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 opened his eyes slowly, not wanting his dreams to recede. A smile spreading across his face as he realised that Lou lay in his arms, her fluttering breath warm on his bare chest. Placing a kiss on the top of her tousled head, he was surprised when she turned her face up to his and met his lips wetly.
“Good Morning” she murmured as their lips parted “I’m sorry I doubted you” she spoke
“Every morning while I was away, I woke up each morning from dreams of waking with you in my arms” he spoke as he tightened his embrace “thank you Lou” he placed his lips on hers again and pulled her tighter into his arms.
“Do you think they’d be happy for us?” she murmured against his chest, thoughts of their first loves always in her mind.
“I know that Jenny would be, and I would like to think that Kid would too.” He rolled onto his side and pulled her into his arms so he could look into her face “I know that he wouldn’t want you to spend your life alone and I think that he would be happy that we have found each other.”
“Thanks Buck” she murmured “For everything” she hugged him tighter
“So when are we getting married” he asked softly knowing that she would fight him on this, and as she lay silently in his arms he continued “Lou, I know that you only lost Kid a few weeks ago, but I can’t let you go through this alone.” he spoke realising the error of his words as she stiffened against him
“You’re not letting me do anything Buck” she spoke a little sharply pulling out of his embrace and rolling away from him.
“Lou I realise I didn’t do that well, but it won’t take long for the town to find out about us” he spoke “I thought that maybe when I get back from catching Kid’s killer we might be able to organise a wedding.” he murmured as he stroked her bare shoulder.
“You thought wrong Buck” she spoke as she turned back to face him “I love you Buck, surely you know that” she moved to place one of his hands against the slight bulge of her bare stomach “we need you too, more than you will ever know, but I can’t marry you yet, please” she spoke lifting her hand to stroke the light beard stubble on his cheek
He smiled at her waterily “I suppose that will have to do” he murmured pulling her into his embrace, resting his chin against the top of her head, not wanting her to see his tears. He knew how hard this whole situation was for her, he didn’t want his own turbulent emotions upsetting her any more than they needed too. He had never dreamed that one day he would be asking Lou to be his wife, but now that he had, the disappointment he felt at her rejection was more than he had anticipated, but he would not let her be confused by his own reactions.
“Will you be okay if I leave today?” he asked placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head
“You’re not going to be away for long are you?” she asked
Buck hestitated answering, knowing Lou’s penchant for justice, he also knew that given her mental state at the moment he didn’t trust her not to chase after her beloved husband’s killer, but he couldn’t lie to her.
“I tracked him back to Rock Creek Lou, I can’t find him but I know he is here somewhere.” he spoke feeling her tense “I will catch him today darling, then we can start our lives with a clean slate.’
She lifted her head to look into Bucks face “As much as I want to see him pay for what he has done to us, maybe you should let him go Buck.” she wriggled forward until she was leaning over him her hands framing his face her lips scant inches from him “I could not go on if I lost you too Buck, maybe you should just let him go”
“I can’t do that Lou.” he lifted his head to press his lips against hers, before he pushed her onto her back, rolling with her to end laying across her chest trying to distract her from her questions.
“I promised myself I would bring this man to justice” he spoke softly stringing soft kisses across her face “why are we wasting our time talking Lou, this is our first morning together, lets make the most of it” deepening their kiss and drawing her closer into his arms, making her forget anything she was thinking about.
-oo0000oo-
Some time later, Lou carefully slid out from under Buck’s arm, pushing the lock of wispy ebony hair back from his forehead she quietly dressed, careful not to wake her lover. Lifting his vest from the bedpost, she pulled a piece of folded paper from the inner pocket. Replacing the vest she tiptoed from the room and down the stairs. She made it as far as the barn before her flight was discovered. She placed a bridle on her horse and turned to lift her saddle from the rail it rested on and ran smack into a bare, warm male chest.
“Where are you going?” Buck spoke the tone of his voice speaking more of his emotions than his words
“To town” Lou answered him knowing that he knew her as well as she knew herself and had caught her red handed.
“Don’t I mean anything to you Lou?” he spoke “You would throw away everything we have had together, everything we could have” he turned his back on her and walked out of the barn.
Lou stood and watched his retreating back, she knew that she had hurt him, she also knew that what she was about to do would hurt him badly, and would probably rip their relationship apart, but not even that could stop her saddling her horse and mounting up. She rode out of the barn, her tears blurring her vision so badly that she never saw Buck standing by the door of the barn, his face a picture of misery.
“Ride Safe Lou” he murmured as he watched her ride away to find her destiny.
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