ROCK CREEK ADVENTUROUS TALES
PART 2

GHOSTS FROM THE PAST

by Debra © 2001

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Teaspoon is leaning against the corrals watching the horses graze in the fields. He thinks about how hard Buck and Kid have worked over the past few years to make their dream of having this ranch a reality. He had almost been willing to let Jesse indulge in everything the boys had worked so hard for. That doesn't mean that Jesse James is out of their lives. He can feel that Jesse is still out their watching all of them. It's only a matter of time before he strikes. Teaspoon can feel it.

"What are you thinking about?" Kid asked as he comes up from behind Teaspoon and slaps the old man gently on the back.

Teaspoon cranks his head slightly to look at Kid who is now standing beside him looking out over the land as well. "I'm thinking about what a miraculous scheme we came up with, and how wonderfully it has worked out.

"Cody isn't back from his wild goose chase yet Teaspoon. When he does get back he is likely to be rather ill-tempered about the false trip we sent him on," Kid replied softly.

"I ain't worried. You didn't see Cody out on his dinner date with Jane last night, now did you?" Teaspoon spoke with a wide grin.

"We still have to get through tonight. Buck and Jane are going out to dinner, but Cody might be back in town before their evening is over."
"So you're telling me that Cody could interrupt Buck and Jane after they are back home for the evening."

"There would go all Rachel and Jane's scheming to get Charlene out of the house for the evening," Kid spoke flatly.

"Oh Lord," Teaspoon spoke disheartened.

"Personally Teaspoon, I think it would have been a whole lot easier to marry Buck and Jane off and send them on a honeymoon, alone of course," Kid spoke amusingly.

"Why didn't you tell me your plan yesterday, Kid?"

"You're not serious?"

"It could've worked. At least the two of them would be able to…well you know…without the rest of us interrupting them every time they start to…you know," Teaspoon spoke stumbling his way through his words.

"You know what I think, I think all this scheming is making all of us crazy," Kid spoke quietly as he lets out a loud yawn.

"That ain't all that's making us all crazy," Teaspoon spoke as he hears footsteps coming toward them. He turns around to see who it could be approaching them.

"Teaspoon, Rachel asked me if I could get the children cleaned up for dinner while she is helping Jane get ready for her date," Charlene spoke rather calmly for a woman who is about to lose out to Jane completely for Buck's love after this night is over.

"You seem in a rather cheerful mood tonight, Charlene," Kid spoke pleased that she isn't dwelling on Buck and his date with Jane.

"I guess I'm just accepting what I know can never be. Teaspoon, I'll see you over at the house," Charlene spoke turning away from them to walk toward the Hunter house. The evil smile on her face is proof enough that she has not given up on Buck. "This dinner date may just not take place after all," Charlene spoke quietly to herself.

Jane had laid the sea green taffeta dress that she has chosen to wear on her dinner date with Buck, out across her bed. With her hair pinned up she retired to another room where she is soaking her body in a bath filled with a relaxing lavender fragrance. The warmth of the water is soothing the burning deep inside her. The dinner is only an interlude to what tonight is really about for her and Buck. Everyone who resides at this ranch knows that her and Buck are coming back to Buck's house to make love. How much more not spontaneous can making love become? There are some advantages to a planned evening of passion. With everyone knowledgeable concerning their plans, there should be no intrusions to keep her from making love to Buck all night long!

She reaches for her towel and drapes it around her body as she steps out of the bathtub.

"Jane, are you about finished with your bath?" Rachel shouted from Jane's bedroom. "I think you really need to get over here."

It doesn't even dawn on Jane that Rachel's hollers could be because something has gone wrong with their scheming. They had thought out everything thoroughly about tonight down to the last tiny detail. There is no way anything can go wrong.

Jane stands in the doorway of her bedroom gazing at her dress that Rachel is holding up for her to view. They are both speechless over the sight of the dress that has been slashed a few dozen times with a sharp object. Jane walks over to Rachel and her dress very slowly. She fingers the material that is now in shreds. Jane gazes at Rachel who is just as stunned as Jane is.

"You would have done this?" Jane asked almost too calm.

"Charlene just left about twenty minutes ago. Have you been in here since then?"

"No, I haven't. Rachel, I am bringing to believe that Buck and I are not meant to be together. This has to be a sign that bad things are yet to happen if we are together," Jane spoke wearily.

Rachel puts the dress back down on the bed. She gathers Jane into her arms for a comforting hug. "It is only a dress. It doesn't have anything at all to do with the love you two feel for one another," Rachel spoke softly as she brings Jane away from her and makes her way over to Jane's closet. "I'm sure that you have other dresses that you can wear."

Rachel pushes hanger after hanger of dresses to the side as she searches for the perfect dress for Jane to wear. It takes her a few moments, but soon her hands have stopped searching. "Oh my," Rachel exclaimed as she brings out the dress from the closet that has her speechless.

Rachel holds the new dress up for Jane to see. Jane's eyes become wide with nervousness. Rachel sees the concerned look in Jane's eyes, but she is simply choosing to ignore it.

"This is the perfect dress. I can't believe you didn't choose this one before the green one," Rachel spoke excitedly.

"I can't wear that dress Rachel."

"Why not?"

"Don't you think it is a little too revealing?"

"Good. When Buck sees you in this dress he'll think he's died and gone to heaven!"

"Yes. So will every other man that's at the restaurant this evening," Jane spoke strongly.

