"You know Jimmy, I've never known anyone who can shoot so straight and dance so crooked in all my life." Cody teased. The Sweetwater Church was having its annual social in two nights and the Express riders' spirits were high in anticipation of the event. They were all waiting for Teaspoon in the Marshall's office in town, after he had told them he had something important to tell them all.

"Oh yeah?" Jimmy said, getting up from his chair and crossing over to Cody, "I saw a young lady you were dancin' with at the last social actually go away limping!" He walked back to his seat with an exaggerated limp.

"Poor girl probably didn't have any toes left!" Buck laughed.

"As if you can talk." Kid teased.

"As if any of you can talk." Lou piped up, leaning back in the chair behind the desk.

The boys all turned and looked at her. "What do you mean by that, Lou?" Kid asked, somewhat offended.

Lou smiled and shrugged. "Oh, nothing." She got up and stood in the middle of the sunlight-flooded room. "Except that you all could learn somethin' about dancin', that's all."

"Oh?" Cody asked. "And how do you know so much?"

Lou smiled smugly. "Emma taught me."

"Emma?" Jimmy asked.

Lou nodded. "She showed me how to do everything - the polka, the waltz, all sorts of things."

"Why didn't she teach any of us?" Buck asked.

Lou shrugged. "Well, did any of you ask her?" Lou remembered her times spent with Emma fondly. She had finally found a friend, a confidant, an older sister and a mother all rolled into one. Dancing was just one of the many things Emma had taught Lou.

"I don't need anyone to teach me." Jimmy exclaimed. "I dance just fine as it is." He saw Lou raise her eyebrows. "What?"

Lou smiled half-apologetically. "Well, you do dance a little crookedly."

"I do not!" Jimmy protested.

"You do too!" Lou laughed. She pulled him up. "Come here. Let me show you." She put his hands in a dancing position and then fit herself in. "Now start dancing."

"Oh c'mon Lou, this is silly." Jimmy said. "There's no music."

"Jimmy!" Lou scolded good-naturedly. "I already see your problem. You're slouching."

He straightened up. "So?"

"So you have to stand up straight so you can dance straight." Lou told him.

Cody jumped up and pushed Jimmy out of the way. "Teach me Lou! What do I do wrong?" He started to dance around the room.

Lou laughed as they twirled around the office. "You need to lead more Cody. That's why our feet are getting tangled up. You need to have more of a plan about where you're going when you're dancing."

Cody nodded and concentrated on the dance floor. "How's that?"

"Better!" Lou nodded. "Much better."

Kid jumped up and cut in. "May I?" Cody reluctantly stopped dancing and Kid took his place. "What do I need to do, Lou?"

"You could stand to improvise a little, Kid." Lou said. "Like this." She suddenly let go with one hand and twirled around.

"Like this?" Kid twirled her around again, only he let go of her hand so Lou went spinning away into Jimmy's waiting arms. Kid was indignant. "Hey!"

Jimmy smiled down at Lou, "How am I doing now?"

"Real good, Jimmy." Lou said, a little breathless by now. "Let's try this." Without letting go of his hands, she turned around so they were both facing the same direction and their arms were crossed. Then she turned around again. "See?"

Jimmy tried it again for himself, but then Buck broke in. "Let me try."

"Now Buck," Lou instructed. "You could really free yourself up a bit. You dance a little too formally."

Buck nodded, and proceeded to dance at a pace closer to a gallop than a polka. "How's that?"

Lou was getting a little dizzy. "Um, a little less free, I think." He slowed down slightly to a lively step. "Perfect!"

Cody cut in. "May I?" He took Lou and rivaled Buck's lively steps. "Let's try some of them twirls!"

"Oh Cody, I don't -" Lou tried to protest but he spun her around and then pulled her back to him in a tight embrace.

"This is fun!" Cody said.

"Let me try." Kid broke in, taking Lou in his arms and waltzing dramatically around the office.

"This is a big improvement, Kid." Lou said, feeling as though she was flying.

"Glad you think so, Lou." Kid smiled. Then, without warning, he dipped her.

Just then, Teaspoon walked in. "What in the blazes is going on here?!" He thundered.

Lou smiled upside down, and Kid promptly pulled her upright. "We were just dancing, Teaspoon."

Cody nodded, "Lou was giving us all pointers for the social."

Jimmy frowned, sensing something was wrong. "What is it, Teaspoon? Do you have bad news?"

