Alexis walked into the kitchen, blinking in the bright sunlight, a bit chagrinned for sleeping so late. She saw Polly sitting at the table absently playing with a cup of coffee, and looking wistfully out the window. It was in a rare, unguarded moment, that Alexis noted how weary her friend looked. Then, not fully awake, she stumbled into a chair, causing Polly to turn from the window. She smiled and chuckled as Alexis rubbed her shin and grumbled under her breath.

"Good morning," she said and got up to get another cup and saucer from the cupboard.

"Morning," Alexis replied as she picked up the towel by the stove and took the coffeepot off the burner. She filled her cup and then refilled Polly’s before returning the pot to the stovetop.

"Are you hungry?" Polly asked.

"Not really," Alexis said softly, not adding that she hadn’t been able to eat much since hearing of Teaspoon’s death. She looked into the dark liquid she was swirling in her cup. "I’m sorry I slept so late. I couldn’t believe what time it was when I woke up." She looked up when Polly placed a hand on her arm. "You’ve had a rough trip, not sleeping much on the trail, and last night was pretty tough on you. Course I imagine seeing Jimmy again hasn’t been all that easy on you either." Alexis tried to keep her face neutral at Polly’s last remark, but felt like transparent glass as the older woman looked at her with a knowing grin. Spending time with Jimmy had been rough, but it didn’t matter, because she wasn’t going down that path again. She refused to give in to the part of her heart that still wanted him, and as far as she was concerned that was the end of the matter. "Where is Jimmy? I figured he’d be up already," she asked, trying to affect disinterest. Polly gave her another smile and then stood, taking her cup to the wash basin. "Oh, he said he had something in town to take care of. Said he’d head over to Lou and Kid’s with you when he got back."

"Polly?"

"Yes Sugar?" she responded, turning towards the table.

"What aren’t you tellin’ me?" Alexis asked. Her words were simple enough, but Alexis knew her friend and when she had a juicy bit of information up her sleeve.

"Hmm?" Polly asked, acting as if she hadn’t really heard the question. "Oh, nothin’ really. I’ll let him tell you. Why don’t you go on and get dressed, unless you’re wantin’ to still be running around in your nightdress when he returns."

Alexis stared back, wide-eyed. Then she pushed back her chair and headed for her room, trying to ignore Polly’s soft chuckle.

Alexis stopped her horse near the corral and slowly slid to the ground. Ignoring the rider next to her, she looped the reins around a post and absently stroked the blaze on her horse’s head. She was trying to get a grasp on her emotions, to calm herself down in the hopes of being a voice of reason if it was needed. When Jimmy returned to Polly’s he didn’t explain where he’d been, but said only a few remarks. To her they were cryptic, but Polly seemed to understand their meaning. On the ride out to Lou and Kid’s she hoped he would say something to her, but he never did, and so they hardly spoke.

Now they were at the ranch, and Alexis was nervous about the reception Jimmy would receive. She chided herself for being so worried about him, telling herself that she really shouldn’t be. They had no connection other than an uneasy friendship, and part of her said he deserved to have the others mad at him. She tried to push her own feelings aside, so that if things got tense she could hopefully diffuse the situation.

Jimmy, shuffling his feet and clearing his throat, finally got her moving. Without looking at him, she marched resolutely to the house and knocked on the door. Jimmy stopped right behind her as they waited for someone to answer. He was close, too close, for her determination to be aloof. If he was any closer-, she thought. Luckily her thoughts were prevented from wandering too far when the door opened revealing Kid.

He stood in the doorway, disbelief registering on his face. Alexis knew he wasn’t looking at her, his gaze had rested on her mere seconds, before it gravitated to a spot above her right shoulder. His mouth was partially opened, and he looked like he was trying to form words, but no sounds were coming out.

"Hello Kid," Jimmy said determinedly.

"Jimmy?" Kid managed to rasp out.

From inside the house, there came the crash of china shattering on the floor. Kid spun around and rushed inside leaving Alexis and Jimmy standing on the porch. Collectively they pushed forward and into the house. Lou was sitting on the edge of a chair, the remains of her teacup at her feet with the pale brown liquid spreading out on the floor. Kid was kneeling beside her, trying to determine if she was alright.

She looked up as Alexis and Jimmy entered the room, their hurried footsteps stopping abruptly. Her eyes fixed on Jimmy, flickering past Alexis only long enough to briefly register she was there.