"Look my dear, don't go getting modest on me now. I want you to put this dress on, and get yourself downstairs in ten minutes. Buck will be waiting for you," Rachel spoke demandingly as she places the dress in Jane's hands. She leaves Jane alone to muddle through her thoughts about wearing such a dress.

Rachel walks hurriedly down the stairs and runs directly into Buck who is waiting nervously for Jane. Rachel smiles amusingly at the back and forth pacing that he is doing in front of the stairs. She looks him over and wonders if Jane will have a difficult time getting to dinner without undressing him first! He is wearing dark brown trousers with a cream colored shirt and a dark brown suit coat over the shirt. Buck has let his hair flow freely. Rachel is sure he did this because Jane has made comments that she likes his hair down over being pulled back and tied.

"Is Jane ready?" Buck asked his voice shaky from his nervousness.

"She'll be down in a few minutes. I'm going to go on over to the house and make sure Charlene is occupied."

"Thanks Rachel."

"Just have a good time tonight," Rachel spoke teasingly. She walks away from Buck.

Just about the time he hears the front door close, he gets a glimpse of Jane making her way down the stairs. When he gets a full view of her his mouth drops to the floor! As she makes her way down to him, he gets control of himself and closes his mouth trying to act as normal as he possible can. When Jane is standing on the step above him, Buck holds at his hand for her to grasp onto.

As soon as Jane touches his hand, the heat of him spreads through her body. Touching him is definitely the wrong way to go about getting out the front door, and onto the restaurant.

Buck hasn't taken his eyes off of Jane. His eyes have now combed every inch of her for the second time, and he still can't believe that she has chosen him. "You look ravishingly beautiful Jane."

She steps down to his level and gazes at him as if she is lost in the pools of his deep brown eyes. She hadn't wanted to wear this dress, but the look on his face assures her that his hunger is for more than the food they will be served at dinner tonight. The dress is red, a very dark hue of red, but not quite maroon. It is ankle length to allow a tiny amount of skin showing for seductive purposes only. The dress is made from a silken material with a low scoop neckline. It is sleeveless, but Jane has a shawl made from taffeta that is the same color of the dress thrown around her shoulders. The dress is form fitting to Jane's body but there is a satin slip under the dress, which is a lighter shade then the dress that makes the dress not too snug against her womanly curves.

She twirls around for him to gaze at her completely. "Do you like it?"

"I like it very much," Buck spoke his voice husky with passion. He leans into Jane and kisses her soft parted lips. But, when Buck hears the soft moans coming from her, he stops the kiss and simply takes in her beauty.

Jane is baffled as to why Buck had stopped kissing her. Even though she knows now that she is crazy in love with this man, she doesn't pretend to understand him completely. They are alone. No one will be intruding on them tonight. Any other time Buck would kiss her breathless until someone would walk in on them. It doesn't matter. He hasn't taken his eyes off of her, and that is all that matters right now.

She had noticed how gorgeous he looked as she walked enticingly down his stairway. She runs her fingers from his chin down to his torso. "You look simply delicious. Can we skip dinner and move onto desert," Jane pleaded as she nips at his chin.

"No," Buck spoke looking down at her trying to keep his self-control.

Jane is stunned by is unwillingness to stay at the house and make love to her. She gazes into his eyes, and sees only love for her there. "You're afraid aren't you? You're afraid that someone will barge in on our lovemaking."

"Now why would I be afraid of that happening?" Buck spoke with a teasing smile.

Jane jabs Buck lightly in the ribs. She is already aware of his ticklish spots, and she uses them to her advantage every chance she gets. She loves listening to his deep sensuous laugh. She rests her head into his chest until his laughs calm down. She gazes deeply into his eyes that mirror her own feelings of desire. She reaches her lips to lightly feather his parted lips. Buck closes his eyes and allows Jane to kiss him deeply.

Buck starts to realize that he is losing the self-control that he promised himself he was going to keep in check until after dinner. Jane's touches are like fire scorching his soul. Her fingertips glide their way around to bury themselves in his loose hair. She entangles her fingers in the mass of his hair. Jane presses her body tautly against his body. Buck melts into her for support when his legs become almost too weak to hold him up.

Jane feels as if she almost has Buck ready to surrender to their love for one another. She deepens the kiss between them and her reply in doing so is intensely continuous soft moans coming from the man she so much wants to please. When his hold on her becomes almost too compelling for her to bear, she feels that Buck has just about lost the self-control that he had been guarding with his life! She lessens her kiss on him to catch her breath.

Buck regains a tiny amount of his strength, and halts the kiss completely. He leans his forehead into hers while desperately trying to get his breathing and his body back under control. "Jane…..if you….. don't stop this….we will never ….get to dinner," Buck spoke breathlessly.

"I don't want dinner. I want you!" Jane spoke her voice shaky with emotion.

Buck straightens up and takes her hand. His breathing is still a bit ragged, but he is able to speak in sentences now. "Jane, I don't want you thinking that all I want is to go to bed with you. Every time you kiss me we end up about tearing each others clothes off!"

"But it hasn't happened yet. We have yet to even come close to tearing our clothes off!" Jane spoke bewildered by Buck's actions.

"All I want is to spend a perfect evening with you. I don't want our evening to start out with us jumping into bed and then going to dinner. It's suppose to happen the other way around," Buck spoke his voice cracking with emotion. He suddenly realizes the depth of love that he feels for Jane. He could easily pick her up and carry her up to his bed, and she wouldn't protest his demands at all. Instead he wants to spend time reveling in the love that he feels for her. It doesn't bother him at all that she just wants to make love with him now. Because that is what he wants too, but he also wants to get to know other things about Jane besides the pleasures she will give him.

