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.
“It’s not wrong Bernie, its perfectly natural” Lou took Bernie’s hand in hers “Are you sure it’s not just because he rescued you that you feel this way?” Lou tried a different ploy to distinguish Bernie’s attachment to Buck.
“Lou” her expression turned dreamy “when he’s near me I feel that my heart is beating loud enough for him to hear, its like the rest of the world doesn’t exist, there is just him and me.’ The love shining from her eyes did not surprise Lou, in fact there was now no doubt in her mind that Bernie was indeed in love with her noble Kiowa friend, and likewise she had no idea what to say to her.
A slight noise at the door startled both of them, when they turned it was to find Buck leaning casually against the door jamb, his stance casual but his eyes tormented.
“Buck have you been here long?’ Lou spoke as she watched Bernie’s flushed face intently studying her hands in her lap.
“No” he spoke flatly his eyes never leaving Bernie.
“Well, I’ll see you two in the morning” Lou stood and hugged Bernie tightly then walked to Buck’s side and hugged him tightly “It will be alright Buck’ she whispered softly as he hugged her back
“Thanks Lou” he murmured into her hair.
“Can we talk again tomorrow Lou” Bernie asked from her perch on the bed.
“Sure” Lou smiled nodding “I’d like that” and walked slowly out of the room
“Bernie, I just want to talk to Lou for a moment, then I’ll be back, you’ll be okay alone?” he asked before he turned to follow Lou, waiting only for a nod from Bernie before he left and raced down the stairs after her.
“Lou” he stopped her before she made it outside the door.
“Thank you for talking to her” he hugged the girl he was proud to call a friend
“It didn’t do any good Buck…she loves you” Lou stated
“She can’t she is only a baby” he spoke against the top of Lou’s head. “She doesn’t know the pain and misery that will come from loving a half breed.’ Lou pushed against his chest and hit him hard, trying to make him see some sense.
“Firstly, she’s not that much younger than we are, in fact we were probably all already on our own working by the time we were her age. Secondly, if she truly loves you, your colour and heritage won’t matter to her, it will just be one of the things she loves about you, whatever petty small minded townsfolk think, it will just be between the two of you.” She sank bank into his arms, telling him with her tight embrace of her support.
“I won’t have her hurt because of me” his own mind made up, he pulled out of Lou’s arms “She will never truly be mine, I won’t have her lead the life I know we will have. She needs to go back to her family, she deserves the luxury and the happiness that her grandfathers money can bring” he stated flatly
“Money doesn’t mean happiness Buck” Lou shook her head and walked out of the house. Leaving a forlorn Buck to sink slowly onto the bottom step and hold his head in his hands. For the first time since he left the mission school, he had allowed himself to dream of the way his life could be, Bernie had forced him to dream of the life they could have together. He knew that she wasn’t really that much younger than him, that was just an excuse, but she was much younger in life’s knowledge and experience, her joy in the simple things in life like a simple flower blooming, sometimes made him feel older than Methuselah. She was from a family of wealth, she deserved the luxury of gala balls, the rich handsome young men of breeding, not a dirt poor halfbreed like himself.
He loved her, that he knew, when he kissed her it was like they were the only two alive she was right, the rest of the world just fell away from around them, it was like they were the only two people alive and could only draw sustenance from each other. Hell, when he looked into her luminous eyes, he could see how in a perfect world how their lives would be. Dammit he knew he was lost he could even see their unborn children in her eyes, tiny duplicates of her. So deeply engrossed was he in his thoughts he hadn’t even noticed Bernie coming down the stairs, and seating herself beside him. He was startled when she put her delicate hand on his forearm
“Are you alright Buck?” she spoke softly, as he turned towards her his eyes softening when he saw it was the woman he loved. “I’m fine Bernie” he stroked the faint red marks still on her neck, uncovered by the delicate white batiste nightgown she wore, until she reached up to cup his hand with her own.
No further words were needed between the two of them, both equal partners as they leaned their heads closer together, their lips meeting. Bernie prepared for this kiss met Buck halfway, their lips melding in a kiss of such love and tenderness that it brought tears to both their eyes. Buck moved slightly to pull Bernie deeper into his embrace and lift her into his arms and across his lap. Their kiss sealing their love, binding their souls, they both knew now, that no matter what their futures held, they would always belong to each other.
Buck pulled away from Bernie, his fingers rising to trace her full kiss swollen lips, his forehead resting against hers.
“Buck” she murmured breathily, her breathing as uneven as his own “Buck I don’t want to stop” she breathed, her eyes shining with her love for him.
“Don’t say that Bernie” Buck groaned trying to deny his awareness of her as he spoke, pulling her tighter into his embrace.
They sat like that for several minuted before Buck looped his arm under her legs and rose, holding her slight weight in his arms. Carrying her lithely up the stairs, he flicked the covers back on the bed and deposited her under them tucking her in firmly. Turning to move away from the bed, he silenced the question on her lips with a kiss, before he moved away from the bed. He moved to sit on the rocking chair in the corner of the room and removed his boots and his gunbelt, then standing he slipped out of his shirt and vest as well. Taking his gun and his knife he placed them on the dresser and slipped into the bed beside Bernie. She sank into his open arms, resting her head trustingly against his chest as he pulled the blankets over himself as well, praying that he was doing the right thing. Praying that he would be able to keep the tight rein he held on his own emotions and yet maintain the delicate link that bound their fragile hearts.
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