ROCK CREEK ADVENTUROUS TALES
PART 2

GHOSTS FROM THE PAST

by Debra © 2001

CHAPTER SEVEN

Kid turns around when he hears the office doors open and then shut. Jimmy and Buck stand inside the office silently watching over Teaspoon's slouched frame. The wanted posters of Jesse seem to have aged the marshal by at least twenty years. At that very moment, Buck realizes from the despair written on Teaspoon's face that everything Jesse had said to him and Jimmy is the truth. Teaspoon indeed is offering Jesse amnesty from the law and from bounty hunters in the territory where he is marshal.

"Where's Cody?" Kid asked quietly. Someone needs to cut through the tension in the jailhouse. Kid assumes that role since apparently no one else wants it.

"Simon Davenport took a wild shot at us. He nailed Cody in the left shoulder. It didn't appear to be too bad. It just bleed heavily," Jimmy spoke calmly his senses telling him that Teaspoon is about to explode. Teaspoon hasn't removed his eyes from the wanted posters since he and Buck ambled into the jailhouse. Jimmy also has noticed that Buck appears to be a bit on edge. Neither of them had been expecting Teaspoon to show up at the marshal's office. Now that he has discovered their secret, Jimmy feels the tension in the office before a single word is uttered.

"Why are you in town Kid? I figured you'd be busy with Lou all day," Buck spoke his voice hoarse from the nervousness that he is feeling.

Before Kid can answer Buck's question, Teaspoon turns around to stare right through Jimmy and Buck. "I asked him to bring me into town so I could make sure everything is running smoothly around here."

Jimmy grins nervously. "Well Teaspoon, as you can see we've taken real good care of your office."

"Yep. I see that. The place is clean, practically spotless and all the paperwork seems to be in order. Even the wanted posters are clearly updated everyday."

"Like they should be," Buck spoke boldly.

"Well I guess that answers my next question before I even ask it," Teaspoon spoke gruffly aiming his harsh words at Buck.

"What's the question Teaspoon?" Kid asked feeling the tension smothering everyone in the office.

"Who posted Jesse's wanted poster on MY bulletin board?" Teaspoon asked in an angry tone.

Jimmy and Buck glance at each other with remorseful expressions. Jimmy doesn't say a word, and Buck realizes he has to. Teaspoon's disappointment is well written on his face. Buck needs to know why.

"I did," Buck spoke so softly that he isn't sure that Teaspoon hears his confession.

"I see. You have an explanation for posting them without my permission?" Teaspoon asked. His tone of voice has a nasty attitude with it. He's letting Buck know that he is the marshal of this town, and before Buck ever does anything this disrespectful again he should ask permission before taking matters into his own hands.

"I didn't think I needed your permission. I'm a deputy. Those are wanted posters. They normally are posted on bulletin boards at the marshal offices in every town," Buck spoke anxiously. Buck isn't the boy that Teaspoon often felt the need to shelter so many times from the malicious words of the townsfolk. He is now an adult capable of owning up to his actions. Buck isn't so sure how his emotions will handle the explicit reprimanding that Teaspoon is about to bestow upon him.

"Well son, I DON'T WANT THEM POSTED IN MY OFFICE! Am I making my self clear on that point?" Teaspoon spoke rather calmly for a man about to lose the control he has on his temper.

"Why? Or maybe I should ask you about the so called protection you offered to Jesse and his gang," Buck stated his voice filled with resentment that Teaspoon would treat him badly over Jesse's wanted posters.

Jimmy sees the shock on Teaspoon's face over Buck's statement of fact. He decides Teaspoon deserves a response. "We caught up with the James Gang today while we were tracking Simon Davenport. We found Simon with Jesse. Jesse made it quite clear to us that we couldn't escort him into town because you had given him protection from the law here in Rock Creek."

Teaspoon decides not to deny the facts that he is being accused of by his boys. He thought it would be better for Buck, Jimmy and Kid if they didn't know about the favor he's doing for Jesse, but now that they are aware of it he can relax about them not finding out. "That's exactly what I did. I don't really see where it's any of you boys business. Jesse is my concern now. I want him left alone so he can start a new life."

"Is that what he told you? A new life doing what? Can't you see he's just using you?" Buck spoke with no control over his animosity toward Jesse.

Kid has been standing in the background trying to absorb all of what has happened over the past few days. He doesn't like where this conversation is headed. He walks over to Buck and stands in front of him. "Why don't we just go back to the ranch?" He turns sideways and aims his words at Teaspoon. "We all need to calm down and think this through rationally, instead of throwing accusations at each other."

"Kid you go on back to the ranch. I'm not going to cool down. Buck and I will talk this through now," Teaspoon spoke rather gruffly at Kid.