Jane reaches up and touches Buck's face gently. She sees an over-whelming amount of emotion in his eyes. He loves her. She trusts him, and that is really all that matters. "We do have all night."

Buck takes her hand in his. "Shall we go to dinner then?"

"Yes," Jane replied softly.

An overpowering rap on Teaspoon Hunter's front door has him about jumping off the rocker he is sitting on in his living room. He is awoken to find that he is the only one downstairs. He listens intently to see if he can hear Charlene upstairs with Addison and Daniel. He smiles. He hears the sounds of his two small children and a voice that doesn't belong to his wife. Teaspoon isn't used to babysitting an adult woman. But, he has to do what it takes to give Buck and Jane the time they need to fall in love.

He stumbles his way over to the front door as the loud rapping continues. He roughly opens the door as if he intends on giving the person standing on the other side a round of his meanest gruff. "Who in blazes would be calling at this hour?" Teaspoon asked hollering as he comes face to face with Jack Morgan.

"It isn't that late Teaspoon. It's only about seven o'clock," Jack spoke quietly worried that he may be waking up Teaspoon's family.

"What brings you here. I figured you to be hot on Jesse's trail by now," Teaspoon spoke with bitterness.

"May I come in?" Jack asked demanding entrance to Teaspoon's home.

Teaspoon steps aside to allow Jack Morgan access to his home. Jack walks past Teaspoon and waits for Teaspoon to shut the door before he steps further into his home.

"Lets go into the living room. Without my crutches, I can't stand for long periods of time just yet," Teaspoon mumbled trying to make small talk with his old friend.

Both men sit down. Teaspoon resumes his place in his old favorite rocking chair, while Jack chooses a over stuffed chair that is across from Teaspoon's rocker. Jack lets out a heavy sigh before he begins to talk with Teaspoon. "I have lost The James Gang's trail. But Jesse James isn't the reason I'm here tonight."

"Is this talk we're going to have tonight the real reason your destination was Rock Creek all along?" Teaspoon spoke calmly apprehensive about what Jack Morgan is up to.

"You know me too well Teaspoon Hunter."

"I feel like you've been itching to tell me something ever since the day you arrived. Twenty-five years is an awful long time to suddenly just stop by for a friendly visit," Teaspoon spoke cautiously.

"You ever see that Indian maiden you were so fond of again?" Jack asked carefully.

"Why are you bringing her into my life again now?"

"You allowed an Indian woman to destroy our friendship. I never did understand that," Jack spoke with a slight hint of sadness.

"You sound like you're a prejudice man, Jack. I never pegged you to be that way."

"All I'm saying is I wouldn't have allowed any woman, white or Indian to come between the friendship we had," Jack spoke gruffly.

"Jack, our time together as trappers and friends would have come to an end without the Indian woman in the picture. It was just time for both of us to move on away from each other."

Jack leaves out a heavy sigh. "I suppose you're right. You still didn't answer my question about ever seeing her again?"

Teaspoon isn't sure he trusts Jack. But, what harm can come from telling him the truth. The truth happened twenty-five years ago. By now, he is sure the Indian woman has left this earth. Most Indian women didn't have much of a chance with white men just like Jack Morgan raiding their villages, raping them, and then leaving them to die. "I spent a few days with her, and then she went back in search of her village. I never saw her again."

Jack thinks about the possibilities of Teaspoon being with the Indian woman for a few days. "I see."

"You can't be telling me that that is the only reason you made sure you came through Rock Creek to see me. There's something about all of this that you're not telling me. Care to tell me what it is?" Teaspoon asked gruffly.

"I went back to try and find her," Jack spoke admitting his guilt of twenty-five years.

"I thought I had told you to stay away from her," Teaspoon spoke his temper starting to flare.

"Don't worry Hunter. I did find her, but nothing happened. I guess your wisdom wore off on me that day. She certainly was a beautiful creature, but I kept hearing your voice telling me to stay away from her."

Teaspoon is unimpressed with Jack's admittance of going back to find the Indian woman that Teaspoon himself had spent three astounding days lying in her arms. "If nothing happened, then why did you feel the need to share your almost unforgiving sin with me?"

"It isn't my almost sin that I wanted you to hear about. I wanted to hear about yours," Jack spoke confidently.

"You came all this way so you could hear me admit that I spent a few days with an Indian woman? I really don't understand your reasoning behind all this, but I'm sure there's more to this story then meets the eye," Teaspoon spoke baffled.

"I came all this way to hunt down Jesse and Frank James and their ruthless gang of bandits. I just needed to know if our friendship was lost out with that Indian maiden or if by chance you had forgiven me for almost committing the unthinkable," Jack spoke gruffly.

"Why does it matter? It isn't like were gonna go fishing together or anything else for that matter," Teaspoon spoke suspicious of Jack's real intentions for his visit after all these years.

"Lets just say I've mellowed over the years. I don't want to leave this great land with more enemies than friendships. I'd like to think someone will show up for my funeral when the time comes."

The restaurant in Rock Creek, the only restaurant in Rock Creek, has a large crowd this evening. There are young, middle age, and old couples alike out dining tonight. There are a few entire families dining out at the restaurant. Many parents, with children in attendance, are trying desperately to get their children to eat the strange food that doesn't quite taste like their mothers cooking. In one corner there are two businessmen discussing their latest venture between them. In another corner there are four town gossips devouring chocolate cake while telling secrets, spreading rumors, and whispering behind their victim's backs.

