Author's Notes: So I see at least one person who doesn't like Jimmy/Lou fic out there. I personally love Jimmy/Lou, but I also realize that sadly I am in the minority. But I have decided with certainty that I am not gonna say which way this one goes. This is one story that is going to take you on a ride, and the best part of this ride is the end. So... I suppose you're gonna have to wait to find out what happens, huh? Besides... I could change my mind by the end of this and then if I told all of you, you might be quite disappointed if I DO change my mind.

Daydreamer: I appreciate the fact that even though you're not a fan of Jimmy and Lou; or JLou as I have decided to call them as of late (don't ask me why...); you've stuck through this story so far. I can only tell you to hang in there, because though I can't ruin the ending for anyone, I CAN tell you this is going to be a very bumpy road for everyone involved. There will be things for Kid/Lou fans, and JLou fans. Only time will tell how it all will work out. Regardless of what 'ship you sail, I am ever so grateful for your reviews.

Everyone keep those reviews coming!

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"Did you guys hear that?" All had been quiet for a short while in the house as Rachel had begun clearing the table of the other boys' dishes once they had finished their dinner. Her brows furrowed at Cody's words and she listened carefully to see if she could figure out what he'd heard. When she heard nothing, she shook her head and placed a light-hearted smirk on her face.

"I think it's your overactive imagination, Cody. I didn't hear..."

"No, I heard it to," Buck's solemn voice cut through her words, and she paused. She looked towards the window, and set her dish down. Wiping her hands on her apron, she watched as Cody got up from the table and headed out the front door, a very determined look settling on his features. Rachel turned to Buck, who remained seated.

"What'd you hear, Buck?" She couldn't help the sternness that came through in her voice. She had a faint idea of what they might have heard, but she hoped and prayed she was wrong.

"Horses," he told her, his eyes conveying that he was pretty sure that his thoughts ran along the same vein as hers. It was only a few seconds later when Cody came barrelling through the door, out of breath and eyes wide.

"They're gone, Teaspoon," Rachel's eyes flew open. They? Realization dawned on her as the meaning of his words hit her. She'd nearly forgot Jimmy went out to get some air. She'd suspected it had been more than that; that'd he'd wanted a chance to talk to Lou alone and convince her not to leave, and now her suspicions were proven right.

"They?" Teaspoon's voice growled from his spot at the table. His eyes bore down on Cody so much so that Cody almost took as step back.

"Lightning and Cheyenne. Both horses," It was almost as if saying Lou and Jimmy would bring down some wrath from Teaspoon that Cody simply didn't want to endure.

"What about the horses?" Kid's voice rang from the doorway, his eyes still slightly downcast, "I heard the commotion out here. I thought something was wrong,"

The silence that settled in the house was downright deafening. Kid wondered if this was how Teaspoon had felt earlier as a growing sense of dread overtook him. He looked around the room and finally connected eyes with Rachel, who immediately dropped them to her apron. When she brought them back up again, he could see the hesitancy in them.

"Kid, Lightning's gone and.."

"I figured as much. She came in the bunkhouse to get some things," he replied, his voice downright dismal.

Cody couldn't take the suspense anymore. He knew he was gonna upset the Kid with what he had to say, but the truth was he deserved to know. He'd figure it out anyway soon enough. He opened his mouth, but was interrupted by Kid.

"Where's Jimmy? I think I owe him an apology," Kid asked carefully, noticing the gunslinger was not among the group. He imagined Hickok had gone to cool off; to shoot cans or just for a walk. He'd have done the same thing in his place. When he was greeted by more silence, he looked at Cody, who sat with his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water, "What is it, Cody?"

"Well, uh... now Kid, here'e the thing. See... well..."

"Cheyenne's gone, too," Rachel finally cut in, seeing that Cody was getting nowhere fast. Seeing Kid's eyes widen and his jaw set, she was ready for him to blow his lid. Instead she tried to cut him off before he could get his temper up, "Now, Kid. I know you and Jimmy ain't gettin' along right now. But you know and I know that we ALL love Lou and don't want to see any harm come to her. I know Jimmy went out to get some air, and maybe he saw Lou tryin' to leave. You know how he is. I'm sure he tried to talk her out of it, but Lou's a stubborn lady. She probably took off and I'm sure he's just tailin' her to make sure she stays safe," Rachel explained, her hands absently fiddling with her apron. She honestly wanted her words to be true and for Kid to take them as the most plausible option. But for Rachel, she had a feeling that while the basics of her story were probably pretty factual, her intuitiveness told her that it probably was a bit of a skewed truth. She just hoped they both knew what they were doing. She examined the sandy blond haired man before her, and while she saw him nod, she could see the disbelief in his bright blue eyes.

"Well, this is my fault, so it ain't his job to be lookin' after her. I'll go get Katy saddled up," he said, a firm decisiveness set in his tone. Rachel immediately stepped forward and her arm shot out, catching him as he turned for the door. His eyes clashed with hers and she saw the desperation in them. Her heart downright bled for him. So much guilt and anger seethed in him that for the first time since she'd known the Kid, she was almost frightened. Not for herself, of course. She had no doubt Kid would never bring harm to her. But for those who tried to stop him from protecting Lou. She immediately let go of him and tried to prevent was was surely to be a head on collision with Jimmy.

"Kid, listen to me. I don't know that that's such a good idea,"

"And why not? This mess is my fault, and I know that. But that doesn't mean I trust Jimmy out there alone with her for a second,"

"Hey, Kid! Jimmy's your friend. And that's crazy talk thinkin' he'd ever do somethin' to hurt Lou!" Cody chimed in, hoping to calm the Kid down.

"I know he's never intentionally hurt her, Cody. But there are people out there who are looking to hurt Jimmy. All the time! You know his reputation as well as I do! If Lou got in the middle..." His words caused him to flash back to the earlier scene with him and Jimmy and it took all his strength not to tear up, " I'd never forgive myself. I gotta go!"

Rachel was helpless to come up with a reason why he shouldn't. The whole situation had simply gotten way out of hand way too quickly. She prided herself on being a quick thinker and a good problem solver, but this was way above even her head. However, the one person Kid would listen to finally decided to chime in.

"Now hold yer horses. I don't know what the hell's goin' on here, but I ain't havin another one of you boys runnin' out in the middle of the night on me," Teaspoon said as he stood, "Now, Kid, I understand your concerns. But you leavin' here by yourself in the middle of night ain't any safer. At least Lou's got Jimmy to back her up if she hits a snag. I'm sure he'll come back in the mornin'. I'll tell ya what. You just wait 'til mornin' comes, and if Jimmy ain't here, I'll send for a few riders to cover your rides, and you can go look for her; make sure she's alright. That sound fair to you boys?" He saw everyone but Kid nod, and he raised an eyebrow to him, "Kid?"

Kid's eyes slowly raised from the worn spot on the wooden floor to Teaspoon's and he gave him a resigned nod. Without another word, he shuffled outside, with the screen door shutting slowly behind him. Once he was a good distance away from the house, Teaspoon continued, "Alright. Now the rest o' you boys better be gettin' on ta bed, 'cause you're all gonna have a hell of a long day tomorrow. All the chores are still gonna need ta get done 'round here, " The boys stood in unison and made theri way out of the house, and Rachel turned back to the dishes, hoping that Teaspoon wouldn't ask any more questions. As it was, she was just plain wore out from the whole ordeal. Her luck was just not nearly as good as she'd hoped.

"Ahem. I'm waitin',"

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