Chapter 2

"Just. Leave. Me. Alone." Kid hissed through gritted teeth and walked off leaving a stunned Jimmy behind

Jimmy watched Kid walk off in anger, disappearing around the corner of the bunkhouse. He shook his head as he walked over to where the other boys had settled themselves. As he reached the porch Cody was the first to jump up.

"Well?" He asked anxiously

"All I got outta him was to leave him alone. No talkin' to the man the way he is right now" Jimmy shrugged.

"At least you tried. If anything, Kid can't say you didn't care" Cody determined.

Buck and Ike nodded, seeming to agree with Cody's conclusion. Jimmy sure tried, while he didn't even have to. Whatever upset Kid they were sure it couldn't have been anything they had said or done. Sure they mocked him more than he probably cared for, but they did that all the time and never had he responded the way he did tonight.

"Well, seein' I have an early run tomorrow I'm gonna head off to bed." Jimmy said and he walked up to the door of the bunkhouse.

A loud banging on the porch caused by Ike made Jimmy turn around before entering the bunk house.

>What about Lou? Shouldn't anyone go get her?> Ike signed, concern showing on his face.

"Ike, you and I both know she ain't gonna go to sleep with the Kid bein' in the condition he's in. We best leave her with Rachel. She'll come in when she's ready." Jimmy answered.

Cody and buck nodded in agreement and stood up to join Jimmy in the bunk house. They all silently hoped Kid's behavior wouldn't stir things up during the night. The last thing they needed was an angry Lou on top of a sulking Kid. That was if even he would decide to sleep in the bunk house. Because having an angry and worrying Lou was by far the worst of all.

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Kid had been standing just around the corner of the bunk house, right by the porch side, listening to the boys talk.

"At least you tried. If anything, Kid can't say you didn't care" He heard Cody say and winced as he felt his anger and hurt flair like it had just before he left the bunk house. If either one of them really cared they wouldn't be in this position to begin with, he thought resentfully.

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Rachel started tidying up the room to go to bed when she saw Lou resting her head on her hands staring out the window. She felt for the young girl, knowing how hard it must be seeing the one you care most about hurt and not being able to do anything about it but wait until he came to her.

Though the couple had their fair share of trouble, being as young as they were both had learned a great deal about each other by trial and error. And Rachel thought it mighty brave of Lou to give Kid the space he seemed to need right now.

"It's almost time for bed now. You want to spend the night in the guest room?" Rachel asked gently as she put a hand on Lou's shoulder.

Lou turned around to meet the station mistress eyes and shook her head.

"No, I'll sleep in my own bunk tonight Rachel. But thank you for offerin'. I just want to wait till the boys have settled down before I go in." She answered.

Rachel had to do her best not to smile. She knew what Lou had said was only part of the reason she didn't want to go back to the bunk house or spend the night in the guest room. She knew darn well Lou hoped she would get a chance to talk to Kid alone, being quite upset herself about his recent behavior. So she smiled politely and nodded.

"Ok, just be real sure you turn off the light before you go back, and don't stay up too long. You have a job to do now ye hear?" Rachel said as stern as she could.

Lou nodded and turned back to look out the window. Just as Rachel wanted to leave for bed, there were three knocks on the front door, causing Lou to almost jump out of her skin. Rachel went to open the door, only to be greeted by a bashful Kid.

"Good evenin' Rachel. Sorry to disturb at this hour…." Kid started and then paused waiting for a response from Rachel before he continued.

Rachel now really couldn't help but smile. No matter what, Kid never forgot his manners and no matter what, he would always make sure his girl was alright.

"She's inside" She responded and held out a hand to Kid as a gesture to come further.

When Kid walked in the room Rachel could see Lou's face light up at first sight and decided to leave the two alone as soon as possible. She stroked Kid's arm a few times and gave him a motherly smile before turning to Louise.

"I'm gonna check on the boys and you two better be on your way to your own bunks by the time I make my way back here" She warned the two.

Both nodded in agreement, thankful for the given time alone.

When Rachel had put on her coat and was ready to leave to check on the boys she briefly took Kid aside.

"You sure you're alright Kid?" She asked him with concerned eyes.

Kid merely nodded.

"You know where to come find me if you ever want to talk. About anything you understand?" She continued and cupped Kid's face with both hands.

Again Kid just gave a shy nod and smiled faintly.

Rachel rubbed her thumbs gently on Kid's cheeks looking at him one more time with great concern as she saw the sadness in his eyes before she left him alone with Lou.

When the door closed, the Kid walked up to Lou and sat down next to her.

"Kid… ? She asked, not trying to hide the concern in her voice.

Kid avoided her eyes as he shook his head. "It's nothin' Lou"

She sighed; he was not going to say what bothered him. Not tonight any way. And as she didn't want to worsen his mood she pretended to be content with his answer. She gently moved closer, not quite sure how defensive he would be towards her, but felt relieved when he gratefully let her nestle herself in hollow of his shoulder. She could her him let out a content breath as he wrapped his arms around her.

Lou slowly lifted her head up from his shoulder and tentatively stared at his lips and whished he would kiss her. His kisses would tell her everything she needed to know. For now at least. As if Kid read her mind and gently brushed his lips against hers before pulling her into a passionate kiss.

Her heart had skipped a beat as she surrendered to his yearning lips, but she felt somewhat reassured as she could feel his passion push aside the sadness that had overcome him earlier. This was the Kid she knew and loved and she instantly knew he would be ok.

When she gently broke of the kiss, she locked eyes with him.

"We best be getting' back to the boys" She whispered.

Upon mentioning the boys she felt Kid's muscles tighten, and he scrunched up his face a little. But he nodded, knowing he promised Rachel not to take to long. He also felt he had drawn enough attention to himself just as it was and wasn't looking for more. Especially not the negative kind as he had been receiving since he walked out of the bunk house earlier that evening.

Together they made sure everything was in order as Rachel had asked and made their way towards the bunk house. When they reached the porch they walked into Rachel just closing the door behind her.

Satisfied that the two love birds had been true to their promise to be making their way to their own bunks by the time she was done she smiled at them before whishing them a good night.

Lou opened the door and felt a sting in her heart as she heard Kid take in a deep breath before entering. Now understanding that the boys had something to do with Kid's sudden mood swing she prayed they would have the common sense to leave him in peace. At least for tonight. But her fears died down instantly as she saw each of the boys was involved in something of the other, barely acknowledging their presence. Lou felt Rachel must have had something to do with the boys calm and reserved behavior.

Kid didn't feel as comfortable as Lou did though. He walked up at his bunk and started undressing to get ready for bed, carefully eyeing each of his fellow riders. When nothing changed in their behavior he felt even more uncomfortable. They were ignoring him, which he felt was worse than being confronted for his earlier behavior.

Secretly he hoped that he was wrong about his thoughts, he silently hoped at least Jimmy or Buck would come looking for a fight giving him an excuse to vent his fears and frustrations and be reassured that they were completely unfounded. But there was nothing but silence feeding his anxiety. And with that he fell in an uncomfortable, nightmarish sleep.

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TBC