Kid turns his attention back to Buck, who seems to Kid, about near the edge of losing control of his emotions. "You'll be okay if I leave?" Kid asked Buck.

"Yeah. Go on home and spend the rest of what is left of this day with Louise," Buck spoke not taking his eyes off Teaspoon.

"Okay." Kid walks out the door hesitatingly. When the door shuts quietly Buck resumes the conversation without a moments rest.

"You didn't answer my question?" Jesse is just using you! We could all see it today. If he really is trying to start his life over, then what's he doing hiding out with a shady character such as Simon Davenport? Not to mention the fact that his entire gang is hiding out with him."

"You don't make my decisions for me. If Jesse is in fact using me, it's my decision to let him use me. It ain't your decision to make!" Teaspoon bellowed loudly.

"He's wanted by the law Teaspoon! Not only is he robbing banks, but he's killing innocent bystanders," Buck spoke a bit louder than he would normally talk to Teaspoon, but not quite yelling.

"Killing innocent bystanders. That would be something you'd be familiar with," Teaspoon uttered in an unremorseful tone.

Buck's eyes glisten over with tears, but he won't let them fall. His lower lip begins to tremble, but he bites into the flesh begging it to not give away the emotional state he is in. He won't let Teaspoon see the hurt he has caused. "Neville wasn't innocent."

Even though Buck tries to hide the hurt caused by what he had said, Teaspoon is attentive to the pain he has caused the young man. As soon as the words had escaped from his mouth he regretted saying them. Teaspoon knows his words have cut the Kiowa deeply. He had no reason to hurt Buck like that. He tries convincing himself that his reasoning is due to the fact that Buck has him upset at the moment. He really didn't mean the words he spoke. He had said them in anger. He decides to change the subject back to the wanted posters. "I don't want Jesse hunted down like some sort of…"

"Criminal Teaspoon? He isn't the same boy we all knew six years ago," Buck spoke bitterly. Buck's unforgiving eyes are penetrating deeply into the marshal's soul. Teaspoon has a difficult time looking the Kiowa in the eyes. Jimmy's voice gives Teaspoon the escape he needs to look away from Buck.

"Buck's right Teaspoon," Jimmy spoke flatly. He had been standing back listening and watching the heated argument between Teaspoon and Buck. But Teaspoon's callous mentioning of Buck killing Neville hurt Buck. Jimmy could see the unshed tears that didn't fall simply because Buck wouldn't allow Teaspoon to see how much his words had hurt him.

"You stay out of this!" Teaspoon spoke rancorously to Jimmy. But he immediately turns his attention back on Buck, forgetting that seconds before he had made Jesse sound like a saint compared to Buck. "This is a betrayal to me! You will not search for Jesse. The wanted posters are coming down from the board. I don't want to hear another word uttered about Jesse and the James Gang. Do you understand me?"

"Yeah, I understand perfectly," Buck spoke softly as he unfastens the deputy badge from his shirt and tosses it onto the desk in front of where Teaspoon is leaning on his crutches. "I quit!"

Buck storms out of the office slamming the glass door on his way out! The glass panes shatter, but Buck doesn't hesitate his movement away from the office or glance back at the destruction he left behind.

"Uh…when did Buck develop such a temper?" Jimmy spoke with sarcasm.

"Shut-up Jimmy."

"Yeah. Well I guess we'll need to get a new door," Jimmy stated flatly.

Teaspoon limps aggressively, without his crutches, over to the bulletin board and rips down each poster of Jesse and his gang. One by one he tosses them into the trash can by his desk. At this moment he's not sure if he's more upset at Buck for posting the wanted posters, or more upset at himself for the unnecessary emotional pain that he has just caused Buck.

"Good going Teaspoon. That should make dinner pleasant this evening," Jimmy spoke unemotionally.

"I ain't much worried about dinner right at the moment."

"Oh. Then you're thinking about apologizing to Buck before dinner?"

"No. I don't plan on apologizing to anyone. He was wrong for not discussing the posters with me before he took it upon himself to post them."

"I meant apologizing to him for the ugly remark you made about Neville. You hurt Buck. He didn't deserve that no matter how angry you are at him. You shouldn't place Buck in the same category as Jesse James."

"I suppose whether I want to know why or whether I don't, you're going to offer your opinion anyway," Teaspoon spoke gruffly.

"Buck wasn't in his right frame of mind that day. Ike had just died. He was hurt and grief-stricken."

"Are you making excuses for Buck's behavior, but not Jesse's?"

"You're kidding right?"

"No, I'm not kidding."

"Teaspoon, Buck killed Neville without really thinking about it. He was in shock. You even said that yourself. Buck sure as hell didn't think out and plan to kill Neville. Jesse and his gang plot out the banks they plan to rob. If someone gets in their way of doing just that, they don't think twice about gunning them down."

