ROCK CREEK ADVENTUROUS TALES
PART 2

GHOSTS FROM THE PAST

by Debra © 2001

CHAPTER TWELVE

The outside of the marshal's office looks calm and serene the morning after the dance, and Jesse's shifty admittance to being the horse thief that had visited their ranch some while ago. The town is quiet with no movement as the sun perches itself slightly into the sky. The cool morning air has smoke trailing into the sky from the marshal's office.

Inside Jimmy is fueling the fire in the potbelly stove to heat up the office. About mid-morning he knows he will regret these actions. It will be so hot in the office he'll be tempted to remove his clothing and walk around in his long johns. He figures the townsfolk won't appreciate that gesture much.

Teaspoon is sitting at his desk faulting himself for the turn of events that were unveiled last evening. He had thanked the lord when he noticed that a new batch of wanted posters had arrived the day before.
Jimmy hadn't had the time to even glance through them. Teaspoon's hopes are that new posters of Jesse and his gang are included in the large golden yellow envelope.

He had given the boy the chance to change as Jesse had pleaded with him to do. But, the rage inside the old marshal, at the knowledge of Jesse turning to yet another crime, has shortened his patient and understanding with the outlaw. Jesse had made him into a complete fool last night in front of his family. The only thing that had saved him from total degradation was the fact that Buck had already left the dance. Buck wasn't present to let Teaspoon know how wrong he had been about Jesse.

Teaspoon holds the posters up that he had been searching for. He hands them to Jimmy.

At first Jimmy doesn't take a hold of the posters. He looks at Teaspoon sharply in the eyes to see if the old man's heart is really comfortable with posting the posters of a young boy that he loves like he would if he were his son. Hell! Jesse is Teaspoon's son. "Are you sure this is really what you want? You're not doing this just because it's weighing heavy on your mind that Jesse is the horse thief?"

"It's what I need to do. I should have never fought with Buck over the first ones that he and you posted. I have been totally wrong about the way I have handled this situation with Jesse. And, you know how I hate to admit I'm wrong about anything."

"You know if the law or a bounty hunter catches Jesse, he'll hang?" Jimmy asked wanting to make sure Teaspoon understands the consequences that Jesse will face.

"I am aware of what will happen to Jesse. I am also painfully aware of how much I have hurt all of you. I've especially made Buck feel like I don't even care about him."

"Those aren't the reasons you're posting the wanted posters of Jesse, are they?" Jimmy asked flatly.

"I told you why I'm posting them. I have sworn to uphold the law, and I let my feelings for a boy I once knew get in the way of my job. I do love Jesse. I don't want to see him hang. If that were to ever happen, it would break my heart. But, I can't let Jesse rule my heart. He has proven to me that he never intended on changing his lifestyle."

Jimmy takes the wanted posters out of Teaspoon's hands. He takes them slowly allowing Teaspoon the chance to change his mind. Teaspoon's grip on the posters is not a firm hold. Jimmy easily takes the posters from him. Jimmy sighs softly unsure that this action won't someday come back to haunt Teaspoon. Jimmy knows it is the right thing to do, otherwise he would never had allowed Buck to persuade him to post the first batch that arrived at the office.

"By the way, Buck understands the pain that these posters have caused you. He isn't blind to your feelings about Jesse. What really hurt Buck more than anything were the remarks you made concerning Neville," Jimmy spoke softly. He watches the marshal's face pale. A sudden sadness hangs over the inside of the office, much like a storm drenching the town. Jimmy walks over to the bulletin board and proceeds to pin the posters in the empty space the first ones had occupied.

"You don't think I realize how much Ike's death and the way he died had torn at Buck's heart for months after the incident?" Teaspoon muttered softly. His voice is a bit shaky with emotion.

Jimmy turns around to look at Teaspoon's weary structure. "I know you were in just as much pain as Buck over Ike's death. I know that you made yourself strong because Buck needed you to be strong."

