Louise had just put Ellie down for the night when there was a soft knock at the back door. With a quick peek in at the child to make sure she was still sleeping, Louise closed the door and tiptoed to let her best friend in. "Let me take your coat for you Jimmy. You're later than I thought you'd be getting back. Before you tell me if you found out any news, can I get you some coffee or something to eat?" With a thankful grin, Jimmy accepted both drink and the bowl of stew that was offered. While he ate, Louise drank in the sight of him, trying to determine if he had good or bad news about Kid but could not tell either way. Pushing the bowl away, Jimmy smiled at her. "That was mighty good Lou. You sure have learned to cook since our Express days." Lou beamed at his compliment. "Thanks Jimmy. Glad you liked it. Now, are you gonna tell me what you found out about Kid or not?" she asked with some trepidation. "I have a letter here for you. It was sent out to Rock Creek for some reason. Why don't I let you read it first, then we'll talk," he told her handing her the letter from his shirt pocket. The envelope was worn and dirty. It came from a prisoner-of-war camp in Illinois. That didn't bode well to her way of thinking. With shaky hands, Lou opened the letter and began to read. Jimmy watched as her hand flew up to her mouth and her eyes began to fill with unshed tears. His heart ached for the pain she had to endure once more at the hands of this Godforsaken war. He knew what news the letter imparted to her. He had gone to the camp to ask for information about Kid himself on her behalf when the letters from Kid quit coming. Just as they had feared, Kid perished in that hellhole he was being held in. For over a year, Teaspoon, Sam, Emma, Rachel, Lou and he had written letters, begged and pleaded to get Kid released to no avail. Teaspoon had gone to visit Kid just after he was sent to the prison in Illinois and was told that Lou should never be allowed to visit. Kid didn't care what they had to do as long as she would never see him in that place. Though it broke her heart not to go to her husband, this was one time she respected his wishes and remained back home with their daughter who was then a year old. Lou looked up at Jimmy with a sadness he felt in his own soul. "You already know what this says don't you..." she whispered. "Yeah I do Lou. I talked to the Captain in charge at the prison. He said Kid came down with dysentery and there was nothing that could be done for him. He was too bad off. The doc said he tried to make Kid as comfortable as conditions allowed. I'm so sorry Lou...I wanted to bring him home to you but he was already buried in a trench with others...I'm sorry Lou..." he left off as he began to cry. Lou went over to him and knelt by his side as she put her arms around his waist. They sat crying until neither had any more tears to shed. So many had been shed in the past and when they suspected that Kid may be gone, that the news wasn't so much of a shock, but rather confirmation of their fears. Trying to lighten the mood, Jimmy asked how his angel was doing. Lou couldn't help but smile as she told him to go take a peek at Ellie if he'd like. After a moment, Jimmy closed the door to the little girl's bedroom and walked over to where Lou was standing in the living room. He put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her back to rest against him. "If you ever need anything Lou, anything at all, no matter how little or how big please come to me. I promise to always be here for you and Ellie. I know Kid would be happy that Teaspoon, Rachel and I are here for you. Let us help..." "I promise Jimmy...thank you for going, for finding out for sure about Kid. When he left over two years ago, I had a feeling that he'd not be back, that I'd never see him again. All this time I steeled my heart for the day I'd get the news..." "Why don't you go get some sleep. I'll be back in the morning. I'm sure Rachel and Teaspoon will be here too. You know we all care about you and Ellie." Turning to look into her friend's eyes, Lou reached up a hand and brushed his cheek. "I know you do." She smiled, "Thank you..." Jimmy grabbed his coat from the chair in the kitchen and stopped with his hand on the doorknob. "Lou, try to get some sleep...remember Ellie needs you." Before Lou could say anything, Jimmy disappeared into the night. Having gotten ready for bed, Lou sat in the living room looking at the photo of her and Kid on their wedding day. A finger trailed down the tintype as a tear cascaded down her cheek. 'Oh, Kid...you're really gone this time...' Drop me a note and let me know what you thought!