At the break of dawn the riders prepared for the trouble they were bound to encounter. The first step in their journey was to find an alternate route to Ft. Kearney. The outlaws were bound to be looking for them along the original trail. Hopefully the gang really was down to two or three men. If the outlaws had reinforcements near by, Lou and Jimmy would need a miracle to escape them again. All the riders had to do was stay away from the main trail, which wasn't going to be a difficult accomplishment. During Jimmy's desperate attempt to get Lou to safety before the bandits returned, he had taken a very irrational course. Not in a million years would he be able to guide them back the way he had came. Jimmy had successfully gotten them lost. As he looked at his companion, he knew that she was thinking the very same thing. "Great minds think alike," he mumbled to himself as he saddled up his horse.

   "So, which way are we going?" Lou inquired finally. There was no sense heading off before deciding on a direction. Unfortunately, that wouldn't be an easy task. Neither one had the vaguest idea where they were. Lou wasn't being much help. Her head was still pounding, and it refused to put any effort into thinking. Glancing at her companion, Lou wondered how Jimmy had managed to get them this lost. Not that she blamed him. He had saved her life after all. "My white knight on a palomino steed," Lou remarked as she watched Jimmy mount up. Luckily he didn't hear her. Now wasn't exactly the proper time to confess her growing feelings for him. She noticed how gracefully Jimmy maneuvered his horse to face her. Suddenly, thoughts of Lightning returned, and Lou became worried about her horse's well-being once again. Even if the bullet hadn't grazed him, there were plenty of other dangerous things in this world. Hopefully, he would be fine by himself for a while.

   "I'd say south," Jimmy eventually informed her after debating for several minutes. Although he couldn't swear by it, south was the best suggestion he could offer. He tried to sound confident about his theory, but his lovely companion's face revealed that she knew it was just a wild guess.

   "Well, let's get going then," Lou stated as she climbed on back of Jimmy's horse.

   "Are you sure.."

   "I'm fine," Lou answered firmly. She already knew what Jimmy was thinking. Lou could tell he had his doubts about her condition, but she was tough. A few bumps and bruises in addition to her headache weren't going to slow her down. Besides, they couldn't afford to hold up with the odds those men were after them.

    Jimmy knew better than to argue with her. Once her mind was made up, there was no changing it. The gunfighter admired the woman by his side very much. No, admired wasn't the right word. Loved was a more appropriate description for his feelings for her. Over the past few months he and Louise had grown a lot closer. Every tender moment, every gentle touch they shared, followed him as closely as his shadow. The sweet, delicate, kisses she gives him on occasion, always manage to penetrate the protective barriers that guard his heart. Then she catches a glimpse of the real James Hickok. He has tried to resist her charms, but her spell is just too powerful. He'd be a fool to think he deserved her though. A man like him didn't have the right to such a beautiful woman. Of course, Lou would argue with him. She'd say he was wrong, and that any girl would be lucky to have him. Just like she has declared before. But that wasn't true. The only life he could offer a woman, was one where danger and lies dogged ya until your dying day.

   "Jimmy? Jimmy?!" Lou's voice snapped him from his thoughts. Her arms hugged his waist, and she leaned closer to him. "I thought we were going south?"

   "What?" Jimmy asked. Feeling Lou's soft breath against his skin as she talked gently into his ear, was a pleasant distraction from his thoughts. Unfortunately, he hadn't really heard her question.

   "South?" Lou reminded him as she looked over his shoulder.

   "Yeah," Jimmy answered. "Why?"

   "No," Lou cried with a giggle. "Why aren't we going south?!"

   "We are," Jimmy stated defensively.

   "Fraid not," Lou corrected.

   "Maybe you should put your glasses on?" Jimmy suggested. He knew his directions!

   "Can't. Lost 'em somewhere," she informed him quickly. "But I don't need 'em to know we're not going south!"

   "Lou, what makes you so sure we're..." Finally Jimmy realized his mistake. He had been heading in the wrong direction. "Not another word, Lou!"

   "Wouldn't dream of it," She said with a giggle.

   "Lou!"

   "What?" She asked angelically.

   "I'm not gonna play this game," Jimmy declared. He sensed Lou's naughtier side peeking through.

   "Oh. Well, how about this one. Which direction am I pointing? North, east, west, or maybe South?!" She couldn't help but laugh at her own joke. "I'm sorry Jimmy. Really," Lou apologized, after she got herself under control. She could be so naughty at times!

   "You're a cruel woman," Jimmy stated teasingly. He wasn't angry at Lou for funnin' him. Being truly angry at her was next to impossible.

   "Me? Surely you jest!" She shot back.