"I spent a lot of days talking with him. He wouldn't let himself understand why Ike had done what he did. Buck hasn't learned how powerful the love for a woman can be. He couldn't comprehend Ike giving his life to save Emily. I tried to make Buck understand that love can be a pretty powerful emotion. Sometimes after I would listen to him talk about the things Ike and him used to get into, I felt the same way Buck did. Ike had a lot more living to do."

"It wasn't meant to be that way Teaspoon," Jimmy spoke flatly.

"Yeah, I know. I feel so terrible for bringing up the past and causing Buck to relive all those painful memories again. He certainly didn't deserve the harsh words that came from my uncompassionate heart,"
Teaspoon stated angry that he caused Buck unnecessary emotional pain.

"I think all Buck really needs to know is that you don't think he's the same kind of man that Jesse has turned out to be."

"You're right there. Where Buck felt very remorseful for what he had done to another human being; Jesse feels excitement for the kill. I would sit and hold Buck for hours listening to him sob over Ike being gone and the fact that he took another man's life. Oh, I don't think Buck thought that Neville didn't deserve what he got. I think Buck just soon realized that it wasn't his choice to make if Neville should be able to live for his crimes or if he should die. And, even if Neville should die, Buck painfully became aware that he shouldn't have been the one to send him to his grave."

"Sounds like Buck had quite a lot to deal with that none of us really knew about."

"I had a difficult enough time getting him to share his feelings with me about the entire ordeal. I kept our talks just between him and I because that is what Buck wanted."

"I understand. I wasn't…"

"What do you understand?" Cody asked boldly as he walks into the office slamming the new door behind him.

"Take it easy on the new door. I don't think the townsfolk want to pay for another one so soon after they just paid for this one," Jimmy spoke loudly.

"What brings you here so early in the morning?" Teaspoon asked flatly.

Cody, who is dressed in his army attire, walks toward Teaspoon and removes his hat. "I was rudely awoken early this morning by two of my men. It seems there has been another killing, only this time it is a civilian," Cody replied somberly.

"A civilian?" Teaspoon questioned.

"Uh Cody, don't you mean a citizen," Jimmy asked dumfounded.

"Whatever Jimmy, it means the same," Cody replied his voice a bit too high and mighty for Jimmy's tastes.

"Well don't just stand there waiting for sunset. Who was it that was murdered?" Teaspoon bellowed.

"It was Mister Carson, the banker."

"Where did this happen Cody?" Teaspoon asked puzzled.

"Mister Carson apparently was on his way home after the dance."

Jimmy turns to face Teaspoon. "Teaspoon, Mister Carson was still at the dance when I left with Hannah. Hannah and I ran into him on our way out. I remember that he couldn't keep his eyes from roaming all over Hannah. I think he was getting kind of flustered by her flaunting appearance."

"How did Hannah take his gawking at her like that?" Teaspoon asked rationally.

"She kind of smirked at him. I thought it was rather humorous to see the old man interested in her," Jimmy smiled, remembering the night before.

"Well the old man didn't die from any physical aliment. Mister Carson was stabbed to death with a knife," Cody remarked.

"Did the murderer leave the weapon behind?" Teaspoon asked hoping that they would get a break in this case before anyone else is killed.

"Nope. We didn't notice anything unusual at the scene of the crime. It just seems odd to me that Mister Carson was killed while he sat on the buckboard. That's how we found him. There was a lot of blood on the buckboard," Cody remarked.

"Why is that so unusual?" Jimmy asked perplexed.

"You wouldn't think Mister Carson's horses would allow a stranger to stab the man a half a dozen times, and just stay perfectly still. You would have thought the noise would have spooked the animals."

"All these murders are just mind-boggling. Someone really knows what they are doing," Teaspoon spoke somberly.

Jimmy notices the sadness that has suddenly come over Teaspoon. "You're thinking that Jesse and his gang could be doing this, aren't you Teaspoon?"

"It's possible. Although, I don't understand it, I hadn't thought Jesse had taken up killing just for the pleasure of it. I had thought he only would kill if someone would get in their way during a robbery," Teaspoon stated as he suddenly remembers the evidence that Cody had said was found near Jesse's camp. "You were going to let me in on the evidence you found against Jesse?"