"I guess you could call it that." Teaspoon sighed, going over to his desk. "The Express has a new regional director, Clyde Ross. And he's decided he wants to personally inspect all the stations under his direction."

"We have to have an inspection?" Buck asked.

"'Fraid so." Teaspoon sighed. "Now I'm not too worried about the inspection itself. You boys are the finest riders in the Express as far as I'm concerned."

"So what's the problem?" Jimmy asked.

Teaspoon paused, as if he didn't want to say it. Lou sighed and folded her arms across her chest. "I'm the problem, aren't I?"

Teaspoon sighed, "I'm afraid so, Lou."

"Why?" Cody asked. "Everyone in town still believes she's a man. Why won't this Ross fella think the same?"

"Well the town won't be fooled much longer if you all keep dancin' in my office like you were a minute ago." Teaspoon observed.

"We'll be more careful from now on." Jimmy said.

"Teaspoon," Lou assured him as she put on her glasses and hat, which were part of her disguise. "He'll never know. You didn't figure it out for a long time. Just look at me!"

Teaspoon smiled. "I am looking at you Lou. And I only see a well-disguised young woman."

"What are you saying Teaspoon?" Lou asked. "That I'm a liability?"

"No." He answered. "The policy that says women can't ride for the Express is our only liability."

"What happens if Ross figures it out?" Kid asked.

"Let's not worry about that right now." Teaspoon said. "Now Lou, you'll be going on the run to Fort Laramie tomorrow morning."

Lou frowned. "There is no ride to Laramie scheduled for tomorrow."

"Well there is now." Teaspoon said simply.

"I don't want to run and hide, Teaspoon." Lou said.

"You're not." Teaspoon said, and then he looked her square in the eyes, saying more in that look than any words he could say.

Lou nodded, resigned to the situation but not liking it very much. "If you all will excuse me." She left the office, needing to be alone.

Kid asked his question again, now that Lou was gone. "Teaspoon, what happens if Ross finds out Lou is a woman?"

"Depends on Ross." He answered, sitting down and leaning back in his chair. "But Lou will definitely lose her job."

"Is the station in any danger?" Buck asked. Teaspoon shook his head. "No, you boys have nothing to worry about."

"Except Lou." Cody added quietly.

"We'll take care of Lou." Teaspoon assured them. "And we will certainly take care of Mr. Clyde Ross."

"You all right Lou?" Rachel asked as Lou was finishing packing up Lightning for their imminent ride.

"I'm fine, Rachel." Lou replied, although her tone implied otherwise. "Other than the fact that I'm livin' a lie, and making the people I love lie for me, not to mention putting their jobs in jeopardy."

"Lou, "Rachel argued. "The boys and Teaspoon are not in jeopardy. The only person you need to look out for right now is yourself."

Lou paused and leaned against her horse for a moment. "You know, Rachel, every now and then I have doubts about bein' a Pony Express rider, and having to lie about who I am all the time."

"But?" Rachel prompted.

Lou smiled and turned around. "But I've found a family here. And I can do the work - it's not like I don't pull my share around here!" She sighed. "I love it too much to give it up."

Rachel smiled and squeezed her friend's shoulder. "That sounds more like the Lou I know!"

Jimmy yelled from the porch, "Rider comin'!"

Rachel gave Lou a hug before she got up on her horse. "I'll see you two days from now!"

Lou smiled before turning her horse around and riding away after catching the mochila from Noah who was returning from his run.

Rachel walked up to the porch where Jimmy still stood. Together, they watched Lou ride into the horizon. "How is she?" Jimmy asked. He'd been concerned about her ever since the previous afternoon when they'd found out about the inspection. Unfortunately, he hadn't been able to talk to her alone before she left.

Rachel smiled. "She's fine. I think she's just a little tired of the charade right now."

"Can't say I blame her." Jimmy said, feeling his admiration for Lou surface as he watched her disappear over the horizon. Already he missed her. He and Lou had always been good friends, but they had grown even closer lately. And Jimmy realized the attraction he had always had for Lou was growing more serious by the day. But he also knew that no matter how much he might love her, his feelings would always have to remain his secret.

"Who's that coming?" Rachel squinted into the distance.

Jimmy was grateful for the diversion from his thoughts. He saw a stagecoach ride over the same hill Lou had just gone over. "Looks like our inspection is about to begin."

"Lou got out just in time." Rachel added.

Teaspoon came outside and joined them. "Well, he's punctual."

