Chapter 1

Rock Creek, 1861 

Buck left the cemetery with a hanging head, the memories of Noah dead still too fresh to give him any peace. He had prayed to the spirits all morning, asking them to look after his late friends. He had thought of Ike a lot, and as if the sorrow for 
his best friend's death wasn't enough, Noah had just died three days ago. It all seemed so unnatural that the most gentle and calm of his friends had passed on, when many of them lived by a thread every day, not even thinking twice of the danger they put themselves in. 

He met Jimmy and Cody on the bunkhouse porch as he returned to the station, heard Kid and Lou talk to Teaspoon and Rachel inside. The death of Noah had 
taken hard on them all, but it couldn't be undone. Buck entered the bunkhouse, looking at the faces of his friends as he passed them in the door. They looked just as unsure as he did, not knowing quite where to begin the grieving. Rachel gave him a quick hug as he came in. 

"You went to the cemetery?" she whispered in his ear and he nodded silently. 

Before anyone could say anything else, they all heard Cody greet someone outside. 

"Hello, I'm looking for a Buck Cross. I heard he was stationed here…?" a female voice spoke. 

"I'm Buck Cross," Jimmy said, thinking enough bad news had reached Buck's ears recently, wanted to help him anyway he could. Buck looked out the window, his heart skipping a beat, his breath caught in his throat. 

"Then I'm sorry to bother you, I was looking for someone else," the woman said with a polite nod, turning on her heals. She scolded herself for not telling people she looked for a half-breed. She hated to call him that, and so only asked around for a man his height, with dark, probably half-long hair and handsome features. She should have known she would walk into a dead end. 

"Kate!" Buck hollered from the door, stumbling out, amazing himself as much as anyone else that he stayed on his feet. 

Kate turned around looking into the frantic eyes of a man she once loved very dearly. She wondered if she still did perhaps, but couldn't know until she met him again. 

"Buck! My God, it's you!" she cried, running to meet him, hugging him hard. 

He hugged her back with equal urgency, exhaling deeply. Kate sensed even through her magnificent joy that something was troubling him, pulled out of the embrace to look at his face. He was smiling, but in his eyes the pain and hopelessness showed, his shoulders looking heavy with grief. 

"Kate, what are you doing here? How did you find me?" he asked, still smiling, which he hadn't done in days. 

"I've looked all over for you, for three whole months!" she smiled, hugging him again. 

Buck giggled almost childishly, Kate's still deep green eyes giving him all the support he needed to deal with his sorrow and put it behind him for a moment. 

"I can't even begin to describe how I missed you," he spoke, then suddenly remembered why he and Ike had left Salt Lake so suddenly all that time ago. "But…" 

"I missed you too! God, Buck, when I realized you hadn't seen my note I almost thought I'd die. It hurt so terribly all over, I can't even put it into words. You must think such horrible things about me…" 

"What note?" Buck asked sternly, dismissing everything else she said with a 
frown, holding her by the shoulders. 

"This note," she said lowly, handing him a wrinkled piece of paper from her handbag. 

Buck read it, the lines making his hands tremble. 

"I love you, Buck, and I will follow you wherever you choose to go. I'm waiting at the saloon for you. Love always, Kate." 

He looked up, her silent nod telling him it was a sincere note, written the same 
day he thought she had deceived him and lied him straight in the face. 

"It lay on the pillow. You must have missed it, I heard you and Ike rode off like 
you had fire on your tail," Kate spoke, her voice teary and eyes moist. 

"I'm sorry," Buck whispered, leaning down to place a kiss of support and even 
guilt on her cheek. 

Kate turned her head in sheer desperation, her arms reaching to cling around his neck, their lips meeting with a force from two years of unanswered passion. The spectators on the bunkhouse porch gasped, their eyes opening wide as the two young people seemed to lose all sense of time and space, kissing furiously for a long minute. 

"They're watching," Kate smiled a bit embarrassed, as she finally let go of him and took a step back. 

"Let them watch. They could use some entertaining," Buck smiled, cheeks 
blushing from the hot kiss. 

"Something's happened here, hasn't it? Something sad…" Kate said, Buck 
nodding, still amazed by her gift to apparently sense what people around her 
were feeling. 

"A friend passed away the other day. And things have been a bit tense lately," he explained, looking her over with hungry eyes, cheeks still blushing from the kiss. 

"You've grown," she smiled, looking him over too, her thin lips parted in a wide grin. "And in all the right places too," she smiled, stroking his arms. 

"You look great, too," he nearly whispered, shaking his head. "I can't believe you're here!" 

