Part One Knowing how Kid felt about the lady rider, he'd go up like a firecracker if they told him. She'd told the boys not to mention that Lou was missing, she'd tell Kid after he'd had a rest. Watching him she sighed and headed for the young man, intent on filling him in. He might have an idea of where she was. Sighing Kid rubbed Katy down as she munched on some fresh hay. He'd purposely taken that long run so he could have some time to think about what he was going to do now that Lou didn't want him. When she'd told him she hated him his heart had shattered but he'd told her that she had a right to feel any way she wanted. Then he'd promptly saddled up and taken a two week long run that was originally Cody's. Now that he was back he'd come to a hard choice, as soon as he talked to her he was going to ask Teaspoon for a transfer another station. "Hey Kid." Cody walked past him on his way out to the corral. "Cody." Kid acknowledged the other rider as he finished taking care his horse. Once he was done he headed for the bunkhouse to see if Lou was back from the Willow Springs run, funny he seemed to know her schedule so well that it didn't matter where he was he knew which trail she was on and when she was due back. He walked into an empty bunkhouse and sighed, she wasn't back just yet. Thankful that the room was empty, he quickly packed the few personal affects he had and hid them under the bunk so that he wouldn't have to dig too hard to get them when she came back and he left. Jimmy noted the tired, withdrawn steps of his friend and swore softly under his breath. The last fight the Kid and Lou'd had was obviously still weighing on the southerner's mind but he didn't see any way of easing the pain. "Damn. He's gonna go nuts when he finds out she's missing." He muttered to Buck who was helping to fix the corral fence. "Which is why we're not supposed to say anything. Rachel said she'd tell him." Buck drawled. "Although I haven't got a clue where to even look since she was coming back from St. Jo this time. Its like she just disappeared without a trace, I couldn't find even a ghost of a track." "There's only two trails to St. Jo and we've been over them three times already." Cody drawled, "Teaspoon says we can't cover every inch of ground between here and there." "I am aware of what Teaspoon said Cody," Jimmy snapped, "I'm worried is all." "We all are." Noah shoved the post into the ground and held it so Buck could slide the railing in place. "Well I hope Rachel tells him soon. Its getting close to lunch time and I'm starving." Cody complained. The others rolled their eyes as they watched Rachel walk over to the bunkhouse and enter. "Hey Kid. Long run?" Rachel asked as she walked in. She hadn't quite figured out what to tell him but she figured, it would come to her. "Yes and no." Kid replied from where he lay on his bunk. "Lou not back yet?" "No." Rachel paused, "She said she was going to see her brother and sister before returning." Rachel hoped keeping to the truth would make it easier. Kid nodded and glanced at the woman, "Teaspoon around?" "I think he's in town, why?" Rachel asked quickly, the question diverting her from her task. "Just need to talk to him." Kid swung his legs off his bunk and stood. He patted Rachel on the shoulder as he walked out of the building, for town. "But I didn't tell you what I came in to tell you." Rachel whispered. "I sure hope Teaspoon don't say anything." Teaspoon glanced up as Kid walked into his office, noting the tired look about the young man as well as the sad, blank look in his blue eyes. "Kid. Have a seat." He wondered briefly if Rachel had told him and decided she hadn't had a chance to. He wouldn't have the Kid sitting before him if he knew Lou was missing. "Something I can do for you?" Teaspoon asked as Kid sat fidgeting in the chair. "Yeah. I wanted to wait to talk to Lou first but since she's probably still in St Jo, I'll leave her a letter. I want a transfer." Kid stated quietly. "A transfer?" Teaspoon raised one eyebrow, shocked at what he'd just heard. "Yeah." Kid looked at Teaspoon, before refocusing on his booted foot,"I can't stay here with Lou." "Son, you two had a fight. You've had 'em before.." "Not like this." Kid whispered, taking a calming breath, he remembered the look on her face and it shattered his bruised heart all over again. "Look can you give me one or not?" he demanded, if he couldn't he'd just head out somewhere else. "Sure, I can give you one but it's gonna take time." Teaspoon hedged,"I'll have to have a look at the station lists." Studying the young man he hoped Kid wouldn't pry too deeply, "I'll let you know by tomorrow." "Thanks." Rising Kid headed back to the station. He didn't feel like talking to anyone right now so he walked into the bunkhouse and threw himself on his bunk. Pulling the blanket over him he closed his eyes and tried to go to sleep, despite it being the middle of the afternoon. "Rachel?" Cody approached the woman who was hanging wash. "Yes Cody?" "Did you tell him?" "No. I didn't get a chance to." Rachel looked at the young rider who was walking back, she knew everyone felt sorry for him but they wouldn't say anything. "He said he needed to see Teaspoon." "Why?" Cody asked, "Did he say?" "No. I have a feeling he'll let us know when the times right." "I hope so." Cody glanced down for a minute, concern for his friend outweighing his stomach, "Maybe I should go talk to him." “I think he's in the bunkhouse." Rachel said, "He may be asleep, if he is Cody leave him be." "Yes ma'am." Turning Cody hurried over to the bunkhouse and opened the door. Kid lay on his bunk his blankets pulled up around his shoulders. "Kid?" "What?" Kid groaned as Cody walked into the room. "Is it dinner time already?" "No." Cody sat down on the nearest chair to the bed and tilted his head to the side, "What did you go see Teaspoon about?" Being blunt might be the best way to get the Kid to talk. "A transfer." Kid replied without moving. "A what?" Cody couldn't believe Kid was leaving. "Why?" "Just because Cody." Kid glanced at his friend and shrugged before rolling back to face the wall, "I think it's the best thing for everyone." "Where you going?" Cody demanded rising suddenly, his whirling. "Don't know yet. Teaspoon said he'd let me know by tomorrow." Kid yawned; two weeks worth of sleepless nights were starting to catch up with him. "Sorry Kid, I'll get out of here so you can sleep." Cody noticed how tired Kid was and after a slap on the shoulder he walked out of the bunkhouse and headed for the corral at a run. "Uh oh. Cody's actually running." Noah commented halting the other two's work as they turned to face Cody. "What's going on Cody? You only get that much energy when its mealtime." "He's leaving!" Cody gasped. "What are you talking about?" Jimmy demanded angrily making Cody take a step back. "Kid. He went to Teaspoon and asked for a transfer." Cody shook his head; "Lou'll have a fit if he leaves." "No, Lou is going to have our heads on a platter." Buck replied, "I don't know what's gotten into those two but they need a swift kick in the butt." "Yeah. But we don't know where she is." Cody replied just as Teaspoon walked around the corner. "Teaspoon, how come Kid's transferring out of here?" Jimmy demanded. "He tell you he was?" Teaspoon asked, he didn't want the boys to know anything, it was up to Kid to explain his actions. "That's how we know." Cody replied, "He told me." "Yeah. He asked for a transfer today. Said he can't stay here." Teaspoon shook his head, "I think it has something to do with whatever they were fighting about last." "You do realize that if anyone can find Lou, it's the Kid." Buck drawled, "and no one has even told him yet that she's missing." "Well it got me to thinking. I'm sending him out to Fern Gulch Station." "That's on the trail to St Jo, we've been over that trail several times." Buck snapped. "Sure. But you haven't got what the Kid's got when it comes for finding Lou." Teaspoon shrugged, "Unless you can sense her in the dark." Teaspoon looked at the trio, "We all know he can find her in a crowded room blind folded, so this shouldn't be too hard for him." "Kid's gonna be madder than hell with us." Noah stated, "We still haven't told him she's missing." "Oh, I have a feeling things'll work out." Teaspoon bluffed. He was worried that the young woman hadn't come in yet. In fact it was starting to wear on him that they hadn't found her. She wouldn't have gone after the Kid without letting them know and from what Rachel had said she'd been thinking on it when she left for her run. "Who's gonna tell Rachel?" Buck asked as all four boys looked at Teaspoon. "I'm not. Kid is." Teaspoon smiled, "In fact I think it's time he found out where he's going." "I thought he said you were gonna tell him tomorrow." "It didn't take me as long as I'd thought." Teaspoon shrugged and waved at Rachel who was walking their way. "Hey darling, you better come with me." Rachel didn't like the look of this. Something told her she wasn't going to like what Teaspoon had to say. Lou shivered, as she lay hunkered in the small cave she'd been able to crawl to. Something wasn't right, one minute she'd been riding along happy that she'd gotten to visit with her siblings, and the next she'd been falling only to land with a hard thud, knocking the wind out of her and sending her into a chasm of darkness. When she'd awoke she'd noted she was lying just outside of a cave on a ledge. After investigating she'd had to smother a scream, her horse Lightening laid at least fifty feet below obviously broken and dead. With no horse and in incredible pain, she'd had to wait for someone to come looking for her. So far her small saddlebag of food was holding out and she had some water. There appeared to be a trail that led up but she couldn't even crawl that far. “Help me Kid." She prayed, 'Please let him find me." She knew she had some explaining to Kid to do and she wasn't looking forward to it. Lying to him didn't set well with her, especially when she knew how much he loved her. The pain in his eyes when she'd said she hated him had tore her heart apart, but it was too late to take the words back. Once she'd cooled off a little she'd gone looking for him, only to find out he'd taken a two week long run to Omaha and she had a run to do herself. Now she was nearly a week over due and she couldn't tell if anyone had come looking for her. The thought that Kid might not, brought tears to her eyes and she bit her lip to stem the flow. This time it didn't work they fell anyway and it was getting darker by the minute. If someone didn't come for her within the next day or so, she thought, I'm gonna have to get out of here myself. Curling into a fetal position to conserve body heat she struggled past the pain and slipped into an uneasy sleep. "So Kid, you awake?" Teaspoon walked into the bunkhouse and froze, Kid was sitting up looking at him with murder in his eyes. "I am now." Kid snapped reaching for his boots. "What's up?" "Got a position open." Teaspoon held up the paper he'd been holding and smiled at Kid, "It's a small station out at Fern Gulch. You'll have to leave early tomorrow to reach it in time for your next run." Teaspoon handed the paper to Kid and shook his head at Rachel who'd opened her mouth to speak. "Okay." Kid read the slip of paper that was the end of his stay in Rock Creek, near his friends and especially near Lou. Studying the paper he felt the shards of his broken heart shatter a little more and he had to swallow against the pain that threatened to overwhelm him. Teaspoon grabbed Rachel's arm as he turned to the door and opened it. Ushering her out he turned, "Oh before I forget. If you wouldn't mind Kid, could ya keep a look out for Lou? She was due back a few days ago but hasn't come in yet." With that Teaspoon shut the door not sure if Kid had really heard him. Rachel glared at Teaspoon; "You know she's a week late. Why'd you tell Kid?" “Give it a minute." Teaspoon said sitting down next to the door and crossing his hands behind his head, "It doesn't matter if they had a fight or not. I guarantee.." "What do you mean she hasn't come back?" Kid demanded jerking open the door to see Teaspoon lounging on the porch. "Exactly what I said. Ain't that right Rachel?" Teaspoon looked at Rachel who only nodded dumbly. "Right." "Why isn't anyone looking for her?" Kid snapped crossing his arms over his chest. "Well we did. Couldn't find anything, so I figured she'd stayed in St Jo to see her kin." Teaspoon noted four faces disappear into the barn as Kid slammed the bunkhouse door on his way inside. "You know as well as I do if she'd decided to stay for a while, she would have sent word." Kid shouted angrily through the closed door. "Teaspoon that isn't fair." Rachel protested a moment later; Kid came out with a glare at Teaspoon and headed for the barn. "Rachel, honey how much you want to bet that he doesn't have her back here within a day or so." "If she's hurt he ain't going to move her." Rachel replied. “Fine. A week." Teaspoon held out his hand and Rachel shook it. "I feel like I just made a deal with the devil." Rachel grinned, "The boys picked a very bad place to hide." "Yeah." Teaspoon smiled, "But I doubt if Kid'll even notice them in there." Fuming at Teaspoon who didn't even appear to be worried about her, Kid grabbed his saddle and set it up on Katy's back. "They looked for her my foot Katy girl," he told the mare. "You'd think he'd know what he was doing!" "Uh Kid?" Cody peeked out from behind the horse in the next stall only to disappear at the black look he received. "What do you want Cody?" Kid snapped as he patted the mare. She wasn't rested but she'd get the job done and he still had hours of light left. "Where you off to?" Cody could feel everyone poking at him and pushed at their hands as he kept the horse between himself and Kid who looked like he could eat a horseshoe. "Out." Kid snapped and led Katy out of the barn, he grabbed the extra blanket and the bag of food Rachel was holding as he led Katy by her. "Kid!" Rachel touched his shoulder and flinched when he jerked away. "Take it easy okay. Look I'm sure she's fine." "Was she even in Saint Jo?." Kid snapped and swung up onto Katy's back. At Rachel's nod he nudged the mare and set out at a gallop. "I told you." Teaspoon said as he walked up from off the porch noting the direction Kid was riding in. “Hey Rachel, Teaspoon. What's with the Kid? The way he was talking, sounded like someone was in for trouble." Jimmy asked as they came out of the barn. "Teaspoon told him Lou was missing." Rachel looked pointedly at Teaspoon. "I can't believe you told him she was only a couple of days late!" “Kid'll find her." Teaspoon replied, "He always does and besides those two have some issues to work out. I'll be damned if I'm given Hodgkin's a good rider like the Kid to boss around." Rachel shook her head at him and headed for the house, "Supper is still