By Suzy
Copyright 1999
Buck caught Lou against him and swung her into his arms, watching as Doc Brnes held the chloroform over Kid's face. Waiting until he was sure that Kid was unconscious and Doc Barnes had left the room, he turned his attention to Cody.
'I hope you know what's going on here?' Buck spoke "Why did he do that?' he asked frowning.
'He told Jimmy he can't feel his legs, you know what a stubborn honourable fool he is.' Cody answered.
'That's no reason to hurt her like this' he spoke as he turned and walked toward the door.
Cody ran in front of him and opened the door for him.
Tears in his eyes he turned to look at the rooms inhabitants "I'm taking Lou home.' his voice cracking with emotion.
Buck carried his precious cargo from the room and out onto the street, where he walked towards the way station. He carried her to her bedroom , and with a flick of his wrist he pulled the covers of the bed she shared with Kid back, he placed a tender kiss on her forehead, then moved to remove her boots. When she was barefoot he lifted the covers over her and stood for a few moment, content ujust to watch the rise and fall of her chest. He didn't know that Racehl had followed him until the room grew darker after she had closed the heavy drapes. Calling him outside whe waited until he had quietly closed the door behind him before she drew the tenderhearted rider into her embrace, offring him as much comfort as she could.
'When do they get some happiness Rachel?' he asked almost angrily.
'I don't know Buck' she murmured against his hair 'All we can do is try to help both of them. Sometimes god thinks that some people need an extra challenge to prove themselves she tried to find some reason for their predicament. 'He broke her heart Rachel, but his pain was just as great. I will never understand why your white God does these things' he shook his head in consternation.
'Doc Barnes has given me some laudanum to give her so that she gets the rest she need. Teaspoon want to see us all on the porch' she spoke as she funmbled in her pocket for the medicine bottle and the spoon.
'I'll sit with her after Teaspoon has talked to us.' he stated.
'No I'll stay with her, you go,' Rachel spoke 'I think she might need a girl talk when she wakes up.'
Rachel entered the bedroom and gave Lou the Laudanum before she too went to the family meeting. She and Buck slowly walked down the stairs, reluctant to leave their frriend. They encountered Jimmy at the bottom of the stairs.
'Is she alright?' Jimmy asked his face full of his concern.
'She fainted when Kid told her he didn't want to see her ever again.' Buck answered flatly.
'He's a damn fool, his legs aren't the reason she loves him.' Jimmy replied.
'Maybe not, but can't you see Jimmy, he's trying to protect her from the pain of life with a cripple husband. You know how proud and honourable he is.' Rachel spoke ushering both of the boys onto the porch towards Teaspoon.
She closed the door behind them and went back inside to the kitchen to start mkaing broth for Lou. However, when teaspoon called her name mere moments later she returned to the porch. The desolation she saw in their faces as she closed the door behind her near broke her heart. Cody and Jimmy sat side by side on the porch swing, Jimmy's face ravaged by tears that he made no attempt to hide, Cody his face a picture of his deep concern for the only people he called family. Teaspoon leaned against the railing his arms folded across his chest, the stress of the day ageing immeasurably the man they all thought of as the father of this little family. Buck, the tracks of his tears still wet on his cheeks paced the opposite end of the porch like a caged tiger.
'Doc Barnes cannot explain what will happen, we just don't know.' Teaspoon spoke 'Apparently, he seems to think that its a good sign that he can still feel his legs, but he seems to think that all we can do is wait.' he spoke.
'And just sit by and watch as it tears them both apart?' Cody asked bitterly, his pale eyes tearfilled.
"What about Lou?' Buck asked, his voice hoarse with his sadness.
'We can't tell her' Jimmy stated flatly 'I promised Kid I would take her away. She will never leave if she knows' Jimmy fell silent.
Buck turned, his expression full of fury and stunnded incredulation. He stalked across to stand in front of Jimmy and grabbed him by the lapels of his jacket and dragged him to his feet.
'Funny how this works out so well for you isn't it. You've wanted her ever since you found out she was a girl, Now Kid hands her to you on a platter. Just dandy, when this whole thing is your damn fault anyway.' he spoke softly but clearly his voice full of anger and mistrust.
Jimmy knocked Buck's hands away from his jacket and fell back onto the swing as Cody pulled Buck away and drew him into a brotherly embrace.
'Don't Buck' Teaspoon spoke 'There is enough pain already, Please' he patted the furious Buck on the shoulder.
'Rachel walked across the porch and pulled Buck away from Cody and Jimmy, walking with him to the other side of the porch where she pulled him down to sit stiffly on the railing.
'We have no choice but to have Jimmy take Lou away, I'm sure Emma will let us use the house in Sweetwater, we can't let her stay here, you all know what she's like, the baby will suffer.' Teaspoon reasoned with them.
'And waht happens to Kid?' Buck spat
'We have to try to get him back on his feet so that Jimmy can Bring Lou back to her husband where she belongs.'
'If he' he jerked his head towards Jimmy 'Will bring her back at all' he glared at the man whom he was sure was trying to destroy the union he knew was made in heaven.
On to Chapter Seven