"Well, I am… Aren't you gonna introduce me to your friends?" she asked shyly, looking past his shoulder to the bunkhouse. 

"Sure, come on!" he smiled, taking her arm. 

As they walked over to the porch Kate smiled at her old lover. He was just as handsome as he had been the day she met him, and she couldn't help but wonder 
if he was still as good in bed. Perhaps even better… 

Eating dinner that night was for a change very nice, the remaining riders, Kid and Lou, Rachel, Teaspoon and Kate seated around the table talking and laughing. 

"So, how do you two know each other?" Rachel asked, looking at the pretty redhead on her left. 

"Well, we met in Salt Lake City about two and a half years ago. Just very briefly," Kate said, almost blushing at the memory. 

Cody nudged Lou in the ribs, smirking widely as he whispered in her ear, "Judging from that kiss it couldn't have been too briefly!" 

"Yeah, Ike and I were there looking for a job," Buck explained, looking at Kate across the table. She blushed even more. 

"How come you're here now then, miss Kate?" Teaspoon asked politely, and she couldn't have felt more like an outsider. The whole world must have seen her nervousness. 

"Well, Buck and I grew pretty close," she started, looking for confirmation in the Kiowa's eyes, and he nodded silently. "I guess I just wanted to see him again." 

Buck cocked a brow, then took a deep breath, his hands moist. He couldn't help 
but think he was falling for her again. Perhaps he never stopped falling at all? That she wanted to see him meant a world. 

It was growing late, and everyone was just waiting for Buck to follow Kate to her hotel. They exchanged knowing glances every now and then, smirked behind 
their backs. Buck knew what his friends were thinking, and he couldn't help but 
hold his hopes high too. Why did she want to see me? 

"This has been great, I can't thank you enough for a such welcome," Kate said, her politeness mixed with her sweetness causing Rachel to smile. 

"It was our pleasure," Jimmy smiled. 

"Anytime, miss Friedrisch," Cody smirked, tipping his hat. Kate smiled, looking at Buck. 

Buck felt almost defeated, knowing he had none of that charm Cody had. He was jealous of the smile he brought to Kate's face, and was hoping they could get out 
of there soon. 

"Buck, will you come with me to the hotel, I have something to tell you," Kate finally said, and Buck's face lit up again. 

"Sure," he smiled, allowing her to loop her arm in his. 

She waved goodbye to her new friends and walked by Buck's side toward the 
hotel, occasionally smiling up at him, resisting the urge to kiss him again. He was fighting the exact same feelings, trying to beat the thoughts of her naked body 
out of his mind, just like he once did when he was younger. But the feeling was 
just as strong and warm as it had been then. 

 
Chapter 2

They reached her room, and she sat herself on the big bed and simply smiled at him. Her green dress reminded him of the first night he spent with her, when they talked themselves hoarse and really got to know each other. 

"Well, well, Buck Cross, you've really matured," she said. 

Buck was confused, wondering if that was good or bad. And if so, what did she 
think of him before? 

"You really look great, you know that?" Kate smiled, her voice lower now, and 
Buck could tell she was hiding something from him. 

"Why were you looking for me?" he asked directly. 

"I wanted to see you." 

"You said you've been looking for me for three months, why?" he probed. 

"Buck, come here. I have something to tell you, and I don't want you to get mad, okay? I should have come to look for you sooner, but things have been a bit 
rough. But I'm here now and I'll tell you everything if you just listen." 

Buck nodded, sitting down by her side. 

"What's wrong?" he frowned at her glassy eyes. 

"First I wanted to kill you for leaving, but then I found out that…" she paused, looking into his coffee eyes, taking his hand in hers. 

"What?" 

"That I was pregnant." 

"What?" Buck whispered, his breath caught in his throat and thoughts swirling. 
"By me?" 

Kate nodded. 

"At first I could only pray and wish, but when I saw her I just knew. She's a wonderful little girl, Buck, and she's yours," Kate smiled, tears falling down her delicate cheekbones, his hand rising to wipe them away. 

"Are you sure?" he whispered, and she nodded. 

"I always made all men… well… pull out before… making me pregnant, so it just had to be you. But I wasn't sure at first, but I wished it so hard. Oh Buck, she 
looks just like you!" Kate smiled, her tears changing into those of happiness. "I couldn't ask you to pull out, it would have ruined everything! Please Buck, understand…" 

Buck felt dizzy, his body frozen at first, melted only by Kate's warm smile. He 
took her into his arms, holding her tightly, rocking her back and forth. "Tell me about her," he begged, his own tears brimming in his eyes. 