They waited expectantly for the stage to reach them, and they went to greet it as it finally rolled to a stop in front of the station.

"Well good morning and hello!" A tall, broad-shouldered man awkwardly unfolded himself out of the small carriage. "This must be Sweetwater Pony Express Station. And you are Teaspoon Hunter?"

Teaspoon reached up to characteristically tip his hat, then reached out and shook hands. "At your service."

"Clyde Ross." The large, boisterous man replied, shaking Teaspoon's hand vigorously. "Friends call me Ross." He was at least a head taller than Teaspoon, and impeccably dressed. His neat, short brown hair looked out of place at the station, and Teaspoon immediately pegged him as a city slicker. Good, he thought to himself, that would make it that much easier to pull the wool over his eyes.

"Welcome to the station, Ross." Teaspoon smiled. "Let me introduce you to everyone. This here's the real boss around the station, Miss Rachel Dunne."

Ross raised his eyebrows appreciatively. "Miss Dunne. You are a sight for sore eyes after three weeks of mud, dirt, horses and mochilas!" He added, a bit sheepishly, "I mean no offense, ma'am, but you truly are a vision!"

Rachel was flattered and she smiled. "No offense taken, Mr. Ross. A compliment never hurt nobody."

Ross chuckled good naturedly, then went down the line of the riders, shaking each of their hands and charming just about everyone. Everyone, that is, except Jimmy, who had no reason to distrust the man except for a nagging gut feeling. He barely cracked a smile and his sharp eyes resembled a hawk eyeing a snake in the grass. Still, his reserve wasn't exactly out of the ordinary, and no one noticed if he didn't seem as friendly as the rest of them.

"I don't mean to rush things," Rachel said. "But our breakfast is getting cold."

"Breakfast!" Ross roared. "Ah, I thought you'd never ask! I'm as hungry as a bear in springtime!"

All during breakfast, Ross barely stopped talking and he still managed to eat a hearty meal. "Now I don't want you boys to get all nervous about this inspection." He said amiably. "It's more of a chance for me to get to know you."

"What did you do before coming on with the Express, Ross?" Kid asked.

"Good question, uh, Kid, right?" Ross said as he swallowed his eggs. "I was in the East, our nation's capital to be exact, doing some politicking and the like."

"Washington, DC!" Cody exclaimed in awe. "Why on earth did you leave?"

Ross shrugged, grabbing a piece of toast. "Time for a change, I guess."

Teaspoon shook his head. "Being from the capital, I'd bet you'd have plenty of news on the war."

Ross' smile faded for a moment. "Too much news, I'm afraid. Another reason to leave. I hate to see this great nation of ours splitting in half." He actually stopped eating for a moment and looked at them in curiosity. "How do you all feel about it?"

An uncomfortable silence fell upon the group. Teaspoon cleared his throat, "We represent all parts of the country here Ross, but we're trying to not let the war tear us apart like it's doing to the rest of the country."

"So you're for the North, then." He prompted.

"We're here to do a job." Teaspoon told him, deliberately dodging the question. "And our job is to deliver the mail, not make politics." Ross nodded, sensing the subject was closed. He shrugged and began eating again. "Well, that's another reason why I left Washington. Too many politicians there, in their suits and ties running around talking themselves in circles." He smiled again. "Like my daddy always used to say. If you can't beat 'em, then get the hell outta there."

"So what made you come out here?" Buck asked, unable to help staring at Ross' rather uncouth eating habits, even for the frontier.

Ross laughed. "You mean, why'd a city slicker like me come out here to do a job I'm not trained to do?" He guffawed some more. "Call it a middle-aged crisis."

His jolly demeanor was infectious, and breakfast lasted over an hour. After awhile, Teaspoon stood up. "All right, boys. I think it's time we got to work and showed Ross how a Pony Express station is run."

As the boys scattered, Ross turned to Teaspoon. "Where are they all going?"

Teaspoon led him out onto the porch. "Well, we usually only have a few riders out on runs at the same time. The leaves the rest of them to take care of the chores. Right now we only have one rider out." Teaspoon said. He turned to Ross with a mischievous gleam hidden in his eyes. "You probably passed him on your way in."

Ross nodded. "Oh yeah. Looked like a young fella. Hat? Glasses?"

Teaspoon nodded. "That's Lou. He's young, but he's one of our fastest, most dedicated boys. He's headed to Fort Laramie and won't be back until tomorrow night. Then we have Cody leaving later today for Cross Creek."

