancin' once told me that if he could ever live outside the reservation again, he'd wanna go north, to join the other Cheyenne in the Tongue River Valley. Mike reacts, knowing this is exactly where Sully and Cloud Dancing are headed. MIKE Dorothy, listen to me... don't say a word about that to anyone. (CONTINUED) 35. CONTINUED: (2) 50 DOROTHY (growing dread) I already did. (beat) It's in my book. Who knows what else is in there they could use against him? Mike tries not to panic. MIKE Where is it? DOROTHY (gestures) In my satchel. +THEIR POV 51 of Dorothy's satchel, on the floor near the back door. The soldiers have not found it yet. +BACK TO MIKE AND DOROTHY 52 as Mike thinks fast. MIKE I'll distract them, you get the book. Dorothy nods. Mike steps back inside, looks around... ... then makes a mad lunge for a stack of files sitting on a side table. She creates a lot of noise, drawing the attention of the soldiers, who see her grab the files and try to run out the front door. The soldiers immediately move in on her, but as they reach for the files, Mike spills them onto the floor. MIKE No! She tries to scoop them up, but the soldiers quickly bend down, grabbing for the many pieces of paper. During all this, Dorothy quietly makes her way to the satchel, scooping it up and going out the side door. 36. EXT. GRACE'S CAFE - CONTINUOUS - DAY SEVEN 53 Dorothy exits the Gazette, coming into Grace's Cafe, which is deserted, but with half-eaten meals and pots and pans still in evidence. Even Grace is not here (she, like the other patrons, went home when the Indians raided the Sheriff's Office). Dorothy clutches the satchel as she looks around. +HER POV 54 of soldiers patrolling the road by the meadow. They don't see Dorothy. +BACK TO DOROTHY 55 as she starts in the other direction, heading toward the alley next to the Sheriff's Office. But suddenly, she stops. +HER POV - THE ALLEY 56 as two soldiers step into the alley, heading toward her. +ON DOROTHY 57 as she tries to figure out what to do. The two Soldiers see the nervous look on her face and start her way. Dorothy moves off toward the livery, trying to mask her growing apprehension. +AT THE LIVERY 58 Dorothy pauses when she sees the forge, still burning. +CLOSE ON DOROTHY 59 realizing what she must do. With the Soldiers getting closer, she steps over to the forge, staring down at the flames. She opens her satchel and takes out her manuscript, clutching it tightly, fighting the tears that are welling in her eyes. She hesitates a long, agonizing moment... then steels her resolve... and lays the manuscript in the fire, her hand only letting go when the heat from the flames becomes too intense. She stands unmoving, unable to hold back the tears as she stares at the forge, watching her book burn before her eyes. 37. EXT. RESERVATION - DAY SEVEN 60 New army tents have been erected in the midst of the debris, which is being cleaned up by several Indians (under the close eye of the soldiers). O'Connor rides up with the Private, passing a guarded area used to house the re-captured Indians. He stops and dismounts as SOLDIER #2 steps up to him. O'CONNOR Where are they? SOLDIER #2 Over here. We already tried questionin' 'em, but they won't talk. O'Connor says nothing as the Soldier leads him over to a lean-to, under which sit Walks in the Night and the Arapaho Elder, both bound. Walks in the Night's face is bruised and bleeding, the result of his struggle with the soldiers. O'Connor stares down at them in silence. Walks in the Night won't look at him, but the Elder does, meeting O'Connor's stare head-on. ELDER (in English) We know nothing. O'Connor looks at Walks in the Night (who still won't look at him), then back at the Elder. O'CONNOR You sure about that? No response. O'Connor calmly draws his gun and aims it at the Elder, who doesn't flinch... but Walks in the Night does. He looks up to find O'Connor staring right at him, gun still pointed