This is my first Bonanza fic. It's actually a story I've had sitting on my PC for ages but didn't want to post it till I had a decent outline worked out simply because I have a few others posted here that are still hanging incomplete (which I know is annoying to readers).

This story is a prequel to the series. (Young Cartwrights)

Usual disclaimers: don't own the show or the characters. Written for pure enjoyment.

Rated T: (to be safe) for theme and some violence.

Hope you enjoy

BONANZA FANFICTION: SILENT WITNESS

Chapter 1

"Boy, howdy. I'll be sure happy when we finish this dang near stretch a fence line. I'm gettin' crankier than Lil' Joe bein' rousted out a bed in the mornin' and starvin' to boot!" Hoss grumbled as he tried to stretch the wire taut and nail it to the fence pole.

He and eighteen year old brother, Adam, had been mending this particular nasty stretch of fence line that bordered along a ravine for the last two days, battling the rocky terrain, thick brambles and stiff cool breezes that kicked up the dust and sent shivers down their spines.

Hoss had been allowed to skip school to help out for a few days only because they were extremely shorthanded. Most of the men were either up at the lumber camp or with Charlie rounding up the herd grazing on the north slopes, preparing to drive them down to the greener pastures in the valley. Only a skeletal crew remained to tend to the rest of the duties on the Ponderosa.

The situation wasn't helped any when Adam was forced to fire two hands caught drinking on the job, after they had been previously warned. One of the men by the name of Colvarre, tried to challenge the young Cartwright's authority. "Your Pa hired me on, not you. You ain't go no right to fire me boy!" He had taken a swing at Adam, intending to teach the kid a lesson. The ensuing fight lasted several minutes. The other man was big, a few inches taller and heavier than Adam, but Adam was quicker and had one big advantage He was full of Cartwright pride. After exchanging several blows, he decked the man out cold. Panting, sporting a fat lip, and a whale of a black eye to boot, Adam nevertheless stood tall and told the other hand, named Durham, to collect his buddy and leave, and to never set foot on Ponderosa land again. The unconscious wrangler was un-dignifiedly slung sideways over the saddle and hauled away.

And now, four days later, and still shorthanded, the two brothers worked side by side to get the ravine fenced off before Charlie arrived with the herd.

Hoss had been eager to help out. It was a well known fact that Hoss and school never fit very well together, mainly due to his size, but also because "book learnin'" just had never been the middle Cartwright's strongest suit. At least on the ranch, Hoss felt his size was an asset and not a hindrance. Though only thirteen, he was nearly as big and as strong as most adults.

It was Saturday and both brothers were bound and determined to finish the arduous job. At Hoss' comment, Adam let out a groan then an explicative that had his younger brother swiveling his head with an expression on his face that clearly indicated Adam was lucky their Pa hadn't been around to hear. "What'sa matter?"

"Little Joe! I completely forgot about Little Joe," Adam replied.

Hoss' own expression suddenly mirrored his brother. He looked up at the rolling hills that already had long shadows stretching outward. They'd both been so busy struggling to get the last stretch of fence line completed neither had realized just how much time had past. It was well into the late afternoon and in another hour or so the sun would be setting over the hillside.

Their father, Ben, was away on business. He had left very early Friday morning and wasn't expected back until next week. Hop Sing was also out of town visiting another set of distant relatives and wouldn't be back for another four days. Ben had left his eldest son in charge. When Ben realized there wouldn't be any one around doing the day, he made arrangements for the youngest Cartwright to stay with a neighbor while the two older brothers worked.

The night before Ben was due to leave, all three Cartwrights got a full dose of Little Joe's infamous temper at the whole arrangement.

First, when the six year old found out his pa was going out of town for a whole week, leaving Adam in charge. He hated it when Adam was in charge. He was always too bossy! Second, when his two brothers told him they had to cancel their plans to take him fishing Saturday morning, after they had already promised! All because they had to string a dumb old fence line before the herd arrived. And lastly, that he couldn't even spend the day with his new best friend Mitch, he just met at school, because he had to go out of town with his family for a dumb wedding!

At that point the short-tempered youngster crossed his arms belligerently and stubbornly informed them all he would just stay home by himself. Ben, of course, told his youngest otherwise. "I'm old enough to take care of myself!" Little Joe argued back.

"I hardly think so," his father replied. "Now quit dawdling and eat your dinner, young man."