   Both were actually enjoying their play 'fight'. Though, Lou knew Jimmy was embarrassed about going the wrong way. It was hard to say for sure, but Lou suspected Jimmy had blushed when she pointed out his error. "How adorable," she thought secretly to herself. Of course, he had no reason to be embarrassed. It was an honest mistake that anyone could've made. Her teasing probably hadn't helped salvage his male ego, but it was all in good fun.

   Lou knew the main reason Jimmy had felt so foolish about his mistake, was because she was with him. She never missed the long gazes he sent her. The attraction they had for each other was growing every day. Every man hates making a fool out of himself in front of the woman he likes. Actually, any woman for that matter!

   Jimmy was the only other man besides Kid who stood a chance at capturing Lou's heart. And, seeing how she and Kid had gone their separate ways, Lou found herself thinking more and more 'night time' thoughts about James Hickok. He was a very handsome man, and a passionate kisser. She could still feel his lips pressing hungrily against her own. Elias had said she was woman enough to match him, and Lou wished Jimmy would let her try. But, Jimmy was too afraid to take that chance. He swore that he had no life to offer her. That hurt. Jimmy had so much to give in her opinion. Still, he could be just as stubborn as she could, and that was a very bad thing!

The Outlaws' Dilemma

   The three men scanned the scene where they had last seen the riders. After chasing the black horse for five miles before catching it, the men discovered the package they were after wasn't there. None of them were willing to give up though. The Senator would kill them if they failed to bring his 'fortune' to him. Hopefully they would be able to catch up with the riders once again. The outlaws knew the riders had either gone back the way they came, or found a different route to their destination. Otherwise they would have met up with express riders already.

   "Over here," one of the men called suddenly. Quickly he dismounted from his new horse. His new mount was the former express rider's. This horse was a better mannered mount than his old horse, which he shot earlier this morning for throwing him.

   "What?" The eldest gang member inquired.

   "Look. See how the grass and branches are all torn and smashed? I'd say they dashed up here after we left." It would make sense for the riders to abandon the main trail. It would make it harder for them to be caught.

   "Any animal could have done that," the third member pointed out.

   "Yeah, but how many animals do you know that where glasses?" He held up the evidence he found. "That scrawny rider wore glasses just like these." Now the men were certain they were on the right track.

   "Let's get a move on then." The leader commanded. The outlaws had no time to waste if they valued their lives. "Time to do a little hunting."

The Pursued

   "We must make an exceptional team," Lou exclaimed, breaking the silence that had develop between them. They had both been lost in their own thoughts for the last hour and a half. Finally, one of them dared to speak!

   "You've just now figured that out?" Jimmy teased.

   "No! I've always thought so, but I just realized that Teaspoon must think so too," Lou explained in her defense.

   "Is that why he always pairs us up?"

   "Yep. We must make a good pair," Lou reaffirmed. Jimmy didn't miss the subtle hint Lou was sending. However, he tried to pretend he did.

   "How's your head?" He inquired in a desperate attempt to change the conversation.

   "Better," Lou answered quickly. "Oh, remind me to thank you later for saving me. I was going to do it earlier but......"

   "Aww... you're welcome Lou," Jimmy said shyly. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do for her.

   "Jimmy?"

   "Yeah Lou?" Jimmy asked innocently.

   "I haven't thanked you yet. I said later, remember?" Lou teased. She was serious about thanking him later though. However, she planned on doing it with a kiss, not words.

   "Sorry," Jimmy replied with a smile. "Why does she have to be so darn mischievous?" he thought secretly. Of course, that was one of the qualities he loved about her!

   "I'll forgive you this time, but just this once!" She tightened her grip around his waist to show him she meant business. No more mess ups! He couldn't help but laugh.

   They continued winding through the unknown territory where the trees were thicker than molasses. The whole area seemed to be nothing but trees. The scenery was growing quite boring.

   "Great," Jimmy exclaimed in disappointment. "Lou? Does this area look familiar to you?" As his female companion peered over his shoulder, she reaffirmed his suspicion. They were back at their camping area.

   "You're really getting better at this direction thing," Lou joked, letting a hint of sarcasm shine through her tone.

   "Well, you weren't much help," Jimmy informed her quickly. His comment sounded snappy, and he wished he could take it back. "I'm sorry Lou. I didn't mean it that way."

   "I know. I shouldn't be ridin' ya so hard," she admitted. Suddenly the sound of approaching riders came to their attention.

   "Looks like we've got company," Jimmy announced as his hand instinctively drew one of his Navy Colts. Soon the fight they had anticipated would commence. However, this time they might not be so lucky.

On to Chapter 3!