at the Elder. O'CONNOR Where are the others? O'Connor cocks the gun, his eyes not leaving Walks in the Night's. O'CONNOR Tell me. On Walks in the Night, struggling with what he should do... EXT. GOLD NUGGET - DAY SEVEN 61 The streets are still empty as Jake helps Teresa gently down from the wagon. (CONTINUED) 38. CONTINUED: 61 JAKE Easy now... there you go. He starts to lead her into the Gold Nugget. JAKE C'mon, I'll get you a room. TERESA No. (off Jake's look, grateful) You have done enough for me. I will stay at the boarding house. JAKE It's no trouble. Really. I'm co-owner, I can get as many rooms as I want. TERESA Please. I appreciate your kindness, but I cannot accept. I will pay you back for the doctor... JAKE That was nothin' -- TERESA And I will make arrangements to pay for my next visit. Jake starts to protest again, but he sees in her eyes that she won't be swayed. He finally concedes with a nod, then helps her over toward the boarding house. EXT. RESERVATION - DAY SEVEN 62 McKay and two men bring in a small group of captured Indians. They're met by the Private. As McKay dismounts: PRIVATE Sergeant O'Connor said to tell you to assume command while he's away. MCKAY Away? Where'd he go? PRIVATE After Sully. Guess he found out where they're headed. (CONTINUED) 39. CONTINUED: 62 MCKAY (not pleased) When? PRIVATE 'While ago. Two Indians told 'im everythin'. MCKAY Did O'Connor say where Sully went? PRIVATE No. Just got on his horse, took two men with 'im and rode out. MCKAY Where're those Indians? I wanna talk to 'em. PRIVATE (pointing) Over there. But I don't think you're gonna get much out of 'em. McKay steps over to the lean-to and stops when he comes upon: +WALKS IN THE NIGHT AND THE ELDER 63 lying on the ground, dead. They've both been shot. +CLOSE ON MCKAY 64 as his anger builds. INT. CLINIC - DAY SEVEN 65 Colleen finishes changing Katie's diaper on the examination table as Mike stares out the window in troubled silence. Colleen lifts Katie in her arms. COLLEEN I'll put Katie down for her nap. MIKE Thank you, Colleen. (kisses Katie) Sleep tight, sweetheart. Colleen goes out as a KNOCK is heard at the front door. Mike steps over and opens it, revealing McKay. Mike sees him and suddenly grows cold. (CONTINUED) 40. CONTINUED: 65 MCKAY I need to talk to you. Mike says nothing. MCKAY Please. The genuine concern in his voice sways Mike. After a beat, she steps back, allowing him in. MCKAY One of the captured Indians told O'Connor where Sully and Cloud Dancin' are headin'. (off her reaction) He's gone after them. Mike absorbs this with increasing apprehension. MCKAY O'Connor didn't tell anybody which way he was goin', he just up an' left. With the condition Cloud Dancin' is in, it's only a matter of time 'fore he catches up to them. He steps closer, trying to get through to her. MCKAY Dr. Quinn, your husband is wanted for a crime that's punishable by hangin'. And you know if O'Connor finds him, that's exactly what's gonna happen. (beat) But if I can get to him first, I'll do everythin' I can to get that sentence reduced to life in prison. You got my word on it. Both of these options are horrifying to Mike. MCKAY At least he'll be alive. Mike struggles, not knowing what to do. MCKAY Look... O'Connor, he does things different from me. Just 'cause we wear the same uniform, don't make us the same man. She looks up at him, meeting his imploring stare. (CONTINUED) 41. CONTINUED: (2) 65 MCKAY So please... you gotta trust me. You want your husband to live? Then tell me where he is. Mike stares hard at him, hoping with all her might that he'll keep his word. Something in his eyes tells her he will. After a long beat: MIKE They went north... along the Powder River up to the Indian territory in the Tongue River Valley. McKay takes this is in a moment... then nods his thanks. EXT. CLINIC - MOMENTS LATER - DAY SEVEN 66 Mike follows McKay out of the clinic. Dorothy steps over from the