gonna be a while." "No!" Cody protested. "I'm starved." "Cody, you got chores to finish. Best get to them." Teaspoon smiled broadly as he watched the dust settle from Katy's hooves. Following the old hunting trail he had Lou had gone on when they went to St Jo Kid let Katy pick her way along. He noted the fading light just as they came upon a portion of the trail that looked like it had been washed out. Dismounting he knelt to have a look around and noticed the edge of what appeared to be a saddlebag. The saddlebag turned out to be an empty mochilla and he glanced around furtively, scrape marks near the edge of the ledge had him glancing down only to have his blood freeze, Lightening lay at the bottom of the ravine, the scavengers had already been at her and he glanced around for Lou. "Lou!" Kid called hoping she was alive. "Lou!" Lou shook her head as she thought she heard her name being called, the voice was achingly familiar. "Help." swallowing she pulled herself toward the ledge hoping he would hear her. Picking up several stones she tossed it out the opening and hoped he would come looking. Kid noted the stone that rolled out from the wall and glanced around hoping to see a trail. Noting the trail a few feet back he led Katy toward it and started down the incline. Moving slowly, he led the tired mare up to the opening of a cave. It looked big enough to lead her in so he pulled her along with him as he entered. In the fading light he could see a shivering Lou. She looked cold and in pain. "Lou!" Dropping Katy's reins he rushed to and grabbed her as she tried to stand, "No Hon, just lay down. I'll start a fire and make something to eat." Kid got her lying down and gathered the makings for a fire. Within minutes he had a fire blazing and turned to Lou. It was obvious she was in pain, and by the looks of her she was fevered as well. Grabbing his canteen he offered her a drink. "I didn't......think anyone was coming." Lou croaked her teeth chattering. How long have you been here?" Kid asked holding her close. "I'm not sure. I was on my way back when everything just seemed to fall out from under me." Lou explained haltingly. Her mouth didn't seem to want to work. "Sh. Here just lay back and relax." Kid glanced around but didn't see anything he could use as a pot to boil some water. Sighing, he grabbed the empty canteen next to Lou's head, and his and headed down for the creek he could hear nearby. Once they were filled he headed back inside, on the way back he noticed an old bucket and picked it up. He took it down to the creek and filled it, there weren't any leaks so he carried it back to the cave. Piling rocks into the fire he waited until they were nearly white hot before putting them in the bucket of water using the mochilla as a glove, then adding more when they cooled, until the water was nearly boiling. He was thankful that Buck had shown him that trick; it made it so much easier to have hot water to clean the scrapes Lou had on her with. Kid tried to be gentle, but he could tell it wasn't of any good, she kept flinching when he touched her and washed out a scrape or bound her ankle which had swollen to nearly twice it's regular size. "I'm sorry Lou." Kid apologized, he could feel the pain his ministrations was inflicting on her, but she didn't say a word. Just tried to keep still and let him do what had to be done. When he was done he leaned back on his heals and reach for the food Rachel had prepared, "I brought something to eat. You hungry?" Lou shook her head she just wanted to sleep. Not for the first time did she thank her lucky stars that Kid had found her. She'd hoped he would come. Thinking how much she loved the Kid she fell into a dreamless sleep, her body grateful for the chance to escape from the pain it was in. Kid watched Lou sleep for a minute before pulling a sandwich out of the bag and munching on it. It didn't matter how she felt about him, he still loved her and seeing her in this much agony was killing him. It looked like a landslide had caught her and Lightening in its path. She was lucky to be alive, although they weren't going anywhere for a while. Kid smiled; as long as she was laid up he could spend time with her and maybe find out why she'd stopped loving him. He knew whatever it was that he'd done to kill her feelings for him had to have been bad, but he just couldn't figure out what it was. After the last time they'd broken up, sure he'd tried to move on, but it hadn't worked. Every time he went out with anyone he'd compared her with Lou, something that the other women hadn't been too pleased about. Shoving aside his pain he got comfortable and watched Lou sleeping until he fell asleep sitting holding her hand. Buck stared at Teaspoon who was eating the stew Rachel had set before him a pleased smile on his face, "Teaspoon how can you be happy? Kid's leaving and Lou is missing! We should be out looking for her." "For them." Teaspoon corrected. “Kid isn't lost." Jimmy snapped. "Neither is Lou." Teaspoon glanced at the boys sitting at the table and sighed, "By now Kid has found Lou, if they aren't are their way back, they will be soon enough. As for Kid leaving, I have a feeling Lou'll talk him out of that idea." "We don't know that Kid's gonna find her." Jimmy commented. "Yes we do." Cody replied grabbing another biscuit, "Kid always finds her." Jimmy glared at the young man to his left, "They aren't even talking right now. In fact she'd probably kill him on sight right now." "I don't think so." Rachel remembered how upset Lou had been when she'd realized Kid had left on a long run. She'd found her in the spare bedroom crying, letting her mind wander she remembered that conversation only too clearly. "What's wrong Lou?" She'd asked sitting on the floor beside her friend. “I said something I shouldn't have to Kid and now he's gone. I don't know why I said it either, it wasn't like I m meant it." Lou sobbed as she sat on the floor Kid's spare shirt wrapped around her shoulders. "I'm sure Kid'll forgive you." Rachel had started soothingly. "No he won't! I told him I hated him and never wanted to see him again." Lou had cried harder and hugged her knees up to her chest. Rachel had been shocked for a second then reached out a hand to soothe Lou, "Give him some time. He'll realize you didn't mean it." "He thinks I did. You didn't see the expression in his eyes. It was like I killed him!" Lou had sobbed shaking her head violently, "I didn't even mean it. I just wanted.." "To hurt him, like he hurt you?" Rachel guessed. She'd heard what he'd told the boys from Buck who'd been amazed that Kid would say something like that about Lou. Smiling she reach for Lou, "Honey he said what he did cause he was hurting. He loves you; hell even Cody can see that! And Cody's blind as a bat." Lou had leaned on Rachel and sniffed brokenly in between sobs, "After today he'll never love me again. And I can't blame him. I'm a coward!" Rachel had just rocked the young woman in her arms and let her cry out her pain, she knew Kid still loved Louise just as the young woman loved him, it was just a matter of them getting past their wounded pride and talking about their feelings. "Rachel!" Jimmy was looking at her with a dark look, "You joining Teaspoon in this happy glow or what?" "Jimmy that isn't any way to talk to her." Teaspoon stated crossly. "Its okay Teaspoon," Rachel shrugged, "No. Just remembering a conversation I had with Lou." "Must have been a real good one." Jimmy snapped sullenly. "Jimmy, I'll explain it to you once." Rachel leaned forward, "Lou and I's conversations such as they may be are private. I don't repeat what she says anymore than you repeat what the boys tell you. If you were their friend, you'd understand that both of them are hurting." "Which is why they'll kill each other before they work out whatever's bothering them." Jimmy shoved his supper away. "Good!" Rachel rose, "Then at least they'll have worked it out." "Rachel sit down and eat." Teaspoon ordered, "Now both of you stop it. There ain't any reason to be arguing amongst ourselves. Kid and Lou do enough of that as is." "Yeah, but it sure is fun watching them. Usually its cause Kid's done something to upset her." Buck smiled hoping to ease the tension. "Yeah, only this time I hope they stay together. This being apart is killing me." Cody groaned, "Ruining my appetite." Everyone laughed at Cody's comment and swiftly the direction of the conversation changed away from any mention of the pair that was conspicuously absent. Lou moved suddenly and froze; someone had a hold on her hand. She tensed for a moment, before recognition set in and she opened her eyes, Kid was lying next to her sound asleep. Smiling she raised her free hand and ran her fingers through his sandy hair, he shifted in his sleep and she moved sucking in a sharp breathe at the pain that sliced through her body. "You okay?" Kid sat upright, awake at the sound of Lou's discomfort. He didn't mention the fact that he untangled their fingers as he bent to check her wounds. Lou whispered watching him through her lashes, "I hurt all over but other than that I seem to alive." "Thank God for that." Kid muttered. Lou shivered suddenly, "I'm freezing!" she chattered, she knew that her wounds were infected. She couldn't help that, being alone had made it impossible for them to be cleaned. "Here I'll get you the extra blanket." Kid hurried over to the pile of things he'd put on Katy's saddle the day before when he'd come looking and grabbed the two blankets he'd tied down. Swiftly covering Lou he watched her shiver a few minutes before he swore under his breathe and lay down next to her. "Here, this'll help." He murmured as he pulled her into his body. Kid was amazed at how hot she was, but he didn't say anything, just held her until she drifted back into sleep before rising and heading out to get some grass for Katy. This trail was hard to find and he didn't want the mare wandering off. The rest of the day he spent either washing Lou's feverish body down with a cold cloth or getting water. By evening she seemed to be settling into sleep a lot more easily and wasn't quite so hot to his touch. "Kid?" Lou whispered when she woke hours later, the fire only a small glow in the dark. “Shh , I'm here." Kid replied getting up from where he'd been laying on the opposite side of the fire. He didn't want her mad at him, and he couldn't help the reaction he had when they touched. "What time is it?" "I'd say about midnight." Kid replied kneeling beside her and brushing her hair back. "Can I have a drink please?" Lou wasn't sure if Rachel was right, Kid hadn't said or done anything that would make her think he'd realized she'd spoken in anger. "Sure." Kid grabbed the canteen and held it to her lips as she drank thirstily. "Better?" "Much." Lou replied clinging to him, "Don't leave me." Kid smiled into the darkness at her words, if only she meant them the way he wanted them to be meant. "I'm not going anywhere. You'll be back in Rock Creek harassing the boys in no time." Kid replied sadly, 'Just like you want it, without me.' he thought painfully. He knew he'd have to tell her he was leaving Rock Creek but he decided he'd wait until tomorrow or the next day. She didn't need to be thinking of anything other than getting stronger at the moment. For Lou the next couple of days passed in a blur brought on by the fever from the infection. She had no way of knowing how bad it was, Kid never said anything to her about not making it, but she knew she wouldn't have made it if he hadn't come when he did. Looking out at the sunlight a few mornings later she noted that Kid was spending a lot of time brushing Katy in the sunlight and turned to his pack. Everything he'd rode into Sweetwater so many months before was bundled around his saddle. If she didn't know any better she would have said he was leaving town. "Good girl Katy," Kid murmured to the mare, "You're getting lots of rest aren't you." "Kid." Lou's questioning voice drew his attention and he noted she was sitting up with the blanket tucked under her arms. Her shirt had long since been burnt because he'd used it for bandages and to clean out the wounds before discarding it into the fire. "How long have we been here?" "I've been here three, no four days." Kid replied walking back to her and settling on his heels. "I'm not sure, but it looks like you've been here over a week." “Didn't they come looking for me?" Lou whispered. "Yeah, but I don't think they thought of this trail. It's not exactly the usual path one takes going to St Jo." Kid shrugged glancing at the fire to keep from looking at Lou's bare shoulder. He could still remember how soft she was, how she'd felt in his arms every time they'd made love. Lou tilted her head toward his gear, "You going somewhere?" She inquired. "Yeah. Fern Gulch." Kid replied glancing sadly at his bags. "Fern Gulch?" Lou frowned and shifted to a more comfortable position, she noted the absence of her clothes and saw a pile of his laying within arms reach. When she reach for them, he leaned forward and handed them to her before turning away. Lou felt a sinking sensation in her stomach; he'd never done that before. Maybe she'd been right, maybe he didn't love her anymore. "What's in Fern Gulch? It's only a two room shack that Hodgkin's runs for the express." "It's where I was transferred." Kid explained turning back to her when he noted she'd tossed the blanket aside. She was struggling with his pants and he moved forward to help her. Once he had them over her hips and the splint he'd put on her leg, he moved away, it was too much a temptation to let his hands travel the bare expanse of skin exposed by his partially buttoned shirt. For the first time in his life Kid admitted, he was jealous of an object, he'd give anything to be where that shirt was. Shaking his head to clear the unwanted thoughts he focused on Lou who had frowned at the mention of a transfer. "Transfer? What the hell did you get a transfer for?" Lou demanded suddenly angry at everything, "Am I that bad to live with? Or did one of the boys says something?" Sighing Kid looked at Katy as she moved around on her picket, "Lou we both know I couldn't stay in Rock Creek." He stated. "Why? Because you don't want me anymore?" Lou said then realized what she'd said. “Yes dammit!" Kid stood and stalked to the cave opening before turning back to her, "I want you. I want a future with you; you know marriage, kids, and a home. But what I want and what I have to live with are two different things Lou." Kid knew he needed to calm down; scaring her wasn't what he wanted to do. "I mean lets be honest here. It's not like you give a damn anymore. Whatever I did to kill any feelings you had for me, I apologize for. I don't know what it was, but I apologize." "Kid." Lou opened her mouth only to shut it as she realized he'd just gotten started. "I'm still not sure why we broke up in the first place. But hey, I can learn to