Ross nodded. "Just enough men to let them recuperate from a ride." He observed the boys who were starting their chores for the day. "It looks like you've got a pretty well-oiled machine here, Teaspoon. In fact, from what I've seen so far, it's the best I've seen so far. I'm impressed."

Teaspoon smiled and looked satisfied. "Well thank you Ross. We aim to please. It's a shame you have to leave so soon."

Ross smiled. "Well, actually, Teaspoon, now that you mention it, I'm getting a mite tired of jumping from one station to the next. I thought, since you and your boys are so accommodating, I might stay here an extra night just to collect my bearings. That is, if that's all right with you."

Teaspoon's spirits fell, although he was careful not to let it show. "Well, of course, Ross, we'd be delighted to have you stay on as long as you'd like."

Ross grinned and slapped Teaspoon on the back. "Great! Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'll roll up my sleeves and lend a hand to these boys. Looks like they could use it!"

Teaspoon watched Ross as he crossed the yard to where Kid and Buck were feeding the horses and his eyes narrowed. He knew a politician when he saw one, and he wished Ross had just stayed out East where it seemed he most belonged. Under his breath, he swore softly. Rachel came up and overheard him. "Teaspoon! What is it? Isn't Ross pleased with the station?"

"Yep." Teaspoon nodded. "Real pleased. So much so, that he's asked if he can stay on another day."

Rachel's face fell. "But Lou will be back by then."

Teaspoon nodded. "I know. We'll just have to make the best of it." He squeezed Rachel's shoulder. "Don't worry Rachel. Lou managed to fool everyone else under the sun. Why should Ross be any different?"

Rachel nodded, trying to take comfort from Teaspoon's words, but feeling worried all the same.

Jimmy leaned against the fence watching the sunset. He was sore, tired and now he was worried. The word that Ross was staying on an extra day had spread and everyone knew what that meant: Lou and Ross would have to meet. He knew Lou could handle herself. But the nagging feeling he had about Ross was eating away at him. He heard a noise to his left and immediately tensed, his hand flying to his gun, but then Kid's voice reassured him, "Jimmy?"

"Hey Kid." Jimmy said, relaxing once more against the fence.

"Hey. What are you doing out here?" Kid asked.

Jimmy shrugged. "Just taking a breather I guess. We were so caught up in trying to impress Ross I don't think we'll need to do chores for another month."

Jimmy meant it as a joke, but Kid frowned. "You don't like him do you?" Jimmy shook his head. Leave it to Kid to see right through him. Both he and Lou had that uncanny knack. "No, I guess I don't."

"Any particular reason?" Kid asked.

"Nope." Jimmy replied as the sun dropped below the horizon, leaving a blazing red sky. Suddenly he wished Lou were standing there with him, to admire the beautiful scene with him. He quickly banished the thought.

Kid slapped his friend on the back as they headed to the bunkhouse. "Well, I hope for his sake your instincts are wrong, for once."

Jimmy's eyebrows raised at Kid's subtle compliment, and then found himself agreeing with his friend. He hoped for all their sakes, especially Lou's, that he was wrong.

The next morning, breakfast was as cheery as the first, as Ross entertained them with stories and his seemingly unending good mood. Right after they finished eating, the boys took Ross out to ride out to the canyons just west of Sweetwater. Rachel was glad to have the peace and quiet. Although they hadn't left yet, they were at least out of her hair. She sighed and looked around the kitchen and tried to muster the energy to clean it.

The door opened and she was surprised to see Ross come in. "Hello Rachel." He said, smiling as always.

"Hello, Ross." Rachel smiled back. "I thought you were headed out to the canyons."

"Yes, we are." He walked over to her. "I thought while they were getting the horses ready I'd sneak back here for another cup of your delicious coffee. From the sound of the ride I've got ahead of me, I'm going to need it!"

Rachel smiled and obliged, pouring him a hot cup of the strong black coffee that was her specialty. "I'm glad you appreciate my coffee. It's certainly gotten me through plenty of rough rides. Not to mention rough kitchens!" She resumed clearing off the table. She moved past Ross and suddenly noticed what a large man he was. He remained standing and he seemed to fill the entire room. "The boys are fixing up a horse for me to ride." He said. "I told them I haven't been on a horse in years, so I hope they'll go easy on me."

Rachel laughed. "Just don't let Cody choose your horse and you'll be fine."

Ross laughed and moved to help her with the dishes. "Do you need help?"