Gazette, joining Mike as she watches McKay and his men mount up and ride off. Colleen steps out of the clinic, sees the distraught look on Mike's face. COLLEEN Ma... what happened? Mike looks at her, then turns to Dorothy. MIKE O'Connor found out where Sully and Cloud Dancing are. Dorothy reacts, devastated by this revelation. Mike gestures to the departing soldiers. MIKE McKay's going after them... Dorothy is troubled by this. But now Mike's expression changes. She's not about to sit around waiting... MIKE ... and so am I. DOROTHY I'm goin' with you. MIKE Colleen, will you look after Katie? COLLEEN Sure. (CONTINUED) 41A. CONTINUED: 66 Mike looks back to Dorothy. (CONTINUED) 42. CONTINUED: (2) 66 MIKE Let's go. As the two start off toward the livery, we: FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE 43. ACT FOUR FADE IN: EXT. POWDER RIVER VALLEY - ESTABLISHING - DAY EIGHT (STOCK) 67 The sun rises over the river and the rolling hills. In the distance loom the stark, imposing mountains. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - MORNING - DAY EIGHT 68 McKay and his men ride by at a full gallop, heading toward the mountains. A moment later, Mike and Dorothy appear, following them at a discreet distance. Both are tired after riding all night, but they keep up the pace, refusing to stop. EXT. HILLTOP CLEARING - DAY EIGHT 69 Sully (with Wolf nearby) gently wakes the napping Cloud Dancing. SULLY We should get movin'. Cloud Dancing nods. As Sully helps him to his feet, something in the distance suddenly catches his eye. Cloud Dancing follows his gaze to: +THE VALLEY BELOW 70 where, from this vantage point, we can see three riders approaching in the distance, kicking up a cloud of dust. CLOUD DANCING (O.S.) Soldiers. As the riders draw closer, we recognize the man in front -- it's O'Connor. +BACK TO SULLY 71 SULLY O'Connor. (concern growing) We better split up. I'll draw 'em away from you. CLOUD DANCING No, Sully -- SULLY We don't got time to argue. (CONTINUED) 44. CONTINUED: 71 CLOUD DANCING I will not let you -- SULLY (firm) Cloud Dancin'... Sully quiets a moment and steps close to him, struggling against emotions that suddenly well inside him. SULLY Was a time you helped me find my path. (beat) Let me help you find yours. Cloud Dancing sees that Sully will not be swayed. He nods silently, but he too is fighting his emotions. This is the moment neither of them was looking forward to... CLOUD DANCING Say good-bye to the children for me. Sully nods, fighting tears. CLOUD DANCING My spirit will be with you, though I am not. SULLY (beat, in Cheyenne) You are my brother. Cloud Dancing nods, his voice breaking: CLOUD DANCING (in English) My brother. The two embrace for a long, painful moment... then Cloud Dancing climbs on his horse. They exchange one last look, then Cloud Dancing rides off, disappearing into the woods. Sully watches him go, lingering for a moment afterwards... then he snaps back to the situation at hand and looks around the clearing, figuring out his plan... EXT. SPRINGS CHATEAU HOTEL - DAY EIGHT 72 Colleen walks with Andrew along the porch, just outside the clinic. The tension from the town has spread out here. A few Armed Guards patrol the grounds. (CONTINUED) 45. CONTINUED: 72 COLLEEN I won't be able to come out here as much the next few days. I'm lookin' after Katie and the clinic while Dr. Mike is away. ANDREW (understanding) Of course. It's terrible, what happened at the reservation. Hopefully everything will work out for the best. Colleen nods, then looks over to see Jake and Teresa pulling up. As Jake helps Teresa down from the wagon, Preston steps out of the hotel, watching the following exchange with increasing interest: ANDREW Good morning, Mrs. Morales, Jake. (to Teresa) How are you feeling? TERESA There is still pain. But I am better today. ANDREW Good. Well, come on in and let's have a look. TERESA First... I must make arrangements for paying