"Jimmy?" she asked.

"Hello Lou," he answered, cautiously appraising the scene.

"You’re here. You’re really here," she said, a smile coming to her face. "I thought I only imagined your voice, but you’re really here!"

She started to push herself off the chair, and Kid placed his hand under her elbow to help. Once on her feet, she walked to Jimmy and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly. After a second of hesitation, he returned the hug as a huge smile swept across his face.

"You look great Lou."

She looked up at him suspiciously, "You’re a terrible liar Jimmy. I feel as big as a house."

He laughed and shook his head. Gone all these years, and yet it all just seemed to melt away when he talked to her. Finally he seemed to recall there were others in the room and slowly looked over to Kid, who still was wearing a look of amazement.

The two eyed each other for a moment, and Alexis felt her breath catch in her throat. Slowly Jimmy extended his hand.

"It’s really good to see you Kid."

Kid reached out and grasped Jimmy’s hand. "Good to see ya Jimmy. Nice to see you finally came back."

Jimmy let the comment roll off his shoulders, now was not the time to get into him being gone so long. Right now he was happy to be reunited with friends. He looked back at Lou, who’s grin had grown stronger, and finally at Alexis. She stood off to the side a little, watching the scene. Everyone turned when they heard the door open and footsteps coming into the room.

"Jimmy," Buck said. "I was in town and Rachel said you were back. I left the list with Tompkins and came back to see if you were here."

Jimmy gave him a welcoming smile, grateful to see him. His presence would ease the tension Jimmy could feel growing between him and Kid.

"Great to see you Buck. How you been?"

"Glad to be here with friends," he said with emphasis on the last word.

Alexis watched the scene, grateful for the lack of all-out hostilities. Something told her though to move the welcome home from the small kitchen, so that each person could have space to spread out.

"Well," she began with a smile, "why don’t we move this to the front room? That way Lou can relax and sit down. You guys go on ahead and I’ll clean up in here."

"Thank you, Alexis," Lou said. "And welcome back. I’m glad to see you again."

Alexis nodded with a smile and stepped out of the way to let the others pass. Buck, Lou and Jimmy walked toward the front room, but Kid still stood behind Lou’s chair. As Alexis moved toward the sideboard to reach for a towel, Kid suddenly laid his hand on her arm, stopping her progress.

"That’s alright Alexis, I’ll clean up. Go on in with the others."

"I really don’t mind Kid."

Kid resolutely shook his head. "No, I’ll do it."

"Alright," she said with a shrug of her shoulders. She headed toward the sitting room, where she could already hear the layers of unease peeling away from the conversation floating down the hall.

When Kid finally made his way into the sitting room, the four friends were talking fondly of their memories of Teaspoon. Kid didn’t sit down, but stood silently off to one side, arms folded across his chest as he leaned his shoulder against the wall. He just couldn’t bring himself to join the others.

The four of them were sitting there, oblivious to his presence. Why hadn’t Lou noticed that he was standing there, and why couldn’t she sense his unease at Jimmy’s return? He and Jimmy at one time had been friends; sure it had been strained at time, but Kid thought they were friends. When Jimmy met Alexis the two men made steps to repairing the relationship. Kid was able to put his distrust over Jimmy’s relationship with Lou aside now that Jimmy showed an interest in another woman.

Then Rosemary came back, and he and Jimmy fought. Kid couldn’t understand Jimmy’s quick alliance with Rosemary, withholding the truth from him, and most of all turning his back on Alexis. When Alexis and then Jimmy left, it was Kid who was left behind to try and hold Teaspoon together. Alexis returned to visit after Jimmy was gone, but even she didn’t see the full effect Jimmy’s departure had on Teaspoon.

Now, after Teaspoon’s death, Jimmy finally returned. Everyone was acting like he’d only been gone a week or two instead of years. How could they be sitting there, at ease and reminiscing when Jimmy had turned his back on all of them? He just didn’t understand.

The clock on the mantle chimed and Buck suddenly brought his head up. "I better get back to Tompkins and pick those things up. I’ll get Teresa and Jeremiah from school as well."

"Thank you Buck," Lou said.

Buck stood and picked up his hat and walked out of the room, passing by Kid. The others watched him go and then turned their attention to Kid, who still stood off to the side. All conversation ceased, and the silence began to press on them.