"It turned out to be nothing. Some of my men scouting the countryside found puddles of blood near Jesse's camp. I'm not real sure, but I'm guessing it was my blood from when Simon shot me. But, I'm definitely going to investigate the possibility that it could be Jesse and his loyal gang of bandits. There appearance here in Rock Creek coincides with the first murders. Well, I'll see the two of you later. I have men waiting for me to do a though search of the area today in hopes of finding the outlaw. I need to see Jane this morning before I go," Cody remarked with no feelings toward Jesse, but a lot of feelings toward Jane.

"Why do you have to see Jane?" Jimmy asked promptly.

"I'd like for Jane to have dinner with me tonight," Cody replied. He notices the anxious look on Jimmy's face. Jimmy must know what went on with Buck and Jane. "Is there anything wrong with that Jimmy?"

"Uh…no! I was just thinking that I could give her a message from you if you're in a hurry to get started with your search for Jesse."

Cody thinks on that for a moment. He grabs a pencil and piece of paper from the desk and scribbles Jane a brief note. He carefully folds the note in half debating with his mind if this is the right way to ask the woman of his dreams for a date. He hands the note to Jimmy a bit apprehensively. "You'll make sure she gets it?"

"Yeah, sure thing. I'll ride out to the ranch this morning, and hand it to her personally."

"Thanks," Cody spoke downhearted. He isn't sure that Jimmy is being honest with him, but he can't let that impede his day. He has to figure out who is doing all these killings before he is yanked from the case. That certainly wouldn't look good on his record. "I'll see you all later."
Cody rushes out of the office.

Jimmy watches intensely as Cody mounts his horse and rides on out of Rock Creek. As soon as Cody is out of his sight, Jimmy turns his attention back to Teaspoon. He tears the note up in a few pieces and deposits it into the nearby trashcan.

Teaspoon has been watching this entire scene quietly and totally intrigued with Jimmy's actions. The young man certainly had a plan that worked out brilliantly for him, and not so well for Cody. Trouble is, Teaspoon isn't quite sure what Jimmy's up to. "I don't mean to pry, but uh…what was that all about?" Teaspoon asked pointing to the torn up note Jimmy threw away.

"It's simple. I don't want Cody having dinner with Jane."

"I got that much out of your actions, Jimmy. I mean what is the hidden meaning behind pulling the wool over Cody's eyes."

"Does that mean Cody's blind?"

"Never mind! Just tell me what in blazes you are up to?" Teaspoon asked impatiently.

"Buck is very, and a mean intensely interested in Jane," Jimmy spoke with a smile larger than daylight upon his face.

"Let me guess. This is your way of keeping Cody away from Jane? You know son, sooner or later Cody is going to figure out that Jane never received his note."

"I had to do something to stall Cody from moving too fast with Jane," Jimmy replied worrisomely.

"Why is that?" Teaspoon asked. He is becoming fascinated with the great lengths Jimmy is going through to make sure Cody stays away from Jane.

"Because Buck has decided to act like a sixteen year old when it comes to women, but I've been trying to give him some good sound advice," Jimmy spoke very proud of his advice.

"Oh Lord," Teaspoon spoke concerned about the advice Jimmy is giving Buck. Teaspoon is sure the advice is the way Jimmy pursues women. That doesn't mean that that is the same way Buck would pursue a woman.

Jimmy is offended by Teaspoon's slight degradation of his advice before he even tells Teaspoon what kind of advice he has given to Buck. "I can give out good advice Teaspoon."

"Okay. What advice did you give to Buck about how to pursue a woman?" Teaspoon asked calmly with his hands folded across his chest expecting an answer that he needs to brace himself for.

"I told Buck that I've already done it with Hannah."

At this point Teaspoon is rolling his eyes and he begins to pace the office floor with his crutches.

"I told Buck that he should be doing the same with Jane."

