Lou and Jimmy continued to ride back to Sweetwater in silence. After Jimmy's dramatic reluctance to talk about Hopkins earlier, Lou decided to just leave him alone. There would be more time to share with him when they stopped for the night. A light feeling of comfort settled over her as she enjoyed this time alone with Jimmy. None of them were really alone at the station. Not with seven of them sharing such close living quarters. In retrospect, Lou was amazed they hadn't killed each other yet. She chuckled to herself at the memory of several close calls....

The sun began to sink near the horizon, and Jimmy and Lou stopped for the night. Lou busied herself with the horses and saddle bags while Jimmy started a fire. After they shared a quiet, but not unpleasant meal, Lou found the courage to voice the thoughts that had been consuming her throughout most of their trip.

"Jimmy, we gotta talk about what happened."

Jimmy just stared into the flames, afraid to interpret her meaning. Lou tried to read his expression, but failed. He seemed determined to make this hard on her. Lou sighed imperceptibly and sidled closer to him.

"Jimmy, I been doin a lot of thinking. I know I was real hurt when we left Sweetwater. These past few weeks have been hard for me. I know it ain't been easy for you either. But time has a way, you know. And...I realized last night... Well, last night you showed me...that there really could be others."

Jimmy flinched slightly as he recalled Lou's words to him as he was chopping wood their last day in Sweetwater. "You always were an optimist, Lou."

Lou smiled in spite of herself, and felt some tension ease. Still she pressed on — he didn't seem to realize what she was saying. Or trying to say, she mused to herself.

"Last night... you showed me how much you really care about me. I guess I been kinda blind to that before now."

Louise paused, hoping her words would sink in finally. Jimmy started to fidget, and he tried to keep a rein on his soaring heart. He diverted his attention to the sounds of twilight to keep control of the moment. He suddenly felt all of his senses come alive to the wilderness around him. Hard as he tried though, he couldn't not distract his emotions from the beauty at his side.

Lou noticed the subtle change in his manner, but was frustrated that he still wouldn't give. Slowly she reached for Jimmy's hand and threaded her fingers through his.

"Jimmy..." she started...

All of Jimmy's restraint crumbled at her velvet touch. He dared to gaze into her eyes, his breath leaving him at the tender beauty he saw there. "Lou..." he croaked, and pulled her into his arms.

Lou could scarcely believe she wasn't dreaming. His arms felt so strong and solid, holding her as if she were a mist that would fade in the morning light. She buried her head against his chest and breathed in his scent, letting it fill her senses. Once again she felt that loving reassurance in her heart, like the one she felt that morning when Jimmy held her after she fell from the noose. She knew that all would be right between them...

Jimmy was trembling with a nervous joy. Could this be happening? Could he really be holding the woman of his dreams? Really holding her like a man who loves a woman? For indeed she was a woman, in the truest definition of that word he had ever met.

He breathed a shaky sigh as he gloried in all he had coveted these past few months... ever since his feelings for Louise began to grow. He felt a surge of warmth and light fill his heart as he realized she had initiated this. Could she really cherish him as he did her? He was almost afraid to ask, but he knew the subject must be broached before his emotions flew to reckless heights. He pulled back slightly to gaze the question into her eyes.

Lou gave a small sigh at the break in that intense contact. She met his gaze bravely and smiled reassuringly into his soft brown eyes, knowing what he feared.

"I'd like to try..." she breathed.

Jimmy felt a silent sob wrack his frame and resisted the urge to sing aloud to the heavens. He stared at Lou almost in awe as he memorized every aspect of her in this tender moment. The setting sun shining on her auburn hair, the intensity of her gaze upon him, but most of all, the feel of her soft frame against his. So caught in the wonder of it all, he was almost startled as he felt her hand move across his back to his shoulder, and then to trace his jaw in a loving caress.

He felt himself unsure and nervous for the first time. Lou, however, seemed very calm, as if she had known this revelation was destined to be. He could see the look in her eyes and knew... now was the moment for him... to lower his lips to hers in a sweet promise. She was ready, so open and beautiful.

Jimmy slowly lowered his head to brush against her waiting lips. The first touch was hesitant and surprising. He pulled his head back as if awaking from a dream.

Lou smiled at him and drew his head down to kiss her again — fully this time.

It was a tender, exploring kiss — two lovers meeting for the first time. Lou threaded her hands in Jimmy's hair, all her attention focused on this consuming delight. She felt her heart open and lift as if it were being set free. She realized fully then, just how long she had waited for this moment. This wonderful man to hold her in his arms and give her all his tenderness.

Jimmy felt his pulse race like never before. He wasn't sure if it was nerves, but a voice in his head told him it was more than that. This joining was more than a first kiss. It was like coming home. And for the first time he felt safe in the haven of her embrace.

From what seemed miles away, Lightning nickered softly. Lou broke away, startled. She and Jimmy breathed soft giggles. Lou backed away from Jimmy's arms and glanced at the horse. She pretended to study the horse while she tried to control her trembling. Lou glanced at Jimmy, her face flushed in embarrassment and from the kiss. She couldn't believe how bold she has been! The moment had felt so right, but now she was uncertain about where they went from there.

Jimmy was equally unsure which direction to go next. He knew he wanted to let Lou make the decision.

Lou looked at him nervously. "Well...I...think we should probably get some sleep."

Jimmy nodded his head in understanding. "It's still a long ways back home."

Home.

The word hung in the air like a dead weight, and Jimmy wished he could take it back. He felt imaginary walls close in on him; the magic of a moment before vanishing under the pressure.

Lou recognized it too. Home. Kid. Lord, what had she done?!

On to Part Three!