"Well, I guess I better go check on the foals," Kid said, breaking the silence.

"The foals?" Alexis asked with a smile. "Mind if I come along? There was one Buck showed me last time that I’d like to see again."

"Um, sure, if you want," Kid replied with a shrug.

Alexis stood and grabbed her coat. She smiled at Lou and Jimmy and quickly headed for the door. The two would have a moment to talk, something she was sure they would appreciate. She could see the foals, something she always loved doing, and get away from Jimmy who had insisted on sitting right beside her on the couch. If Kid was busy working, she’d have a little peace before the return to Polly’s.

Kid waited for her by the door and opened it, allowing her to step outside. He barely nodded to Jimmy and Lou before pulling the door firmly closed behind him. Lou smiled across at Jimmy as he settled back into his seat.

"What?" he asked, seeing the playful glint in her eyes.

"You’ve got it bad," she said mischievously.

Jimmy groaned and leaned his head back while closing his eyes. When he finally opened them again and peered at Lou she still had the same mischievous look. He folded his arms over his chest and stared at her, almost daring her to go on teasing him. It was all in jest, but he just never expected her to call him on his feelings for Alexis so soon.

"So how was the trip here?" she asked with a smirk.

"Awful, actually. She’s so angry with me for leaving, can’t say that I really blame her. She’s shutting me out, keeping me at arm’s length. Let’s just say it was a very frosty ride, even when we were inside."

Lou nodded her head slowly, the playfulness gone from her voice. "She’s got a lot of anger there, Jimmy. It’s gonna take her a while to let go of it."

"I know," Jimmy said solemnly.

"We were all surprised when you showed up with Rosemary at the wedding. After everything with you and Alexis, guess we never really understood how you could end up leaving with Rosemary."

Jimmy swallowed a couple of times, trying to formulate a response. He was grateful that only Lou was present. If he could somehow explain things to her, it might be easier to explain it to the others.

"I don’t know exactly Lou," he said truthfully. "At the time it seemed right. I know Alexis and me started to have somethin’ there. But when I ran into Rosemary…I don’t know. I guess I just got confused. I’d known her before Alexis, thought I should give the two of us a chance. We both believed in The Cause."

He stopped and eyed Lou cautiously. "I suppose you’re pretty mad at me for leavin’, like The Kid is."

"No, Jimmy, I’m not mad at you. I’m just sad. The way you left, it really hurt Teaspoon. I hated to see you and Alexis end like you did. She’s my friend, and I was hopin’ something would happen with you two. Let’s face it, I’m not Rosemary’s biggest fan."

Jimmy gave a slight chuckle. "Never would have guessed that Lou."

Lou smiled and shook with gentle laughter. "I know, I kept that hidden real well, didn’t I?"

The two lapsed into silence for a moment, until Lou spoke softly. "More than anything Jimmy, I was just disappointed you never kept in touch with us. That hurt more than anything else did. It was like you turned your back on us; after all we went through together. We were family, and suddenly we didn’t matter to you anymore."

"I know Lou, and you may not believe it, but I regret that. I didn’t write because I didn’t want to hear you guys thought I made the wrong decision. Then I didn’t want to deal with Teaspoon’s disappointment. I knew, even though we were angry with each other before I left, that my leavin’ must have hurt him. I didn’t know if I could deal with hearin’ it from him.

"I’d give anything to change that now. I hate that our last days together were filled with such anger. That I’ll never get to tell him how I really feel."

"He knew Jimmy. He knew how you felt, even though you were angry when you left. You two were so alike, I think that’s why you clashed sometimes like you did."

After taking a breath, Lou continued on, "So, when do you think you’re gonna go back?"

"To Rosemary?" he asked. "I’m not. I’m plannin’ on sticking around here for a while. Got a job I need to do."

Lou raised her eyebrows, silently questioning. "A job?"

"Yep, promise I made, I’m gonna see it through."

Lou regarded him through curious eyes. She knew Jimmy wasn’t saying everything, and as much as she wanted to question him, she knew he wouldn’t reveal anything until he was ready. So she merely nodded.

"So," Jimmy said. "You and Kid are gonna have a baby. You ready for motherin’?"

She saw the smile on his face and so refrained from giving him too much of an earful. "Oh I think we’ll manage. We’ve been raisin’ Teresa and Jeremiah since we got married. Figured it was time to start one of our own."