"She's got thick, curly hair, the same color you have, and her skin is tanned, 
almost like yours. Her eyes are green in the middle and almost black around 
them. Oh, she's so pretty, Buck, you'll see!" Kate smiled, hugging him tighter. 

"Where is she?" Buck asked, still trying to visualize the soon two-year-old girl 
Kate had just described. 

"She's with Sherri in Baltimore. You remember Sherri, don't you?" 

"Yeah, I remember. Ike told me she was beaten that day…" 

"She was, badly too. Barry would have done the same to me, but I managed to 
get away while he was chasing you. He told me he got to you and did horrible things to you and Ike, but I never believed him. I just knew you got away," she smiled, pulling out of his affectionate embrace. 

"Yeah, we did. Barely. But Barry didn't ever touch you, did he?" 

"I just told you I got away, Buck, I promise," the pretty woman by his side smiled warmly, her small, pale hand rising to touch his cheek. "What are you doing tomorrow?" she asked. 

Buck thought for a second, then his smile disappeared. "I have a mail run. I won't be back until the day after tomorrow," he spoke, his voice full of disappointment. 

Kate nodded, removing her hand from his cheek. She knew she had no right to ask what she would ask next, but she did it anyway, the desperation hitting her like a blow in the face. "Buck, will you stay here tonight?" 

He answered by kissing her tenderly, their lips touching lightly for a short 
moment. 

"Of course I'll stay," he said, kissing her again, this time adding some of that passion growing in his belly, and her warm tongue was soon meeting his. 

"Oh Buck, take me," she begged in a quick breath, kissing him again. "Before I 
lose my mind!" 

He had dreamt of hearing her say that for over two years, and now when she 
really did it felt unreal. He had to kiss her even deeper to reassure himself that 
this was not a dream and not a fantasy. It was real. Her hands had already 
opened his shirt, and he was struggling with the buttons on her dress. 

She refused to leave his mouth with hers, forcing his shirt from his shoulders with trembling hands, feeling him slowly lower her onto the covers of the big bed, now having reached her camisole with his hands. He was desperate to touch her 
naked skin, but first he had to get rid of all her clothes. He never had realized why women had to wear so many skirts and underwear all the time, and he was especially frustrated over this right now. Kate smiled, then covered his mouth again, her tongue swirling around his. He was finally rid of her dress, which 
opened in front by a, what it seemed endless, line of buttons. Her pink satin camisole had small details of lace and roses made out of the same fabric, and he knew she would want it to last awhile. If he would tear it apart she would never forgive him. 

Her hands were tugging at his pants, trying to open them without looking, not wanting to miss a single kiss. She could feel his growing erection through the fabric, and was instantly given new energy to work on opening them. She finally felt his manhood in her hands and his fingers brushed against her nipples through the camisole. He moved on top of her, still kissing her furiously, his hands moving to caress her face. He felt like a blind man for her features and curves, his lips investigating her mouth. 

He had to have her, clothes on or no clothes on, and finding her moistness with his fingers he rubbed her for a moment. Just to prepare her. She was moaning under him, squirming as his fingers worked her, her hands trying to push his pants lower down his buttocks without luck. She couldn't wait to have him, her every nerve ready to explode with passion. When he finally entered her, groaning lowly, she 
felt her first orgasm already coming on. She let one hand remain on his buttocks, keeping him right there so he wouldn't get any ideas, and the other hand moved 
to stroke his chest. 

He groaned again, leaving her lush lips to arch his head back in pleasure. She pulled him down again, meeting his thrusting hips right as she climaxed around 
his shaft. He panted in her ear that he couldn't wait any longer, and she threw herself on top of him, riding him until he started to moan loudly. 

His hands were occupied with teasing her breasts through her camisole, which 
was by now sticking to her sweaty skin, defining her curves even clearer. She continued to move frantically until he could hold out no longer, and forced her 
onto her back again, pumping for all he was worth. She screamed as her second orgasm overcame her, and it was even better than the first. She could swear she saw stars, and he growled into the pillow as he released. He felt the orgasm from his toes to his ears, and it seemed to last an eternity. Just like last time with Kate, he thought. She moved slightly under his weight and felt him release a second time, his unspeakable pleasure quivering through his body. When he rolled off of her he was totally exhausted, still dizzy and ready to faint. She laid herself on his stomach, kissing him carefully. He wiped at her damp face, smiling weakly into 
her emerald eyes. Neither of them spoke, and there seemed to be impossible to find any words, but they were both growing anxious to get rid of their clothes. 
Kate sat up and pulled the camisole over her head, displaying her breasts. In a second he was half sitting in front of her, licking her skin and nipples with tender strokes of his tongue. While he did that she helped him with his pants, pulling 
them to his knees. He was growing bigger already, and soon he pushed his pants off completely in sheer desperation. He returned to her breasts, but this time pushed her down onto the bed with him. He laid over her with his mouth taking 
one nipple at a time, making it hard and swollen. She let her hands hold his head 
in place, brushing through his thick hair. She gasped as he took a careful bite just above her breast, then one at her neck. 