"Oh Lord 'y' Lord," Teaspoon spoke as he stands still while shaking his head with disapproval.

"Teaspoon, I think Buck can handle this," Jimmy spoke certain that he is right.

"That ain't what I'm worried about."

"Don't worry about Jane. She isn't the skimpy girl we met seven years ago. Jane's grown up into a breath-taking, beautiful young woman."

"I do have eyes Hickok. I can see that Jane's all growed up!"

Jimmy's face is embedded in a confused state. He wonders if perhaps Teaspoon has been married one too many times. The old man has forgotten what it's like to be single and able to look at any woman that he sees fit. "Then, I don't see the problem."

"That's cause you ain't falling in love with Hannah. She's a woman you're spending time with in this town. The next town you're in, there will be a different woman keeping you company."

"That don't make me sound so good Teaspoon," Jimmy stated flatly.

"No, it just means you ain't the settling down type. So the women you choose ain't the settling down type either. You ever see Hannah other then when you're gonna lay with her?"

"No," Jimmy spoke disgusted with himself. "I did escort her to the dance though."

"Only cause there was probably a rendezvous planned for the two of you after the dance," Teaspoon spoke calculatedly.

"How did you know?"

"Now do you see what I'm worried about?"

"No."

"Hickok, I swear you can't see what's right in front of you. Buck is the settling down type. He wants to find a woman he can fall in love with, get married to, and have a dozen or so children with."

"Married people do it too Teaspoon. How do you think they have all those children you're talking about?"

"Jimmy, I swear there is no hope for you. Do I have to spell everything out for you? They need time to fall in love first. You know, time to get to know one another."

"Seems to me Teaspoon that if Buck takes Jane to bed, they'll get to know each other just fine."

Teaspoon has grown somewhat weary from this conversation he is having with Jimmy. He leans his backside against the front of the desk to get up the strength to continue with this conversing that is going on between him and Jimmy. "Jimmy, why am I having this conversation with you?"

"Don't know."

"I don't know either."

"Have you given any thought about Cody in this Buck and Jane love story of yours?"

"Cody?"

"You just heard him Teaspoon. Cody is going to ask her out. If I'm not mistaken, I think Cody has plans on courting Jane. To be honest though, I think Jane looks at Cody as just a friend. But, Cody's been pretty smitten ever since he rescued Jane from Simon's clutches."

"How do you know that friendship toward Cody is all Jane's feeling?"
Teaspoon asked showing signs of worrisome for Buck. She could end up with Cody, which would leave Buck devastated. He doesn't want to push anything that could end up pushing Buck further away from women.

"Cause Jane ain't kissing Cody the same way she's been kissing Buck!"

"Oh. Well uh…how's she kissing Cody?"

Jimmy points to his cheek. "Tiny, friendly pecks on the cheeks," Jimmy spoke amusingly.

"And Buck?"

"Jane kisses Buck the same way I kiss Hannah when I'm trying to seduce her."

"Oh. Well uh…Hickok maybe you do give out good advice after all," Teaspoon spoke smiling proudly that Buck has found a woman that can tolerate his Indian background that most white women frown upon.

"I don't think so Teaspoon. Maybe you should have a talk with Buck," Jimmy spoke worried that he is wrong and Teaspoon is right. Of course Teaspoon is right. He had almost forgotten that golden rule.

"I think I'll just let nature take its course where Buck and Jane are concerned. But Cody, now that's a different matter entirely. I could come up with a plan that will distract Cody for a while.

Charlene is sighing heavily as she picks up the sofa pillows that Buck and Jane had obviously forgotten about during their moment of passion! She slams her body onto the sofa and fantasies what it would be like to be with him. She takes a pillow and hugs it to her mid-section.
"Why can't he see that we are more suited for each other?" She mumbled out loud figuring that she doesn't have an audience.

"Why can't who see what?" Jane asked as she walks into the living room." She walks close to the sofa and goes around it to face a sulking Charlene.

"Did you enjoy your little romp with Buck last night?" Charlene asked cynically.