In a secluded corner, which Buck had requested, he sat in his chair admiring the captivating woman sitting across from him whom he is having dinner with. At least she has captured his heart. He watches her with intense interest as she destroys a slice of apple pie smothered with a heaping amount of vanilla ice cream! Earlier in the evening he had thought that he was to be her desert. The thought of that makes him shudder as he watches her savior the taste of the sweet ice cream!

Jane looks up at Buck when she senses he has been watching her. "Would you like to try it?" Jane asked as she raises a fork full of the delicious pie towards Buck.

"No thank-you. I'm just taking pleasure in watching your delight in the desert," Buck stated with a warm smile.

"Suit yourself, but it is really yummy!" Jane spoke with a mouthful of ice cream.

Buck laughs with happiness at her.

"So tell me more about what happened after we parted seven years ago. I believe you left off where you were homesick," Jane spoke amusingly.

"I didn't say I was homesick. I just didn't fit in with the Kiowa the way I thought I would, and I missed my family here in Rock Creek."

"Okay Mister Cross, you missed your Rock Creek family. So tell me what happened next?"

"When I got back home, here to Rock Creek, Kid was still back east fighting in the war. Kid and Teaspoon had been writing to each other on a regular basis. So the next time Teaspoon wrote to Kid, he informed him that I was back home to stay, and I was very interested in the horse ranch that we had discussed before we went our separate ways."

"The horse ranch was an idea before you went back to the Kiowa?" Jane asked surprised that Buck just didn't stay in Rock Creek instead of trying to fit in with his Kiowa tribe.

"After the Pony Express ended, neither Kid or I were too certain about what we really wanted to do with our lives in the line of making a living. The horse ranch was an idea that we both liked because it enabled us to stay together as a family. I guess we all wanted that even though we didn't really come right out and say it."

"What about Jimmy and Cody? They both apparently wanted to roam away from Rock Creek."

"Cody has always been the type to go against what others believe in. Everyone fought with Cody over his volunteering to join the army. I think that's one reason why he didn't back down from it. He knew it upset Teaspoon and Rachel that he joined."

"Teaspoon hates the unnecessary killing, doesn't he?" Jane asked knowing how upset he has been over the choices Jesse has made.

"Teaspoon was also worried that Cody would get himself killed, like Noah had," Buck spoke sadly.

"What about Jimmy?"

"I think Jimmy just needed to find Jimmy. He kind of had been labeled a gunfighter, and I think Jimmy needed to find out if that was true or not. He ended up becoming a deputy, just the opposite of a gunfighter."

"Then what happened with you and Kid? How did the ranch get started?" Jane asked with eagerness to learn about his life.

He finds himself pleased that Jane is taking an interest in his life. He is surprised that immediately after dinner she hadn't insisted that they return home for their planned evening of intimacy. Instead Jane is captivated by the story of his life, after they parted ways seven years ago. This is what he had wanted between them. He would be the first to admit that he's overly excited anticipating the night of lovemaking ahead of them. Buck wants more then the lovemaking. He wants a chance for the two of them to fall in love, and spend a lifetime making love!

"Kid came back home in the early spring of 1864. We started making plans for the ranch the very next day. By winter of 1864, we had sold horses to six different buyers. Word of mouth alone was helping our ranch grow into the largest horse ranch around," Buck spoke proud of his and Kid's accomplishments.

"It sounds like you are very happy with your choices Mister Cross," Jane spoke smiling warmly at him. She can't believe that she has actually become very interested in what Buck's been doing with his life. She didn't want to leave the house tonight. She had wanted to stay and take advantage of there being alone, together. There would be no intrusions on their evening alone. Yet, here she is sitting in a restaurant listening intensely to every word that Buck speaks.

"Enough about what I've been doing. I'd like to hear more about your life," Buck stated softly.

"And, I would like to share my life with you, but right now I really want to be alone with you," Jane spoke softly as she leans over the table between them and places a feathery kiss on his warm lips.

Jane's words and actions have Buck reveling with thoughts of their night alone. He still can't understand why she wants him over Cody or any other man. But, he's tired of trying to figure it out. He just wants to take Jane back to his home and make passionate love to her.

Buck takes her hand, and the two of them walk away from the table.

Charlene stands staring down at the ranch below her from a window in the bedroom that she is occupying tonight at Teaspoon and Rachel's home. She had been pacing her bedroom floor prior to standing still and gazing out the window. She didn't want Teaspoon to hear her pacing. He is a smart man and it wouldn't take him long to figure out that her pacing is from overwrought anxiety concerning the plan she has in store for Buck and Jane.

She presumes that by now the two of them should have arrived back at the ranch. So far there has been no sign of them. Could it be that her plan had actually worked? A deceitful smile spreads across her face. It is about time that she gets what she wants instead of having to settle for something she really doesn't want. "This could prove to be a very delightful evening," Charlene spoke in a whisper to calm her restless nerves.

Buck had decided to take the long way back to the ranch. He thought the ride would be romantic and also calm his overly excited mind of the thoughts he is having of being alone with Jane. He thought perhaps the cool air would halt the over eagerness his body is feeling about being with Jane intimately. The cool air hasn't helped much with her body leaning into his as they sit on the buckboard making their way back to his home.

Jane gazes into the night sky. The moonlight is shining brilliantly upon them as they ride back to the ranch. She is amazed by the beauty of the night. It is a perfect night for love.