He continued to lick and kiss her neck, but she wanted to give him something in return. She carefully pushed him back and moved down between his legs. He willingly let her fondle with his testicles and rub is length. She soon took him in 
her mouth and began sucking hard. Buck had often thought of the way she did 
that two years ago, and it had saved him from going insane many times. Just the memory of her lips touching his most intimate parts made him breathe harshly 
and he had often relived those moments in his head. 

Kate was suddenly very amazed, and surprised, when she felt herself climax even though she wasn't the one pleasured. When she came she must have bit him, for he yelped suddenly and looked at her with eyes a mixture of heaven and hell. She smiled and continued her sucking and licking, and very soon he had to buck his 
hips and groan deeply, eyes closed hard and teeth gritted. Kate moved to sit on top of him again, feeling his hard member stretch her inside. 

"You really have grown in all the right places," she smiled wistfully. She rode slowly, moving only her waist and hips. He laid passively on the bed, letting her 
do the work. His hands soon grabbed the sheets, holding tightly as he reached his climax. He released instantly when she fell over his chest, groaning in her own climax. Together they remained there for some time, until their damp bodies 
began to cool off and they had to shift to stay warm. 

Kate laid herself in his arms, smiling into his face. He smiled back, kissing her lips lightly. They just looked at each other for a long minute, then Kate finally spoke. "You're still talented," she smiled, kissing his neck. 

"What you gonna do about it?" he asked in a challenging tone. 

"Oh… maybe I could let you become my pupil…" she murmured as she continued to kiss him. 

"Mmmhhh… And what would you teach me?" 

"First lesson…" Kate started, pushing him over on his back. 

"What's that?" he asked with a daring smile. 

"Shut up and get down to work," Kate stated firmly, placing a finger over his lips and climbed onto his stomach. 

Soon they were making love again, and when they finally slept it was close to 
dawn already. Buck held Kate in his arms, again thinking about their child. He had to admit he had momentarily forgot all about that, but lying there in the dark with Kate purring in his arms, he again tried to visualize the child that was a part of 
him and the love he had shared for Kate a long time ago. When he fell asleep he 
dreamt about what she might look like, and it caused his lips to part in a wide smile. 
 

Chapter 3

Kate turned in her lover's arms, looking at his face. He was still sleeping deeply, the smile on his lips puzzling her. Watching it she smiled too, wondering what he must be dreaming. She studied him like she had done once before, stating he was still gorgeous, only a little different. He looked like he had been around and seen a lot of things, even with his eyes closed. Otherwise she could read all about that in his wonderful dark eyes. He looked so sad, but still happy and contented. She had been told all about Noah and the death of Ike at dinner that night, but still she wondered what had changed him so severely. Looking at his cheeks she noticed 
his dimples were gone. She hadn't noticed them before, but now when they were gone she could tell they were missing. Even though he was smiling in his sleep he looked sad. She wanted to take that sadness away, and therefore flicked her 
tongue over her lips and pulled herself closer to his ear. 

"Buck," she whispered. "Buck, I want you… Oh, Buck…" she smiled and then continued. "Buck, I wanna feel you inside me… I want you to take me, Buck… Please, Buck…" 

She let her tongue brush against the shell of his ear, and smiled as he finally started to shift some. "Oh, Buck… Won't you take me, Buck… I want to hear you scream, Buck," she whispered and took the tip of his ear between her lips. 

With a smaller whine he looked up, staring into her smiling eyes. "What were you doing?" he asked with an almost worried look on his face, but still seemed pretty amused. 

"Me? Nothing…" she smiled, glancing at the ceiling in a very guilty expression. 

Buck chuckled softly, taking her by the arms and pinning her under his weight. 

"What were you doing?" he repeated, this time tickling her when she refused to answer. 

"Nothing!" she squealed, laughing until she was out of breath. 

"Nothing? I heard you, you were up to something," he stated, a firm look on his face as he continued to tickle her. 

"No more, I give up, please!" she cried then laughed harder still. 