deal with it. I mean I'd rather have you as a friend than not in my life at all." Kid shook his head, "Now I don't even get that. So yes I'm moving. I'm moving before I go insane watching you build a life with someone else! Is that what you wanted to know? Hate me for loving you if it makes you feel better. If wanting to protect you is such a crime then by all means hate me. Just don't expect me to stick around and die a little more each day while you're off doing whatever the hell you want with whomever. Because I can't Lou and staying in Rock Creek would end up killing me! All I ever wanted was for you to be happy Lou, if I can't make you happy then fine. I'll learn to live with that fact, just don't expect me to watch someone else do it." Lou watched Kid's frantic pacing as he stormed at her about hating him, she felt a tiny flicker of hope and bit her lip to stop the smile she could feel building. "Laugh at me. Go ahead!" Kid looked at Lou who was trying not to smile and shook his head. He didn't think he could feel anymore pain than he had been, but he was wrong. This hurt just about as much as having the woman you love tell you she hates you. "I'm not laughing at you Kid." Lou said giving up and smiling. "It just struck me as funny that in all the shouting and arguing we sort of left out some very important details." "By all means then fill them in." Kid waved a hand at her as he went to stare out the opening to hide the tears in his eyes. It was amazing; a body really could survive a broken heart. He doubted if he'd ever really feel alive again, but at least he was still breathing. He'd be damned if he'd let her know how much she'd hurt him with her words. Once they got back to Rock Creek he wasn't going to go to Fern Gulch, he decided, maybe he'd go west. He'd heard there were jobs with the railway, maybe he could get one of them. He realized now he couldn't take a chance on seeing her even in passing without wanting to cry. Struggling Lou got to her feet and limped over to the opening, after the rest she'd had she felt almost good enough to go home. But she needed to clear a few things up before she did then she'd let Kid make up his on mind. "You're right you know. It is hard watching the person you love with someone else." Lou started. "When I heard what you told Jimmy, Cody, and Buck I was devastated. Suddenly I had to face the facts. One I'd lost you, and I couldn't just walk up and say give me another chance. After all I was the one who ended things and I thought you were happy with Samantha, so I didn't say anything. Secondly, I was a coward. I am a coward." Lou shook her head when Kid opened his mouth to deny it. "Yes I am. Sure I can handle myself in a fight, even save your hide. But emotionally, I'm the worse coward there is. After what happened when I was younger first with my parents then with Wicks, I just didn't want to take the risk of getting close. Suddenly I was head over heels, and it scared me. I pushed you away because I was scared. I thought I had to prove myself to you, and somehow I wouldn't measure up. I guess I just thought that because of what Wicks had done, that you'd think there was something wrong with me, after all I blamed myself for what happened that night, so why shouldn't you blame me to." Lou looked at Kid who was listening quietly, although she knew he wanted to dive in and tell her she was wrong. "You've never had to prove yourself to me Louise." Kid replied softly, "I've always known you could stand on your own two feet. It's just I worried about you. Hell I still worry but its just cause I love you. And as for Wicks I don't blame you for that, I blame him. He had no right to steal your innocence from you." "I know." Lou glanced down at the ground tears in her eyes, "Can you forgive me?" "Oh Lou, of course. I didn't blame you for our break up. I blamed me." Kid ran a hand through his hair, "I thought I'd done something wrong. I figured maybe I'd rushed you before you were ready. I don't know, I just didn't even consider you to blame." Lou smiled, "I'm sorry for saying I hated you. I don't, I just wanted to hurt you and before I'd thought of it the words were coming out of my mouth and I couldn't stop them. After you left I realized I didn't mean them and went looking for you. But you'd taken the Omaha run so I went and hid in the big house and cried like a baby for hours." Lou smiled shakily, "Rachel found me." "I guess we both acted without thinking." Kid shifted to face her, "Friends?" He stuck out his hand and waited a hopeful look in his blue eyes. Lou smiled, "Yeah." Looking at him she wondered what he'd say if she told him she didn't want his hand to shake. Hobbling the three steps to him she reach up to him with her hand and touched his face, "How about more than friends?" Kid searched her eyes for a moment then smiled, "You're the boss." Lou smiled before pulling his head down to touch her lips to his. With a soft moan she pressed up against him and tugged at the hem of his shirt that was tucked into the buckskin pants he wore. Sliding her hands under the material she traced the contours of his flat stomach and pulled back slightly, "I love you." Kid smiled back at her and traced a hand down her cheek, "I love you." The words were so soft Lou had a hard time hearing them but they gave her the strength to take his hand and pull him back to where he'd made a pallet for her sinking painfully down onto the blankets she tugged on his hand until he joined her. "Next time I get a brilliant idea to fight with you, don't take me too serious Kid." Lou pleaded, "Sometimes I forget that I can hurt you." "How about we both try to remember that?" Kid leaned forward to kiss her slowly, worshiping her soundlessly, easily. The sun was starting to sink below the horizon when Lou stirred, "When are you due back?" "Well I figured on leaving within the next day or so. Might as well get back and let them know you're okay." Kid replied sleepily. Lou bit her lip and looked at the Kid, "Couldn't we stay just a couple of days longer?" "Sure, but we could walk if that's bothering you." Kid met her eyes with a half smile. "No. I could ride back, its just it's kinda nice to be with you without having to worry about the boys walking in, or Teaspoon looking for one of us." Lou replied, "And it's even nicer being with you without half our clothes on." Kid laughed softly. "Okay. We'll wait a couple of days before we head back. I'm glad you suggested it. I was a little scared to." "Why?" "Didn't want you to think I only wanted you for your dancing abilities." Kid looked at her seriously, "I love you body and soul." Lou smiled as he kissed her softly, "Good. Cause I feel the same way." Lou snuggled into his shoulder and closed her eyes, "By the way how are both of us going to get back? I don't have a horse anymore." "We'll ride double on Katy. It's about a four and a half hour ride to Rock Creek from here. I'm surprised they didn't think to look on this trail." Kid replied. "I didn't tell anyone about it." Lou replied guiltily. "I remembered you knew about it so I didn't think too much about taking it." Kid just hugged her a little tighter and closed his eyes. Long after his breathing had evened out and Lou knew he was asleep, she lay awake thinking. Despite her fears, Kid still loved her and for that she was grateful. She wondered how they'd handle things from now on, hopefully they could work out their problems instead of breaking up although knowing Kid, he'd find a way around most any obstacle, except for ones she threw up. Shifting against him she smiled sleepily, and nuzzled closer to his naked chest, "Close your eyes honey. You need to get some sleep." the sleepy words drew a chuckle from her and she closed her eyes, for the first time in days sleeping peacefully. Kid was up before dawn making coffee; he glanced at a sleeping Lou who'd woken him twice last night. He knew Teaspoon expected him in Fern Gulch but he wouldn't leave Lou. They'd finally started to work everything out and the future for once was looking good. "Kid?" Lou's desire filled voice drew him to her quickly. He hunkered down next to her and tugged the blanket up over a nude shoulder, "Morning sleepyhead." "You're up early." Lou said sitting up with a little grimace. "Making coffee. You want some?" Kid turned away from the exposed flesh, trying to remind himself she was hurt. He glanced back at her when she touched his face. Lou smiled; Kid was being so considerate, "Coffee? Nope." Lou shook her head slowly her eyes fastened on his. "Come back to bed Kid." "You sure Lou, I don't want to hurt you." "Very sure Kid." Lou pulled on Kid's arm until he tumbled into bed and reached for her the coffee pot forgotten momentarily. Rachel glanced at the four boys sitting around the table looking somber, "Morning boys." "Morning Rachel." Noah stretched. "Any word yet?" “Teaspoon said he ain't heard anything and is taking it as a good sign." Rachel replied. "We should be out there looking for them. They'd do the same for us." Jimmy snapped glaring into his coffee. "Perhaps. But if Kid did find her, you want to be around to hear the explosion?" Rachel asked, she knew Jimmy cared more than he let on. "Anything would be better than this silence." Buck commented. "Look. If we haven't heard anything by Sunday, Teaspoon says we'll go out looking." Rachel hoped that would calm the boys a little. She realized for the most part it was guilt that had them in bad moods. "Lou wouldn't wait that long and neither would the Kid." Cody grumbled. "Eat your breakfast and get ready for your chores. Cody you've got a run over to Sweetwater, Jimmy you're supposed to be out at Wilson's this morning to help with those horses. I expect you boys to trust Teaspoon." The boys nodded and headed outside to do what they had to while they waited. Sunday was only another two days before Teaspoon would let them go out looking, with any luck those two would be back before then. "I hate this waiting." Jimmy grumbled as he saddled his horse. "Jimmy, trust Teaspoon. I have a feeling he knows something we don't." Buck said as he cleaned out the empty stalls. "Besides, you know that putting those two together is like throwing gun powder into the flames. It's highly explosive and dangerous to anyone around them." "Boys." Teaspoon's southern drawl had all of them turning to face him. "Look I know you're impatient. Those two are members of our family here and I don't blame you for wanting to look. But we have no idea where they could be. I just talked to the rider that came from St Jo, he said there wasn't any sign of either of them on the trail." "Doesn't mean anything!" Jimmy declared as Cody hurried past him to take the mochilla from Teaspoon. "No! But unless you want to go off in four different directions other than the trail from St Jo, we're just wasting our time." Teaspoon stated, "Or unless you know of some private spot that they would go to, we can't just guess at where they may be." "Better than sitting around waiting." Jimmy led his horse past his mentor and headed for work at the Wilson's farm. It was after dark when Kid woke and glanced around. Lou was sitting munching on a sandwich staring into the flames. "Hey, what are you doing up?" “Thinking. Tomorrow we head home, what are we going to do? I've kinda gotten used to you sleeping with me." Lou replied as Kid settled behind her and pulled her into his lap. "I know." Kid sighed, "We'll work it out, we'll just have to work around the boys." "I can see we're going to have some late nights." Lou whispered softly leaning against him as he wrapped a blanket around them both. "Sure, late night trips to the barn, then there's always the our swimming hole. But it's worth it." Kid kissed her bare shoulder lovingly as she laughed softly. "Or we could set a date to get married, but you decide. "I definitely like your ideas. I'll let you know about the date for a wedding." Lou agreed finally falling asleep. Dawn was peaking through the trees when Kid woke Lou and handed her a cup of coffee, "Here better have some. After we break camp, you can ride Katy till we get to the main trail. This incline is pretty steep." Kid stated as he sat next to her. Lou smiled and drank the coffee as she watched Kid finish preparing breakfast. When they'd eaten she dressed with his help and waited for him to saddle Katy. Kid smiled at Lou who was watching him as he saddled the paint mare, "So you ready to head home?" "About as ready as I'll ever be." Lou acknowledged as Kid helped her over to Katy who stood patiently. He lifted her up and she slid into the saddle, looping one leg over the saddle horn before Kid poured the last of the coffee over the fire and stowed it in his saddlebag and picked up Katy's rein. "Kid?" Lou waited till he walked up to her and leaned down to kiss him, tracing his lips with her tongue she sighed when he opened his mouth and allowed her entrance. Groaning softly at the heat pooling in her gut she pulled back, "That'll have to hold you for a while. At least until the boys are asleep." she gasped, her breathe coming in short little spurts. Gasping for air Kid just smiled and turn around to lead the mare out into the sunlight. He led Katy up the incline carefully to where he'd turned off then put her reins over her neck to stick a foot in the stirrup and swing up onto her behind Lou. "Lets go home shall we?" "Gladly," Lou nodded as she turned to sit cross ways, sitting astride made her one hip ache. Hanging onto Kid's arms around her waist they set off at a slow trot, letting the mare pick her own way home. It was early afternoon when Noah spotted the rider coming and sighed. He was the last one to the bunkhouse and fully expected Cody and Jimmy to be into it again. Since Kid had left those two were at each other's throats just to keep some semblance of normalcy, something he couldn't find fault in although it was a little annoying at times. He watched the horse coming closer and smiled, the familiar brown and white markings meant Kid was back, but he wondered briefly where Lou and Lightening were. As the mare trotted around the corral his smile turned into a grin. Lou was sitting in front of the Kid asleep. "Hey, we wondered where you got to." Noah stated as he grabbed the mare's reins. "Didn't get very far." Kid smiled at the young black man. "Can you take Katy for me? Lou needs to be in bed." “Sure." Noah held the paint as Kid swung down keeping a hand on Lou at all times and lifted her down. Holding the woman against his chest he headed for the bunkhouse without a backward glance at the mare standing next to Noah. “I still say we should go out." Jimmy snapped as Cody loaded his plate again. "Fine. After I've eaten." Cody snapped angrily back, "You're always so impatient I'm surprised you managed to live as long as you have." "Oh shut up Billy boy, or I'll clean your clock." Jimmy growled. "Would you two knock it off?" Teaspoon ordered, "You're beginning to give me a