The two sit quietly just reveling in the feel of being close to one another. No words are needed between them. Buck hasn't said the words, but Jane is sure that he loves her. She can see it in his eyes that have such a depth of emotion to them. She definitely has never meant a man quite like Buck. Jane knows deep in her heart that Buck is the only man she will ever give her heart to.

A rampage of army men on horses, with Cody front and center, rushes the buckboard from a grove of trees that they had been concealed in!

"Stop!" Cody shouted above the silence of the night.

Buck pulls hard on the reins to get the horses to stop the buckboard from advancing any further. They would surely run Cody and his men over if Buck chose not to make them stop. It was a thought. But, it wouldn't be a smart thing to do. Cody would surely have him arrested for endangering the lives of his men.

"Cody, what are you doing?" Buck asked his blood boiling at the thought that Cody has done this deliberately.

"I'll ask the questions here Buck," Cody spoke in his guarded uniform voice. He makes his way over to the side of the buckboard that Jane is on. "He hasn't hurt you has he?" Cody asked Jane softly.

Buck arches an eyebrow at Cody with disgust. Jane is a little taken back by the line of questioning that Cody is presenting to her.

"Cody, Buck and I are just coming back from town. We had dinner in Rock Creek."

"That isn't what I asked you," Cody replied demandingly.

"Buck, has not hurt me Cody," Jane spoke harshly at Cody for this apparent planned intrusion.

"There was another body discovered earlier this evening," Cody spoke gazing at Buck.

"Cody, Jane and I don't really want to hear about the murders or your investigation," Buck spoke angrily.

"You're missing my point Buck. There is a witness who claims he saw you running away from the scene of the murder!"

Buck is so stunned by Cody's words that he is speechless. Jane's mouth nearly hits the floor of the buckboard. But she soon regains her composure.

"Cody, Buck has been with me all evening. Please don't do this," Jane spoke pleading with Cody's sense of virtues not to do the unthinkable.

"Was Buck with you around four this afternoon?" Cody asked almost too pleased with himself knowing that if she is to be truthful, her answer will be no.

Jane glances over at Buck who seems watchful of Cody's every move. The suspicious gaze in Buck's eyes informs Jane that he is well aware of the dishonesty that has influenced Cody into making this rash decision.

"Go ahead and answer Cody's question," Buck spoke calmly.

Jane hesitates while gazing at Buck with questioning eyes. Jane knows that Buck would want her to answer Cody's question honestly, but why? He wasn't with her at four this afternoon. She ponders if Buck knows what he's getting himself into. This is a possible murder charge that Cody is bringing against him.

"No. Buck wasn't with me at four o'clock," Jane spoke disheartened.

"That settles it then. I have no choice but to place you under arrest Buck for the murder of Henry Walker," Cody spoke with a gleam coming from his eyes.

Hannah stirs in the bed that she has just shared with Jimmy. She reaches her hand across the bed to feel his warm body next to hers. Only she doesn't feel anything but an empty, cold place on the bed next to her. The realization awakens her from her sleep. She dazedly pulls the sheet up around her as she sits up in the bed. She spots Jimmy looking out the window.

Hannah can vaguely hear the sound of an approaching buckboard. She wonders if that is what is holding Jimmy's interest. "Why don't you come back to bed? I will make it worth your while," Hannah spoke with an alluring smile.

Jimmy acts as if he doesn't hear a word she has just said. He is watching the commotion in the street. As the buckboard gets closer to the hotel Jimmy realizes that Jane is sitting in the buckboard with any army soldier driving the horses straight to the marshal's office! He sees Cody in the front with Buck next to him on a horse. Jimmy stares down hard at the crowd. He can't believe what he sees. Cody has Buck's hands tied behind his back!

Jimmy whirls away from the window with a fierce look. He searches the room with a cold stare for the clothing that he had become separated from while in the midst of seducing Hannah. "Cody what the hell, have you gone and done now?" Jimmy spoke out loud to hear the thoughts his mind can't comprehend.

"What's the matter?" Hannah asked concerned.

Jimmy pulls his pants up to his waist and zippers and snaps them without paying attention to Hannah's question. He finds his shirt under a pile of Hannah's clothes, and quickly throws it on. He looks rapidly around the room searching for another article of his attire.

"Hannah have you seen my socks?"

"No. I…."

"Oh the hell with it," Jimmy spoke gruffly. He puts his boots on without his socks. "Look I got to go!" he kisses her quickly on the cheek, and heads for the door leading out of their room.

"You didn't answer…"

Jimmy opens the door and walks out of their night together. She sighs wondering what has her lover in such a frantic state.

Cody pushes Buck into the jailhouse with such a forceful blow that he almost causes Buck to fall flat on his face. Buck is able to catch himself before going down onto his knees. Jane follows closely behind with one of Cody's men practically attached to her backside. The presence of the soldier's unconquerable grip on her forearm is inducing unnecessary pain to Jane. She tries to reach for Buck to help him, but Cody stands diligently in between them. The four other army soldiers remain outside the marshal's office standing in solitude to guard the building, the street and the town.

"Tell your hunting dog to release Jane, Cody," Buck spoke with a high degree of rage for Cody.

Cody hadn't noticed the strong hold that the soldier has had on Jane's arm. He drops a saddlebag that he had brought into the jailhouse with him before stalking over to the soldier holding on to Jane. "She is not the prisoner. You may let her go and then station yourself outside with the others," Cody commanded.