"Then what were you up?" he asked, finally stopping his tickling to instead brush some hair out of his face. 

"Nothing," she insisted, jumping out of bed before he could tickle her again. 

He remained where he was, stretching out in the big bed, just glancing at her occasionally. 

"You gonna grow roots there?" he asked finally, and she took a hesitant step towards the bed. 

When she had finally settled under the covers, he immediately started tickling her again. 

"Oh, you…!" she cursed, then began tickling him back. 

"No, no!" he shouted, trying to get away. 

"You yield?" she asked from her position on top of him, holding him down by his arms. 

"I yield," he promised, breathing deeply as she moved away from him. 

This time he held his promise and only laid by her side, looking at her with investigating eyes. 

"You're really pretty," he said, placing his index finger at her cheek, tracing her 
jaw and chin. 

She kissed his lips tenderly, then suddenly broke free to stare at him. 

"What?" 

"Didn't you say you had a mail run today?" she frowned. 

"Yes, I do. Three hours ago," he smiled. 

"What?" she whispered in surprise. 

"What will you boss say?" 

"He can't say much. It doesn't matter, really it doesn't. I mean, The Express is as good as dead already, beaten by the telegraph and all that. We'd all get sacked sooner or later," he explained, but Kate wasn't satisfied. 

"What are you gonna do instead?" she asked with a frown. 

"Stay in bed all day with a very pretty young lady," he whispered huskily in her 
ear, causing her to smile at first and then giggle. His warm breath on her neck tickled her, and his tongue and lips nibbled at her ear for a moment. She started squirming some, her fingers rubbing his nipples. His lips found her jaw and neck and kept themselves occupied there, sucking gently at her skin until she had several reddish marks to show it. Kate sighed deeply, letting her arms circle his strong neck. He moved slowly on top of her, finding her breasts with his hands. Taking her nipples between his fingers he rolled them until they were hard. She 
was gasping and sighing occasionally during this sensual foreplay, seeking his lips with hers. 

She let her tongue stroke his lower lip until he desperately kissed her ever so deeply. She let one hand drop to his middle, feeling his warm, hardening member throbbing against her leg. She took it in her hand and felt it grow in both length 
and thickness, rubbing it until he groaned, still with his lips covering hers. She broke free suddenly and looked into his eyes. 

"Let me be the first to say it this time," she begged into his questioning face. 

"I love you, Buck," she whispered in his ear, kissing it tenderly. 

"I love you too," he smiled, kissing her lips again, then moved to kiss her cheeks one after the other and then her forehead. "I've always loved you." 

Kate smiled and hugged his muscular back. Feeling her erect nipples against his chest he found new energy to prepare her for his pulsing hardness. His right hand went down to find her pleasure bud, and as he rubbed it she started moaning 
under him. She let her thumb rub his now very swollen head causing him to moan too, both of them breathing harshly with arousal. 

Though Buck was more than ready for her, he couldn't help but leave her lips to kiss her breasts, belly and hips. She smiled, wondering what he was up to, since this was new to her. She had seldom received any pleasure from a man, and though she had no idea what Buck was about to do next she knew it would be 
good. He had never disappointed her that way before, so why should he now? 

Buck let her curly red hair caress his face as he kissed her midsection. Moving his mouth lower he started licking her love bud, making Kate first stiffen in surprise and almost fear, but she soon melted as he continued to pleasure her. He was lapping his tongue back and forth over her hardening bud, slipping his hands 
under her thighs to reach her buttocks. He kneaded and massaged them while licking her until she was ready to scream. 

"Aaah, Buck…" she began but as unable to finish the sentence. 

He returned on top of her, licking at her breasts, taking her nipples between his teeth. She was climaxing shortly, her hands traveling over his warm back to find something to hold on to. She cried out his name, hardly noticing his member entering her as she closed her eyes and accepted the best orgasm she'd ever 
had. Buck began to move in and out, making her moan harder and harder, breathing his name occasionally. 

"Buck, more!" she begged, moving her hips with his, hearing the bed hit the wall every time he thrust into her. 

She let her legs wrap themselves around his back, making her experience even better. Buck couldn't get enough, feeling so aroused he thought he was going insane for sure. He had never been more eager to pleasure a woman, not even Kate. But his hips moved frenetically until his entire length slid in and out of her tight love tunnel, and he was moaning her name over and over. He felt Kate contract around him without stopping, her lips parted in a silent scream while he continued to pump. He heard himself scream and growl, but it felt distant. He 
didn't return to the present until he was completely milked and softening rapidly inside his lover. 