headache." The occupants of the bunkhouse were so busy arguing they didn't hear the footsteps on the porch, or hear the door being unlatched. When it swung open Rachel turned toward it to warn Noah not to expect too much peace for lunch only to freeze. Kid was standing there looking at them with Lou in his arms. "What is going on?" Kid demanded, "I could hear you half way to the barn." “Kid!" Teaspoon grinned, "We were starting to worry." "Well worry somewhere else." Kid snapped, laying Lou on his bunk. "Lou needs her sleep." "Had it rough did she?" Jimmy asked and immediately back tracked at Kid's look. "I mean it looks like she got jumped." "Landslide." Kid grunted covering her before rising to face the boys. "Lost Lightening." "Damn. Lou must be heartbroken." Teaspoon shook his head noting the way Lou was dressed and Kid was back to hovering. "I take it you worked out your problems?" "Yeah." Kid glanced at Teaspoon, "Can I stay here? Or is my transfer permanent?" "You can stay, never forwarded the paperwork." Teaspoon admitted. Teaspoon watched Kid walk outside and head for Katy who stood bareback. He spoke to Noah who was grooming the paint mare. Teaspoon turned back to the young woman sleeping in Kid's bunk, "Looks like things are looking up." "She's gonna be madder 'en a wet hen when she wakes up." Cody acknowledged. "Wrong. I am madder than a wet hen." Lou rolled over pushing her dark hair out of her eyes and glared at the men in the room. "And I'm definitely awake." "Sorry Lou." Cody apologized, he'd already had a taste of her temper and it wasn't an experience he wanted to repeat. "What do I have to do to get some sleep around here?" Lou pushed the blanket aside and noted Kid's shirt dwarfed her tiny frame a fact for which she was glad. The clothe she'd been using for binding had been lost ages ago, and Kid hadn't looked too interested in finding another one. "How you feeling girl?" Teaspoon asked. "Sore. Tired, lost Lightening." Lou replied, "Other than that I'm fine. Where'd the Kid go?" "To care for Katy." Rachel replied. Lou nodded and rubbed her eyes, she glanced up as the door opened and Kid walked in. "Hi." "Hey." Kid smiled, "You feeling any better?" "Still sore. I don't think my ankle is broken its not as sore as before." Lou stated holding up for him to recheck it. Satisfied he set down at the table, Kid took a drink of coffee as Lou settled in the chair next to him and reached for a sandwich. He watched her for a minute before focusing on a silent Teaspoon. "Well since you two are probably tired. Jimmy can take your run tomorrow Kid, Cody'll take Lou's." Teaspoon looked pointedly at the two men and smiled firmly, "Now then boys you've all got some chores to tend to, best get at them. Kid you and Lou take it easy today. Probably not in too much of a hurry to work." Rising Teaspoon walked out the door and glanced pointedly at the boys who were dragging their feet. Groaning in protest the boys quickly followed, Buck smiled at them as he closed the door behind him. "You glad to be home?" Kid asked smiling at her. "Yeah!" Lou laughed as she sank down on his lap, "But being alone with you was just as nice, maybe even nicer." "I'd have to say nicer." Kid whispered stealing a kiss as they heard footsteps on the porch. Glancing up the saw Noah walk in with a grin, "Sorry guys. Came to get some lunch. Teaspoon said I wasn't to disturb you." "Come on in Noah." Lou said starting to rise only to have Kid pull back into his lap. "Stay here." Kid whispered as Noah sat down to have a couple of sandwiches. "So which trail did you take?" Noah asked, "Cause we went over both of them almost all the way to St Jo." "I didn't take the trails. Went another way." Lou replied leaning against Kid's chest, "Lucky for me Kid remembered where it was." "Yeah." Noah watched them with a half smile and finished his lunch, "Well gotta run good to see you both back." Noah saluted them on his way out the door. "I don't know about you, but I could use a nap." Kid yawned, "I'm beat." "A nap sounds good." Lou replied rising and heading for her bunk. "Share mine?" Kid looked at Lou with a pleading look in his eyes. Glancing at the door, Lou shrugged, "What the hell." She slid into Kid's bunk and curled up against his broad chest, "This might be the last time for a while." Several hours later, Rachel walked in to start supper and stopped a slow smile crossing her face. Kid and Lou lay on his bunk sound asleep curled together. She walked over to cover them a little better and noticed Lou had shucked her pants if her bare legs peeking out where any indication. Glancing around she noticed a pile of clothes at the foot of the bed and picked them up to find two pairs of pants and a blue shirt with missing buttons. Shaking her head she folded the pants, and tucked the shirt under her arm. She'd fix the buttons later, after supper. Closing the door softly, she headed for the corral where she could see the boys working. "Hey Rachel is it dinner time already?" Cody asked. "No. We're eating in the big house tonight." Rachel said as she leaned against the corral. "Let them sleep in peace." Jimmy shook his head but didn't comment, he noted the shirt tucked under Rachel's arm and frowned but bit his tongue before he said something he'd regret. "What are we having for supper tonight Rachel?" Buck asked softly. "Roast beef." Rachel replied glancing at Buck, "And I need someone for kitchen duty." "I'll help." Buck offered immediately. He was getting tired of Jimmy's sullen attitude and Cody's endless chatter, even peeling potatoes was better than listening to those two. "Thanks." Turning Rachel headed for the big house, Buck on her heels. "Wonder why we can't eat in the bunkhouse." Jimmy muttered and set the post he'd been working with down. "Where are you goin'?" Cody demanded as Jimmy headed for the bunkhouse. "To get something from my bunk." Jimmy retorted. "Jimmy! You're gonna get in trouble with Rachel." Cody called he had pretty good idea why Jimmy was headed for the bunkhouse, and he didn't think it was to grab something. Opening the door Jimmy slipped inside the cool interior of the bunkhouse and walked toward his bunk. Grabbing the extra pair of gloves he glanced at Lou's bunk. It was empty, a quick glance at Kid's bunk revealed where she'd bunked and he smiled, it looked like they'd more than worked out the problem. Kid shifted in his sleep and he quickly headed for the door, Jimmy didn't want them to know how worried he'd been. He did have a reputation to uphold after all. ********* Part Two The six weeks since Kid had brought her back, she hadn't said too much about who had found her, or why they'd taken so long to get back. Especially since she'd told Rachel it was only a few hours out of town. Kid had relaxed enough to let her go on runs although he paced if she was an hour late, but so far it hadn't driven her too crazy. Smiling Cody was pleased that Lou had managed to convince the Kid to stick around. "Hey Lou, when you're done chopping wood you can help me with the water." Cody called and hid a smile at her dark look. "Cody you're the one supposed to be chopping wood." Lou pointed out, "You can carry the water all by yourself." "But Lou, I'm dying in this heat." Cody whined. "Ha." Lou sunk the blade of the axe into the chopping block and turned to her fellow rider, "You're dying in this heat? If you don't get up and get the water, Rachel's gonna kill you." "But Lou, you're doing such a good job." Cody teased rising from his seat. He wouldn't make her get the water but teasing her lately was just too much fun. "Cody." Lou took a deep breath she really wasn't feeling good. Hadn't been in fact for the last couple of days, although she hadn't said anything to anyone. The wave of dizziness passed but the nausea didn't and she swallowed trying to calm her stomach. "Why don't you go get that water?" Lou watched Cody shake his head and walk away muttering. When he was out of sight she made her way to the barn wall and sank down, feeling like she was going to throw up. Leaning her head back against the rough wood she closed her eyes and breathed slowly. Teaspoon wouldn't let her make her next run if she wasn't feeling good and she had to go to Blue Creek she had to pick up something. Feeling marginally better she headed in to the cool interior of the barn and went to saddle her horse. Smiling at the well built bay gelding she patted his sleek neck with affection; Kid had bought him shortly after they'd gotten back and she relished the idea of flying on this horse. He was fast, faster than most of the horses in the yard but Lou didn't think bragging about him would make the boys too happy. "Rider up!" the call had Lou hurrying and she led the gelding out of the barn, a moment later she was galloping out toward Blue Creek where she'd turn around and come back. The run took four days, two out an overnight in Blue Creek and two back. Kid hadn't come in from his run so she figured she'd have time to get his birthday present and get back before he started worrying. "Hey Rachel, where's Lou?" Cody asked as he walked into the bunkhouse. Kid glanced up sharply at the question and Rachel sighed. "She went on the Blue Creek run. She's due back at suppertime tomorrow, why?" "Well I was going to switch runs with her. I've got the Laramie and Garret City run coming up tomorrow." "Lou's not going to want to switch runs with you." Rachel replied, "She's gonna be tired by the time she gets here. I'd be surprised if she was up in time for breakfast." "I'll switch with you." Kid offered, he had the Omaha run again and didn't like the idea of spending too much time on the trail. He was glad to be able to spend some time with Lou they'd been doing a lot of talking and he felt confident that they would make it. "Okay." Cody jumped at the chance to get a way from Jimmy's moodiness for two whole weeks. "When were you supposed to go?" "Tomorrow morning. Just before your run." Kid replied snapping a bean with his teeth. "Kid! You keep eating them raw we won't have any for supper," Rachel chastised gently. Kid grinned sheepishly and glanced back at Cody, "Well." "Deal!" Cody turned and hurried out of the bunkhouse. For some reason Jimmy had decided he was madder than hell and Cody wasn't in the understanding mood that he should be. After six weeks of constant picking, he just wanted to escape the other man's foul moods. "Wonder what that was about?" Noah mused as he sat watching Kid eating raw beans something that the Kid had started doing only very recently. "Oh him and Jimmy have been going at it for a while now. I guess he just wants a break." Rachel explained as the door opened and Jimmy walked in. He glared at everyone before slumping into a chair next to the Kid. "What is it this time Jimmy?" Rachel demanded, "You've been picking at Cody for so long he actually switched an overnight run for the Omaha run." "Don't know why." Jimmy shrugged, "I didn't say a word to him all day today." "Well hurry up and get over this mood you're in Jimmy or Teaspoon's gonna ship you to the barn for a while." Rachel snapped a couple of beans furious that the young rider was taking his anger out on everyone around him. "Fine." Jimmy snapped and grabbed for his hat. He slammed the door and headed for the barn, he'd sleep with the horses if that's what it took for them to realize he didn't want to be a part of all that mushiness between Kid and Lou. Not that he could blame the Kid, he was obviously in love, and so was she. It just hurt to be looking in, especially when he knew he'd made the choice to be alone. Suddenly he got an idea, Kid was going to be leaving in the morning and Lou wasn't due back until tomorrow night so after the southerner left, he'd move Lou into the big house with Rachel forgetting for the moment what had happened when Kid had done it several months before. That should help tamp down on their mushiness, he didn't think Rachel would appreciate Kid sneaking into the house late at night, or Lou sneaking out to meet him either. Yep, if he didn't have to watch them making cow eyes at each other he'd feel better. "Maybe I should have a talk with him." Kid suggested. He knew the mood Jimmy was in it would turn into a fist fight within seconds but that in it self wouldn't be anything new. Jimmy had always had a burr under his saddle when it came to him so, if a fight would break the tension than he'd do it. "You'll do no such thing. You boys got chores, best get them done then we can have supper." Rachel waved the boys away. She watched Kid, Noah, and Buck trotting across the yard companionably to work on the new corral fence. Those three were getting so close, which was surprising considering Kid was from Virginia a slave state. Shaking her head, she put the thoughts from her mind and went back to preparing supper. Lou stared at the small box she held, it contained Kid's birthday present but somehow she didn't think she was going to make it back to Rock Creek. The nausea had gotten worse this morning so she was sitting next to the creek washing her face after she'd had to throw up. "Morning!" The soft voice had her whirling and reaching for her gun. An older woman walked up to her and hunkered down a tall roan mare standing a few feet behind her, "Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." Ariane offered her hand to the young woman who was an interesting shade of green. "Ariane Mackenzie." "Lou McCloud." Lou shook the woman's hand and took a deep breath. "Not feeling very good huh?" Ariane smiled, she recognized that feeling. She'd had it twelve times and it didn't get any better every time she'd had it. "No. I think I caught a bug going around." Lou muttered taking a gulp of cold water and spiting it back out to rinse out her mouth. "Sorry." She glanced at the woman and noticed the graying at her temples, and the laugh lines around her blue eyes. "Hey you don't have to apologize. I've got six sons, and three sons in law. I've seen worse." Ariane rose and reach into her coat pocket for some of the herbs she'd been collecting for her youngest daughter who was suffering with morning sickness. "Here, chew these." She handed Lou the plants, "They'll settle your stomach." "Thanks. What are they?" Lou looked at the leafy green plants in her hand and frowned. "Wild Mint." Ariane smiled, "Trust me. It does work." Lou popped a couple of leaves in her mouth and chewed; glancing at the woman she smiled shakily, "They work." "Of course. I've used it for years. You might want to take this." Ariane pulled out a pouch, "Its mint tea. Works every time." "Where'd you come from?" Lou suddenly demanded taking the pouch. "About two miles east of here. My daughter and her husband live here, I came to visit." Ariane explained. Lou nodded and tucked the box into her jacket pocket and swung up onto her horse, "Thanks." "You're welcome. You take care Lou McCloud." Ariane smiled and clucked. Her horse moved off at a lope splashing through