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 frowned not quite understanding Jimmy's words "What do you mean?" he asked gently not sure that he would want to know either.
Jimmy, always reluctant to reveal his true feelings, or to talk about them to any of the other riders, knew that he owed it to his friends to finally tell them the truth.
"I love her Buck " he spoke softly looking at his feet waiting for Buck's temper to flare as it had once before.
"We all do Jimmy" Buck answered softly as he thought of the young woman they all adored so much
"You don't understand Buck"Jimmy paused his eyes tortured as he briefly looked up at his friend "Not a day has passed here when I haven't wished Lou was mine. That I haven't wished it was my child growing inside of her. God help me, in a moment of madness I even dreamed that she was mine that Kid was killed by the wagon. I can't even excape these thoughts when I sleep, I see her and how things might have been in my dreams."
Buck was non plussed by Jimmy's frank and candid explanation, finally understanding what doing this for Kid had cost him and how much his own accusations must have hurt. "Does Lou know?" Buck asked quietly
Jimmy shook his head, still looking steadfastly at his feet "I couldn't do that to her" he stated "we both know that she and Kid belong together"Both men continued to walk towards the house in silence "There will never be another woman I love as I do Lou." he stated firmly as he wrapped Sundancer's reins around the hitching rail. Buck took one look at his troubled friend and knew that he spoke the truth.
Trying to change the subject and lighten Jimmy's sombre mood he spoke again "How was she hurt Jimmy?" he asked "I'm not sure, when I got back here she was laying in a heap at the bottom of the stairs on top of a dead man. I thought she was dead" Jimmy's voice became distant as he sank into his memories remembering the anguish he had felt when he saw Lou in a crumpled heap at the bottom of the stairs, curled into a ball, even in her unconsciousness trying to protect her baby. He had almost fallen from his horse in his haste to get from his horses back to her side but when he turned her over and saw the slight rise and fall of her chest, waves of relief washed over him. He didn't like her deathly pallor or the large bruise that was forming on the side of her face. A the sound of horses approaching he had gathered her close against him and drawn his gun. Relieved to see several of the townsfolk approaching he reholstered his gun and clung more tightly to Lou. "Hickock Town wants you to take over as marshall." the new storekeeper spoke
"I'm not going anywhere, Lou's hurt" Jimmy turned glazed eyes on the group of men in front of him.
"Hickock, I'll take care of her, they need you with them" the town doctor spoke as he quickly dismounted and came to try and take Lou from Jimmy's arms. Jimmy had shrugged out of his arms and carried his fragile burden up the stairs and to her bedroom, where he laid her tenderly on the bed. The doctor, a man not much older than Jimmy, quickly and efficiently checked Lou, while Jimmy stood watching his eyes pained. "Is she alright? " Jimmy asked as the doctor straightened "She should be fine" the doctor walked to his side "I'll stay with her, Please go with them, they need someone who knows what he's doing with them, they're all going to get themselves killed"
" I won't leave her" Jimmy spoke quietly his determination in his voice
" Go Jimmy" Lou's quiet voice spoke from the bed, both men turned quickly to look closely at her " I'll be fine, I've just got a doozy of a headache"
Jimmy gave in and placing a gentle kiss on her forehead, he left the room to go and saddle his horse and catch up with the men of the posse. He had worried the whole time he was missing about Lou, and seeing Buck sitting on the porch as he rode up, he thought the worst had happened, his heart was in his mouth until Buck told him that she was okay.
When Lou woke the room was filled with dappled afternoon light and the promise of rain hanging heavily in the air. She felt Kid's arm wrapped possessively around her and smiled, for months now not only had she missed Kid desperately, but she longed to have these times again. It might not seem like much but one of the things she had missed the most was the quiet times of a morning, she often woke before Kid, and just lay there contentedly in his strong arms, breathing deeply of his scent and basking in his closeness. She didn't know if he was aware of her doing it or not, but for so long they had lived in the bunkhouse, denied the ability to be truly close, and that made each moment they could spend together like this all the more special to her, she hadn't realised just how badly she had missed it until she had just woken.
" What's wrong Lou?" Kid's drowsy voice startled her as he leaned up to look into her face
" Nothing" she murmured as he wiped tears she was aware of weeping from her cheeks with his thumb
" Tell me, " he spoke urgently " Are you in pain? Is it the baby? " he face was creased into a concerned frown
" It's silly" she smiled at him waterily " I realised when I woke up just how much I have missed waking up next to you each morning."
Kid's heart swelled with love for the tiny woman in his arms "I promise you there will never be another day when you have to wake without me." Seeing the love in her eyes was enough for him to realise that with these words he had made her happier than she had been in months and he was willing to do anything to keep her and their unborn child, both happy and healthy, and within his reach.
He knew that the next few months would be hard on all of them, but he now knew that he could not succeed without the love of his life and his loyal friends at his side, and that together they could overcome any obstacle that could be placed in their way.
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