"Jesse has promised me that he's going to change. I have to give him the benefit of the doubt on this one," Teaspoon spoke sorrowfully.

"What about Buck?"

"What about him?" Teaspoon asked saddened.

"Teaspoon, Buck has been working by your side for quite a few years. He's a good deputy and you know it. This thing with Jesse is actually the way you taught him to do things. Where has Jesse been for the past six years? He's been through this territory and every other territory breaking the law over and over again. I can't believe you're choosing to side with Jesse over Buck on this one."

"Jimmy, this conversation is ending right now," Teaspoon spoke as his anger starts to flare up again.

"Why, because you don't want to face the truth about Jesse James? Maybe you should have turned Buck in for the crime he committed against Neville."

"I could never have done that! Buck would have been hanged without a fair trail!"

"Yeah that's right. So don't throw it up in his face now. Because it sounds to me like you wish Buck would have paid for his crime against scum like Neville."

Jimmy walks out of the office and he also slams the door. He looks back in at Teaspoon. "Too bad the damn glass is already broken! I would have liked the chance to break it myself!" Jimmy leaves Teaspoon standing alone in the marshal's office and feeling very much alone in his life at this moment.

Charlene gazes out a window from the living room of Buck's home. She wonders where he could possibly be. He has been gone most of the day, and she is set on using her seductive charms tonight to charm him right into her bed.

"Have you heard a word I've said sister?" Hannah asked standing behind Charlene.

Charlene spins around to glance at her older sister. "Did father send you here again?"

"What makes you think father sent me the first time?"

"I know you very well Hannah. I know you were afraid for me the other times Simon had become enraged with me when I wouldn't surrender to my wifely duties."

"You are getting too smart for your own good Charlene. You are right though. I don't think it's right that you should have to give yourself to him before you're actually married to the heathen! Just so you know, father did not send me here this time."

"Then why are you here?"

"Simon has left the ranch. I believe he's in some kind of trouble with the law. The marshal that stays here in Buck's home came out to the ranch searching for him. I thought perhaps you would consider coming home now that the brut has disappeared."

Charlene hesitates before answering her sister. She doesn't really wish to return home just yet. Buck would totally ignore her if it weren't for the fact that she's living in his house. While she is here under his protection, he can't help but notice her. "I can't come home just yet."

Hannah is aware of the scheming smile on Charlene's face. The young woman is playing games again. Hannah feels a tremendous amount of pity for Charlene's victim. "I know you're up to something Charlene. I'm not leaving this house until you tell me what games you're playing now and at who's expense."

"I'm going to seduce Buck Cross tonight!" Charlene spoke impulsively.

"Buck Cross isn't interested in you Charlene. Please come home before you make a complete fool of yourself," Hannah pleaded.

"He's a man Hannah. All men have strong desires that need tended to. Buck is no different than any other man," Charlene spoke confident that she may be able to lasso Buck in.

The women hear the front door open and slam shut.

"You better hope he's different than most men," Hannah spoke barely above a whisper.

Jimmy stops in his tracks when he sees Charlene and Hannah in the living room. The two women apparently were deep in conversation before his door slamming had interrupted them. He best apologize to the two women for his behavior. Besides, he's rather interested in the dark haired beauty Hannah, who is Charlene's sister. He takes his hat off and walks into the living room.

"Jimmy, do you know where Buck is at?" Charlene asked whimsically.

"He's probably on his way here as we speak."

Hannah has definitely noticed how the marshal is watching her every movement. "Well I should be getting back to the ranch."

Jimmy's attention has drifted far away from Charlene. "May I escort you home? There are some dangerous men on the loose. I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to you on your way home."

"What about me? Who will be here to make sure I'm safe?" Charlene spoke while she whines hoping Jimmy will stay until Buck gets home.

"Like I said, Buck should be here momentarily. You wouldn't want your sister riding alone with criminals on the loose, now would you Charlene?"

"No, of course not," Charlene replied sadly.

Buck took his good old time coming back to the ranch. He had gone over to the doc's to check up on Cody, but the doc had already sent Cody on his way. He can't understand how Teaspoon can comprehend the way he is thinking. Simon Davenport, obviously one of Jesse's gang, had even shot Cody and that still didn't seem to make a difference to Teaspoon's attitude toward the outlaw.

The cruelty of Teaspoon's words he had used to put Buck in his place about killing Neville had truly cut him deeply. Teaspoon acknowledged today, through his words, that he believes Buck's act of violence against Neville is no different then the acts of violence Jesse has been performing for the past few years.

He feels betrayed by Teaspoon. A man he has stood by and worked with for the past seven years. Where has Jesse James been through those years? He has been out robbing, stealing, and killing whoever gets in his way of committing the robbing and stealing. Buck had one fatal act of vengeance toward another human being and Teaspoon is treating him like he's a natural cold-blooded killer.