"That was amazing," Kate panted, stroking his sweaty chest as he fell to his side, trying to catch his breath without luck. 

"I know," he exhaled deeply, his head landing heavily on the pillow. It took 
several minutes before they were breathing somewhat normally again, looking at each other in silence. Suddenly they both began to giggle, Kate allowing Buck to envelope her into his arms, resting his chin on her shoulder. 

"I love you, Kate," he said, surprised at how natural those words came to him. 

"I love you too," she purred, patting his arm. 

Together they drifted off to a light sleep. 
 

Chapter 4

Buck and Kate walked side by side toward the way station, his arm around her waist and her hand resting on his shoulder. The riders and Rachel all witnessed 
the couple laugh with one another as they came closer to the bunkhouse, 
stopping momentarily to kiss affectionately. 

"Mornin' Buck, Teaspoon's looking for ya!" Cody informed with a wide grin. "Miss Friedrisch," he added and tipped his hat politely. 

"I better calm him down, I'll be right back," Buck spoke to his newfound love and kissed her only briefly to run toward the barn in the next breath. 

"I see you two have really become reacquainted…" Cody smirked at Kate, who 
was feeling suddenly very insecure and lost without Buck at her side. 

"Well," she started, clearing her throat. She was stopped in her thoughts as Buck all but backed out of the barn with Teaspoon hollering something at him. 

"Excuse me," she murmured and collected her skirts to rush to Buck's assistance. 

"Buck, are you aware of what time it is?!" Teaspoon shouted, standing only inches from his employee's chest. 

"No, but I can guess it's pretty late," Buck murmured. 

"Not only have you not been around to finish your chores, but do I have to inform you that you missed a run this morning?" Teaspoon continued, looking with 
burning eyes into Buck's face. 

"I know, and I'm sorry," Buck said calmly, just as Kate reached his side. 

"Marshal, it's all my fault," she insisted, but Teaspoon would have none of it. 

"Buck, I expect you to follow company rules around here, and skipping a run without informing anyone is not company rules. Do I make myself clear?" 

"Yes, but…" 

"Teaspoon, please," Kate cut him off. 

"Ma'am, I don't expect my riders to let their girlfriends take the blame, Buck 
here's the one I'm mad at," Teaspoon said, but Kate again begged him to listen. 

"It was all my fault, I kept him last night even though I knew he had chores to do. It was extremely selfish of me and I apologize. But please, don't blame him for being a sweet and kind soul, there are not too many of those around here as far 
as I understand," she finished, looking with honest eyes into Teaspoon's face, giving him a stare that could have melted any man. 

"What was the reason you held him, miss Kate?" Teaspoon asked in a lot calmer tone, glancing at Buck. 

"We figured we would tell you over lunch. I think you all deserve to know," Buck explained, taking Kate into his arms. 

Just then Rachel rang the bell at the bunkhouse, causing a rush to the table. 

"Alright, but it better be good. And Buck, you'll take care of this place for the rest 
of the day, you understand?" Teaspoon said, his voice still hard but his anger seemed to have subsided. 

Buck nodded and headed toward the bunkhouse with Kate still in his embrace. 

"He's not really as bad as he seems," he smiled against her ear, kissing her 
cheek. 

Kate just nodded, having to admit to herself she had never been yelled at that 
way before. She sat beside Buck at the table and silently greeted everyone good morning. 

"Buck?" Teaspoon turned to him with an inquiring stare. 

"Yeah," Buck started as he cleared his throat. "Uh, everybody… Kate told me something last night which will probably change a few things…" 

"What is it, Buck?" Kid asked, seeing the mixed expression on his friend's face. 

"Apparently, we have a daughter," Buck forced out, nervously looking to Teaspoon. 

The people at the table all gasped at first, then as realization sank in they smiled. 

"Buck, that's wonderful!" Rachel smiled, running around the table to hug him carefully, then Kate. 

"Congratulations, Buck! Seems you beat us to it," Kid smiled, hugging his wife 
from the side. She smiled also and let her head fall against her husband's neck. 

Buck again glanced at Teaspoon, wondering if his reason to skip that run had 
been good enough. 

"A daughter, huh?" he asked, his eyebrow cocked. 

"That's right," Kate nodded with a proud smile. 

"But where is she?" Cody asked almost skeptically. 

"She's in Baltimore, with a friend of mine. I didn't want her to travel all across the country until I was certain I'd found Buck. I figured I'd go get her in a few days or so. When we've figured out what we want to do and all…" she trailed off, glancing nervously at Buck who sat almost dumbstruck. 

"Yeah, exactly…" he murmured. 