Jane stares right through the snide woman remembering the way Buck had gently brought her down on the sofa. His body lay weightlessly on top of hers. She remembers the feel and smell of Buck driving her senses to the point of no turning back. She hadn't wanted to stop the passion between them. There had been so many intrusions on their lovemaking. She thinks now, that it is possible the intrusions were meant as a sign that they are not to be together in that way just yet. She can wait. Her only problem will be if Buck continues to kiss her the way he did last night. She isn't so sure she'll be able to control her desire for him if he persists on torturing her in that way!

"Hello Jane." Charlene spoke calmly as she waves her arms in front of Jane's face to get her to come back from her daydreams.

Jane snaps out of her trance, and glares at the woman who is her competition.

"Oh, I see you've decided to join the living again," Charlene remarked amusingly.

"Charlene do you know how a person can tell she's going to have a bad day?" Jane asked with sarcasm.

"When your passion isn't satisfied the night before," Charlene replied with a wicked smirk attached to her face.

"You won't keep us apart forever," Jane snapped back at the vile creature that sits before her. Jane has a feeling that Charlene could be a deceitful woman if she should turn her back for even one second on her.

Charlene stands up from the sofa and confronts Jane face to face. "The two of you won't make love with me living in this house! You might as well know, I'll do whatever I have to, to make sure you don't get your hands on Buck!"

"You little bitch!" Jane spoke harshly.

Charlene is shocked at the spitfire that Jane appears to be. She has her work cut out for her with this woman. She had thought Jane to be the meek type. Charlene figured Jane to be the type of woman who would crawl in a corner if scorned. This will be much more of a challenge then she had first predicted.

"You may have put a damper on our lovemaking last evening, but Buck doesn't want you! He has already made that perfectly clear to you. His words to you last night at the dance should be enough to tell you that he is not attracted to you. Whether he and I make love or we don't, he still cares about me. He won't even bother with you!"

"We'll see about that! He won't bother with you if you're not around anymore," Charlene spoke with a sardonic grimace.

"Is that a threat on my life?"

"Take it anyway you want. You'll never have what you want! I'll see to that!"

"What's going on in here?" Kid asked quietly as he enters the living room in a dubious manner. He hadn't meant to eavesdrop on the two women that are battering back and forth at each other.

The two women standing close enough to strangle one another had not heard Kid come into the house. Both turn and pay attention to Kid when they hear his voice mutter something to them.

"This is none of your business," Charlene spoke in a nasty tone.

Buck walks from the stairs into the entranceway to the living room. He stands next to Kid gazing at the two women who are about to go at it again with each other.

"I'd appreciate it if one of you would answer Kid's question. I could hear the two of you shouting at each other from clear upstairs," Buck spoke calmly.

Both Jane and Charlene look at Buck. While Charlene tries to make herself innocent looking in Buck's eyes, Jane's facial expression is one filled with rage at the other woman.

Charlene rushes to Buck's side, and clings to his right arm. Her intent is to let Buck know that Jane is a rather mean person. Charlene puts on a very persuasive act with the appearance of fright in her eyes as if she's met the devil in the personage of Jane.

"She is threatening my life just because I interrupted the two of you last night during your uh…moment of foolishness on the sofa with this wicked woman! Charlene spoke her voice shaky and her body trembling from fear.

Charlene's not so innocent mention of last evening with Jane has Buck once again thinking about Jane in his arms. Jane was definitely very wicked! Charlene would be fit to be tied if she knew that Buck could hardly wait for Jane to show her wicked ways to him again.

"I swear Buck, I didn't know the two of you were engaging in such activities right out in the open like that! I would have thought, with me being in the house, that you would have taken intimacy with Jane to your bedroom," Charlene spoke her voice impeccable.

Buck can hear the snickers coming from the other side of him where Kid is standing. Buck glances over at his friend with a stern glare of disapproval.

Kid clears his throat once he sees the glare that he is receiving from a very not amused Buck. It takes him a few moments, but he eventually shows laborious self-control on his laughter by covering his hand over his mouth.