the creek and up the bank to disappear in the brush. Shaking her head Lou turned Sparks toward home and sunk spur. She was suddenly anxious to get home. The gelding's powerful strides ate up the ground and he seemed to want to run even though she held him back. Lou pulled up sharply a smile on her face as she saw the familiar buildings that signaled she was home, "Come on boy, looks like we made it." Kicking the bay she sent him into a gallop as they headed for the barn. "Rider up!" Noah hollered as Buck raced to his horse. Seeing Lou coming in he groaned, she wasn't going to be to happy with Jimmy who'd improved since he'd moved Lou's stuff out of the bunk house. Noah knew when Kid got back Jimmy was likely to get his face busted but right now they'd have to deal with Lou, who at times was ten times worse than the Kid. "Ride safe Buck!" Noah called as the other rider galloped out of the yard and Lou pulled up, a smile on her face. She glanced around but didn't see the Kid, 'Damn I missed him." she thought. "How was the run?" Noah asked as she led her horse toward the barn's hitching rail. "Quiet." Lou replied still chewing on the mint leaves she'd popped in her mouth earlier after lunch when her stomach had decided it was time to act up. "What's that you're chewing on?" He watched her grimace as she lifted the saddle down and set it aside. "Mint." Lou replied, "Settles the stomach." "You feeling okay?" Jimmy wandered out of the barn and noted Noah's black look before turning and heading back inside. "Yep." Lou smiled, "When's Kid due back in?" "Tomorrow." Noah replied, "He and Cody switched runs." Lou nodded and led the gelding into the corral after brushing him down she gave him some water and feed and headed for the bunkhouse only to halt at Noah's voice. "Oh Lou?" Noah glanced around for Jimmy who had suddenly disappeared into the barn. "Yeah Noah?" Lou turned at ease with him, unlike with Jimmy who'd been in such a mood lately that she was a little uneasy around him. "You might want to have a chat with Jimmy about where you're sleeping. He made other arrangements." Noah said as he pointed to the barn, "I'm going to talk to Rachel." "Thanks." Lou stepped into the barn to see Jimmy saddling his horse. "Jimmy? Where's my stuff?" "Big house." "Why?" Lou demanded, she knew Kid wouldn't go behind her back again so she wondered why Jimmy would do something like that, and she wanted answers now. "Figured it best." Jimmy led his palomino by her and out into the fading sunlight. "Third door on the left at the top of the stairs." "Kid tell you to do this?" Lou demanded quietly. "Nope, doesn't even know I did it." Jimmy replied swinging into the saddle, "He'd already left on his run." "Then would you tell me why the hell you decided to kick me out of the bunkhouse?" Lou hissed, her voice rising as she got mad. She grabbed Sundancer's reins and held him as Jimmy slid his gloves on coolly. Jimmy shook his head and leaned down, "You belong up at the big house. Not in the bunkhouse." Kicking Sundancer's flanks he sent the horse into a gallop, leaving a fuming Lou standing holding her arm where it had gotten jerked when the palomino had bolted out from her grip. Turning Lou picked up the first thing she could find and threw it. The heavy wooden bucket slammed into the barn wall splintering into a thousand pieces. The shattered bucket didn't do anything to cool her temper as the bunkhouse door open and Rachel stepped out. Rachel headed for Lou, she didn't think the girl would be too cross with her she really hadn't known what Jimmy was up to until afterwards, "Lou?" "I'm gonna kill him." Lou snarled watching Jimmy's dust trail. "He had no right Rachel to move me out of the bunkhouse. It's not like Kid and I have been sleeping in the same bunk or anything." Lou tried to hold back the tears, "What did he think he was doing? I sure as hell hope it wasn't helping me. I hate when they make my choices for me." "Kid didn't know about this. When he finds out Jimmy's going to get it. Kid likes having you sleeping in the same room as him, especially since you can't sleep in the same bed." Rachel said turning Lou toward the big house, "Come on we can have a cup of tea and talk this over." "Ain't nothing left to say. Jimmy's a dead man. He better stay gone until Kid gets back, cause if I see him I'm gonna kill him and anyone who helped him!" Lou snarled, her temper simmering. Noah listened to Lou's tirade and sighed, he was glad he hadn't helped Jimmy. Buck had warned the other man not to touch Lou's things but he hadn't listened now he'd have to deal with both Lou and Kid on his own, and considering both Lou and Kid's temper made him think Jimmy would have better luck facing a whole nest of angry rattlesnakes. "I can't believe he'd do that." Lou muttered for the hundredth time. Her temper had cooled and she sat drinking tea with Rachel, "What did I do?" "Nothing sweetie." Rachel put her hand on Lou's where it rested on the table. "I think Jimmy's embarrassed." "About what?" Lou demanded rising, "Kid and I haven't done anything in front of anyone that could be embarrassing. I mean I happen to enjoy sleeping next to him and I can't even do that because the boys might see us. Kid refuses to even think about letting us sleep together in the bunkhouse. Said it isn't good to give the boys ideas, I'm getting desperate here Rachel. It's been nearly a week since we.." Lou shut her mouth as she realized what she'd been about to reveal. "Lou, if you want it and Kid wants it there's nothing wrong with being intimate." Rachel spoke softly, "As long as both of you are ready for any consequences of your actions then whatever happens, Louise. You love him and he loves you. I'm not going to sit here and judge you." "I wish Kid were back." "You know Kid's supposed to stay over in Laramie. He'll be home soon then he's got another run to Garret City." Rachel said noting Lou was fingering a small package of what looked like tea. "What is that Lou?" She indicated the pouch with a jerk of her chin. "Oh. Mint, I was sick on the run and this nice lady gave it to me." Lou replied her mind not on the question. "Lou how long you been sick?" Rachel suddenly asked the girl a notion filling her mind. "A few days." Lou replied looking at Rachel at the insistence in her friend's voice. "Well just so long as the tea's helping." Rachel said, "But I don't think you should take this next run. Teaspoon will take you off the runs if you're sick when he assigns them." "I wasn't planning on it unless this bug is gone by then. But I've got a whole week to sit around and do nothing." Lou smiled, "How long's Kid going to be down now that he's switched runs?" "Well Cody was supposed to do Garret City, and than Cedar Falls. But Jimmy's going to Cedar Falls so I'd say a couple of days maybe more after he gets back from Garret City." Rachel smiled, "Now why don't you go upstairs and lay down. When it's dinner time I'll call you." "Thanks Rachel." ,p>Rachel smiled at the retreating girl, she had a pretty good idea what was wrong with her and it wouldn't be gone in a week. Shaking her head, she hoped Kid was back early so she could have a little chat with him. Kid rode into Rock Creek station early the next morning, the mail pouch had been early cause the other rider had ridden hard and fast straight through. Glad that he could head home so soon, Kid had left as soon as he could saddle a rested Katy and turn around. Seeing Lou's gelding in the corral he smile, after he took care of Katy he headed for bunkhouse only to stop when Rachel called to him. "Morning Rachel." Kid looked longingly at the bunkhouse but waited for the older woman to reach him. "Morning Kid. You're home early." Rachel acknowledged. "The other rider was early. Didn't see no reason to hang around there when I could be home." Kid shrugged unapologetically. "Come on. I think we need to talk." Rachel glanced at the big house, but Lou's curtains still hadn't moved. Thankful that the girl was still sleeping she steered Kid toward the barn. Stepping inside she noted Teaspoon was checking on the horses including Jimmy's palomino. "Morning Kid. You're home early." Teaspoon glanced at Rachel and left the stall. He walked up to the pair and crossed his arms. "You're up early Rachel. How come Lou's not out here?" "Lou doesn't know he's back yet. And until I've had a chance to talk to you two I'm not going to tell her." Rachel shook her head, "Said she wasn't feeling good yesterday when she got back." "What happened?" Kid demanded, as usual the mention of Lou chased any thought of unease from his mind. "Lou'll be fine Kid." Rachel said dragging his attention back to her. "However, someone's gotta talk to Jimmy." "Why?" Kid's half smile faded to be replaced by a black scowl. "What's been happening Rachel? I leave you for two days and next thing I know I'm coming back to Jimmy's being a pain." Teaspoon demanded cross with the young man. "He moved Lou out of the bunkhouse yesterday." Rachel grabbed Kid's arm as he turned to the barn doors. "He rode in late last night, I tore a strip off of him. All he said was he'd had enough. She could stay at the house, that way the boy's get their sleep." "What's that supposed to mean?" Kid snapped. "We haven't done anything..." "I know. Lou told me." Rachel sighed, "I have a feeling that Jimmy's problem is just going to get worse." "No it won't." Kid snapped, "Cause I'm gonna break his neck." "You are going to go say hi to Lou, and let Teaspoon and I handle this." Rachel looked at Kid pointedly, "I'm sure she'll be happy to see you back so soon." "Go on son. I'll talk to Jimmy and the boys." Teaspoon said as Kid headed for the house. He glanced at Rachel and headed for the bunkhouse. Opening the door he stepped in, slamming the door behind him. Jimmy, Noah and Buck who'd come in earlier that morning without anyone knowing jerked awake. "Morning Teaspoon." Noah mumbled rubbing his eyes as he sat up. Buck followed his example and grabbed for his pants when he saw Rachel standing behind Teaspoon. "Morning Teaspoon, Rachel. I thought I heard a horse come in." "Yeah did. Kid's back early." Teaspoon snapped as he studied Jimmy who was staring back at him without any hesitation. "How come he didn't come in?" Buck asked glancing over at Lou's bunk. "Lou not back yet?" "No. Both of them are back. Lou's up at the house." Rachel replied. "The house?" Buck frowned, 'I thought Kid got past that wanting her in the house." "He did. It's someone else who hasn't." Teaspoon looked pointedly at Jimmy who stretched and reach for his boots. "So. She belongs up there, not over here." Jimmy slid his feet into his boots and stood. He'd been dead on his feet when he got back last night so he'd just taken his boots off. "I think that's Lou's choice." Teaspoon snapped, "Look I don't know what your problem is Hickok but you better deal with it and fast like. You've been in a sour mood for weeks take some time off, get your head back in order. Or else." Teaspoon threw in as Jimmy made to protest. Kid climbed the steps in the big house a half smile on his face, Jimmy moving Lou wasn't that bad. Granted he should have talked to her about it but still, Kid didn't really mind although he knew better than to mention that to her. Knocking on the bedroom door he pushed it open and stepped in. Lou was laying sprawled across the bed, his spare white shirt her only covering; the blankets had been kicked off sometime during the night. Settling next to her on the bed, he brushed a strand of hair away from her face and leaned down to steal a quick kiss. Lou felt someone touching her and opened one eye to glare at the intruder. Seeing whom it was she rolled over and smiled, "Hey! You're home early." "Sure am. Made good time." Kid grinned at her, "So Jimmy moved you in here did he?" "Yep." Lou scowled, "I don't know what his problem is but he pissed me off yesterday." Kid nodded and quickly changed the subject, "You feeling okay? Rachel said you weren't feeling well." "Just a little queasy," Lou replied sitting up on the bed and patting the mattress next to her for Kid to snuggle with, "I got some mint tea to drink. Its been helping." "You go see the doctor?" Kid asked, "Maybe you should." "Kid, I can't just go see the doctor. If I go see Doc Marston, he's gonna know I'm a girl. He says anything to anyone, I'll get fired!" Lou protested. "I wasn't thinking here in Rock Creek." Kid hastened to assure her." Look Buck and I have a run to Garret City coming up, if we switch you with him you can come along see the doctor there." Lou looked at Kid, seeing only loving concern she shrugged, "Sounds good. I'll talk to Buck after breakfast." "Buck won't be back until later." Kid said hearing the front door slam; "I'll see you downstairs. If that's Teaspoon, he'll have a fit if I'm in here with your state of undress." Kid teased plucking at the collar of his shirt. Lou laughed and watched him leave the room; she didn't know what to do if what she'd been thinking was true. Somehow she didn't think Kid would mind, but what about everyone else? Teaspoon would fire her for sure and she couldn't afford to have that happen. Shaking her head she grabbed for her clothes and threw them on. Stomping her boots on she headed downstairs for a cup of tea, her stomach had protested the minute she'd sat up and she knew she needed to look like she felt fine so Buck would switch with her. Lou glanced in the kitchen at the sounds and saw Rachel stirring a pot on the stove, "Morning." "Morning Lou. Kid wake you up?" Rachel smiled as Lou came in to fix herself a cup of tea. "Yep." Lou smiled softly, "Kinda nice to wake up to him, funny how that works isn't it." Lou glanced at Rachel a blush staining her cheeks. "Somehow I don't think you mind too much." Rachel teased as Lou took a sip of her tea and sighed. "Still not feeling good?" "Mm?" Lou looked at Rachel blankly for a second, "Oh. No I feel pretty good actually. I'd best get over to the bunkhouse. Teaspoon's probably there already and I don't want to miss the list of chores for today." Lou set her empty teacup down and headed outside. First thing she was going to do after lunch was go into town and buy some peppermint sticks. Sucking on them might not draw the attention her drinking tea would, especially when everyone knew she could drink a pot of coffee by herself. Rachel shook her head, that girl was stubborn, and should be taking it easy but obviously Kid had asked her to come with him on the Garret City run and since it was an overnight run, Lou wouldn't have hesitated to accept. Laughing softly at the young couple she finished pouring in the porridge for the boys and opened the oven door to pull out the plate of pancakes she'd made earlier and was keeping warm. Lou walked into the bunkhouse and noted Buck sitting at the table looking dead on his feet, "You're early. You make good time?" she said sitting down next to the Kid. "Yeah. Got in last night, only to have