you. Andrew casts a questioning look at Jake, who just shakes his head -- he's not paying. TERESA I have no money now... ... which really gets Preston's attention. TERESA But next month, when I receive my salary, then I will pay you. Preston quickly intervenes before Andrew can be swayed: PRESTON That's very considerate of you, Mrs. Morales, but I'm afraid Dr. Cook has a full slate of patients to see today... Preston lowers his voice to Andrew: (CONTINUED) 46. CONTINUED: (2) 72 PRESTON One of whom is waiting in your clinic as we speak. (reminding him) Mrs. Negley? Congressman Negley's wife? Andrew remembers. Preston turns apologetically back to Teresa. PRESTON I'm terribly sorry. Perhaps Dr. Quinn will see you -- COLLEEN She's not around. Preston gives Colleen a clipped smile, then turns to Andrew, whispering an order: PRESTON Settle this matter and see to your patient. Preston walks off, leaving Andrew torn. He steps closer to Teresa, giving her an uneasy smile as he casts a cursory glance at her arm. ANDREW Your arm... looks good. I doubt there's any infection. All you need to do is change the dressing and make certain -- JAKE Wait a minute. You're not gonna even look at it? ANDREW It's really not necessary. As long as the wound is kept clean, it should heal properly. I would need to examine it only if -- TERESA (cutting him off) Only if I could pay. This silences Andrew, cutting right to the chase. He looks over, sees Colleen watching him, waiting to see what he will do, which only makes the moment more difficult for him. After a strained beat, he turns back to Teresa, making his decision: ANDREW I'm very sorry... but my patients are waiting... (CONTINUED) 47. CONTINUED: (3) 72 Andrew quickly turns and hurries off, leaving Colleen stunned by what she just witnessed. She turns to Jake and Teresa, but before she can say anything to them, Jake helps Teresa up into the wagon. JAKE C'mon. Let's get outta here. Colleen watches them go, deeply hurt by Andrew's actions. EXT. HILLTOP CLEARING - DAY EIGHT 73 O'Connor and his men ride up to the clearing, where O'Connor suddenly raises his hand, stopping them. He climbs down from his horse, eyeing the tracks on the ground. O'CONNOR They stopped here. He moves ahead on foot, eyeing the ground... and then reacts to something he sees: O'CONNOR The tracks separate. (gesturing) One this way. Other down there. They split up. (heads to his horse) Must think we're pretty stupid. O'Connor climbs back on his horse. O'CONNOR (gesturing) You two follow that one. I'll stay on this one. The soldiers nod and ride off in the direction Cloud Dancing went, while O'Connor heads after Sully. INT. BARBERSHOP - DAY EIGHT 74 CLOSE ON TERESA'S BURNED ARM, as Jake gently unwraps the dressing. WIDEN to reveal Teresa sitting in the barber chair (with Jake sitting next to her), trying not to show the intense pain she's experiencing. Jake knows this hurts, and tries his best not to make it any worse. JAKE Sure you don't want any whiskey? She shakes her head no. Jake continues working. (CONTINUED) 48. CONTINUED: 74 JAKE Almost done... The last of the dressing comes off, and Teresa breathes a sigh, relaxing a bit. Jake examines her arm, likes what he sees. JAKE Looks good. No infection. Jake begins applying the silver nitrate solution to the burn. JAKE Tell me if this hurts. She nods. As he works, Teresa steals a look at his face, watching his focused expression. There's genuine compassion and concern in his eyes, and this touches her. He glances up, catches her looking at him, and she quickly looks back down at her arm. Jake looks back down, finishing with the solution. He then carefully wraps her arm with a fresh dressing. JAKE There. She looks back up at him. He gives her a tender smile. TERESA Gracias. JAKE Sure. Neither one moves an inch. Although they're fighting it, the attraction they're feeling is starting to overpower them. Jake studies her eyes for a long