Buck followed Cami home from the hotel restaurant, with the promise they would get together again after Sunday school the next day. But before they reached her house, Buck pulled her into an alley and hugged her tightly with his strong arms. He needed to kiss her, he couldn't wait any longer. He only wished they didn't need to sneak around with it. Cami smiled against his lips and giggled softly when he tried to nuzzle her neck.

"We can't do this every day, you know!" she warned.

"Unfortunately."

"I'm sure you'll live for twenty-four hours without some of this," she smiled wickedly and pinched his buttocks with both hands, then moved her lips to his left ear. "And some of this," she teased and nibbled his earlobe; he shuddered with pleasure and groaned deeply.

"I wouldn't be so sure," he mumbled into her hair, his lips kissing whatever they would hit. Cami giggled again.

"I have to get back home," she said and Buck nodded, looking deep into her gorgeous eyes.

"I'll miss you," he whispered and kissed her lips again.

"Me too," Cami said and leant against his warm chest. Her ear rested over his heart, which pounded hard and steadily behind his ribs. She relished this, and her eyes closed while sighing delightfully. Buck rubbed her shoulders and leant his head against the wall behind him. He didn't want the moment to break; it was perfect.

"C'mon, let's get you home," he whispered finally and kissed her one last time before stepping out in the afternoon sun again.

Teaspoon saw Buck wait outside the Johnson's house until their youngest daughter had entered the house; she cast one last glance over her shoulder before closing the door. Teaspoon was very surprised to see Buck back so soon, and instantly there were a million thoughts and emotions flowing through his head. He had to talk to the boy.

"Hey there, son!"

Buck spun around and met the older man's eyes, casting his own downward in awkwardness almost instantly.

"Teaspoon."

"Who was the pretty lady?" Teaspoon asked in curiosity and nodded toward the Johnson house.

"Uh..." Buck didn't know what to say. Their relationship was supposed to be secret.

"A new girl, huh?" Teaspoon smiled and Buck's face cracked up too, his cheeks growing hot in two seconds; he shuffled his feet somewhat nervously.

"Mmm..."

"She's pretty," Teaspoon had observed. "Looks young."

"I guess," Buck cleared his throat and looked up finally. He wanted to change the subject. "So, what are the others saying?"

Teaspoon sighed. "I'd be lyin' to ya if I said they're not upset..."

"Figured," Buck nodded and looked down again. "How upset?"

"Well, Jimmy's really hurt. Lou won't talk about it, Cody's left with the Army for a short while so I don't know what he's thinkin' and Kid... I guess Kid's just tryin' to keep us all together."

Buck sighed and searched for words, but found none. Teaspoon continued. "I think we just realized how much you meant to this little odd family of ours, Buck. Kid could use some help, I think..."

The marshal looked at his former employee with an inquiring look in his eyes, but Buck looked away.

"I'm sorry they're mad, but I can't go back."

"Figured you'd say that," Teaspoon sighed. "So, how you been? Where you been?"

"Around. I'm okay."

Teaspoon nodded. "Any place I can reach ya? Rachel's dyin' to see ya again..."

"Tell her I said hi," Buck looked up again. "And I miss her cookin'. But you can't reach me anywhere, 'cos I ain't stayin' nowhere."

"Where do you stay tonight, then?" Teaspoon asked.

"Nowhere," Buck replied shortly and the marshal just about gave up.

"Okay, be like that..." he sighed, rubbing his beard stubble.

Buck felt guilty and tried to explain. "Until I can figure out where I belong I can't talk about it," he said. "Please understand."

"I do, son," Teaspoon nodded and clapped Buck's shoulder, taking him for a walk down the street; toward the marshal's office. "Take your time. But that girl..." he paused.

"She's got nothin' to do with my decision," Buck cut him short before he could continue.

"I think she might," Teaspoon argued. "And I'm sure you know that's so."

"No," Buck shook his head.

"Yes! Do you love her?"

"Teaspoon-"

"Do you?" Teaspoon probed, and Buck was losing his temper.

"What if I do?!" he shot back aggressively.

"Yeah, what if you do!" Teaspoon argued just as aggressively.

"What do you mean?" Buck asked.

"If you love her she's gotta influence you somehow, and I don't care whether or not you admit that to me, 'cos the important thing is you admit it to yourself," Teaspoon reasoned and Buck remained quiet for a long pause.

"I wanna marry her one day," he said barely audibly and Teaspoon's face broke out in a fatherly smile.

"Good."