Buck keeps trying to convince himself that it really doesn't matter what Teaspoon thinks about him. So if he doesn't care about what Teaspoon had said about him, then why does he hurt so bad trying desperately to forget the unforgiving words Teaspoon had spoken to him.

He approaches the ranch only to see Cody standing outside by the bunkhouse waving for him to stop. He really doesn't want to stop and have a conversation with Cody, or anyone else for that matter. It's the insistent look on Cody's face that makes him pull Warrior to a stop in front of Cody.

Buck slides down off Warrior, and stands in front of Cody. "How's your shoulder?"

Cody's left arm is in a sling. His shirt is unbuttoned and bandages are visible around his left shoulder. "The bullet went clear through. Doc wants me to rest for a few days."

"Are you going to listen to him or are you going to be as stubborn as Teaspoon can be when he gets injured?"

"I'll listen, but only for one day. Listen I didn't stop you to make idle chit chat about my bum shoulder. I need a really big favor," Cody spoke pleadingly.

Buck arches his brow and starts to get back up onto Warrior. Cody garbs hold of Buck's arm with his good arm. "Could you at least listen to what I have to say?"

Buck hears the desperation in Cody's voice. He leaves out a heavy sigh of exhaustion. He turns back around to pay closer attention to Cody.

Cody relaxes a bit knowing Buck will at least hear him out. He stumbles through his words worried that Buck may not want to help him out. "You know Simon is probably the one that attacked the schoolteacher. When I went over to get my shoulder patched up, Doc Barnes was just getting ready to release her."

"Cody what does this have to do with me?" Buck asked agitated.

"Well, I promised her that I would keep her safe. Unfortunately I didn't think the doc was going to bandage me up so much that I wouldn't be able to ride."

"No!" Buck spoke gruffly.

"You haven't even given me a chance to ask you to help me and you're already saying no," Cody whined.

"All right Cody, go ahead and ask, but my answer isn't changing."

"Be reasonable Buck. Simon is still on the loose. He could come after her again."

"Cody, I'm not running a protection home for distressed females. I've already got one female living in my house for god knows how long. Thanks to you I might add. I really don't need another one living with me."

"Buck it will only be until we find Simon Davenport and bring him in."

Buck is gazing at Cody with a disgusted look in his eyes. He can't believe Cody is going to saddle him into this. How is it that Jimmy and Cody both know how soft hearted he is. Why can't he just say no when it comes to distressed females?

"Buck, think how badly you're going to feel if the teacher is attacked again only this time Simon is able to finish what he started," Cody spoke trying to play on Buck's emotions. Cody knows deep down the Kiowa has trouble with anyone who purposely hurts another human being. "Buck, I kind of already told the schoolteacher I would be picking her up this evening and bringing her here to stay until Simon is caught. If it's any consolation to you, she didn't put up much of a fight about it. I think she's really worried about Simon coming back after her."

He can't simply say no, because Cody and Jimmy make him feel bad for it. "All right. Where shall I pick her up at?" Buck asked feeling defeated.

"She'll be at the schoolhouse. She had some papers and books to gather up to bring out here with her."

"Fine. I'll do this for you Cody, but I'm dropping her off at your front door."

Cody has a roaring grin spread across his face from ear to ear. "That will be fine with me. I'll share the bunkhouse with the beautiful, and young teacher. Perhaps she can even teach me a few things," Cody spoke boisterously.

Buck grabs the saddle horn of his saddle and without touching the stirrups he swings himself up into his saddle. "I'll let her know that she needs to teach you some manners," Buck spoke smiling as he turns and rides back out away from the ranch.

Cody's beautiful grin rapidly turns into a sulking frown. "Very funny Buck," Cody spoke quietly into the night air. Cody stands still for a brief moment watching Buck disappear and wondering if Buck will really let the teacher know that his mouth can be distasteful at times where his language is concerned.

Jimmy is lying in a bed at the hotel in Rock Creek. He's propped up on his elbows viewing the stunning beauty that is at the foot of the bed slipping her dress on over her head.

Hannah Anderson gazes at a satisfied Jimmy. She smiles contently at the crumpled up sheets and blankets that are covering his naked body. She is positive he'd like nothing better than for her to get back in the bed with him and tease him to ecstasy all night long. She bends her knee to place a shoe on her one foot. She repeats the action with her other leg.

"What's your hurry?" Jimmy asked his voice husky.

"You wouldn't want to leave your friend all alone with my promiscuous sister." Hannah replied her voice calm with no after effects of her sexual encounter with the marshal.

"I don't?" Jimmy asked bewildered.