someone wake me up suddenly this morning." Buck yawned, "A couple hours more of sleep and I'll be in good shape." Kid glanced at Lou and nodded slightly. Lou grabbed a cup and poured coffee into it, "You want to switch runs with me?" "When?" Buck asked Lou wasn't due to go on a run for at least a week. "I'll do the Garret City run with the Kid and you can stay here and work on the barn." Lou replied taking a sip of the brew and instantly regretting it. "Lou, you sure about that? Heard you weren't feeling too good yesterday." Teaspoon asked noting the look that passed between the Kid and Lou. "Yeah I'm sure. I'm actually feeling a lot better this morning." Lou lied as she pushed her coffee aside when Rachel entered with a large plate of hot cakes. Just looking at them made Lou wish she'd brought her mint tea but she couldn't let anyone know that. Rachel glanced at Lou out of the corner of her eye and noted the girl go green at the sight of the food and smiled to herself. She wondered if she had any ideas about why she was so sickly lately. "I hope you guys are hungry. I made a lot." Rachel said setting the plate on the table and turning to get the pot of oatmeal. "I think we can make a dent in this. Sure glad Cody's not here. We wouldn't get any of this fine breakfast." Teaspoon laughed. Glancing around Lou noted Jimmy sitting next to Buck scowling at her and she moved a little closer to Kid without thinking about it. Turning to answer one of the boys, she missed the shock in Jimmy's eyes. Jimmy stared at his plate paling under his tan, Lou had never done that before and suddenly he realized that his attitude was doing more than just pissing everyone off. If he didn't know any better he would swear Lou had been scared of him this morning, something he never wanted. Kid and Lou were his best friends, despite their difficulties he knew that Lou truly loved the Kid and Kid was nuts about her. While it hurt that he wasn't included in that closeness, he had to admit, they belonged together. He knew as well that everyone thought he wanted Lou, something that he'd never bothered to correct even though it wasn't true. If he admitted things he loved someone else, but following through with those feelings would only put distance between them, and draw attention to him he neither wanted nor needed. Making up his mind, he attacked his breakfast; he'd talk to Kid as soon as everyone was gone. If the Kid didn't kill him for moving Lou without asking about it first, he'd settle everything up. "Alright boys. We got a corral to build this morning, and someone has to go into town to pick up the few things that Rachel wants." Teaspoon drawled leaning back in his chair. "I'll go for supplies." Lou volunteered, perfect she could get what she needed for herself as well as Rachel. "Okay. The rest of you better finish up we've got work to do." Teaspoon sauntered out of the room; he doubted Lou would be back directly; the boys would have her picking up anything they thought they needed. "Hey Lou could you pick me up another pair of gloves?" Noah asked digging in his trunk for his money pouch. "Yeah Lou, I need some rope and a couple of shirts." Buck drawled," Could you please pick 'em up for me?" Lou laughed, "Write it down and give me the money, I'll grab what you need. But you're gonna owe me." Nodding the boys wrote down what they needed and handed the list and money over to her with a smile as they filed out. Kid dropped a kiss on her cheek as he walked by, "Don't need anything from town today darlin'. See you at lunch." "Sure." Lou eyed Jimmy who was pulling his gloves on. She gathered her coat and hat and headed for the door. "Lou." Jimmy's voice halted her and she turned to the other rider. "What do you want Jimmy? I haven't got time for socializing." Lou snapped trying to hide her unease. "I'm sorry about moving your things. I shouldn't have touched them." Jimmy said as he walked toward her, he noted she hadn't closed the door and sighed, either she was pretty upset with him or she really was uneasy around him. Lou shrugged, "You're right. You shouldn't have." With that Lou walked out of the door smiling at Kid who'd stopped near the bottom step to wait for them. Kid smiled at her as she headed over to Rachel's to get the list and noted that Rachel had already brought the buckboard around. Jimmy closed the bunkhouse door behind him and noted Kid standing glaring at him. With a shrug he joined him on the ground and stopped next to him. "If I wasn't in a hurry Hickok I'd break your neck." Kid stated turning to the barn. "Yeah well, you'll have to beat Teaspoon to it." Jimmy replied following him. "We need to talk." "We are talking." Kid replied without breaking stride. "No I mean we need to sit down and talk." Jimmy grabbed Kid's arm and flinched uneasily as Kid turned around. "You and Lou are my best friends." "Really, could have fooled me." Kid snapped standing toe to toe with him. "First you bite everyone, including Lou's head off for no apparent reason, then you have the audacity to throw her out of the bunkhouse. After all its not like she actually lived there. And saying that we were disturbing everyone was just a little much. Considering we haven't done anything that anyone could say disturbed them." Kid snarled. "Yeah right!" Jimmy snapped back, he could trust Kid to be willing to let him vent even if the sandy haired man didn't know it. "You think we're deaf. A deaf man could hear you two coming and going at night. Unless you needed her to hold your hand or vice versa to check on the horses, which didn't even need to be checked on, I'd say you two were doing something. Especially when you leave and it's still dark and sneak back in just as the sun's starting to come up. And usually one or both of you has hay stuck to you." Teaspoon glanced at Buck who'd slapped him on the shoulder, "What?" "You better have a look." Buck pointed to the yard where Jimmy and Kid were standing obviously in a confrontation. "Damn. I had hoped to avoid that." Teaspoon muttered as Kid took a swing and knocked Jimmy on his butt. "This has been coming for some time." Noah commented as he leaned against the corral post and watched the two going at it. He shook his head, for some reason he pitied Jimmy. He knew Jimmy cared about Lou and Kid but sometimes Jimmy didn't know how to show it. "Lou will kill them if she catches them." Buck pointed out softly. "I guess I should go and break it up." Teaspoon mused, "I'd rather they just pounded each other into the ground then both of them would get it out of their systems." "Kid's only getting back at him for his lousy attitude lately." Noah defended his friend. Shrugging, Teaspoon headed for the two men wrestling on the ground just as Rachel came out of the house and saw them. "Lou?" Rachel turned to the young woman, "You'd better come here." Lou stared at Jimmy and Kid rolling around pounding on each other, "Great. Just what we don't need." Lou started out the door but Rachel grabbed her arm, "I think it's best you wait. Somehow I have a feeling if either of them hit you by mistake, there'd be hell to pay." Rachel explained at Lou's questioning look. Both women watched Teaspoon walk up and throw a bucket of cold water on the pair. The young men struggled to their feet and glared daggers at each other while Teaspoon laid in to them. "Don't you two have anything better to do than pound on each other?" Teaspoon demanded, "If you've got that much energy you two can build the corral." "But Teaspoon," Jimmy started to protest. "No buts James, I warned you earlier. Now I don't know what this little fight was about, but if you two can't control yourselves, then stay out of each other's way." Kid stood quietly while Teaspoon ranted then turned and headed for the barn. He sure as hell wasn't going to work with Jimmy all day. He'd had enough of his mouth and his opinions to last a month at least. "Jimmy, get moving. You two had better build that corral by suppertime. Kid's got a run in the morning." Teaspoon drawled watching Jimmy stalk after a still furious Kid. "What was that about?" Rachel asked she walked up to the stationmaster. "Don't rightly know." Teaspoon drawled, "But I'll work it out of them." Shaking her head, Lou climbed into the buckboard and waited, Rachel had said she wanted to join her. When Rachel was seated Lou clucked to the team and they headed for town. "You have any idea about the reason for that little explosion?" Rachel asked. "Not really." Lou replied, "Jimmy's sour mood kinda put everyone on edge. I think the Kid probably just had enough of it." Rachel shrugged, "I need you to help me pick out some material for a couple of dresses." Rachel stated. She knew Lou would look pretty in a pale blue dress that she had a pattern for. "Sure. Be glad to help." Lou replied pulling up in front of Tompkins's store and hopping down. Turning she offered Rachel a hand down then led the way up the steps. "Morning Mrs. Dunne, Mr. McCloud." Tompkins nodded at them as they entered into the store. "What can I do for you folks today." Tompkins was still amazed at how much Lou had changed in the time he'd known her. It didn't matter that she dressed like a boy, or could out ride most men she had a way of walking that he'd noted right off. Not that he was attracted to her, for one thing she was about the same age as his daughter would be and for another, any fool could see she had a thing for the Kid. It had just struck him as funny that the Pony Express would keep a woman rider on. "Well we need several things. Here's a list." Rachel handed over her list as Lou pulled a list of her own out of her pocket. Frowning at the scrawls on it Lou quickly gathered several shirts, a coil of rope, a pair of work gloves and a handful of peppermint sticks. "We also need two dress yards of the blue paisley material and thread, buttons and the rest of the notions to go with it." Rachel said as she fingered the material. Glancing at Lou she shifted her attention to another bolt as the storekeeper took the material away. "Which material were you thinking of?" Lou asked as she noted Rachel frowning at pale gray cotton that to Lou's eye looked kinda pretty. "Well I need two colors. Both dresses are serviceable, its just one is for Sundays and the other I wanted to make for the dances and such." Rachel replied. "Well I think that gray looks nice." Lou stated as Tompkins walked up to them. Rachel glanced from the material to Lou and nodded, "The gray it is, and I think the green satin." Handing the yard goods to the man waiting patiently she smiled, "Two dress lengths of the gray and three of the green." Tompkins nodded and went to cut the fabric as Lou popped a peppermint in her mouth. "Did we need anything else Rachel?" Lou asked as she stowed their supplies in the buckboard. "No, I think we can head home. Unless you need anything." Rachel smiled as Lou sucked on the peppermint in her mouth. "Oh I forgot something." Turning Lou hurried into the store and up to Tompkins. "Mr. Tompkins?" "Yes Lou?" he glanced up and smiled, "It's here. You want it wrapped?" "Please." Lou took the package and headed back out into the sunshine. "What did you forget?" "I ordered a new headstall for Katy. Kid's birthday is coming up in a couple of days and.." Lou flushed. "That's why you switched with Buck." Rachel nodded, "I'll tell Teaspoon not to expect you back before Saturday. Okay?" "Thanks Rachel." Lou didn't know if it would take that long after she'd seen the doctor but she'd wait and see. When Rachel rang the supper bell she had to hide her smile, Kid had the beginnings of a nice shiner and Jimmy looked twice as bad. Those two could fight at the drop of a hat but she wondered about this time. Kid hadn't said more than two words to Jimmy since Teaspoon had pulled them apart. "How's the corral?" Rachel asked Kid. "Jimmy'll be finishing it tomorrow. I've got a run to make." Kid replied as he washed up and headed inside. "Kid?" Teaspoon glanced at the young man, "You still gonna take your run tomorrow?" "Don't see why I wouldn't." Kid replied glancing at Lou with a flush, "I'll be fine." Teaspoon nodded and directed the conversation to the arriving horses that were slated to be there within the next day or so. After supper Kid slid into his bunk as everyone headed outside to finish up anything they'd left undone. Sighing he closed his eyes and leaned back against his pillow. "Long day?" Lou asked settling on the foot of Kid's bunk. "Yeah." Kid smiled at her and moved over so she could sit next to him. "What was that fight about?" Lou asked quietly. She felt guilty that Kid had gotten into trouble over her. Kid shook his head, "Us." "Us?" "Yeah, Jimmy said he'd heard us sneaking out at night and that we were keeping him awake." Kid shifted, "Since we haven't snuck out together in over a week I don't see how its been keeping him awake." "I know what you mean. I'm gonna be glad to get away from here for the next few days." Lou fiddled with a button on her shirt, "Rachel said we don't have to be back before Saturday." "Saturday. That gives us two days in Garret City." Kid sat up and swore when his head connected with the top bunk, "Are you sure?" "Yeah." Lou smiled at him, "I mentioned that you're birthday was coming up and she figured that was why I'd switched runs with Buck so she was going to talk to Teaspoon about giving us a couple of days off." "Good. I wasn't in any hurry to get back anyway." Kid laughed at Lou's flush and pulled her over to lie in his lap. Dropping a kiss on her lips he relaxed and finally fell asleep. Jimmy walked into the bunkhouse stopped, swore under his breathe and turned around to walk back out, unfortunately Buck had come up behind him and he slammed into the other man. With a mild glance Buck moved out of his way and walked into the bunkhouse. Buck smiled at Kid and Lou half sitting up against the wall sound asleep. Walking over he tugged off their boots, pulled a blanket up over them and crawled up onto his bunk. When Kid woke he was stiff and someone was laying on him. Opening his eyes he saw the first rays of daybreak and glanced down to a still sleeping Lou. Smiling he shook her gently and whispered, "Come on we've got to get ready." Lou nodded sleepily and slid off the bunk. She desperately wished she had something to settle her stomach but it didn't feel like she was going to throw up so she quietly slipped from the bunkhouse and over to her room in the big house. She'd have reminded Rachel to get one of the boys to move her things back to the bunkhouse while they were gone. Rachel watched Lou as she made herself some tea and put it in her canteen, before grabbing a small bag filled with food that Rachel had prepared last night. Once she had everything she turned and headed out the door just as faint hoof beats reach their ears. Moving to the window she watched as Kid brought Sparks out of the barn, and handed him to Lou before they mounted up and took the mochilla to head