Without so much as a single word uttered under his breath, the soldier instantly releases his hold on Jane. Once he releases Jane's arm, it begins to tingle up and down the entire length of the arm. His strong grip had caused the circulation to become almost nonexistent in her arm. Jane rubs her arm gently until she begins to feel the numbness
subsiding in her arm.

"Cody, I swear when I get my hands free, I'm going to enclose them tightly around your neck!" Buck spoke harshly.

"Buck, I wouldn't suggest you threaten an army officer. I could bring charges against you on that also," Cody spoke adamantly.

Cody turns toward the door when he hears shouting going on outside.

Jimmy is standing in front of the army soldiers that are guarding the marshal's office. They won't allow Jimmy access to his office. "I am the marshal in this town." Jimmy points to the office. "This here is my office and my jailhouse!"

"We can't allow you to enter," A soldier spoke flatly.

Jimmy throws his arms up in the air as if he's about to give up. He glances inside the office and notices that Cody is watching his bad behavior from inside. He motions for Cody to step outside.

Cody hesitates about advancing to the door and allowing Jimmy entrance into the jailhouse. If he allows Jimmy to enter, he'll only have to endure Jimmy's persuasive tactics concerning Buck's release from custody. If that don't work, which he wouldn't allow it to, he is sure Jimmy would engage him in a rather ugly fistfight. It wouldn't be a fight to get Buck out of jail, but rather a venting of Jimmy's frustrations because he couldn't get Buck out of jail with the claim that he is the marshal and Rock Creek is his town.

"Are you afraid to allow Jimmy entrance to the jailhouse, Cody? It is likely he'll break you in half," Buck spoke as amusingly as he can, with the mess that he's in.

Cody glances at Buck with an astute sense of bravery. Cody resorts to superficially extending his chest muscles, and sucking in his over-lapping stomach to make himself look the part of a valiant soldier. To Buck, Cody resembles a significantly over-stuffed misinformed dummy. Cody's walk to the door is the appearance of a stiff soldier attempting to be at full attention. He certainly plays up his role in front of Jane.

Once Cody's left, Jane rushes to Buck's side, ignoring the fact that at any given moment Cody could come back inside. "What do you want me to do?"

"Can you ride to the ranch and get Teaspoon for me?" Buck asked quickly.

"Yes. I can do that." Jane kisses Buck quickly and rushes out the door. She immediately decides it would be best for Buck if she refrains from glancing back at him through the office window.

Suddenly Buck's memory reminds him of Simon Davenport's merciless attack on Jane! "Jane! Jane! Come back here!" Buck shouted, but to no avail.

She hears his hollering, and she is aware that it has suddenly hit him that she could be in danger riding to the ranch alone at night! She decides for his sake that she will take a chance with her own life.

Cody and Jimmy are involved in a heated dispute with each other, and don't even take notice to Jane as she rides out of Rock Creek on Cody's horse! They do finally hear Buck's yells for her to not go.

Jimmy looks after Jane as she rides swiftly out of town, leaving a trail of dust behind her. "Where's Jane tearing off to?"

"Who knows?" Cody spoke gruffly not realizing what Jimmy had actually asked him.

"You either let me in my office to talk with Buck, or I'll make sure you are court-martialed for inferring with a law officer," Jimmy spoke harshly to Cody.

Cody is starting to soften up a bit since he arrested Buck. He steps aside slowly to allow Jimmy to walk past him and access to his office. Jimmy sighs heavily and walks past Cody gazing at him with a disgusted look.

"Jimmy you have to stop Jane! I asked her to go after Teaspoon at the ranch forgetting completely about Simon!" Buck spoke his voice cracking with emotion.

Cody realizes what has happened. He rushes out of the jailhouse and talks to one of his men. The soldier in turns mounts his horse and gallops in the same direction as Jane. Cody re-enters the jailhouse. "Where are your brains Buck? Jane could get seriously hurt or worse."

Jimmy walks up to Cody with his hands on his gun belt and obviously in a very bad mood. "You want to tell me why you've got Buck tied up?"

"He's been arrested for the murder of Henry Walker. Soldiers found Henry dead just outside town earlier today."

"Where's your proof that Buck done it?" Jimmy asked his hot temper about ready to explode on Cody!

"Calm down Jimmy. You don't have to get all high and mighty with me. It isn't my fault that Buck didn't cover his tracks as well as he did with the other killings he committed."

"Cody, the only killing I'm going to be guilty of is going to be yours if you don't cut me loose!" Buck hollered angrily.

Jimmy stands facing Cody with a smirk on his face concerning Cody's well being once Buck is through with him. "Gee Cody, If I were you I'd be doing some heavy praying. Sounds like you're a dead man if you let Buck loose or if you don't let him loose," Jimmy spoke harshly.

"Why's that? Buck can't kill me if his hands are tied," Cody spoke amusingly.

"No he can't, but I can," Jimmy spoke leaning close to Cody's face.

"What in tar-nations is going on?" Teaspoon spoke gruffly as he limps into the marshal's office with Jane close on his heels.

Jane rushes to Buck's side. "Why didn't you stop when I yelled for you to?" Buck asked softly.

"You need Teaspoon's help. I didn't have time to worry about Simon Davenport," Jane spoke stubbornly. She has Buck speechless again with her headstrong personality. She stands in front of Buck to keep him safe from Cody's wrath.

Teaspoon walks over to his desk and takes a knife from the top desk drawer. He walks behind Buck and begins to cut the rope that Cody has used to bind Buck's hands together.

"Teaspoon you can't interfere with army business," Cody spoke softly not wanting to ignite Jimmy or Teaspoon's temper.

