Disclaimer: I do not own Young Riders or any of the characters. I do wish I owned Buck though ;)
A/N: This is kinda AU. Lou was never raped by Wicks and does not have any siblings. Set shortly after Teaspoon finds out Lou's a girl.
Chapter 1
"Lou! Ike! I've got a special run I want you two to do." Teaspoon said coming out of the bunkhouse. "What is it Teaspoon?" I asked. "I need you two to take a package to Fort Laramie." Teaspoon told me. I noticed Buck standing behind Teaspoon looked concern. Ever since he had rescued Ike from the Kiowa, they hadn't attacked anymore Express riders, but Buck still worried when any of us had to travel close to their land.
"Teaspoon why don't you let me go with Ike instead of Lou?" Kid spoke up, I glared at him. I hated it when he tried to protect me, why can't he get it through his head that I don't want or need him to protect me. "Nope, need Lou special for this one." Teaspoon said with a wink to me. I looked at him in question. Teaspoon pulled us aside. "Lou I understand ya got a pretty dress." Teaspoon said more of a statement than a question really. I blushed and nodded, it still felt weird that Teaspoon knew my secret now. I remember the day he found out, that was so embarrassing.
"Good, I need you to pack it. Ike you're going to deliver that package to a Major Callen. Louise after Ike delivers that package I want you to check in the hotel as Rebecca Howell. Major Callen will meet up with you for dinner and give you something that he will tell you to take to someone. Remember that name and bring whatever he gives you straight back here, got it?" Teaspoon explained to us. "Yes. What's this about Teaspoon?" I asked wondering what was going on. "Major Callen is suspected to be a traitor. The army asked me to see if we can confirm that. Whatever he gives you will confirm he's either a traitor or a loyal officer." Teaspoon told us. "Alright Teaspoon." I said as I headed for the bunkhouse to gather my gear and my dress. Ike went to saddle our horses.
Kid was not happy when he saw me pack my dress. But I figured he would get over it. Buck was holding Lightning's reins for me when I went back outside. He gave me a soft smile, his hand clutching his medicine bag, something he only does when he has a bad feeling about something. As I tied my bedroll onto the back of my horse I looked over at Buck, "Are you ok Buck?" I asked noticing the strange expression on his face. "I'm fine Lou, just be careful ok. I've got a strange feeling about this ride." Buck said looking at me intently. I didn't have time to ask what he meant because the rest of the guys spilled out of the bunkhouse to say goodbye.
I just smiled over at Buck and over at my boys. I mounted up and gave them all a nod. Buck put his hand on my leg; I looked down and met his eyes. There was something in them that I couldn't identify. "Ride safe Lou." He said with a slight smile and a squeeze of my leg. There was something about his expression that had my stomach full of butterflies. "Thanks Buck." I said before riding out with Ike.
Fort Laramie was a two day ride and we were getting a late start. I knew we wouldn't get very far tonight before we had to make camp. Shortly before sunset we stopped to make camp. Ike took care of the horses while I got a fire started. I put a can of beans on to warm for our dinner, wishing I was back in Sweetwater and eating Rachel's good cooking. Ike came and sat beside me, he bumped my shoulder with his and I looked over at him and smiled.
"What was bothering Buck?" Ike signed to me. "I don't know. He said he had a strange feeling about this run, he told me to be careful. He didn't say anything to you?" I told Ike. "No. It must have to do with you and not me." Ike responded with a worried expression. I smiled to reassure him, "hmmm…. I'm sure it's nothing Ike." Ike didn't look convinced, "I don't know Lou; Buck's feelings are usually dead on. You better be extra careful." I nodded knowing I couldn't argue with that. Buck was usually right about things.
We sat in silence while we ate our beans. Afterwards I took the dishes to the nearby stream and washed them off. I returned to the fire and stretched out on my bedroll. "Goodnight Ike." I said to my silent friend. Ike raised his hand to say goodnight and smiled. I drifted to sleep thinking on my conversation with Ike and Buck's words of warning. I also thought about Kid and his 'protectiveness'; he was driving me crazy with it. He was trying to turn me into one of those 'southern belle' types he was used to dealing with. It was driving me crazy. I really liked Kid but I wasn't about to change who I am. If Kid couldn't learn to accept me for who I am, then we don't have a chance in hell to have a lasting relationship. Why couldn't he just let me be me? I had fitful dreams that night. So when I woke the next morning I felt worse than I had the night before.