moment... then he leans slowly in to kiss her. Their lips almost meet, when Teresa suddenly pulls back, her voice quiet, struggling... TERESA I am still in mourning. Jake takes this in, then nods his acceptance. He lifts her hand and softly kisses it. Teresa lingers, taking his hand in hers and pressing it to her cheek, savoring this moment of comfort and safety. EXT. WOODS - ENTRANCE TO BOX CANYON - DAY EIGHT 75 O'Connor rides along through the trees until the SOUND of horses up ahead gets his attention. He quickly reins his horse to a stop and dismounts, drawing his gun as he leads his horse behind some brush. He peers through the brush to see: 49. +TWO SOLDIERS 76 riding up. O'Connor's soldiers. +BACK TO O'CONNOR 77 as he reacts angrily and steps out from behind the brush. O'CONNOR What're you doin'? SOLDIER #2 Followin' the trail, like you told us. O'Connor reacts to this, then looks down, examining the tracks on the ground. What he sees is confusing: O'CONNOR Tracks come together. They've joined up again. +ANGLE - DISTANT RIDGE ABOVE THEM 78 Sully (with Wolf beside him) smiles down at O'Connor, pleased that his trick worked. He moves off, mounting his horse and riding on into the canyon as: +O'CONNOR 79 continues to examine the tracks. He stands at the spot where the tracks join together and looks where they lead: O'CONNOR They're headin' into the canyon. (gazing up at the canyon) I know this area. It's a box canyon -- walls close in, there's no way out. (turns to his men) You stay here, block their exit. I'll ride in and flush 'em out. The men dismount and wait as O'Connor mounts up and rides on into the steep, imposing canyon. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - DAY EIGHT 80 Cloud Dancing rides out of the trees and up to the crest of a hill, where he surveys the spectacular valley below him. A tranquil river flows through the valley, the sight of which brings a smile to Cloud Dancing's face. (CONTINUED) 50. CONTINUED: 80 He casts a final look over his shoulder, and for a moment, his smile fades with the thought of the friends he's leaving behind... But then he turns back toward the valley. He glances down at the Western shirt he's still wearing, and then tears it off, throwing it to the ground as he rides on, heading down into the valley... to freedom. EXT. WOODS - ENTRANCE TO BOX CANYON - DAY EIGHT 81 McKay and his men ride up to discover O'Connor's men waiting at the entrance to the canyon. MCKAY Where's O'Connor? SOLDIER #2 He went ahead into the canyon. MCKAY Is Sully in there? SOLDIER #2 Yeah. O'Connor's gonna flush 'im out. MCKAY Is the Indian still with him? SOLDIER #2 I think so. They split up for awhile, took separate trails. But they joined up again right here. MIKE (O.S.) No they didn't. McKay turns to see Mike and Dorothy on their horses, stopped not far behind them. MIKE It was a trick, meant to confuse you. Which it obviously did. (quieting, to Dorothy) My guess is Cloud Dancing is well on his way to freedom by now. As Dorothy reacts to this, McKay rides over, furious that Mike has followed him. MCKAY What are you doin' out here? (CONTINUED) 51. CONTINUED: 81 MIKE The same thing as you. Looking for my husband. (to Dorothy) Come on. And with that, she and Dorothy ride on, continuing into the canyon. MCKAY Wait! Stop! But they keep riding. McKay spurs his horse on, leading his men into the canyon after Mike and Dorothy. EXT. TRAIL - BOX CANYON - DAY EIGHT 82 Sully rides along the steep canyon trail, until the footing becomes difficult for his horse. He hops down and ties off the horse before moving ahead to check out the terrain. +UP AHEAD 83 he suddenly stops when he comes to the edge of a sheer cliff. Below is the river, its banks lined with huge rocks and boulders. Sully stares down at it a moment, then turns to start back to his horse. He only gets a few feet before he finds his way blocked by: +O'CONNOR 84 who calmly aims his gun at