Buck turns his attention back to Jane and Charlene. "I'm really sorry Charlene. I won't let it happen again."

"You'll talk to her about threatening me?" Charlene asked in a whiney tone while pointing a finger at Jane.

Buck looks at Jane. His mind starts to wonder again. He curses himself silently. He has never had so many wayward thoughts about a woman in his young life. She really has a powerful hold on him. "Yeah, I'll have a talk with Jane."

Jane rolls her eyes tediously. In her eyes Charlene is a pathetic woman. She can't fend for herself so she hides behind Buck. If that wasn't bad enough, Buck makes Charlene seem like a saint in front of her and Kid. Why didn't Buck defend her? Instead, Buck acts as if he believes the pitiful woman that is clinging to him as if she is afraid of her. Jane wonders if Charlene has Buck playing right into the game she's drawing them both into. All Jane really knows is that she isn't about to let Charlene play her for a fool!

Charlene has a proud appearance stationed on her face. She's content for now that Buck seems to be siding with her on the argument that he had heard between her and Jane. Jane might be a challenge, but Buck is proving to be quite easy to manipulate. "I'm going upstairs to relax in a bath full of lavender water. Living in this household has become quite stressful," Charlene spoke as she glares at Jane. She unleashes her hands from Buck's arm and walks away from the small group.

Jane waits until Charlene is out of sight and eavesdropping range. She makes a slight effort to approach Buck. She doesn't want to stand to close to him for fear that her desire for him is still heated from last evening. The sofa keeps reminding Jane of her insatiable appetite she has for Buck. She decides it is best to keep the sofa between them. "You don't really believe that I threatened her, do you?"

Kid can't keep his over abundance of laughter inside any longer. His whole insides are trembling with exhilaration. Jane and Buck can only stare at Kid, as he has to fold his arms around his waist to keep the pain from his outburst from hurting too much.

"I'm real glad you're getting such a big kick out of this Kid," Buck spoke calmly.

Kid tries to force himself to stop his amusing outburst. The harsh look he is getting from Buck is a real good sign that Buck isn't amused by Charlene's admittance that she had spied on him and Jane last night in a compromising position on the sofa. Kid rubs at his stomach to calm the rippling going on inside. "I'm sorry. I can just imagine poor Charlene stomping up the stairs with her best sinister look on her face, after she's caught the two of you intimately on the sofa."

"We were kissing Kid," Jane remarked flatly.

"We were doing a little more than kissing Jane," Buck spoke flatly.

"Okay. Since we're pouring our souls out, would you care to have another laugh Kid? Charlene isn't the only person that caught Buck and I enraged with passion on the sofa. Jimmy stormed in on us also."

"Jane, why don't we just announce to everyone exactly what we were doing," Buck spoke annoyed.

"Why not? With Charlene and Jimmy knowing, the whole town will know soon enough. Charlene has already announced our promiscuous behavior to Kid. How long do you think it will take the gossip mongrel to spread it around town?" Jane asked smoldering with anger.

Kid wants to change the direction this conversation is going. He had been having too much fun picking on Buck about his behavior with Jane. Kid's never known his business partner to get that intimate with a woman that quick! "So how did Charlene take it when she burst in on the two of you 'doing it' on the sofa?" Kid asked amused.

"Doing what Kid?" Buck asked teasingly serious.

"You know, doing…you know Buck," Kid stumbled with his words.

"I'm surprised that you don't know with you being married for the past six years," Buck spoke smiling at his friend's awkwardness on the subject of making love.

"We weren't 'doing it' as you call it. We were fully clothed," Jane spoke as she reaches over the sofa and jabs Buck in the ribs. "Someone wouldn't take HIS clothes off." Jane spoke as she steps away from the sofa and walks towards the kitchen. She hears Kid's snickers again as she walks away.

"Why did you have to tell Kid that? Where are you going? I'll need help in here to defuse Kid and his annoying jovialness," Buck asked smiling at her wicked ways of getting even with him for defending Charlene.