toward Garret City. Shaking her head at them she turned and headed for her bedroom, it was time to start the day. Part Three Lou sat impatiently in the chair across from the doctor in Garret City. She'd sent Kid on to get a room and put the horses up while she went to see the doctor. Glancing at him for the hundredth time she waited while he wrote some notes in his little book before putting his pencil down and leaning back in his chair. "So Mrs. McCloud." The doctor started and Lou bit back a groan. She had no way of knowing what he was rambling about since she hadn't said she was married. "What is it doctor?" Lou asked trying to be pleasant but fearing that the news could tear her world apart. "Well I'd have to say congratulations are in order. You're pregnant, its still in the early stages so I think you should be aware of a couple of things. You may experience morning sickness, and you'll be tired more than usual." the doctor stated leaning forward, "I recommend you get as much rest as possible, and try to eat as much as possible. It'll help with the morning sickness." "Thank you doctor. What about riding? I do a lot of hard riding in a day, will that hurt the baby?" Rising Lou swallowed, an uneasy feeling in her gut. What was Kid going to say when she told him, for that matter what were the boys and Rachel going to say? "It could. You can still ride if you have to, just take it easy, don't do as much as you've been doing, or if you have to be in the saddle all day please take it easy. No hard gallops, or extended periods of running. Babies are pretty strong creatures but you never know. You could fall and that will hurt the baby." Lou straightening her shoulders as she thanked the doctor and headed outside. Kid was sitting in the waiting room watching the door an when she came out he rose with a timid smile, "Well?" "Let's go where we can talk privately." Lou suggested, now that the shock was wearing off she was kind of happy. She didn't know anything about babies but she'd learn. Kid led her to the hotel and up to their room. Once he'd closed the door she turned to him and leaned against the back of a chair that was sitting near the dresser. "So what did he say? Are you okay?" Kid demanded noting the paler on her face. "I'm fine." Lou raked a hand through her hair, she'd never been so nervous in her life; "He said I just need to take it easy for a while." "Well then sit down. Do you need anything?" Kid said grabbing his jacket, "I'll get it for you." Lou smiled and shook her head, "Kid!" Kid turned to face her and noted the dreamy smile on her face, "That isn't all the news. What's the rest of it?" Kid was starting to get nervous. He watched her pick at a button and realized she was scared and nervous. "What did he say Louise?" "I'm pregnant." Lou whispered looking at the floor. She couldn't face him; it would hurt too much if she disgusted him. "Pregnant?" Kid repeated shocked, "As in with child? Like a baby?" "Yeah." Lou muttered, she was happy about the baby but scared about his reaction. She jumped when he grabbed her and pulled her into his arms to hug her hard. She laughed as he pulled back to look at her with a big grin. "How far along?" Kid asked, "Oh god what if what we've been doing hurts the baby?" Lou giggled, "Kid! It's okay. The baby's fine, I'm fine and what we've been doing isn't going to hurt the baby. I'm in the first trimester." Pausing Lou looked at him with a crooked grin, "The cave." Kid froze at the words he'd heard, "You mean when we? At the cave?" Kid asked suddenly grinning. "Yeah." Lou shrieked when he picked her up and whirled her around before setting her back on her feet and kissing her swiftly. "I take it you're happy." "Yes! I can't believe it. We're gonna have a baby." Kid smiled at her happy that she'd gotten pregnant. "I'm happy to, but what about Teaspoon and the boys? If they find out I'll get fired Kid. I know you can take care of me but what about my brother and sister? I don't have enough saved to send for them." Lou worriedly ran a hand through her hair, it had grown longer since she'd joined and now it was nearly to her shoulders. "Don't worry. Teaspoon's not gonna fire you." Kid replied hugging her hard, "And we'll send for them soon. I'll use the money I've got saved up, and put with yours it should be enough to send for them." "But we need money for things for the baby. And maybe a place of our own." Lou suggested quietly. She didn't want to rush Kid into anything. "Maybe Rachel will let us stay in the big house for now. As long as I'm working we can save all of our money that way." "Rachel will probably let me stay there. But Teaspoon won't let you live there with me. At least not like husband and wife." Lou stated quietly then cringed. "It's simple then we'll get married." Kid interrupted her rumblings. "Kid!" Lou shook her head, "I love you, and I would love to marry you but not because you think we have to." "Listen to me Louise, I love you and I'm going to marry you. I'd marry you in a flash even if Teaspoon didn't care if we lived in sin or even if there wasn't a baby coming. I meant what I said at the cave, I want to marry you, have a family and a future with you. I know you're uneasy about this but I love you, I'll always love you. Please, marry me Lou." Kid begged softly. "Yes!" Lou smiled, "I guess we shouldn't put it off." "You're absolutely right." Kid agreed picking up his hat, "I'm going to go order us a bath, then we'll get married." "But Kid.." Lou stood talking to thin air as he hurried from their suite. "Oh well. I guess I can get married in pants." Within minutes a knock at the door heralded the arrival of the bath and Lou opened the door to admit the stewards. A young woman brought in fresh towels and a bar of soap with a smile in Lou's direction she led the two young men from the room just as Kid walked in with a package. "This is luxury." Lou sighed as she reclined in the hot water, "It's so much better than a shower." "I have to agree with you." Kid groaned as he watched her enjoying the hot bath. Turning away he took another swipe at the stubble on his face. Satisfied he was clean shaven he turned to see Lou smiling at him, "What?" "Come join me." Lou shifted, "There's plenty of room." Laughing Kid joined her after quickly skimming his pants down his legs. Laying in the hot water with her he relaxed, "So what names have you thought of?" Kid asked. "Well I was going to name a boy after you but since I don't know you're name.." Lou hinted tracing an invisible pattern on his forearms. "Carson." Kid muttered in her hair. "Your name is Carson? Carson what?" Lou turned in the tub and looked at him. Kid flushed, "Carson's my last name." "First name is what?" Lou asked as Kid squirmed. "I don't like my first name." Kid replied dripping water over her shoulder. "Come on it can't be that bad." Lou replied. "It is. My mother had a thing for Greek and Roman history." Kid replied watching the water as it trailed down Lou's body. "And she named you what?" Lou sighed, "Come on Kid I promise to try not to laugh." "Caesius." Kid mumbled. Lou stared at him for a minute before raising an eyebrow, "Caesius Carson?" "Yeah." Kid flushed and looked at Lou who was fighting a grin, "Go ahead and laugh. That's the reason I go by my nickname." "Okay. Caesius is out as a boy's name. How about Ike?" Lou suggested softly thinking of their friend who'd died too soon. "I can live with Ike." Kid said, "Just as long as we name a girl Emma." "Deal." "And if you ever tell anyone my name, I swear I'll deny it until we are both to old to remember what it is I'm denying." Kid promised. "I shall endeavor to keep it a secret." Lou replied seriously. "Good now come on, it's time to get married." Kid stood and lifted Lou from the tub of now lukewarm water. "I don't have a dress, and I'm not getting married naked." Lou mentioned as she reach for her jeans only to have them jerked from her fingers. "Yes you do." Kid swiped the jeans and handed her the parcel he had returned with. Lou unwrapped it and smiled, it was a beautiful dress done in a cream color with lace around the collar and cuffs of the sleeves. "I hope it fits." "Thank you." Lou smiled through her tears and hugged the gown. Quickly dressing they headed downstairs to the justice of the peace. An hour later Kid sat at the table in their suite holding Lou who was fingering the wedding band on her finger. "I know it's not a great ring, when I get more money I'll get you a better one." Kid said softly. "No. This is perfect." Lou looked at Kid's hand on her leg, the matching band winked in the sunlight. "Thank you." Kid smiled as Lou bent to kiss him, "So what do you want to do? I was going to order dinner in here, but we could go out." "I don't plan on leaving this room until Saturday morning." Lou replied sending Kid into laughter. "Have I told you recently how much I love you, and the way your mind works." Kid chuckled. "Yeah, but I like to be reminded." Lou shifted in his lap and leaned forward to kiss him. Jimmy sat on the veranda snapping beans for Rachel, he'd been taken off the runs until Teaspoon decided he was in a good mood, today being Friday he hoped Teaspoon would let up so he could take a weekend run to anywhere. "Cheer up." Cody stepped onto the porch, "It could be worse." "Oh shut up Cody. Sometimes I think you're annoying just because you can't help yourself." Jimmy snapped. Cody laughed; the two-week run to Omaha hadn't taken as long for him to do as it had the Kid, so he was stuck here until Kid got back tomorrow. "Suppertime." Rachel hollered from the bunkhouse and the two men abandoned what they'd been doing. "How are things going around here Rachel?" Noah glanced around and saw she didn't seem too worried about Kid and Lou's absence. Pausing for a moment, he realized as long as those two were together they'd be fine. "Well since Jimmy's been helping we've got a hole shelf of pickled beans for this winter." Rachel said picking up her coffee cup. "When can I get back to making runs?" Jimmy asked Teaspoon. "Soon." Teaspoon had no intention of letting Jimmy on a run until Kid and Lou came back, it would just be a hassle he didn't need. Jimmy shrugged, he felt bad about picking a fight with the Kid he knew the other man didn't understand why he'd reacted the way he had. Making a decision he nodded firmly, he'd give 'em till Sunday morning. If they weren't back by then he'd go looking for them. Lou yawned as she tightened the cinch on her saddle, her wedding dress was tucked safely into her bags, and Katy was wearing the headstall she'd bought Kid for his birthday. Kid smiled at her over Sparks' back as he saddled Katy, tucked into his pocket was the watch that she'd bought him in Blue Creek. Along with their supplies that were tucked into their bags, Lou had an overflowing bag of mint candies that Kid had bought her the night before. "Tired?" Kid teased softly. "Yeah. Didn't get any sleep last night." Lou replied grinning at him. "Neither did I." Kid replied stretching, his canteen was filled with water and he had another filled with hot coffee. "I need coffee to wake me up this morning." "I need a couple hours of sleep." Lou replied as she followed him out of the stable. Sliding on her riding gloves he'd bought so she wouldn't worry about damaging her wedding ring, she stepped into the stirrup and gasped when she felt his hand encircle her waist and lift her into the saddle. "I can get on a horse." She laughed. "I know. But this way I can touch you without getting my face slapped." Kid grinned at her and swung easily onto Katy's back they headed out of town without the mail, so a fast walk was fine. "I'm gonna be glad to get home." Lou commented, "I am a little concerned though about Teaspoon's reaction." "He'll probably be upset that he didn't get to marry us, but I think on the whole things should be okay." Kid said as the mare picked her way through the rocks on the trail. "I hope you're right." Lou pointed out, "Rachel and the boys are going to be upset for sure. I know they've been taking bets to see how long it would take you to propose to me again." "Who was the closest?" Kid scratched his jaw, he hadn't take the time this morning to shave and it was starting to drive him crazy. "I think Buck was." Lou shrugged, "How they got him into betting I don't know but that's alright. I'm just glad it wasn't Cody, or we'd never hear the end of this." "We may not. They were taking bets on a proposal, no one was taking bets on an elopement." Kid chuckled. "You're right!" Lou laughed a peppermint stick tucked in her cheek. "I guess they lose then," Kid grinned at her. "Should give us the money." Kid nudged Katy into a jog and turned off the main trail. He knew a shortcut that would take about four hours off their return home. Lou followed without question and after a few minutes he pulled up and swung down. "What's up?" Lou asked swinging down and walking up to where he was waiting. "I just wanted to walk along with you." Kid offered his hand and smiled when she took it. They started walking leading the two horses. The setting sun threw shadows across the express yard as Buck, Cody and Noah sat on the veranda and listened to Jimmy and Teaspoon arguing in the bunkhouse. Jimmy had woken up in a bad mood and had wanted to go looking for the Kid and Lou but Teaspoon had flat out refused. Rachel had said they needed some time alone and let them be, but Jimmy hadn't been satisfied with her answer and now the three boys dreaded going to the bunkhouse, despite the fact that dinner was ready. When silence fell over the yard, the boys shifted ready to get up only to settle back into the chairs as the door slammed open and Jimmy came out looking madder than hell. Teaspoon followed a little slower but just as determined, "Jimmy don't even think about it. You take off and I'll throw you in jail!" Teaspoon snapped. "Fine. Then throw me in jail." Jimmy snapped as he stalked toward the barn, "I happen to be worried about my friends, and I'm going looking!" Buck shifted and glanced out in the distance when he heard something. He listened closely for a minute then smiled, he could hear someone laughing. When he saw the two slow moving horses he turned to Teaspoon, "Riders coming." "Express riders?" Jimmy hollered back. "No. They're walking in." Buck replied watching them come. Kid laughed at Lou's disgusted look, "We have to tell him now!" He insisted. "Couldn't it wait until I've had a nap? For some reason I've been losing sleep this week." Lou grinned at her husband. "I suppose." Kid pondered her comment, "But as tired as you are it'll be morning before you wake up. I suppose I could sleep in the bunkhouse." "Why the hell would you sleep in the bunkhouse?" Lou demanded, frustrated at Kid's apparent lack of intelligence. "Teaspoon isn't going to let me sleep in the house with you if he doesn't know we're married Louise. If we wait to tell him then we'll be spending the night apart." Kid