When the binding is cut free from Buck's hands, he rubs at his wrists for a moment, but then he makes a charge at Cody.

"Buck!" Teaspoon hollered at the young man. It takes all of Teaspoon and Jimmy's strength to keep Buck from strangling Cody.

"Just let me alone with him for two minutes!" Buck hollered.

"Lets just all calm down!" Teaspoon yelled. He looks at Buck who is starting to calm down. "Son, we'll figure this whole mess out."

Buck glances at Teaspoon and knows that he will fix things. He always has in the past. Buck trusts Teaspoon to get him out of this mess that Cody has gotten him into. Buck slowly yanks himself loose from Jimmy and Teaspoon's hold on him. He stares at Cody the entire time that he stands by Jane's side.

Teaspoon turns to Cody. "You want to tell me what the hell you think you're doing?"

"He killed Henry Walker," Cody spoke trying to assure himself that Buck is guilty even though Cody knows perfectly well Buck is not.

Teaspoon is suspicious of Cody's behavior. Teaspoon knows it, Cody knows it, and everyone in the room knows that Buck has no reason to go around killing the people who have been killed in the past couple of months near Rock Creek. "I don't know what you're up to Cody, but it sure don't smell pretty."

Cody actually starts to form beads of sweat on his forehead. It isn't a hot summer evening, so it must be from nervousness. He glances around the jailhouse at the people standing before him watching him as if he is the guilty party here. "I ain't up to nothing! I witness saw Buck run from the scene of the killing."

"Where is that bloody glove that was left behind at one of the other murder scenes?" Teaspoon asked in a demanding tone that Cody best produce the glove and quickly.

Cody reaches into a saddlebag that he laid on the floor when he first came into the office. He holds the bloody glove in his hand for a split second before standing and handing it over to Teaspoon. "What do you want it for?"

"We'll have Buck try the glove on. If it doesn't fit then it is settled that he has had nothing to do with these murders you're investigating," Teaspoon spoke gruffly at Cody. He looks deep into the blonde man's eyes trying to register a hint of guilt over the lies he has concocted. Teaspoon isn't quite sure how Cody found out about Buck and Jane's evening alone, but he is almost positive that Cody has made up this whole tale to keep Buck away from Jane.

Teaspoon abruptly turns away from Cody and focuses on giving Buck the black leather glove to try on. Buck takes the glove from Teaspoon slowly. Buck isn't too sure this is a good idea. Teaspoon hadn't thought about it, but what if the glove fits Buck's hand. That would make him look guilty of the killings.

"Try the glove on son," Teaspoon spoke quietly.

Buck does has he's told and tries to force the glove on his hand. Everyone in the jailhouse smiles broadly when the glove is too small to fit Buck's hand. Jimmy grabs the glove from Buck and throws it in Cody's face. Cody is caught a little off guard, but does manage to catch the glove after if has struck his nose first.

"There's your proof Cody! The glove is way to small to fit Buck's hand," Jimmy spoke amused at Cody's dumfounded expression.

Teaspoon steps back over to stand in front of Cody. He puts his hand out for Cody to place the glove in the palm of his hand. When Cody doesn't respond to Teaspoon's quiet request, he must holler at the young man. "Cody, could I please see that glove again?"

Cody places the bloodstained glove once again in the marshal's hand. Teaspoon eyes the glove up as it lays spread out in his hand. He had noticed something strange about the glove before, and now it has suddenly hit him.

Everyone in the office is looking intensely at the glove until the doors to the office open and quickly slam shut. Jack Morgan enters the office as if the proceedings shouldn't be allowed to start without his presence.
Teaspoon walks over to Jack.

"You'll have to wait outside Jack, this is official business concerning the law."

"Teaspoon, I may be able to help. I could hear the hollering you are all doing clear down the street. You're all very close to one another. Perhaps an outsider can offer a different solution for your dilemma."

Teaspoon studies Jack suspiciously that he may have a part in this whole mess. That can't be. How could Cody convince Jack to break the law? Teaspoon almost laughs at himself thinking about Jack not breaking the law. But, he doesn't see any dishonesty in his eyes concerning the mess Cody has Buck in. Teaspoon glances back at Buck to get his approval.

"It doesn't matter to me Teaspoon," Buck stated calmly.

He faces Jack again. "It don't matter to me that you stay, but I don't want any unnecessary interruptions. I just want to clear this up and get Buck freed up of these false charges Cody here has brought against him," Teaspoon spoke a little annoyed at Jack Morgan for interfering in family affairs.

Teaspoon gets Jack's nod of approval that they won't even notice him there. Teaspoon turns back to Cody. He spreads out his palm that the glove is in. The glove is crumpled up in his hand from the dried blood peeling from it. Jimmy offers his assistance and spreads the glove out flatly on Teaspoons hand.

"Cody, do you notice anything a bit odd about your only piece of evidence in these here murders?" Teaspoon asked confident that he will have Buck back home in a matter of minutes.

Cody studies the glove for what seems like an eternity. Cody's paralyzed blank expression tells Teaspoon that Cody can't see what he has already noted about the single glove.

"Do I get a hint Teaspoon?" Cody asked baffled by the obvious to Teaspoon, but not to him.

Teaspoon sighs with a disgusted grunt. "No! You don't get a hint!" Teaspoon takes the glove from his palm and holds it up for everyone in the room to observe. "This here black leather glove is a glove that belongs to a woman!"