"I need a strong cup of coffee before I start this day," Jane spoke as she disappears from Buck's sight.

"So things didn't go exactly as you planned them to go last night?" Kid asked smiling with amusement at Buck's expense.

Buck turns his attention back to Kid. Why did she have to tell Kid that he was the one doing most of the stalling during their encounter. "I didn't really have any plans. Things just got out of hand with Jane."

"Jane seems a little disappointed that things didn't happen," Kid spoke with a gleam in his eyes.

"Will you please stop. If Jane's disappointed then I'll have to fix that, after her and I spend some time getting to know one another," Buck spoke in a sulking mood.

"What are you going to do about Cody? He has his eyes on Jane, and you know he won't back down from removing his clothes," Kid spoke amusingly.

"You're pretty much saying I'm an idiot, aren't you?" Buck asked taking Kid very seriously.

Kid frowns slightly. He realizes by the tone in Buck's voice that Buck is taking him seriously. When all Kid is really doing is having fun with Buck's sense of virtues concerning courtship and lust!

"I'm just funning with you Buck. I think it's a good thing to fall in love first before lust enters the relationship. I hope all of you riders didn't think Louise and I were engaged in such activities the second we laid eyes on each other. It didn't happen that way. But, while all of us do have morals, you know that Cody does not have any."

"Yeah. I don't know what to do about Cody's over-anxiousness where Jane is concerned. I'm hoping these murders keep him so occupied that he won't have time to even think about Jane."

"Maybe. Uh…I have some other news for you," Kid spoke apprehensively.

Buck looks at Kid confused. The upsetting look on Kid's face tells Buck that it isn't good news that he needs to share with him.

"You seem a little worried about telling me your news. What's going on? It isn't Louise is it? She didn't kick you out and insist you come over here to live, did she? Cause frankly, I'm running out of bedrooms."

"Didn't you get any sleep again last night Buck?" Kid asked smiling.

"No. As a matter of fact I didn't."

Kid slaps his friend on his shoulder. "Don't worry. It doesn't get any easier once you're married to them."

"You're talking about women, I hope?"

"Yeah, I'm talking about women!" Kid spoke with a chuckle. He laughs a bit louder when he hears Buck joining in on the laughter.

Both men calm their laughing down so Jane doesn't come busting out of the kitchen wondering what it is they find so amusing.

So, what did you want to tell me?" Buck asked seriously.

Kid's face becomes drawn in with a heavy sigh. He places his hands on his hips nervously. His features on his face are all straight-laced. He is planning on Buck being furious over his news. "Uh… I found our four horses that were stolen."

Buck gets excited over the news! A bright smile appears on his face, as well as a gleam of happiness in his eyes. "When? Where did you find them? Why didn't you come get me to help you with them?"

Kid holds up his hands to stop Buck's excitement over the news that sounds good, but really isn't as great as Buck thinks at this point. "Hold on a minute. Hum…lets see. When? Last night after you left the dance with the women. Where? Before I answer this one, you have to promise me you won't break anything or punch me in the mouth," Kid begged.

Buck looks puzzled. "Why would I want to break something or punch you?"

"Because the where answer is at the dance. The four men that were with Jesse last night, rode out of town on our four horses," Kid spoke softly. He squints his eyes shut waiting for Buck to explode.

"You're kidding." Buck spoke flatly. The excitement he had felt just seconds before is completely drained from his face.

"You don't know how badly I wish I were kidding. It gets worse," Kid spoke startled by Buck's calmness over the situation. He can't believe that Buck is going to stay this calm.

"How much worse can it get? Jesse is playing us all for fools."

"Yeah. He certainly has been, and probably still is," Kid spoke trying to clear his throat. The gesture is more from nervousness rather than a dry mouth and throat. "Teaspoon wants us to let it go…for the time being."

"What? Why?" Buck shouted.

"You sure do ask a lot of questions," Kid replied trying to add a little humor to the situation.

