As the sun was rising, the tribal warriors got ready to fight the Dog Soldiers for the sake of their tribe's future. Since Swims Like Fish was taken, the rivalry between the two groups had become worse.
Buck quietly got ready, leaving Lou to sleep. He couldn't bare waking her, she looked so peaceful & beautiful, especially wearing the Buckskin dress which was given to her from Red Bear's daughter Little Wing. She looked like the princess Buck believed she must have been in a previous life. He couldn't believe how lucky he was because she would follow him anywhere!
As Buck stepped out of his tepee, the sunlight shone on Lou's face, awaking her from her slumber. "Buck where are you going?" she called to him.
Stopping in his tracks & turning around, Buck looked at his girlfriend lying on his bed & his heart melted. He couldn't leave her again, but he had a duty to his family. He had to help them. Summoning the courage, Buck answered "Lou, today is the day we go to get Swims Like Fish back from the Dog Soldiers."
"You were going to leave without saying goodbye?" She asked, hurt strong in her voice. "Buck you might die & I'd never see you again, then I'd be stuck here without you, & I never want to live without you here with me!" Tears began rolling down her cheeks & she turned her back on him.
It broke Buck's heart to see Lou in tears, but he knew he had to go. "Lou, I promise to come back here to you &…" Lou cut him off.
"Buck if you're not going to stay here with me, then I'm going with you. I don't care what you say, you know I can look after myself!" She stated, crossing her arms in defiance.
Buck just rolled his eyes & smiled at the familiar comment. 'Am I turning into Kid?' Buck asked himself. He never thought he'd live to hear the day Lou said that to him. "Okay Lou, but promise me to be careful. I don't want to live without you either. Promise?" Buck replied.
"I promise!" Lou answered, crossing the tepee & kissing Buck on the cheek. "Ah, Buck…what am I going to wear? I can't go & fight in this!" she asked, holding out the sides of the dress.
"Stay here, I'll see what I can find" he laughed, kissing her forehead & walking out over to his brother. After about five minutes, Buck returned to see Lou lying on her stomach reading a book. 'She must have bought it with her' he thought to himself, amazed by her never-ending surprises. She truly was an amazing woman. "Here you go, Lou. I hope these fit! Little Wing is just like you, always looking for trouble!" he joked.
"Oh ha ha. Thanks." She stopped, looking at him. He just smiled back at her. "Ah, Buck, if you want me to hurry, do you think you can turn you back or something?" she asked.
Buck looked down at his feet, embarrassed. "Sorry" he replied, turning around. He was tempted to take a peek, he knew he shouldn't, but the sounds or her changing tempted him beyond belief. He casually flicked his hair back, peeking at Lou changing while his head was turned in the process of flicking his hair, then after quickly taking in her breath-taking beauty in all her glory, he turned his head back. He sighed deeply. Oh how he wanted he to be fully his.
Back in Sweetwater
"I'm glad you're all here. I, well we, have an announcement!" Kid announced to his family. They were all sitting in the bunkhouse, with Kid & Tory standing at the opposite end to Teaspoon, who sat, looking perplexed. " I have asked Victoria to marry me & she has said yes!" The bomb was dropped! Mouth's opened all around the table, as shock overwhelmed all in the room.
"You're WHAT????" You're marrying her? You're marrying this whore? Kid she's chasing everything remotely male in this town, including Lou!!! Wake up, Kid!!!" Jimmy bellowed, then stood up & walked out. He couldn't believe it. After everything he had said, Kid went & got engaged to her! What a fool!
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