"I’m happy for you Lou, I really am. You look like you’re happy. And your place looks great."

It was an attempt to move to safer ground, and Lou knew they both needed to take it. So she smiled broadly and began to tell him about starting their ranch and the things they’d been up to in the past couple of years.

Walking slowly through the barn, observing the animals, Alexis was wary of the silence Kid seemed to be shrouded in. Instead of heading off to work like she’d expected he walked along beside her. He had his hands stuffed deep in the pockets of his coat, his hat pulled low on his head and he’d said only a handful of words to her since they left the house. She knew Jimmy’s return and the ease with which he carried himself around his friends was weighing heavily on Kid’s mind.

Kid and Lou were the only riders who’d stayed in Rock Creek. They’d seen Teaspoon and the sadness that came over him when Jesse, Jimmy and Cody all left shortly after Noah’s death. Even Buck hadn’t stayed permanently. Alexis knew that the fact Jimmy hadn’t remained in contact, and only had come back now after Teaspoon’s death was a sore point for Kid. She hadn’t expected any different. She just didn’t expect that he would be this taken aback.

They stood near each other at a stall, watching a mother softly nuzzle her foal’s neck. It was an endearing scene, something that mesmerized Alexis. The soft sounds of animals eating their feed and their hooves crunching the straw underneath surrounded them, along with the warmth of the creatures, seemingly wrapping those inside the barn in a cocoon. Beside her, Kid couldn’t seem to stand still and kept shifting his weight on his feet. He reached down and picked up a currycomb lying on a pile of hay near the stall and absently played with it. His jitteriness was the only thing that kept her from truly enjoying the moment.

"Why’d you bring him here?" Kid suddenly asked, bitterness lightly lacing the words.

"Here to the ranch?" Alexis asked, startled from her reverie. "I’m sorry Kid, he wanted to see you both. I didn’t think it would make you this uncomfortable."

"I’m not talkin’ about the ranch, Alexis. I’m talking about Rock Creek. Why’d you find him and bring him back here?"

She turned away from the stall and faced Kid. Her eyes were slightly widened at the unexpected nature of the question.

"I figured he had a right to know Kid. I knew where he was when I stopped here during Christmas. I hoped when I came back that I could convince him to come with me and see Teaspoon. I never figured on Teaspoon getting shot while I was gone."

"You knew where he was at Christmas? And you didn’t say anything to any of us?"

"Well no, I didn’t know if I could convince him to come with me. I didn’t want to get Teaspoon’s hopes up in case Jimmy said no."

"Well you should have mentioned it to the rest of us," Kid said bitterly. "Then I could have told you not bother trying."

"Why?"

"Because you had no right stickin’ your nose into our business," Kid shouted loud enough to cause several animals to raise their heads and snort their disapproval at the broken silence.

"Your business?" Alexis choked out, the veins in her jaw and neck straining against her skin as she struggled to contain her anger. "I thought I was everyone’s friend."

"Well, this was a family matter," he said bluntly, his eyes narrowing.

"A family matter? You’re sayin’ I’m not family? I knew Teaspoon long before any of you. He was part of my family before he ever was part of yours. Don’t you dare tell me this was a private matter!

"And more than that, you weren’t the one involved with him. He walked away from me, from us, when he turned to Rosemary. If anyone had a reason for never lookin’ for Jimmy it was me! But I put aside my feelings because I wanted to do somethin’ for Teaspoon."

They stood there nearly toe to toe, eyeing each other, waiting for one to flinch.

Slowly Alexis continued on, "What do you think Teaspoon would say to you now? You’re sulking like a little boy because you think Jimmy doesn’t have a right to be here when he didn’t stick around like you did. Teaspoon would tell you none of that matters. He’d say Jimmy’s family, and we all have the right to make our own choices-"

"Stop!" Kid yelled, anger darkening his face. He had recoiled back, visibly shaking when Alexis first mentioned Teaspoon. His breathing was rising in angry heaves as she continued on. He couldn’t listen to her talking about Teaspoon; it was still too raw sometimes. And especially for her to ask how Teaspoon would respond to Jimmy’s return. She might be right, Teaspoon probably would welcome him back, but he wasn’t Teaspoon and try as he might he just couldn’t act happy about Jimmy’s behavior.

