DISCLAIMER: The Young Riders is the creation of Ed Spielman, and the property of Ogiens/Kane productions in association with MGM/UA television. This Story is created for entertainment purposes only, no infringement intended. Not to be copied without permission from the author.
Buck inhaled deeply, not quite awake yet, but loving Lou’s scent as he nuzzled against the top of her head. Realising where he was, he opened his eyes, pulling back slightly to look into her contented sleeping face his own eyes dreamy. Relaxed in her slumber, she looked no older than she did when they were riding for the Express. He lifted a hand and traced his thumb across her lush , kiss swollen lips.
He blinked back tears as he remembered the night they had just shared. No matter what else happened in his life, he knew that he would remember last night for the rest of his days. They had shared their newfound love and then laid cradled in each others arms, talking into the wee hours of the morning. They shared things in the darkness, that Buck had never thought he would share with anyone else, things he hadn’t spoken about to anyone since Jenny’s death. Jenny. His beloved wife. He knew that every day her spirit was watching over both he and Starr, and somehow he knew that she understood all about his feelings for Lou.
Lou cuddled closer to him in her sleep her arms tightening its hold around his torso. He could only hope that she had found some comfort talking to him last night. She had laid in his arms, his breath warm on her neck, his arms tight around her and spoke quietly and calmly to him of Kid. She had shared with him the dreams she and Kid had shared, their hopes, their plans for the future that had been stolen from them, her regrets of things that they had not done. It was almost like she was purging her soul. He could only hope that she would not regret the things that they had done, or the things that she had told him.
Realising that the sun had almost cleared the distant mountains, he pulled himself from his musings, knowing that his duty called him, each day that passed the killers trail got harder to follow. He knew that Lou could not truly be his until the man who had killed Kid was brought to justice. Buck slipped out from underneath Lou’s arms, placing a pillow in her arms as she reached for him. Smiling as she cuddled into the feathery mass and settled back into her deep slumber. Leaning forward he placed a tender kiss on her lips before he lifted his clothes from the bed post and slipped into them. Pushing his feet into his boots, he spared her one last loving glance before he lifted his saddle bags off the chair by the door and then left the room.
Pausing at the bottom of the stairs he stopped only long enough to write a note for Lou and the others, and pack some beef jerky into his saddle bags. He pinned the note to the banister and slipped out the door to saddle his horse. He was just fitting a halter to a second horse when a noise in the doorway startled him.
“Where do you think you are going?” Cody’s voice spoke as Buck wheeled to find the intruder
“To find his killer” Buck stated flatly as he turned to resume his task
“Why are you sneaking away.” Cody asked already knowing the answer
“Because I have the courage to face a man with a gun, but not Lou in a temper okay’ Buck spoke
“You’ll hurt her doing this” Cody spoke knowledgeably, remembering the last time they had left Lou behind, both remembered how much trouble she had gotten herself into.
“Don’t let her follow me Cody, please?” Buck almost pleaded “I need to know she’s safe”
“Done” Cody spoke walking over to embrace his friend “Look after yourself, theres not enough of us left” he murmured gruffly
“Always” he paused “Besides I have someone to come home to now” he swung onto his saddle and tipped his hat to Cody “I will come back to her Cody, no matter what, I will be back”
“Good Luck” cody smacked Buck’s horses rump and then returned to the bunkhouse to await the explosion he knew was coming.
Lou awoke slowly, snuggling into the clean crisp scent she knew was Buck’s. Reaching her hand across the bed, she felt for him, her eyes opening in surprise when she couldn’t find him. Rolling over, fully awake now she knew something was wrong, she just didn’t know what. She slipped from the bed and hurriedly into her clothes. Running down the stairs barefoot, she saw the note attached to the banister and knew that her worst fears were confirmed. Pulling the note from it’s pin, she sank to sit on the bottom step and read it.
“My darling Lou, Please forgive me for what I am about to do, but I do not have the strength or the courage to say goodbye to your face, or to make you stay here. Please understand that I trust you and I know that you can take care of yourself, but I do not trust myself. I can’t concentrate on anything but you while I am with you especially after last night you fill my heart and soul with joy and hope that I never thought I would feel again. I want to come home to you, so we can start a new life together, but to do that I need to find this man alone. Please promise me you won’t cry for me, but wait here for me, and try not to worry. I will find him for you, and he will pay for what he did to you. All my Love Buck”
Lou’s tears splashed on the paper she held in her hands, knowing that her noble lover was placing himself in danger for her. She wanted nothing more than to follow him, but if it killed her she would accept his wishes and wait here not so patiently for him.
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