Hannah gazes at Jimmy with a quizzical expression. "Okay. Perhaps you want to leave Buck alone with Charlene, but you shouldn't. He could end up in trouble." She walks back to her side of the bed and bends toward Jimmy to give him a good-bye kiss.

Before she realizes what is happening, Jimmy grabs her arms and brings her up onto the bed. In one breath, she is beneath him!

He takes advantage of Hannah's parted lips and kisses her passionately, hoping to arouse her again. Hannah won't go for it. She soon pulls away from him and pushes his heavy body off of her and to the side. She quickly sits up in the bed.

"Mister Hickok, I don't make it a point to spend the night with my male friends," Hannah spoke as she straightens out the tangled mess he has made of her dark locks.

"Oh, I see. Well why don't you try courting one of your male friends. Then they'd be no questions asked when you want to spend the night in his arms."

"Is that what you want Mister Hickok?"

"Please stop calling me Mister Hickok."

"Okay. Jimmy, is courting what you want?"

"I ain't looking for a commitment if that's what you're asking. But, I wouldn't mind spending more time with you other than in bed," Jimmy stated boldly.

Hannah gets her weary body back out of the bed they had shared moments before releasing each other's physical tensions. She isn't sure she wants their relationship to be any more than that. She is perfectly content to simply have a tumble between the sheets with Jimmy, and then proceed to her home and her own bed without him.

"I'll think about it Jimmy. I'm not making any promises."

"Well how about while you're thinking about it, you accompany me to the Annual Summer Dance. It's this Saturday. We could have a good time socializing and dancing."

"And afterwards Jimmy?"

He reaches out for her again and brings Hannah toward him for a soft kiss. "We could have even more fun," Jimmy spoke his voice growing husky with constant thoughts of coupling with her again.

She laughs loudly at his attempt to ask her for a date. Because of his boldness and the satisfaction he brings her in the bedroom, she will grant him a few meaningless hours dancing the evening away with her. "Okay I'll go with you to the dance. But, won't you have to escort my sister?"

"Nah. That's what I have Buck for."

"Oh. Charlene will just love that," Hannah remarked presumptuously.

"Charlene is interested in Buck, isn't she?"

"Oh yeah! She's interested in Buck all right. He has her mesmerized, and he isn't even aware of it. If my sister could have her way, she would have seduced Buck the first night you brought her to his home."

"That's funny. She acted to me like she was a little leery of Buck due to his Indian heritage."

"I'm sure she was, at first. It didn't take Charlene any lengthy amount of time to see how breath taking he is. She has vowed to me that she's going to have him more sooner than later."

"Oh boy! Buck's in trouble!"

The two giggle together about the predicament Buck is in but unaware that he's in it.

The oil lamps appear to be burning dimly from the distance Buck is at on horseback away from the school. She must still be there. She surely wouldn't leave the lamps burning if she weren't. He had been hoping as he rode back into town that she wouldn't be waiting for him, or in her mind Cody.

She thought while waiting for Cody she would go over a few papers before the start of school coming up in a few weeks. She thinks silently about the blonde military man. She can't seem to place where she has met him before, but somewhere in her past Cody had been a brief encounter. She has been trying to place the face from her past for most of the time that has passed since he had rescued her from that awful man's clutches. It will come to her eventually.

She lowers her beautiful head of tawny cinnamon locks onto the papers spread out on her oak desk. Her deep brown eyes are intensely poring over the words she must read. If she is to teach the children of Rock Creek than she must be well prepared concerning the town's history. Doc Barnes had given her some papers and a book concerning the town's history and its laws. She let him know that his kindness is greatly appreciated. She really doesn't know much about Rock Creek.

Before attending school back east, she had lived out this way. But, she had never managed to pass through this town. It seemed pleasant enough except for the man who attacked her. She hopes that isn't a regular happening for her. The next time she may think seriously about defending herself with her gun. She thinks there must be a few good men lurking about the town. After all, Cody had saved her from a fate worse than death. She trusts that there must be a few more men around like Cody, and less men like Simon Davenport.

Her head looks up from the papers when she thinks she has heard the returning sound of Simon's footsteps! Surely he wouldn't come back and try to finish with her what he had started! Cody had promised that he'd come for her, but he is extremely late, and she is too frightened to search him out in the dark streets of town. Normally the dark doesn't bother her. She has been on her own for seven years now, and she has learned to take care of herself in most situations. Simon is one man she has a difficult time defending herself from. He had been so strong the evening he attacked her. His brutal strength had over-powered her, until she had the sense to kick the poor fool.

The quiet footsteps are out in the front room of the school. The man is definitely arrogant. She's betting that Simon has no morals. When he was growing up, he was probably one of the little boys in his town that beat up on the little girls.