"But, Pa," Joe whined. "I don't want to go to Miss Millie's house. She always makes me sit up straight at the table and keep my napkin on my lap the whole time!" His father threw him a stern look and pointed at the child's plate. Reluctantly Little Joe shoved a forkful of food in his mouth.

"Miss Richards is a fine upstanding woman who's just trying to show you some proper manners," Ben told his son. "Nothing wrong with that."

"Ain't nothin' wrong with my manners!" Little Joe protested through a mouthful of food.

"Don't talk with your mouth full, Joseph."

"But you said to eat!"

"Joseph!" Ben's deep voice resonated across the table in a clear warning that he was bordering on the edge of his father's patience. "Miss Richards was very gracious to offer to look after you while your brothers are working and I expect you to be on your best behavior with her, understand?" Little Joe slumped in his seat and mumbled something under his breath. "What was that, Joseph?"

"I said I'll go, but and don't haveta like it and I ain't eatin' no braskel sprouts!"

"It's Brussel sprouts," Adam corrected.

"Shut up, Adam!"

"Joseph Francis Cartwright!" Ben thundered. "That will be quite enough, young man. Unless of course, you wish to continue this conversation outside in the barn with a necessary talk?"

Little Joe's eyes bugged out. "No, sir." He slumped further down in his chair and sullenly moved the food around his plate.

Hoss, feeling sorry for his little brother, knowing Little Joe's angry outburst really stemmed from the fact he hated to have Pa away for any length of time, tried to cheer him up. "Looky here, Lil' Joe. It shouldn't take Adam and me no more than a day and half ta finish that fence. We can still take ya fishin' later in the afternoon on Saturday."

The youngster perked up. "Really, Hoss?"

His older brother nodded. "Of course. I done promised ya we'd try out that new pole, didn't I?"

"As long as you mind Miss Millie and me that is, while Pa is gone," Adam had added.

Little Joe rolled his eyes but smiled and nodded just the same. He had been so looking forward to spending the day with both his big brothers, though he wouldn't admit that to Adam. Hoss was also easy going and fun to be with and Joe could always make him laugh. And even though Adam was bossy and stuck up at times, he was smart and knew so many things, and had always been there for him. Despite their differences and their tendency to quarrel, deep down Little Joe admired and looked up to his oldest brother. He also knew Adam would be going away to collage soon. He didn't want Adam to go and the thought of it still made him sad.

Adam easily read the need in Little Joe's expressive green eyes, and his own temperament softened. Though he was excited about the prospect of going away to college, to explore and further his education, at the same time he knew he was going to miss his father, his two brothers and the Ponderosa terribly and wanted this fishing trip with his brothers as much as Joe.

Friday morning came and Little Joe wasn't happy to see his father leaving so early. Still dressed in his nightshirt, his curls still rumpled, he had stood barefoot on the stairs watching Ben sort through last minute paperwork and stuff it into a satchel as he gave Adam last minute instructions. Ben turned to see his little boy standing on the steps, holding onto his favorite stuffed animal, all eyes and full of sadness.

"Come here, Joseph," his father called. Little Joe practically raced down the stairs and into his father's outstretched arms. He buried his head into his father's chest doing his best to hide his tears. Ben forced his son's chin up so Joe was looking at him, his own chocolate eyes soft and understanding of Joe's worry.

Little Joe hugged his father tightly. "Do you really have to go for a whole week, Papa?"

"Yes, Joseph, I'm afraid I must."

"I'm gonna miss you."

"And I'll miss you and your brothers as well, but I'll be back, I promise son."

Little Joe's arms clung to his father, not wanting to let go. Since Marie's death, the youngest Cartwright always felt especially anxious whenever his father had to go away. Ben patted the child's head reassuringly, returning the boy's hug.

Adam reluctantly interrupted. "Pa, if you're going catch that stage, you better get going."

Ben nodded. He gave Joe's shoulders a little squeeze. "You mind Adam and Hoss while I'm away."

"I will."

The youngster watched as Ben climbed aboard the buckboard with Hoss, who would take him to the stage depot on his way to pick up supplies, including more wire needed for the fence. Joe had wanted to go, but Adam said no, that Hoss was going directly from getting the supplies to the job site and Joe need to get ready for school.

Little Joe had just started his first year of school that Fall. It had been a bit of a rough start between the energetic, mischievous child and the teacher, Miss Abigail. The most recent incident had involved the escape of a frog and a spilled well of ink. Luckily Adam was able to smooth out the wrinkles with the prim and proper teacher without too much fuss, negating the necessity of involving their father, something Little Joe was greatly relieved about.

