Sometime later Buck walked out of the doctor's practice with a pale face expression. His left arm was held in a black sling, which kept his hand at his collarbone. A couple of stitches made sure his elbow didn't slip out of the creation. The hand itself was wrapped tightly in lots of thick cotton wool and a greenish bandage. Only the very end of his fingertips showed.

Lou and Kid were there waiting for him, and he explained to them that two of his fingers were broken clean off and he wouldn't be able to ride nor muck out any stables for at least two months. If he would ever be able to use a pen again was written in the stars, but at the moment he was contented just knowing he could sleep for awhile before dinner, once he got back to the station. He had suffered enough shock and pain for one day. Michael watched the three pony express figures walk off toward a buckboard, leaning against his own horse with a yawn. Cami had been brought into the surgery just a minute ago, and he had sworn to stay put until she reemerged with their father. He had a habit of ending up in trouble; somehow, someway. But this time Cami would be the one to be lectured, and Michael could just imagine how their father was already telling her to run at a calm and ladylike pace, and most of all; he was telling her to look where she was going. Their father, Joshua Johnson, was always a just and loving father, but when one of his three children were under his pointing finger, they best just nod and agree rather than object. He was the no-nonsense kind of man, but also the best hugger either of his daughters had ever met. Michael chose to just shake his hand, especially in front of their mother. But he wouldn't change his father for the world.

Finally Cami and Joshua came out again; daughter in her fathers arms, her tightly bandaged ankle showing just barely underneath her pale blue skirts. After explaining there would be no more games of that sort ever again, Joshua Johnson smacked the reins against his horse's rump and let the wagon roll slowly down the road toward their house. Young Michael rode behind, making faces at his sister, who laughed heartily with her back leaning against the drivers seat; forgetting the pain at least for a moment.

A couple of weeks passed slowly for Buck, who with his injured hand could only sit on the porch; grinning bitterly. He couldn't sleep, eat, work nor ride. His hand ached 'round the clock, making him scream in his sleep almost every night. If he even managed to climb under the covers, that was. Rachel could read the frustration on his handsome face, but was powerless to help him. Doc had given him laudanum, but Buck refused to take it. He didn't want to sleep, he just wanted his life back to normal. With an at least mildly functioning left hand.

"Hey Buck!" Kid called from the house, strolling across to the bunkhouse.

"What's up?" Buck asked. He rose from the chair he had been sitting on since lunch and walked down to meet his friend.

"Rachel needs beans and flour, and Lou needs potatoes for dinner. Wanna join me to town?"

Buck shrugged. It had been a slow day, as usual. His hand was aching, though not as fiercely as it had other days. Kid smiled and hurried to hitch the buckboard so Buck wouldn't change his mind. He knew his stoic friend needed a change of pace, or he would most definitely snap at one time or another. Probably soon. Buck watched his friend work, being much too frustrated and bored to feel lazy. If he did he would probably enjoy people doing his chores, but he never did understand how Cody could just slack off and watch when others suffered in the heat or cold. Finally Kid was done and they could be under way.

Buck flinched at the sight in front of him. Cami. She was leaning on her older sister's shoulder, grinning and limping badly. It hurt his soul to watch, and all he wanted was to run over to her and sweep her into his arms and carry her, wherever she was going. But he knew even without his broken fingers he wouldn't be able to do that. First of all everyone would wonder what the heck he was doing and further more Cami would probably slap his face. But most of all he couldn't do it because he was scared. So terribly scared. He wanted to, but didn't dare to. He longed for her, but was scared of having her. He closed his eyes and sighed in relief when Kid turned around a building; away from the painful sight of Cami. He never wanted to see her hurt again, though he was curious to find out what had happened to her. If she was mine she would never be hurt again, he thought. I wouldn't let it happen, ever!

Cami looked away. She had seen his hand in that sling, and her heart ached when she thought of the pain he must feel. She had no idea what had happened to him, but whatever it was he didn't deserve it. She just knew that. No one that sweet deserves to be hurt! She thought. I wish I could kiss that pain away, if I only had the guts...

Buck sighed thoughtfully and mounted his horse. His fingers were almost healed now and he didn't need the sling anymore, but still it hurt a twinge when he clutched the reins. Teaspoon watched him from the bunkhouse porch and first thought he was just gonna go for a ride. But then he saw the saddlebags were packed almost to the limit and he immediately ran across to the barn and stopped his rider.

"What do you think you're doing, son?" he asked calmly.

Buck's jaw was set tightly and his eyes were calm and big. He sat silent for a moment and contemplated his decision, but then he opened his mouth to speak.

"I'm leaving."