Cody had been unwilling to speak about the events at the creek. How he had hit Victoria over the head with his expression of love, he still couldn't believe. He was afraid. By her reaction he could sense the feelings were not mutual. To think, to even consider the thought that she didn't love him in return, the way he wanted her to love him was heartwrenching. His plans, his dreams had been dashed, and she hadn't said one word. Tossing such negative thoughts aside, he convinced himself he'd rather not know the truth choosing to hold on tight to vanishing glimmers of hope. He did not allow her to speak. He knew what she would say. He was sure of it, he just didn't want to hear it, not now not ever.

As they sat quietly at the dinner table, there was still a connection they shared. They both felt it, even though they knew the road ahead would take them in seperate directions. They had shared too many moments together just to dismiss them as nothing. The conversation of the others present, Rachel, Teaspoon, Buck, Noah and Lou fell on deaf ears as they mingled into muffled sounds in the background. All that mattered were the feelings stirring inside of them.

Victoria knew she had hurt him deeply. If only he had allowed her to explain things, maybe he would've understood. Her growing love for Jimmy though, was something she couldn't fight any longer. He would be home tomorrow. Guilt overcame her as she thought about how happy she would be to see him again at the expense of Cody's pain. She wished she could make all of his pain go away, make things all right, but that wouldn't happen. She had waited what seemed like a lifetime to make an attempt at Jimmy Hickok, but now for the sake of her friend, she would not reveal those special feelings. They would have to be burried deep down inside of her, for as long as it took Cody to accept the fact, they could only be friends.

The once blazing fire had dwindled to a glowing pile of black coals. McBride, exhausted from the day's events had fallen fast asleep. Kid and Jimmy ceased the opportunity they had been waiting for. Quietly they snuck into the outlaw's campsite. Cautiously, Jimmy approached the sleeping bandit, his gun aiming at the target. Kid, standing nearby with his gun drawn, held the rope they would use to apprehend their enemy.

Ever so silently, Jimmy knelt at the head of Jonas McBride. The clicking sound of a cocking gun, immediately awoke the sleeping outlaw, whose first instincts led him to go for his own weapon. "Don't do it." warned Hickok, as he pressed the barrel of his gun against McBride's back. Kid at once came to his friend's assistance and relieved McBride of his hardware.

"Remember us?" asked Jimmy sarcastically. "I personally didn't appreciate your kindness last time we met."

"Sorry you feel that way but, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do." McBride returned the wry remark.

"Get up." commanded Jimmy as he pulled him by his coat.

"So what are you boys gonna do now that you caught me?" The crooked smirk on the outlaw's face showed little respect for his two young captors.

"I don't know Jimmy, what do you think?"

"A horse thief? I don't know...there's only one kind of justice for his kind. Give me the rope Kid." Kid obliged by tossing him the brand new rope.

"You don't have the guts." McBride shot back at Hickok, the smirk now gone and replaced by a stinging glare.

Jimmy turned to speak, just inches away from McBride's face. "Really? You obviously don't know who I am. I mean I'm one of the fastest gunfighters in this territory. I've had to kill many men before, one more ain't gonna make a difference to me." he stated cockily.

McBride wondered who was this young punk who had the nerve to stand up to him. Men twice his age looked away from his deathly stare. Some even squirmed at the sound of his name. Maybe this boy wasn't afraid of dying. Heck, he knew he wasn't afraid. McBride was a smart man though. Realizing he wouldn't be able to play the intimidator, he resorted to a less confrontational tactic in order to get out of his predicament.

"You and me, we're the same boy. Rebels. Cheated out of a good life by the 'society' we live in. We need to get what we can outta it while we're here."

"I ain't nothing like you." retorted Jimmy coldly.

McBride smirked. "Face the fact boy. Ain't many men like us out here in this world."

McBride's speech became more determined as he spewed his philosophy trying to gain the understanding of his captors. "All we are to them is dirt; dirt they kick around. Well I had enough kicking around and it was time for them to pay. Two kinds of people live on this earth; the givers and the takers. I ain't seen nobody givin' nothin; so I'm a taking. It's only fair."

"The only fair thing for you is to be put in jail where you can't harm anyone." said Kid.

McBride's eyes darkened. "Ain't no jail in this world that can hold me boy. Don't you know who I am?"

"Sure. I know who you are...a no good cattle rustler, a thief and a murderer." retorted Kid.