shook his head and moved Katy a couple of steps away from Lou, "It's up to you." "Fine we'll tell him as soon as we see him. I'm too tired to argue." Lou moaned as she munched on the apple Kid had packed for a snack. "We'll talk to Teaspoon, then I'll go have a nap." Kid laughed as Lou yawned and just shook his head. They could see the outbuildings and the corrals now. "Come on. I'll race you." Lou said with a cheeky grin. "Lou!" Kid shook his head as Sparks took off at a gallop, "She's going to be the death of me yet Katy girl." he told the paint as he urged her into a gallop. "Looks like they're picking up the pace." Noah said as the horses broke into a gallop and headed for the corral. "Looks like." Teaspoon watched them coming. Lou pulled up next to the corral laughing as Kid rode in a head behind her, "You loose. You can take care of the horses." "There wasn't anything said about consequences Lou. You can take care of your own horse." Kid laughed. "Where have you been?" Jimmy demanded causing both of them to turn and stare at him in shock, "I've been worried." Lou stared at the young man for a moment before glancing at Kid and speaking cautiously, "We were in Garret City. Where were you?" "I've been here. Garret City's only a two day run, what happened, you've been gone twice that long." Jimmy demanded walking up to them. "We took a couple of days off." Kid started. "Jimmy just leave it be." Teaspoon walked to the young man, "As you can see they're back safe and sound now don't you have something you need to be doing?" Shaking his head, Jimmy glanced heavenward and headed for the bunkhouse, sometimes he was sure that being friends with those two would kill him. Muttering under his breath as he walked away he didn't see the look Kid gave him. "What's with Jimmy, Teaspoon he's never been so.." Kid pointed out. "So protective?" Buck supplied. "I think he's gotten over his bad mood and was worried you two were mad at him still." "No." Lou shook her head and pushed her hat off her hair, "I'm not mad. You mad Kid?" Lou tugged on her riding gloves and waited for a response she knew was coming. "No." Kid shook his head as he grabbed the bay's reins, "I'll look after the horses if you want to wash up and stow the gear Lou." "Deal." Lou stripped the saddlebags off the horses and headed for the house. She smiled at the two boys still on the veranda and walked in the closing the door behind her. Glad that she hadn't had a chance to ask Rachel to have her things moved back into the bunkhouse. "You have a good holiday?" Teaspoon asked as he followed Kid into the barn and watched him strip both horses of their tack. "Yeah." Kid glanced at him and quickly turned away guiltily. "It was eventful but good." "What do you mean?" Teaspoon noted the guilty look on Kid's face and sighed, he knew the young man had a problem with the intimate aspect of his and Lou's relationship so he figured that was the reason for the guilty look. Kid pulled the paper from his pocket and handed it to Teaspoon as he walked past him, headed for the big house. "What is this?" Teaspoon demanded taking the paper automatically. He frowned as the fading sun glinted off something on Kid's hand but the letter demanded attention. "Oh, just something for you to read. No hurry on it though." Kid replied as he hurried to catch up to Lou. Teaspoon watched Kid hurry up to the main house and frowned; Lou had probably talked him into helping her move her stuff back into the bunkhouse. Glancing down at the paper, he opened it and just about choked on his next breath. Glaring at the script he swore under his breath. "KID! LOUISE!" Teaspoon hollered heading for the house. "What did you do?" Lou whispered as she closed the door to their room after him. "I told him." Kid shrugged leaning back on the bed. "Or rather I gave him our marriage license." "Kid that isn't the way to get him to accept our getting married." Lou laughed as she heard Teaspoon bellowing for them again. "Well, I just wanted to get it over with. You never know around here when something's going to get in the way of doing things." Kid yawned, "How long do you figure we have before he comes knocking?" "A couple minutes why?" Lou glanced over at Kid as he shucked his boots. "Figured I'd just relax." Kid stated as Lou shook her head and closed the cabinet door on her wedding gown and Kid's good suit. "Coward." Lou muttered. "I'd like to see my child's birth." Kid replied as he heard Teaspoon stomping on the stairs. Lou laughed softly at Kid's words and finished pulling her gloves off. "Teaspoon what's the matter?" Rachel had never heard the man so irate before. "Did you know about this?" Teaspoon waved the paper under her nose. "Know about what?" Buck demanded followed by the other three boys. They'd come out of the bunkhouse at a run when they'd heard Teaspoon holler. "This!" Teaspoon waved the paper around under their noses and started for the house, "I'm going to kill both of them." "Why?" Rachel demanded hurrying to catch up with him. Standing in front of the door she looked at Teaspoon, "Why are you going to kill them?" "Because of this." Teaspoon snapped holding the paper he'd been waving around up to her face. "What is it?" Buck asked as Rachel snapped the paper out of Teaspoon's hand. Rachel opened it and glanced at Teaspoon for a second before stepping out of the way. "Don't break anything." "I'm gonna break two necks." Teaspoon snapped slamming the door as he brushed past Rachel who was staring at the certificate in her hands. "What is it Rachel?" Noah asked, "They quit?" Rachel shook her head and handed over the paper to the young man, "No. They didn't quit." Rachel was in shock, she'd known that Lou wanted to marry Kid, but she didn't think they would just sneak around to do it. Teaspoon knocked on Lou's bedroom door and opened it without an invitation. Kid was sitting on the bed and Lou was tucking a pair of riding gloves into her hat on the dresser. "Would you mind explaining what I just read?" Teaspoon demanded. Lou glanced at Kid and back at Teaspoon, "I believe it's a marriage certificate." Lou explained. "I know what it is girl, I have been married before you know." Teaspoon snapped, "What I want to know is why you didn't say anything to anyone before you left? Frankly I'm hurt that you'd leave us out of it." "Well it was kinda sudden." Kid said smiling at Lou softly before turning to face a still angry Teaspoon. "That don't mean you should just not tell anyone! We're your family. We would've liked to have been there." Teaspoon shouted drawing a cringe from Lou who'd back up to the edge of the bed as Teaspoon paced the confines of the bedroom. Downstairs the boys were staring at the paper trying not to listen to Teaspoon through the partially opened window. "I never thought they'd just do it without us." Cody muttered. "Now listen to me." Rachel said glancing upstairs, before turning back to the boys. "I don't think they were thinking of leaving you boys out of this." Rachel pointed at the paper, "But things happen. We all know Kid loves Lou, and we know that they've been trying real hard not to drag everyone into an embarrassing situation. Besides the way everyone's been acting lately they probably just felt that no one would care about it." "That ain't any reason to elope without us." Jimmy snapped. Rachel sighed, "I shouldn't be telling you this but Lou told me Kid asked her to marry him ages ago, and she said yes. I think she just didn't want to wait any longer." "Rachel I don't think you're making any sense." Buck shook his head. "Ask them when they come for supper. Until then, lets just let Teaspoon rant and rave for a while then we can get some answers." Rachel suggested. Both Lou and the Kid sat watching Teaspoon pace, "It's not that bad Teaspoon." Kid started to say. "Not that bad!" Teaspoon walked up to the pair. "Why in the world did you two elope?" Teaspoon demanded. Lou glanced down at her hands and blushed as Kid reach for her she could feel the tears building behind her eyes and took a calming breath hoping to stop them before they fell. "Look Teaspoon, you want to yell at me go right head, but you ain't got no call to upset Lou." Kid stated facing the other man, "I'm sorry that we eloped. Considering how everyone's been acting though, we didn't think anyone would mind." "Darn it Kid, course we would care, and like I told you before as long as you're prepared to accept the consequences Kid it's your decision. You and I have had this little chat before remember, you're the one that brought it up." Teaspoons said as Lou started to cry. Kid glared at Teaspoon as he sat holding her closer, "I am aware of the consequences, same as Lou. We didn't exactly plan on getting married this week. It just sort of came about." Teaspoon glanced from Kid's protective grasp to Lou's embarrassed expression and sighed, "How far along are you?" "Nearly two months." Lou whispered. . "That why you eloped?" "Yes." Lou felt the tension in Kid's body and piped up, "We just moved the wedding ahead a few months." "What wedding?" Teaspoon demanded. He hadn't even heard that Kid had proposed again. "We'd been talking and decided to get married in June." Lou whispered as Kid rocked her, it wasn't exactly a lie. They had been talking about getting married, they just hadn't set a date. "I see." Teaspoon said still not quite believing this whole mixed up mess. "We were going to tell you when we got back from Garret City." Kid stated, "But when she found out about the baby. It didn't make sense to wait." Teaspoon nodded his understanding, they'd hoped to avoid an argument with anyone and instead they'd had to deal with him." Lou honey I'm sorry. I shouldn't have jumped on you like that." Teaspoon said kneeling in front of her, "You rest okay. I'll go explain things to the boys." "They're gonna hate us for this." Kid glanced at Teaspoon, "Jimmy hasn't exactly been in the best of moods lately. He's not going to be happy about this." "Don't you worry about Jimmy I'll take care of him." Teaspoon stood as Lou wiped her face with the back of her hand, "You two best have a rest. We'll talk after supper." "Okay." Lou leaned on Kid and watched Teaspoon quietly leave the room closing the door behind him. "He sure was mad. I wonder if he's going to fire us?" "If he hasn't by now he won't. I hope." Kid stated, "Now I'm thinking Teaspoon had a good idea. How about a nap?" Lou smiled shakily, "Sounds good to me." Rachel studied the paper in her hand and waited for Teaspoon to come. When the door opened and he walked in she sighed, "Well?" "Well what?" Teaspoon sat down at his place and reached for the potatoes. "You fire 'em?" Jimmy demanded crossly. "No!" Teaspoon replied, taken aback at the mention of it. "We just had a little talk and got a couple of things out of the way. Later I'll find out what their plans are." "I hope they stay on. It would be boring without them around here." Cody said as he filled his plate. "They say why the eloped?" Buck asked, "I hope it wasn't on account of us." "No." Teaspoon replied, "I don't think it's my place to say, lets just say they weren't thinking of anyone here when they eloped." Jimmy glanced at Teaspoon and then the boys; he had a sneaking suspicion that they'd gotten hitched cause of a baby coming. He smiled to himself, he hoped he was around when the baby came; it would prove interesting to see how Lou handled labor and delivery. Later that night, Kid sat on the veranda watching the moon as a cool breeze blew through the yard. They still hadn't gone to see the boys, but Lou was sleeping soundly so he wasn't going to wake her up to talk to them. It could and would wait until morning. The thought of him becoming a father was scary. He wasn't sure if he was ready to be a parent. He knew he loved Lou and he loved this child, but could he handle raising a child. He hoped so, it would be interesting to see how Lou handled being a mother. Neither of them were overly familiar with babies. "You look pensive." the familiar voice came out of the darkness and Kid jumped turning to face the intruder. "I didn't hear you come up Buck." Kid stated settling back into the chair. "I didn't think so." Buck sat down next to Kid; he'd drawn the short straw so he was sitting on the veranda instead of in bed. "So did you get the short straw?" Kid asked softly. "Yeah." Buck smiled at the question. It didn't pay to have close friends who were troubled they knew all the tricks. "What did they send you to find out?" Kid asked quietly. "Why you eloped instead of waiting and having a church wedding." Buck replied leaning back in the chair and folding his hands over his flat stomach. Kid chuckled and glanced up as the door opened and Lou stepped out dressed in one of his shirt and a blanket, "We were going to explain it in the morning." Kid said as Lou settled sleepily in his lap. "Boys and I wanted to know tonight." Buck replied watching Lou pull the blanket up around her bare legs and curl into the Kid before falling asleep almost instantly. "Figures." Kid shrugged, "We had planned on getting married in June, but expecting like we are, we just moved the date up." "Expecting what?" Buck asked suspiciously as Kid set the rocker into motion. "A baby." Kid smiled at Buck's silence. "It's not that unheard of." "How far along?" Buck started, "No don't answer me, I'm sure I don't want to know. I'm happy for you both. So is Lou going to take more runs or what?" "I doubt if Teaspoon's gonna let her take a run." Kid said hugging her in her sleep, "I hear they're running out of money." Kid pointed out quietly, he was concerned if they did it would take a lot longer to send for her siblings considering they'd have to rent a place in town and he wasn't too keen on that idea. "I heard that to." Buck shrugged, "I haven't got a clue what I'm going to do if I lose this job though. You're gonna go back to Virginia and fight, which means Lou'll probably go with you, Cody's been hinting on joining the army and Jimmy, well I don't know." Buck grunted angrily. "I've been thinking on that." Kid stated, "I feel like I should go back to Virginia but at the same time, I have a wife and child to consider. I don't want to leave them." Kid glanced at Buck in the moonlight, "I don't know what I want anymore." "You'll figure it out." Buck rose stretching to his full height, "I'm gonna turn in. Good night Kid." "Night Buck." Kid watched Buck walk across the yard and slip into the bunkhouse. There were so many things that he had to think of, so many decision to make and he didn't know which to follow his head or his heart. Leaning his head back against the hard, cool wood behind him, Kid sighed - he'd follow his heart for now. Looking down at Lou he smirked to himself, it hadn't led him astray so far, and he was enjoying the weight of the young woman in his arms, and the knowledge that she was going to give him a child, a son or daughter they could shower with love. The End Email Destardi HOME