"I'm not in the mood for anymore wisecracks today Kid. What is Teaspoon up to? Doesn't he see that if we allow Jesse to borrow our horses, then we are just opening the door for Jesse to just do whatever he pleases, whenever he pleases. Jesse is making complete fools out of all of us. I can't stand around and just let that punk do whatever he wants," Buck spoke harshly.

Kid grabs hold of Buck's arm as he's about to storm out of the house. "Will you hold onto your temper for just a minute?"

Buck calms down when he sees the pleading look in Kid's eyes. "Cody thinks that Jesse might be the one responsible for the murders that have been going on around here."

Buck thinks about that for a second. He arches an eyebrow at Kid wondering if Cody is planning on going after Jesse. "Jesse did enter our lives again right around the same time the first four army men were discovered."

"Cody wants you and I to stay calm about the horses so he can get Jesse accused of much more serious crimes. That is if Cody can prove that Jesse is guilty of the murders."

"I suppose Teaspoon doesn't want Cody going after Jesse?" Buck asked somberly.

"Teaspoon had to swallow his pride a little and admit that he's been wrong about Jesse. I think he plans on helping once the doc takes the wrappings off his legs. Don't be so hard on Teaspoon about Jesse. He loved the boy that the man once was. Teaspoon will never stop caring about that boy. It's the man he can't stomach!"

"I won't be hard on Teaspoon. I know how much he wanted to believe that Jesse was going to change," Buck stated flatly.

Jane walks back out to the men with two mugs of coffee. She places a mug in each of their hands. The liquid is extremely hot by the steam pouring out over the rim of the mugs.

"Thanks," Kid spoke giving Jane a smile.

Buck reaches over and places a tender kiss on her lips. "Thank-you."

"Both of you are very welcome. Now I have a busy day ahead of me."

"Where do you think you're going?" Buck asked demandingly.

The entire house is silent. Kid gazes up from a drink of his coffee and senses that Buck and Jane's first argument is about to take place, and he would rather not me in the middle. He starts for the door with his mug of coffee.

"I'm just going to take my coffee, and get back over to the house. Remember Buck we're taking the day off so I can spend some time with Louise and the girls. Maybe if you're still alive, I'll see you later on today," Kid spoke as he leaves the house.

After Kid leaves Jane turns around to face Buck with a quizzical look. "Kid must think you can't handle a woman's temper very well."

"I'm beginning to think I'm not much good at handling women at all," Buck spoke disheartened.

Jane gets a playful smile on her face. She approaches him and lifts his coffee mug from his hand, placing it on a table near the sofa. She wraps her arms up around his back and molds her body into his. "I don't know about that. You handled me pretty well last night." She reaches up to kiss his soft lips. She kisses him tenderly until she hears soft moans escaping from within him. He gently wraps his arms around her and deepens the kiss. His heart begins to race with desire again! He had promised himself that this wasn't going to happen just yet.

Buck stops the kiss and takes his arms from around her. "Jane, please don't get me started again. Remember Charlene is right upstairs taking a bath."

"Maybe she drowned in the tub."

"You do have some naughty thoughts when it comes to Charlene and her demise."

"Not true my love. I'm saving my naughty thoughts for you. For Charlene I have diabolical thoughts of any early expiration from her need for your protection," Jane spoke softly.

"Lets get out of this house before a lose my senses again. Where do you have to go today? I'll take you."

"The schoolhouse. I need to get the desks and books in order. School will be starting in another week."

"I can't let you teach school if Simon is still on the loose," Buck spoke worrisome.

Jane won't allow any man to order her around as if she belongs to them. She has been independent for too many years to all of a sudden be expected to succumb to a man organizing her life for her the way he sees fit. She won't tolerate that way of life from any man, and that includes Buck. If he wants the woman she has become, then Buck will have to accept the independent woman she is. "You don't have a choice in the matter. I'm teaching the children of this town whether you like it or not! I don't think Simon will attack me in a schoolhouse full of children as a witness to his crime.

Jane leads, as Buck silently follows her out of the house. He doesn't make an attempt to nullify her unwavering words to him.

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