"You have no right saying those things about Teaspoon. And you had no right to bring Jimmy here now! He walked away from this family; he doesn’t deserve to come back now!"

He didn’t know how it happened. He was so worked up, grief over Teaspoon, resentment about Jimmy and the others welcoming him back, being ignored in his own house that he was shaking with the tumultuous emotions. The currycomb that had once been in his hand was now crashing off the wall of the barn, dropping to the floor. The sharp crack of wood striking wood echoed through the air and the animals protested at the disturbance.

Kid’s attention was ripped from the animals when he heard a deafening bellow from the barn door.

"KID!!!"

Alexis, pressed up against the stall, swung her head toward the barn’s entrance. The brightness streaming in caused her to squint and blink back tears. The owner of the voice was backlit and she couldn’t make out his face, but there was no mistaking the figure. His hand hovering above his pistol, Buck stalked into the barn and straight toward her and Kid.

Kid stepped back from the stall and stopped near the wall of the barn. Buck paused and looked pointedly at him, before continuing on to Alexis. She hadn’t changed her position. She still looked like she was trying to push herself through the wood. Buck didn’t know if the slight shake of her hands was from anger or the shock at Kid’s action.

"Alexis?" he asked softly. He raised his hand to touch her arm and she flinched back, pressing herself flatter against the wood.

Buck lowered his hand, and said stronger, "Alexis?"

Slowly she focused her gaze on Buck, recognition crossing her features. "Buck?"

He nodded his head.

"Are you alright?"

She gave a quick nod, but still didn’t move away from the stall.

"What was going on in here? I came to put the horse away, and could hear you two yellin’ as I got closer."

She didn’t answer and Buck turned his gaze to Kid, the question still hanging in the air, but for Kid he added, "I’m just glad Teresa and Jeremiah went up to the house instead of comin’ in here with me."

"We were just talkin’ about her bringing Jimmy here," Kid said.

"Talking?" Buck asked in disbelief, his eyebrow raised. "She’s pressed up against the stall and you threw a comb across the barn. That doesn’t sound like talking to me Kid."

Kid lowered his gaze and shoved his hands in his pockets. He didn’t know what to say. Buck was right, they weren’t just talking. He was angry with her for showing up with Jimmy.

Both men looked up at the sound of boots crunching over straw. Alexis had finally pushed herself away from the stall and was walking toward the barn’s door.

"Alexis?" Buck called.

Reaching the entrance she turned back. She still appeared shaken, and slowly reached a hand out to the wall to steady herself.

"You can’t tell me what to do Kid. It’s been a long time since I’ve let any man order me around."

Buck looked from her disappearing form to Kid. "What did-"

He stopped his question when he recognized the sound of a horse leaving the yard. Running outside he saw Alexis’s horse swiftly eating up the ground as it left the yard.

"She left?" Kid asked coming out of the barn.

Buck turned and glared at Kid, "What did you expect her to do? Stick around so you could yell at her some more?"

Kid blinked at the edge in Buck’s voice. "What should-"

Buck spoke over his words, "You better go tell Jimmy and Lou."

The tone in Buck’s voice was not really a suggestion, and Kid grudgingly nodded his head. He hadn’t meant to lose his temper, but why was he the only one who was bothered by Jimmy’s return. Lou and Buck both immediately welcomed him back. Perhaps if Jimmy acted like he was remorseful for having left, Kid would feel differently, but Jimmy had a calm and determined manner about him. How could he act like he hadn’t been gone all this time? Why wasn’t he asking for their forgiveness for leaving?

Kid pulled open the door and walked into the sitting room where Jimmy and Lou were sitting across from each other. Teresa was telling Lou and Jimmy about the spelling bee they’d had at school that day. She was excited because she’d finished first, beating Jeremiah. They all looked up at Kid and Buck’s entrance and Lou’s brow furrowed as she noticed Alexis wasn’t with them.

"Where’s Alexis?" she asked.

Kid sucked in one corner of his bottom lip and swallowed.

"Alexis left," he answered hesitantly.

Jimmy stood carefully. "Why?"

When Kid didn’t answer, Jimmy took a step closer and asked again, "Why’d Alexis leave Kid?"

"We got into a fight."

"What?" Lou asked.

"We were arguin’ about her bringing Jimmy back," he said, directing his gaze at Jimmy for the first time.