The footsteps are getting closer to the back room where she is seated at her desk. The footsteps are enhanced in her head. She places her hands over her ears to shield out the penetrating sound of the footsteps. She has to take some sort of action this time. She can't allow this man to intimidate her. She has to let everyone in this town recognize her ability to take control of a bad situation. The town's children will be placed in her care. She can't let herself get unnerved when it comes to animalistic men like Simon.

She lays her pencil down on top of her paperwork that she had been going over. She silently pulls open her top desk drawer to reveal a hidden gun! She retrieves the gun from the desk and shuts the drawer quietly. She stands up from the desk and without glancing at the figure in the doorway, she aims the gun with her arms outstretched, at the tall, lean man leaning on the doorframe.

Buck is baffled by the teacher's actions toward him. The only explanation is that Simon had battered her once and perhaps she's frightened that he may come back and try it again.

She tosses her long locks away from her face and searches for the stranger's eyes. When her face is in full view of him, she notices the smile that creeps onto his face.

Buck thinks back to the young girl he had been a mere acquaintance with. It has been seven years since the last time he had laid eyes on her. Seven years is a long time to pass without seeing a person, and then suddenly they are standing right in front of you. She is different. There is more of her in all the right places. He shouldn't be thinking this way about her. But, she has grown up into an intensely alluring young woman. Buck can hardly picture the young girl he once knew.

The sound of her gun cocking brings Buck back to reality. He notices how her hands are shaking a bit as she concentrates on handling the gun. He decides to take a chance that she wouldn't really shoot him, and he steps forward. She aims the gun straight at his chest.

Even though she knows Buck, she's a little unsure of him. She knew him seven years ago, but she didn't really get a chance to know him very well. After the Pike Brothers were out of their lives, Buck went his way and she went hers.

He is pleased that Jane remembers him as well. Buck takes another footstep forward, only to meet up with a woman who has a powerful hold on a gun that is directly aimed at him. He remembers she had been a bad shot seven years ago. He prays that she still is. She quickly changes his mind about approaching her any further.

"I'm a much better shot then what I once was Buck," Jane spoke with fire in her voice.

He decides he isn't so sure that she wouldn't shoot him. He raises his arms to surrender to her. He assumes he should take her a little seriously, at least until he can wrestle the gun from her feminine hands. "Does that mean you are going to shoot me?" Buck spoke calmly.

"I will if you take one more footstep toward me."

He is having a hard time with his emotions. He is astonished at the beautiful Jane that stands before him. He isn't quite sure how to act on his emotions. She has grown up not only into a woman, but a high-spirited woman at that. He had been the wrath of her temper once before, but it seems as if that has also grown up!

He throws caution to the wind and advances another footstep closer to her. She in turn aims the gun slightly above his head and fires it into the wooden door behind Buck!

Buck is startled almost right out of his boots. He becomes a bit shaken up. Buck turns his head slowly around to look at the bullet hole she put through the door. He turns back around to pay attention to her.

"That was a warning. The next bullet won't be just a warning," Jane spoke her voice smoldering with fire that Buck should resist tempting fate with.

"I'm not going to hurt you," Buck insisted.

"How do I know that?

"Jane, you do know me. I haven't turned into a monster over the past seven years."

"You're always sneaking up on me. What's your excuse for sneaking up on me this time? Let me think. The last time you snuck up on me, you said it was because I was shooting at you and your friends."

"Well at least you remember that I wasn't exactly mean to you. So why don't you put the gun away before one of us gets hurt?"

"The way I see it Buck, is that you're the only one of us that's on the receiving end of getting a bullet in his gut."

With his hands still in the air, he walks forward again. He is a little startled by her rebuke, but not so much that he truly believes she could harm him in any way. He tries to keep from laughing at her attempt to keep him from advancing toward her. He has to continue to believe that she wouldn't really shoot him. "Jane, I'm here to take you to my ranch. Cody asked me to come and escort you back to the ranch."

"Why didn't Cody come for me?" Jane asked. Her memory of Cody comes flashing into her mind. She had met Cody as one of Buck's friends.

"His shoulder is really bothering him. He didn't think he could ride."

If Buck moves another inch closer to Jane, the barrel of her gun will be in his gut. He slowly brings his arms down, as she watches carefully his every movement. He dilatorily takes the gun from her hand. The soft feel of her skin heats up his soul. Jane closes her eyes as she yields the gun to Buck. She braces herself for an attack, but instinctively she knows that Buck won't hurt her. When she opens her eyes, he is staring down at her with an unusual look in his eyes. Jane can't help herself but to be lost in the darkness of his soft brown eyes. It seems an eternity that the two of them continue to gaze into the other's eyes without a word spoken between them.

Jane starts to feel flushed from the thoughts that she is thinking about him. Before she embarrasses herself completely she must pull herself away from his enticing eyes. She doesn't dare scrutinize down the rest of his body! Her blushing skin would surely give her thoughts away. Why is Buck having this effect on her? He didn't have this sort of impact on her emotions seven years ago!