"True, true, that all may be true but I got the last laugh and I ain't ashamed of what I done. Besides I got what I came for, money. I have more money than you boys'll probably see in your lives. See, what I've learned boys, is that money is a very invaluable commodity. With money comes power, with power comes control, with control comes fear, with fear compromise, with compromise...I'm a free man. I have too many friends in many high places with too many favors to repay. It's amazing what people'll do just to get their hands on more money. Not that I'm excusin' myself 'cause I understand that perfectly fine. A man would sell his soul, just to have a taste of the good life."

"It's men like you that make this world the hell it is today." remarked Jimmy, tying McBride's hands.

"It ain't hell for all. I know it ain't gonna be for me and it don't got to be for you boys either. I could make you both very rich, powerful men. I'm on my way to New Orleans. Once I get there, I'm taking my money and disappearing. You boys are more than welcome to come along."

"Thanks, but no thanks. First chance you'd get you'd shoot us down like two dogs." said Jimmy.

"Amen to that." agreed Kid.

"Can't blame a man for tryin'."

Kid and Jimmy headed to Blue Creek immediately with their prisoner. Jonas McBride was a ruthless outlaw. A man, who by the age of 15 had committed his first crime. An orphan, who was forced to work on the farm lands of the rich, seeing first hand their abusiveness of the lower classes. Their self-proclaimed hallowed place in the human family made them a loathesome sight to him. He had determined he would make them all pay, at any cost. His life had been one consisting of one crime after another. His share in many bank robberies and stagecoach heists made him a wanted man at a very young age, but it was his hand as the leader of the most feared cattle rustling gang that made him the target of every lawman and bounty hunter in these territories. McBride reveled in his legendary status all of his life. Now at 45, he had to come to grips with the realization that he couldn't run forever. He was getting older, the pursuers younger.

Getting to New Orleans was his sanctuary. Fifty thousand in gold awaited him there; the fruitage of his hard labor. He could only dream about his final destination, the ticket to his everlating freedom but for now, a hanging was in sight. That was the road he was headed for, a road he wasn't willing to walk; not yet. These two boys had gotten the best of him, but it was only a temporary setback he thought. Nothing would get in the way of his self-assured destiny.

The loud crowing of the homestead rooster echoed in the early morn'. Victoria threw the sheets off her head and quickly sat up in bed. The warm rays of sunlight beaming through her window, made her feel happier than she had been in almost a week. "Saturday!...He's coming home today!" she exclaimed quietly as she wrapped her arms around her knees. "I can't wait to see him." Feelings of excitement were welling in her. "But you have to be reserved, a lady never gets overly excited." She leaped out of bed and walked over to the changing screen were she'd hung a dress. Pressing the garment against her, she turned to look in the standing mirror. "Why Jimmy, of course I'd love to go for a walk with you...What? Kiss me? I thought you'd never..." A knock on the door interrupted her one on one conversation. "Come in." she said.

"Good Morning." greeted Rachel. "I see you're up and around already."

"I could hardly sleep last night."

"Believe me, I don't think you were the only one. It sure is excitin' isn't it?"

"What?" Victoria asked as if Rachel knew her deep secret.

Rachel looked at Victoria a bit puzzled but figured the girl had been so distracted as of late she only smiled and said, "The dance."

"Oh right." Victoria was relieved.

"Don't forget we have to go into town to pick up your dress and the wagon Mr. Tompkins is letting us borrow. Here are some clean towels. We'll leave in an hour, so hurry."

"I'll be ready." she said as Rachel left the room.

Victoria threw the dress on the bed and took a seat at the vanity. She picked up the picture frame next to her. It was the last picture she had taken with her family. "I wish you all could be here. I miss you so much."

Opening the small drawer in the vanity, she took out some stationary and began writing...

Dearest Robert,

I hope all's well when this letter reaches your hands. I have safely made the long journey to Rock Creek, albeit a minor accident on the way. This land is beautiful. I'm sure you would agree. My father was right when he said he hadn't seen anything like it. I feel such a sense of freedom, I couldn't begin to explain with mere words. The sadness with which we departed is fading, slowly. I see now what you meant when you told me my family would want me to go on living even though they are no longer with us. I am happy here. I've met some wonderful people worthy of being called friends. They've watched over me and taken care of my every need, though I was a virtual stranger among them.

The most wonderful thing has happened. I've met a man. I believe with all of my heart he's the one I've been waiting for all along. He is not rich, neither is he refined but he is kind and gentle, a contradiction you may think, being that he is known as a gunfighter. Am I crazy? Goodness! I certainly don't feel so. We have no understanding as I do not know if he has any interest in me, but my heart swells with love for him. I've never met anyone like him. I had to write to tell you for fear I may burst seeing I'm keeping my feelings quite secret. Do wish me luck and think of me often, as I think of you.