As he moved towards her, he reached to take the dishes from her hands and in doing to, brushed her skin with his fingers. Rachel suddenly felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. She paused and looked up at him in uncertainty. Years of working in and around saloons had given her an instinct she could trust her life to, and at that moment it was sounding an alarm. Questions flashed through her mind as her heartbeat quickened. What was he doing here? Why was he standing so close to her? She noticed he was between her and the door. Her throat tightened.

"You know, they work you too hard around here." He said, taking the dishes from her arms and setting them back on the table. "A pretty lady like you shouldn't have to slave over a hot stove all day."

Rachel looked up at him and couldn't read his meaning. Was he just being charming? She decided to play along and she managed to laugh. "Oh, I don't mind pulling my share around here." Ross brought up his hand to brush a strand of her hair away from her face. "Still, it's a shame."

Rachel's throat tightened and casually, with her hand that was hidden from Ross' view, she grabbed a knife from the table and hid it behind her back.

The door swung open and Noah stood in the doorway. "Ross?" He was a little surprised by what he saw. "Rachel? Uh, Ross, we've been looking all over for you. Is everything okay in here?" Noah looked from Rachel to Ross and then back to Rachel again, looking at her carefully.

Rachel was relieved to see him. "Noah!" She quickly added, "Everything's fine. Ross came in to get some more coffee."

Ross had stepped back and he grinned. "I told Rachel I needed an extra cup to help convince me to even get up on a horse again!" He laughed and slapped Noah on his back as he left to go to where the others were waiting for him.

Noah stayed behind a moment and crossed over to Rachel. "Are you sure you're okay?" He asked, his brown eyes blazing with concern. "When I walked in, things didn't seem right."

Rachel smiled. "Yes, Noah. I'm fine." She lay a hand on his shoulder and squeezed his arm. "You go on."

With one last look at her, as if to reconfirm that she really was all right, Noah nodded and left to join the others. Once alone, Rachel's knees gave out and she sank onto the bench, trying to regain her composure. She realized she was still gripping the knife and she dropped it in horror. What had just happened? Did she imagine the whole thing? She shook her head. No, her instincts were never wrong. Ross had been a threat to her. She didn't know how, but she knew that she couldn't trust him. She was glad she hadn't mentioned anything to Noah. She knew the boys would kill Ross without a second thought if she even suggested that he had done anything improper, and that was the last thing any of them needed. She took a deep breath to steady herself, and then stood up to finish cleaning the kitchen. She would simply sleep with her trusty shotgun tonight and wait for the morning to come when Ross rode out of their lives.

Lou rode into Sweetwater at dusk and was prepared to pass the mochila along as usual, but was surprised when Cody just waited for her to come to a stop. She pulled up next to him and looked at him questioningly.

Cody smiled. "Hey Lou."

"Cody." She replied. "What's going on?"

"I wanted to tell you Ross is still here." He said. "He decided to stay an extra day. But he's leavin' tomorrow morning."

Lou nodded, her heart sinking. All that effort to run away and she still had to come back and endanger the station. "Where is everybody?"

"At the social." Cody replied as he started off. "They're keeping Ross there for you. Take care Lou. See you later!"

Lou slid off Lightning and trudged over to the barn. She had not had the best of days. Even if Ross had been there to meet her that moment, she doubted it would matter. Her own mother probably wouldn't recognize her right then. It had been a rough ride and it showed. She could barely manage to take care of Lightning when all she wanted to do was to crawl into bed and sleep. By the time Lightning was fed and taken care of, it was dark and she was tempted to just go to bed and clean up in the morning. But she knew Rachel would have a fit if she got into bed as dirty as she was, and so she grabbed a towel, some clean clothes and soap and went outside to the shower. She stood and let the water wash away the dirt and grime that covered her nearly head to toe.

The noise of the falling water was loud enough so that she couldn't hear the horse that galloped in. Ross had come back from the social early; he had snuck away when he realized Rachel wasn't going to show up. He hoped to see her, even though he suspected she didn't return his feelings. But her resistance only made him more anxious to see her again.

He didn't hear the water running until he opened the door of the shower. He stopped in surprise when he not only saw a person in the shower, but a woman.

Lou turned around and gasped, not able to breathe in horror. She quickly grabbed her towel and her gun. "Who the hell are you?"

Ross frowned. "I'm Clyde Ross, Pony Express Regional Director. Who the hell are you?"

On to Chapter 4!