him. O'CONNOR Stop right there. Sully, realizing he's trapped, quietly raises his arms in surrender. O'CONNOR Been waitin' a long time for this. O'Conner moves in on him. Sully watches him intently, waiting for the right moment to strike. He suddenly lashes out, spinning as he kicks the gun out of O'Conner's hand, sending it over the edge of the cliff. O'Connor recovers and steps toward him, raising his fists. Sully watches, mindful of the edge of the cliff behind him. (CONTINUED) 52. CONTINUED: 84 O'Connor swings, and Sully dodges it. O'Connor recovers and swings again, this time connecting, sending Sully tumbling to the edge of the cliff. O'Connor moves in on him, but Sully swiftly kicks, knocking his feet out from under him. As the fight escalates: EXT. BOX CANYON - DAY EIGHT 85 Mike, Dorothy, McKay and his men ride furiously, pressing further into the narrowing canyon as: EXT. CLIFF - BOX CANYON - DAY EIGHT 86 Sully and O'Connor continue to fight. O'Connor connects with a few punches, rocking Sully, but not dropping him. He moves in and swings again, but Sully ducks and delivers a hard blow to O'Connor's stomach, doubling him over. Sully then throws a fast series of staggering blows that knock O'Connor backward, sending him tumbling to the ground. O'Connor (like the last time they fought) reaches for his boot knife, but Sully, anticipating this, quickly kicks the knife out of his hand before delivering another barrage of punches that floor O'Connor. +CLOSE ON O'CONNOR 87 Dazed and bleeding from the nose and mouth, he is obviously beaten, and he knows it. He looks up -- seeing Sully standing over him in victory is infuriating, and O'Connor refuses to let it end this way. With all the strength he has left in him, O'Connor suddenly lunges forward, plowing into Sully and knocking him off balance. Sully tries to push him away, but O'Connor hangs on, driving him backward, sending both men hurtling over the edge of the cliff... EXT. TRAIL - BOX CANYON - DAY EIGHT 88 Mike and the others come upon Sully's and O'Connor's horses. As Mike's fear intensifies, Wolf runs up, barking wildly. MIKE Wolf! Mike, Dorothy and McKay jump down from their horses and follow Wolf out onto: 53. +THE CLIFF 89 where they find no one. Mike and Dorothy look around, confused. MIKE Where are they? McKay steps to the edge of the cliff and looks down, reacting somberly to what he sees. MCKAY There. Mike and Dorothy rush to the edge and peer down. +THEIR POV 90 of O'Connor, lying sprawled on the rocks by the river, dead. Near him on the rocks is a smattering of blood... but no Sully. +BACK TO MIKE 91 as she reacts in horror. MIKE No! She runs off, making her way down the trail to: EXT. RIVERBED - MOMENTS LATER - DAY EIGHT 92 Mike is the first on the scene, along with Wolf. McKay is next, followed by Dorothy. Mike steps over to O'Connor's body. No need to check for a pulse. She sees the smattering of blood on the rocks nearby, then looks around frantically for Sully. MIKE Sully! McKay steps up beside her and looks down at the blood. He sees the utter devastation in Mike's eyes and is saddened for her. MCKAY He must've hit the rocks, then fell into the river. MIKE (to herself) He's all right... he's all right... MCKAY I'll have my men check downstream for him. (CONTINUED) 54. CONTINUED: 92 MIKE ... please let him be all right... DOROTHY Michaela! Mike turns to see Dorothy fishing something from a crevice in the rocks. She holds it up for Mike to see. It's Sully's medicine bag, torn and bloodied. Mike looks up at the cliff, then down at the blood on the rocks. She looks at Dorothy, who has tears in her eyes, then over at McKay. MCKAY I'm sorry. MIKE (quiet) No... (struggling) He's alive... She takes the medicine bag and gazes down at it, not allowing herself to give up hope. MIKE I know he's alive... She stares off down the river, refusing to believe what she fears might be true. And it's on her tortured look that w