Jimmy picked up his hat and took a deep breath. "Kid if you’re angry with me and you’ve got somethin’ to say, then be a man and say it to my face. Don’t yell at Alexis because she’s an easy target."

He turned and looked at Lou and Teresa regretfully. "I better go."

Lou nodded in understanding. With a smile she said, "It’s good to have you back Jimmy, for however long."

At the doorway he stopped and turned. "Oh, I’m not leavin’ for a while. If you need me I’ll be at Polly’s for the next day or two, and then I’ll be moving into the rooms behind the Marshal’s Office."

"The Marshal’s Office?" Buck asked.

"Yeah, I just became the marshal today. I’ll be startin’ tomorrow." Then he put on his hat and nodded at everyone in the room. He regarded Kid with icy eyes and then walked out with Buck following behind.

Buck stood at the fence as Jimmy climbed on his horse. "Glad to see you’ve come home Jimmy."

"Thanks Buck," Jimmy said, lacing the reins through his fingers. "What else happened with Alexis and Kid? I know there’s somethin’ you didn’t say in the house."

Buck nodded solemnly. "When I walked in Kid was really yellin’ at her, saying she had no right to bring you back here. She was backin’ up, pressing up against the stall because he just kept going on. Then he threw a comb he was holding and it bounced off the wall. Went right over her head."

Jimmy’s back went rigid and he swore. Tight lipped he finally said, "Thanks Buck. Tell Lou I’ll be back to see her later would ya?"

Buck promised he would and then Jimmy swung his horse around and kicked her into a gallop racing out of the yard. Reaching a fork in the trail, he paused for a moment. To the left was Rachel’s house, but up ahead was town and with it Polly. Jimmy started his mount toward Rachel’s and then pulled on her reins. Rachel’s house was closer, but right now, he knew Alexis would seek out Polly.

Polly heard the door open, and looked up a bit surprised. She hadn’t expected Alexis or Jimmy to return so early. She knew the reunion of Jimmy and his friends wasn’t going to be easy, but she had faith in the young people involved to set aside their pains and remember the friendship they had shared.

The door closed and she heard hurried footsteps echo through the front room. Turning from the bread she was kneading she called out, "I’m in here."

All she heard was the sharp sound of a bedroom door being closed. She wiped her hands on her apron and looked up puzzled. Who had gone to their room and who would come into the kitchen looking to share whatever was troubling them? After standing there a few moments, she realized there were no other sounds in the house, only one person had arrived home.

Now she was truly puzzled and so she walked to the window and looked out. The horse out front belonged to Alexis. What on earth happened to make her come back this soon?

Walking to the bedroom door, she heard muffled sounds but couldn’t make out the cause of them. She knocked lightly and instantly all sound ceased.

"Alexis?" Polly called through the door. "Sugar, are you alright?"

When there was no answer, Polly knocked again and said, "Darlin’ you know I’m not going to leave until you answer me. So I can stand here all day knockin’ or you can just open the door and talk to me."

"Fine," Alexis huffed out as the door swung open. If the open valise on the bed and clothes half stuffed in it surprised Polly, it didn’t register on her face.

"Goin’ somewhere? You know I’m not gonna kick you out to a hotel," Polly said with a smile. Then seeing Alexis’s tight-lipped expression and the paleness of her face the smile immediately fell.

"Alexis, what happened at Kid and Lou’s?" she asked, coming to sit on the bed.

Alexis sank into the chair near the wall and rested her arm on the table beside it. The shake was almost gone from her hands, but the slight tremor didn’t go unnoticed by either woman. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head back against the wall.

"Alexis?" Polly coaxed.

"Kid," Alexis said, and then stopped because her voice shook. Swallowing, she started again. "Kid and I got into an argument."

"About what?" Polly asked, wondering what would make her think of leaving.

"About Jimmy. Kid said I wasn’t family and had no right bringin’ Jimmy back."

"Well, if that ain’t the stupidest thing I’ve every heard," Polly said, her eyes wide. "Darlin’ of course you’re family. And if Teaspoon were here, he’d be the first one to welcome Jimmy back."

"I know," Alexis said in a quiet voice. "It’s just that-"

Her words were drowned out by the sound of the front door opening swiftly and Jimmy calling her name. Polly answered him and he quickly came to Alexis’s room. He stopped in the doorway and appraised the scattered clothes and her quiet, withdrawn demeanor. He haltingly took a step into the room and swept his hat off his head.