She quickly folded the letter, sealed it in its envelope, penned the address in front and then commenced getting ready.

Kid and Jimmy had arrived in Blue Creek around midnight. After delivering the outlaw into the hands of the town Marshal, they were lodged in the fanciest rooms at the Blue Creek Hotel. A bath and hot meal had been provided for them a gesture of the town's gratitude for their courageous deed. After a good nights rest, they headed to the Marshal's office to collect on the reward.

"Mr. Hickok, Kid." greeted the Marshal. "Hope you enjoyed your stay last night."

"Couldn't have asked for better." said Jimmy, obviously satisfied from the broad smile on his face.

"Thanks, we appreciated it." added Kid.

"Guess you came for the big pay-off heh?" They both nodded.

"Well step on up here. It's all here for you." The Marshal unlocked a drawer of his desk and handed each an envelope with their cash money. "I don't know what you boys did to get your hands on McBride; heck we've been tryin' for years and couldn't get close."

"That's because you're too stupid." said McBride as he leaned on the bars of his cell.

"Just dumb luck I guess." said Jimmy.

"Well whatever it was, we sure owe you fellas a heck of a debt."

"Don't mention it." said Kid modestly. "We just did what needed doing."

The boys pocketed their money and were heading out the door when McBride called out.

"Hickok!" Jimmy turned to see the outlaw staring at him, his arms petruding through the cell bars as he held on to them. "Remember...we're too much alike you and me. I know you, I know your life...I'll be seeing you again."

"Don't mind if I don't hold my breath." Hickok replied.

McBride let out a boisterous laugh. "I like him." he said as the two boys exited the lawman's office.

"You're crazy." noted the Marshal.

"Think of me what you like Marshal, but like I always say...ain't no four walls gonna hold me for long."

"We'll just see about that."

The boys determined to leave Blue Creek as soon as possible. Kid, wanting to buy something special for Lou, convinced Jimmy to join him at the dress shop. Jimmy, picking up on the Kid's gesture looked around at a few hats sitting on their racks. He wanted to get a gift for Victoria now that he had enough money to buy her something really nice but still wasn't sure what.

"She hates hats you know." said Kid approaching his friend.

"What?"

"Victoria, she hates them."

"And how would you know that Kid?"

"Like I told you, inside information. Anyway, you may want to think twice about gettin' such a personal gift if you don't want to raise suspicions." he advised.

"You're right, but she's a fine lady and I want to get her something special." After a moments pause he continued, "I think I know just what. Leave the dress Kid. I know something Lou would like, something better than that."

"What?" asked Kid curiously.

"Just come on."

The two friends made their way across the street to the jewelers. Jimmy had explained to Kid the piece that Lou was interested in; a cameo on a gold chain. Jimmy had seen the perfect one on his last trip to Blue Creek, that fateful day he saw Victoria for the first time. While the jeweler helped the Kid with his purchase, Jimmy saw exactly what he hoped would still be available...a gold filagree charm with a small ruby stone in the center, threated on a gold chain.

"Find something?" asked Kid. Jimmy pointed to his choice. "Whew...that is beautiful and expensive." he noted.

"Yeah, but she's worth every penny." he commented, not taking his eyes off the piece.

"Have you found something to your liking sir?"

"I'd like this one."

The jeweler looked at the two boys unsure. "Pardon me?" Jimmy pointed at his selection once again. "That one." he repeated.

The man started nervously, not wanting to offend the two gun toting men in front of him. "You do realize this is a sixty-five dollar piece."

"I can read just fine." Jimmy retorted, annoyed at the man's obvious assumption that he couldn't afford such a fancy thing.

"Gentleman sure has fine taste." he said taking the charm and showcasing it on a black velvet cloth. "She must be one special lady."

The comment induced a smile from Jimmy. "That she is." he responded holding the delicate jewelry in his hand.

After receiving payment, the man arranged the necklace in its black velvet box and bid the boys luck with their ladies.

Jimmy anticipating the thoughts twirling through his best friend's head about this most intimate purchase for Victoria, opened the door to his friend's waiting questions, as they walked to their mounts.

"Go ahead say what's on your mind." Kid gave no response. "Alright, let me put your mind at ease Kid. I'm not crazy. I ain't giving it her no time soon. One day...and when you see her wearing it, you'll know she's all mine."

Kid smiled at his friend, giving him a hefty pat on the back. His friend's happiness was his to enjoy also. The two friends mounted their horses and headed back to the old man's ranch to retrieve Katy and Jimmy's palomino and finally home to Rock Creek.

On to Chapter 11....