Everyone in the office, including Jack Morgan takes a close look at the glove. Teaspoon steps over to Jane. He holds his hand out for her to place her hand in his.

"May I?" Teaspoon asked politely.

Jane places her hand in Teaspoon's hand. Teaspoon takes the glove and slips it onto Jane's hand without force. The glove is a perfect fit! Teaspoon takes Jane's hand and holds her arm up in the air for everyone to witness what he is saying to be the truth.

"Thank-you Jane."

"Your welcome Teaspoon," Jane replied pleased that Teaspoon has discovered the truth. She takes the bloodstained glove off and hands it back to Teaspoon.

Teaspoon faces Cody once again. "I gather Buck is free to go, and that these ridiculous charges will be dropped?"

Cody shakes his head in a disapproving manner. "No. This doesn't mean a thing. There is still the fact that a witness claims he saw Buck at the scene of the latest murder."

Teaspoon's rage is now coming to a blow! He had kept his temper from flaring up, but Cody's blind insistence that Buck is still guilty is infuriating him. "Cody do you know what you are doing? Buck will hang if these charges of yours can't be turned around."

"I realize that Teaspoon," Cody spoke flatly like all the other army soldiers.

"Then I'm begging you son, to stop playing with Buck's life," Teaspoon spoke in an angry pleading tone.

Jimmy steps up to Teaspoon and Cody. "I swear Cody, if I find out you're playing games with Buck's life I'll tear you apart limb by limb," Jimmy spoke pounding his finger into Cody's chest.

"If I would be allowed to offer a suggestion, we all might be able to get a little shut-eye tonight yet," Jack spoke calmly.

Everybody glances at Jack. They are all looking at him in anticipation of his brilliant idea. Jack clears his throat. He gazes at each one of them individually. He wonders how they managed to live together when they rode for the Pony Express. He assumes there must have been quite a few disagreements between them. There are just too many hotheads in this room, and not enough sound thinking.

"If Buck can tolerate one night in this god forsaken hole, to pacify Mister Cody that his friend is guilty of these hideous murders, then the rest of us can sort this out in the morning. Cody will produce his so-called witness that saw Buck at the scene of the last killing. You can talk to this witness Teaspoon, and judge then if Mister Cody here is fabricating this tale for his own selfish purposes," Jack spoke calmly.

Cody's face becomes heated with anger. "Is that what you think I'm doing? Making up a story to get Buck in trouble?"

"It seems to me Mister Cody that you have quite an eye for your friend's young lady. You've been stealing glances at her ever since I've arrived here in the office. You've been looking at her with the eyes of a man that's yearning for more then friendship from her. Now if you all will excuse me, I'd like to get some sleep tonight," Jack Morgan spoke bluntly, and then makes his way out of the office.

Buck senses that he's been had by Cody. He just can't figure out how Cody knew about his evening with Jane. If this is true, how does Cody plan on turning the tables and getting him out of this situation?

Cody gazes around the room at his family. His face has turned ashen pale from the accusations that Jack Morgan threw in his face. His eyes rest on Jane for a moment. Has his feelings for her clouded his mind so much that he would accuse Buck wrongfully of murder? He grabs the keys to the jail cell from the wall where they hang behind the marshal's desk. He makes his way over to Buck and places his hand around Buck's forearm.

Buck yanks his arm out of Cody's possession. "I know where the cell is at Cody," Buck spoke angrily.

"Cody please don't do this. You know you're making a mistake," Jane pleaded with a harsh tone.

Cody unlocks the cell door. Buck willingly walks into the cell, and Cody shuts the door securely behind Buck. He locks the door, and turns to face Jane. "I know no such thing, Jane. I have a witness that saw Buck. Until the witness can say he made a mistake, I have to keep Buck locked up."

"Yeah, and won't it be real convenient if that witness just happens to come forward tomorrow and admit that it really wasn't Buck that he saw," Jimmy spoke with a smirk. He's very much aware that Cody has planned all this out to the very last detail. Buck and Jane's evening has been intruded on once again, and Cody is behind the scheme of keeping them apart.

Teaspoon walks up and gets right in Cody's face. "If this scheme of yours backfires and any harm comes to Buck because of it, I'll have a real hard time ever forgiving you," Teaspoon spoke quietly to Cody.

Cody walks away from all of them. "I'll be keeping a couple of my men here with Buck through the night to stand guard." He abruptly walks out of the jailhouse.

Teaspoon and Jimmy face the young couple that is separated by jail cell bars. "We'll be outside waiting for you Jane," Teaspoon spoke softly. Both men step away from the cell and out into the cool night air.

Jane waits until both men are outside, and then she turns to the man she loves. They have once again been kept from the love they feel for each other. She's having a difficult time believing that Cody would go to such great lengths to keep them apart. She can believe that Charlene would pull off a stunt like this, but it's hard for her to imagine Cody risking Buck's life to keep her from a night of passion with the man she loves. "So this is your idea of a perfect evening for the two of us," Jane spoke softly.

"It started out perfectly," Buck spoke softly as he touches the softness of her hair through the bars.

She reaches up to him between the cell bars and kisses him lightly. It would be so unfair of her to get him in a state of desire, even though she'd love to kiss him deeply.

When Buck looks up from their kiss, he catches the sight of Cody standing outside staring in the window at the two of them kissing. The mixed look on Cody's face of obsession for Jane, and pity for him, tells Buck all he needs to know. Buck has to give Cody credit. Cody sure stopped short of nothing to keep Jane from spending the night in Buck's arms.

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