Miss Millie, their neighbor on an adjoining ranch, had graciously offered to pick Joe up after school so Adam wouldn't have to make an extra trip into town. She even offered to keep Joe overnight, knowing the two older brothers would be putting in a full day of hard labor, plus their regular chores around the house, and would be bone weary by the end of the day. But one look at Joe's anxious and bereaved face and Adam had declined. Having their father away was bad enough, but forcing Joe to stay somewhere else overnight other than on the Ponderosa, was clearly more than the six year old could bear. Instead, Adam would bring Joe back early Saturday and promised to pick him up once they got the fence done.

Saturday morning Joe rode up front on Adam's horse, Ranger, a five year old chestnut gelding. The energetic child was excited when Adam gave him the reins. He loved horses and told Adam one day he was going to have the fastest horse around. As they rode, his little brother chatted about anything and everything and Adam couldn't help but smile at how easy it was to please the youngster sometimes. He dropped his little brother off. Joe had been excited to tell Miss Millie about his plans to go fishing with his brothers later that day.

But of course their best made plans had been thwarted at every turn, and what both older brothers had thought would only take them half the day on Saturday at the most to finish, had dragged out well into the late afternoon.

"Little Joe's gonna be madder than a hornet's nest," Hoss said.

Adam sighed. "Couldn't be helped."

"Gonna be gettin' on dusk pretty soon, Adam. One of us better go fetch him up."

"I'll go ahead and do it if you can finish up here by yourself that is."

"Won't take me more 'n a half an hour ta finish stringin' this last batch of wire. You go ahead. I'll meet ya back at the house."

"Sure?"

"I'm sure. Beside, iffin' ya ask me, you're gonna have the harder job."

Hoss grinned and Adam rolled his eyes at the truthfulness to the statement. He could well imagine what kind of mood Little Joe was going to be in by the time he picked him up. He wasn't looking forward to what the rest of his evening was going to be like either dealing with one cranky and angry six year old with a fiery temper. Adam sighed. "Come on, Ranger, best not delay the inevitable."

€#€#€#€

Dusk was beginning to set as Adam crested the rise to the small ranch house and thought it odd that there were no lights lit on the inside of the house. It was also getting chilly out, but no smoke billowed from the chimney. Adam approached the house slowly. It was quiet, almost too quiet. He hitched Ranger up to a post outside and stepped up onto the porch. When he went to knock, the door swung inward. He felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise. Drawing his gun, he cautiously pushed the door the rest of the way open with his foot, stepping off to the side. No sound issued forth from within.

"Miss Richards? Little Joe?" No response.

He darted inside, gun poised in front of him. The sight that greeted him increased his alarm. Even in the dimly lit room he could see the main living area was a mess, chairs were tipped over and objects strewn about. He called out sharply to his brother and Miss Millie. Again, no answer. He moved further into the room, saw something lying on the floor. As he drew nearer, he was able to make out a skirt, a pair of legs.

Alarmed, Adam dashed over and crouched down onto his knee. Still gripping his gun, he reached down and shook her arm. "Miss Richards? Millie? Are you okay?" In the dim light, he touched her face and immediately felt a sticky wetness. He withdrew his hand quickly.

He got up and retrieved a lamp. He cursed when he couldn't find any matches at first, then remembered he kept emergency extras in the inside seam of his hat. He lit the lamp, turning it up to its full brightness. Immediately he saw the hand he had used to touch Millie's face was smeared red. When he swung the lamp around to the prone figure on the floor, he gasped. The young woman lay in a pool of her own blood, her chest stained crimson. Her face was badly bruised and another gash on the side of her head covered half her features in more blood. Lifeless eyes stared straight ahead.

By the looks of the poor woman, she had been dead for at least three or four hours. Nearby Adam found a large knife tossed carelessly aside. Fear for his little brother suddenly had his heart racing. "Little Joe! Little Joe! Answer me! Where are you?"

TBC...

A/N: Hope you enjoyed the first chap and it wasn't too long. Sorry for the cliffy, but you know, gotta keep you interested somehow, lol. Plan to post updates fairly regularly, every few days I hope, so I don't leave people hanging too long. My goal is to try and keep the characters in canon so I hope I succeeded somewhat (being a prequel and all). Feedback greatly appreciated...BSG :)