"I think we should go," Jane spoke softly.

Her words snap him out of the alluring trance she had put him in. He wants to look every inch of her over, but he knows he doesn't dare. He is captivated by Jane's closeness to him. Buck hasn't had this kind of feeling for a woman in a long time. He wonders if she has noticed what her presence is doing to emotions. He needs to distance himself from her before his body responds in a way that Jane would definitely notice.

"Yeah. It is getting pretty late," Buck spoke his voice husky.

"Cody will be getting himself worked up into hysterics if he's expecting us back at your ranch any time soon," Jane spoke stepping away from Buck and looking away from his alluring eyes. She gathers up the papers from her desk with trembling hands, and places them in a bag with her other belongings that she plans on taking to Buck's ranch with her.

Buck steps up behind her and places his hand over her hand on the handle of her bag. She looks up into his dark eyes again. "Let me help you with your things," Buck spoke softly.

She smiles up at him. She takes her hand away from the bag and from under his skin that is heating up her senses. "I suppose I can allow myself to be doted on just this once."

"Why just this once? Don't you like anyone pampering you?" Buck asked wondering if her father's murder had never changed the girl he once knew.

"I've been on my own since we parted ways seven years ago. I had to learn to take care of myself."

Charlene is pacing violently back and forth across the living room floor wondering where in god's country Buck could be! It isn't like Buck or Jimmy to leave her alone after the sky has become dark. She didn't mind being left alone during daylight hours, but nightfall is an altogether different story. She slows down her pacing long enough to glance out a front window. She can't really see much from Buck's home. It sets back in, and she can't even see the entrance of the ranch from her window.

Cody has been frantically pacing outside the bunkhouse. He keeps stopping and looking in the direction of Rock Creek. There still is no sign of them. What if Buck ran into trouble? What if Simon came back into town to finish the job he started with Jane? What if Buck didn't get to her in time? He is driving himself crazy worrying about all the what ifs. He pauses and glances back up towards town again. There still is no sight of them. He stomps into the bunkhouse and slams the door behind him.

Teaspoon is standing in the barn leaning on one his crutches for support. He had been trying to feed the horses a bit when Jesse walks up casually behind him. They are now engaged in a heated discussion concerning Cody and the bullet he took from Simon.

"You didn't do a very good job keeping yourself hidden from Jimmy and Buck," Teaspoon spoke gruffly.

"I'm sorry Teaspoon. It couldn't be avoided. I didn't realize Simon had been beating his fiancée and that the law would be following him."

"How are you associated with Simon Davenport?"

Jesse had prepared an answer for this exact question. He knew his old stationmaster would be asking him this very question. "He once was a member of our gang. He found out we were close by. He has a sense about these things. He can always find us. Anyway he figures I owe him some of the money from the last job we did together. Simon's been searching for me for quite some time now."

Teaspoon is a bit skeptical about believing what Jesse tells me. Ever since his argument with Buck, demons have been tugging at him to believe Jesse, but likewise Buck's non-belief of Jesse has his mind thinking feverishly.

"I suppose I am being asked to believe this story?" Teaspoon spoke with a hint of sarcasm.

"I'm not going to beg you to believe me Teaspoon."

Without warning Teaspoon gazes up into Buck's eyes when he enters the barn with a beautiful woman by his side. Teaspoon is shocked speechless. Jesse is aware that there is someone behind him from the shocked expression on Teaspoon's face. Jesse turns around to face Buck's animosity towards him.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Buck spoke loud enough for everyone at the ranch to hear him.

Teaspoon takes notice to the lovely female with Buck. She looks vaguely familiar, but he can't place where in the past they have met.

"I'm visiting with Teaspoon. He does live on this ranch," Jesse spoke with his wise mouth attitude.

"You have no right being on this ranch," Buck spoke harshly.

Teaspoon takes a footstep toward Buck with his crutches in hand. "You don't have any right saying who can or can't be visiting me. Please let me handle Jesse. It isn't any of your business."

"It's my business when he's on Kid's and my ranch. He's an outlaw. If you want to visit with your outlaw friends Teaspoon, I suggest you meet with them far away from this ranch and Rock Creek. Or the law from some not too far away town may just get wind of Jesse James hiding out near Rock Creek."

"I'm only going to say this once son and I'm not repeating it. You do a fool thing like that, and I'll take my family and leave this ranch."

"Go right ahead," Buck spoke unemotionally.

"Who the hell do you think you are talking to Teaspoon like that?" Jesse spoke trying to convince Teaspoon he is a changed man.