Polly quietly stood and started out the door. Passing by Jimmy she placed a hand on his arm and her eyes silently spoke. He nodded his head a fraction, and she slipped out the door. As it clicked softly into place, he took another step forward.

"’Lexis?"

Alexis stared through Jimmy, unseeing, as he walked closer. She could hear the gentle concern in his voice and feel the worry radiating from him. He knows about the fight, she thought. She didn’t want to talk about the fight or her flight from the ranch, but it was obvious Jimmy did. She couldn’t focus on it though or even on him, as he stopped right in front of her. All she can foolishly focus on is ‘Lexis.

Why would he call her ‘Lexis now? In all their time together before she left, before Rosemary, he never called her anything but Alexis. Her husband Robert used to call her Alex, but everybody made a point not to call her that. Now, the gentle way his voice caressed the endearment caused her heart to leap into her throat and her mind sent whirling at the possibilities.

Stop it! She chided herself for letting her fancy fly away like some silly schoolgirl. She finally blinked her eyes into focus and nearly regretted it as they rested on Jimmy’s concerned features. He was resting on his haunches, looking up into her face, searching.

"What do you want Jimmy?" she asked, her voice sounding harder than she meant.

"I wanted to see if you were alright. Kid told Lou and me he got into a fight with you. Then Buck told me about Kid throwing the currycomb. I came to see how you were."

"Was this before or after you laid into Kid?" she said with irritation.

"I didn’t get into a fight with Kid," he told her, trying not to rise to the bait. "My first thought was to find you and make sure you were fine. Then when Buck told me about the comb, I knew I had to find you."

"Why? Do you think I’m that helpless that I can’t stand up to Kid?"

Jimmy took a breath. "’Lexis, you know I don’t think that at all. I was worried how you were because of Robert."

She couldn’t respond to that, but the look on her face told Jimmy he was correct in his worry. When they first met, Alexis had been on the run for killing her husband Robert. He had beaten her one night causing her to lose their baby, and then left her for dead. When she didn’t die that night, he tried again to kill her. She turned the gun and killed him, and then fled for her life. It was in self-defense, but Robert’s brothers were determined to see her hang for killing their brother and to cover their involvement in the murder of Alexis’s father and stepmother.

"Well, thanks for your concern Jimmy," she said, bitterness lacing her words. "But as you can see I’m fine. You didn’t need to come rushing in like a white knight to save me."

Jimmy got up and headed for the door, then stopped abruptly and spun around. "Then why the clothes scattered all over the place Alexis? If you’re so fine why were you leaving? ‘Cause that’s what you were doin’ again weren’t you? You were running away."

Alexis stood up, anger flushing her cheeks. Her voice was low as she said, "I was not running away."

"Yes you were Alexis. When is it going to stop?"

Her jaw clenched and unclenched and her eyes were dark. "I think you better get out of here. I didn’t ask for you to come running to my rescue, and I don’t need you stickin’ your nose in telling me what you think I’m doing."

Jimmy turned and was almost out of the door when he said over his shoulder. "I know you didn’t ask for me to come runnin’ to your rescue. I know you don’t need me to fight your battles. I came for you, to see if you wanted to talk. If you can’t see that, then I guess you don’t really know me."

The door closed behind him and Alexis was left alone in her room. Anger, hurt and fear all flooded through her and she picked up the clothes off the bed and flung them at the door. Picking up the satchel, she heaved it at the door before she sank to the bed, tears cascading down her cheeks.

He turned and walked from the room, slowly sinking into the shadows until Alexis could no longer see or hear him. She slid to the floor and hugged her knees to her chest as the tears came. Robert was right. She would never be free of him, and as soon as Jimmy learned the truth he’d become like all the other men and leave.

Alexis woke as huge sobs racked her body. She was curled on her side, arms wrapped tightly around her drawn up legs. She pulled the blanket tighter around her and then rested her hand on her stomach. She could never give Jimmy what he wanted, Robert had made sure of that. Once Jimmy knew he’d leave.

That’s why she couldn’t allow herself to get close to him. It would be more than she could bear to have Jimmy walk away from her a second time. She just had to be strong, because every time he looked at her, every time he called her ‘Lexis she just wanted to drop all pretenses and go running back to him.

"I have to be strong," she whispered to herself as the tears slowly ended. "I just have to be strong."

On to Chapter 13!