"It's wonderful news, you two," Lou smiled, taking her husband's hand and placed it on her stomach. No one saw it, and Kid didn't understand, but Lou smiled to herself and began dreaming of the future. 

They continued the lunch in the same cheery tone as the night prior, though 
Jimmy was missing, having taken Buck's run that morning. 

Buck and Kate walked side by side, hand in hand toward the creek nearby town. Buck looked down at her and they both smiled, silently enjoying the night. Kate pulled him up to a big tree and let her arms cling to his neck. They kissed carefully, their lips brushing against the other's. Buck's arms hugged her closer to his torso, deepening the kiss until their tongues were sliding over the other's lips. Kate 
pulled free and looked up at his honest face. 

"I've dreamt of this," she smiled. 

"Me too," he spoke, kissing her again. 

"I can't believe I found you," she whispered as she kissed him back. 

"How did you?" 

"Lucky guess," she smiled wistfully. 

"Yeah? I've spent two years guessing where you'd be, but nothing happened…" 

"I'm here now, ain't I?" she grinned, cupping his chin with her hand. 

"I love you, Buck." 

"I love you too," he whispered as their lips met, taking her hand to lead her back 
to town. 

Placing his precious love on the big bed in her room, Buck kissed her for a long, drugging moment. She let her hands remove his shirt while they kissed, starting to squirm under him as the arousal took the better of her. His hands moved over her already bare breasts, sending electrical sensations through her body, creating goosebumps all over. Her nipples hardened instantly, but his hands continued to rub them sensually, making the nerves in the deepest pit of her stomach tangle until she moaned her pleasure. His upper body was warm against hers, his nipples erect as well only from kissing and touching her. There was an increasing hardness against her thigh, which she reached down to touch with her hand. He groaned deep in is throat, moving his lips to kiss her neck. He nibbled on her ear until she sighed deeply in delight, brushing through his hair with her free hand. Her other hand was occupied opening his trousers, where the bulging hardness was still growing. When she had him in her hand he moved lower, started kissing her breasts. She had to let go of him as he moved lower still, to kiss her belly. He excused himself for a straining moment so he could remove his trousers, then returned to her bellybutton, circled it with his warm tongue. He let one hand move down to her curly area, letting his index finger search for her little bud. Rubbing it between two fingers for a minute he smiled as she moaned, then let the same two fingers slide into her love tunnel. He moved his face lower to lick the insides of the thighs, teasing her wistfully until she pressed her legs together and forced his 
head to stay in the middle. He massaged her steamy hot tunnel with his fingers while his tongue worked her pleasure bud. She climaxed shortly, but before her orgasm came he pulled away, leaving her eyes screaming for him to stay. He smiled again and kissed her lush lips, groaning deeply as her tongue met his. 

They were both pretty desperate to continue, but Buck liked to see her pleading eyes search for him when he moved and to have her hands reaching for him. He gave her a wistful grin and sat up by her side, trying to figure out what to do next. Before he could think of anything, Kate threw herself up and took a firm hold of his member. She licked and sucked until he nearly screamed, her fingers searching 
for that spot below his sac. He fell against the bed with her still working him, both moaning in rhythm with her sucking. She continued by taking his testicles into her mouth, sucking on them for a few moments each. When she finally let go of him, 
he was the one to change tempo. Placing himself on top of her he placed his member by her opening, teasing her into another climax, this time entering her right as she came. She screamed his name, moving with him as he began to 
thrust, slowly making love to her. Shortly there was nothing else heard in the 
room than the moans and screams the couple made as they both reached their peaks of passion. 

 
Chapter 5

Rachel came bursting into the bunkhouse, where Cody was slowly waking. 

"Where's Buck?" the woman asked angrily. 

"I dunno, Rachel, ask Jimmy," Cody groaned, pulling the covers over his head. 

"He didn't come back last night, did he?" Rachel continued, glancing out the window to see Kid and Lou emerge from the house. 

"Don't look like it," Jimmy said, dusting off his jacket. He had just returned from 
his run. "His bed's not used." 

Rachel sighed deeply, walking out to greet the newlyweds. 

"Have you seen Buck?" she asked. 

"Nope. Why, is he gone?" Kid asked back. 

"Looks like he didn't come back last night either. I'm getting tired of this game." 

Kid and Lou shrugged, walking with her to prepare breakfast in the bunkhouse. 

Buck awoke from the warm sun beaming through the window, stretching carefully in Kate's arms. He was sore, stiff and tired, but looking at his lover's peaceful face he had to smile contentedly. She stirred and looked up moments later, smiling also. 