Buck grabs Jesse by the shirt collar and forces him up against the outside of a horse stall. "Don't even try your lies with me. Teaspoon may not be able to see through you, but your promises of changing don't fool me. You'll never change. You're too much of a punk to ever change into someone decent."

Buck hears the cocking of a gun behind him. "Let go of him Buck," Teaspoon spoke saddened by the actions he had to take in order to get Buck to release the grip he has on Jesse.

Buck glances over his shoulder at Teaspoon and the gun he has aimed at him. He tries not to show how difficult a time he is having with the way Teaspoon has been treating him lately. He lets out a heavy sigh and before letting the arrogant Jesse James go, he slams his back hard into the stall. He dissociates his hands from Jesse's shirt. Buck turns around and faces Teaspoon with a cold stare. The two men don't exchange any words. Teaspoon simply places his gun back in his holster.

Buck takes Jane's hand and escorts her out of the barn. She has a hundred questions for Buck, but with the way his mood is right now, she'll ask them later, much later.

Teaspoon watches the young man as he leaves the barn. He doesn't suspect that Buck will be forgiving him anytime soon for his actions tonight.

"Would you have really shot him?" Jesse asked with a gleam in his eyes over the possibility.

Teaspoon turns around to face Jesse. He notices the gleam and becomes concerned about the joy Jesse finds in another man being hurt. "You'd best be riding on out of here for your own safety."

"You don't think Buck will follow through with his threat do you?" Jesse asked selfishly.

"Jesse, you have to understand where Buck is coming from concerning this matter."

"He doesn't like me much Teaspoon. That's really all I have to understand about Buck Cross."

"Buck is a lawman Jesse. He has been working with me for four years now. I've never made exceptions for any criminals in the past."

"Except for Buck himself."

"Jesse please don't bring up what happened between Buck and Neville again. That was a long time ago. You know how Buck was feeling that day. He wasn't himself, and I knew it. I should have been able to stop what happened that day."

"So you made allowances for Buck?"

"Jesse, I partly blame myself for what happened. I knew Buck was hurting over Ike's death. I just hadn't figured on him wanting Neville dead. I should have locked Buck up at the way station until Neville was out of town."

"Don't blame yourself Teaspoon. That isn't fair to you," Jesse spoke softly to a distraught Teaspoon.

As soon as Buck gets Jane safely into his home, he slams the door attempting to release it from its hinges, behind his own entrance into the house.

Buck escorts Jane into the living room. An oil lamp still burns brightly in the room. Buck assumes that Charlene has been waiting up for his return.

He isn't in the living room two seconds when Charlene comes sprinting toward him, and leaps into his arms clasping her hands tightly about his neck. He holds her trembling body for a second, but then he notices a look of disappointment in Jane's eyes.

Jane hadn't thought that Buck might be married. Seven years is a long time. Of course he would be married by now. Its not like he had been waiting for her to grow up and search him out when she had done so.

Buck grasps onto Charlene's hands with his own hands, and releases her tight hold on him. He stands her a few feet in front of him.

For the first time Charlene notices the beauty that has been glued to Buck's side. He's brought another female into his home. For a man that didn't want even one female living in his home, he sure is easily persuaded to allow two females to stay at his home. Charlene has made up her mind that she is not happy about the competition for Buck's attention.

"Where's Jimmy?" Buck asked his voice still rattled from his outburst with Jesse and Teaspoon.

"He didn't check in with me. I haven't a clue," Charlene spoke with a brazen air about herself. She glares up and down at Jane. She is trying to measure up her competition.

The scowl on the young woman's face is telling Jane that she isn't too thrilled to see another woman next to Buck. It's pretty obvious to Jane that this woman is interested in Buck for one thing and one thing only. The way she throws herself at Buck is a dead giveaway at what this little tramp is after!

"Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend, Buck?" Charlene asked in the sweetest voice she can withstand without making herself sick.

"Oh. I'm sorry. Jane this is Charlene. She is engaged to Simon. He had attacked her and left her in an alley to die. Charlene this is Jane. She's an old friend of mine who just came back to Rock Creek a few days ago. Simon had attacked her in the schoolhouse the other night."

"Pleased to meet you Charlene," Jane spoke softly.

"Likewise," Charlene replied.

"Charlene, I'm going to take Jane upstairs and show her a room to put her things in. I've already locked the front door. Your welcome to stay up longer if you wish, but I won't be coming back downstairs tonight," Buck spoke softly.

Buck takes Jane's hand in one of his hands, and carries her bag in his other hand. They head up the stairs and out of Charlene's sight.

This isn't how I had planned for things to go between us tonight Buck. She thinks quietly in her mind. "You can take Jane to her room Buck, just so long as you don't stay in it with her," Charlene spoke quietly out loud not realizing that she had done so. The deceitful glare in her eyes can only mean trouble for Buck and Jane.

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