"How long you been awake?" she asked. 

"A couple of minutes maybe. Good morning," he said, pulling closer to kiss her affectionately. 

"Mmmhhh, I love this," she smiled and purred as his arms embraced her. 

"Me too, and you know what else I love?" he asked. 

"Tell me…" 

"I love your eyes," he started, kissing her eyelids. "I love your cheeks," he continued, kissing them too. He continued to kiss all the parts of her face he mentioned. "I love your chin… you lips… your neck…" 

"Buck, stop," Kate giggled, his warm lips moving lower. 

"I love your chest… Mmmhh, and your breasts… I love your belly…" he continued. 

"Buck!" she squealed, laughing as he continued underneath the covers. 

"I love your thighs… your knees… Oh, and your feet…" He reemerged by her side after kissing her toes one by one. 

"But your lips are probably the best, if I must choose…" he grinned, kissing them again. 

As her lips began to trail down his neck he pulled away regretfully. 

"What?" Kate wondered with a worried frown. 

"I must get back to the station," he sighed sadly. 

"Why? You said yesterday it didn't matter," Kate whined, hugging him hard to make him surrender. 

"It doesn't. But I must, they're still my friends. I don't want them too angry, but I tell you what," he said, hugging her back just as firmly. 

"What?" 

"If I go there today, I don't have to be there tomorrow… How about that?" 

Kate smiled, but the disappointment still shone in her eyes. 

"Alright, get outta here… I'll come by tonight, okay?" 

"I'll be waiting," he smiled, kissing her once before climbing out of bed. 

"I wanna tell you more about Sherryleen," she said as he started to dress. 

"Who?" 

"Our daughter. Her name's Sherryleen. You don't mind, do you?" 

Buck smiled widely, leaning down to place a kiss on her lips. 

"Of course I don't, Sherryleen is a perfect name," he said, kissing her again. 

"Sherri's been really helpful, she took care of me and our daughter after I was forced to leave Salt Lake," Kate explained. 

"Why were you forced to leave?" Buck frowned, picking up his shirt from the floor. 

"I was pregnant, that's a no-no for saloon girls. Didn't I tell you that once?" 

"Yeah, you did," Buck smiled, dreaming himself back to the day he first met Kate. "Why did you ever talk to me?" he added with a frown. 

"You talked to me, remember? But the truth be told, I was kinda interested in you even before that… I saw you in town, you and Ike. I couldn't help but think you were the handsomest man I'd ever seen," Kate blushed. 

"So, you were only interested in my body?" Buck said half seriously. 

"At first, but as I got to know you I realized you were so much more than that. 
You were a wonderful soul and I'm sure a wonderful friend. I often wondered what would have become of us if you'd stayed… Or if the situation was different…" 
Kate trailed off. 

"Well, it is now," Buck smiled, placing a last kiss on her forehead, then headed for the door. "I'd love to hear more about her. I'll miss you." 

"Me too, be careful now," Kate smiled, watching him out the door. 

She laid in the big bed just staring at the ceiling, helplessly realizing how lonely 
she felt without him. She knew all along her feelings for him hadn't died, but she never thought they would come back to quickly, so strong. She sighed and 
allowed herself to sleep some more, dreaming of her daughter in her father's arms. 

Arriving at the way station minutes later, Buck was met by an angry Rachel. He sighed at the very sight of her, but he walked up to her to receive the yelling. 

"Buck, may I remind you that you have responsibilities here?" she spat, standing 
in front of him with a basket of laundry in her arms. 

"I know, but I'm here now, okay?" he said, holding his hands up to prevent her 
from erupting again. "I'm here all day, Kate won't come over until tonight." 

"Buck, I think it's wonderful you and Kate are reunited, but you have a job to do 
as well. Maybe you better discuss this with Teaspoon?" Rachel spoke, a lot calmer already. 

"What's there to discuss?" Buck asked. 

"Your future for one thing. Buck, you have a daughter to support!" 

"I know, and I'm gonna find something else. Just not right now, I have chores," he excused himself to the barn, half running there to get away from all the yelling. 

He felt as if he was torn in two different directions, both wanting to finish his 
chores and be a good boy, and still he wanted to spend all the time in the world in Kate's arms. He had wanted to be with her for over two years, and now when she was finally there within reach he had too many other responsibilities to take care of. It was eating him alive, and if that wasn't enough the stress was killing him. 
He wanted to be in three places at the same time, but Kate's arms seemed to pull hardest. Rachel was right, he had to talk to Teaspoon about the situation, and if possible change it for the better.