The holidays over Lou walked Jeremiah and Theresa to school and got them settled for their first day. She then found herself in town and unsure of what to do next, before she realized it she was standing in front of the Marshall's office watching Teaspoon pour himself a cup of coffee before settling back in his chair.

As if lightning struck her Lou realized that just like so many times before, Teaspoon might have the answer to her problem. So, building up her courage she opened the door and strode inside.

"Little one's all set?" Teaspoon asked without looking over.

"Yeah." Lou said and sat down in the chair across from his desk.

"I was wondering how long you were planning to stand out there." Teaspoon said. "What's gnawin at ya Lou?"

Lou stood and got herself a cup of coffee and then sat back down but stared into the dark liquid. "Buck."

"Ah." Teaspoon said with a smile, "I was wonderin' when we'd get here." He made a mental note to tell Rachel she'd won their bet.

"Here?" Lou asked

"You mentioned that while you were with the Yampa Buck protected you by claiming you as his wife." Teaspoon said simply.

Lou nodded, "He had to or I would have had to marry one of the men of the tribe."

"Sounds about right." Teaspoon said, "I'm guessin' that the two of you spent a lot more time together than you normally do. Probably got real close."

Lou blushed slightly and putting the mug on the desk said, "We were sharing the same tipi."

"That's about as close as you can be. Especially in winter." Teaspoon said his voice softening. "Now I guess you're trying to figure out how much was the tipi and how much was the two of you."

"Not exactly." Lou said and looked up "I still find myself thinking of Buck as my husband."

"Well among many Indians livin' like you did meant you would be married. However, Lou you ain't an Indian."

"Buck's Kiowa." Lou said and shrugged confused, "Does that change anything?"

"Well it might for him but seeing as your both back to sleeping in the bunkhouse like nothing happened between you. I'm guessing he's figuring since you're not living among Indians anymore that you shouldn't be following their rules either."

"So, I should either stop riding and get married or stop thinking of Buck as my husband?"

"If it were anyone other than Buck." Teaspoon said, "Have you talked to Buck about all this?"

"He was as lost as I am." Lou admitted, "We lived as though we were married and I guess some part of us still believes it, but out here, it's so different and we can't get a grasp on how to move forward."

"Louise." Teaspoon said his heart breaking for his smallest rider, "I've been married too many times. Marrying someone different, like an Indian can be a great thing or it can be the thing that tears you apart. Make sure when you figure out what you want that you only do it once. Heart can take being torn open too many times."

"Thanks Teaspoon." Lou said as she finished her coffee. Slowly she got up and headed back outside to walk back to the station.

Buck found Lou in the barn brushing Lightning. "Hey." He called as he approached.

Lou smiled at the sound of his voice. "Hey yourself."

"Teaspoon bringing the kids back or do you need to go and get them?" Buck asked as he watched her grooming

"Teaspoons bringing them. We talked this morning after I got them settled."

Buck nodded, he'd had the same idea but hadn't had the chance to see the older man alone yet. "What did he say?"

"Well he and Rachel were betting on when we'd get here." Lou said with a smile as she put down the curry comb and walked over to the empty stall and sat down.

Buck followed and sat across from her not sure if she wanted to touch.

"He says he understands why we feel like we do. Or like I do. I didn't speak for you." Lou said and stretched out her legs so that hers were just barely between his and their calves were touching.

"You could have." Buck said and laid a hand on Lou's boot and squeezed her ankle.

Lou smiled and admitted. "It might have helped him understand better if I did."

"Well I guess we could start by telling the others we're together." Buck said

"That would make more sense than asking them to show up to a damned wedding."

"You don't like weddings." Buck stated

"I, I only seen the one and I know what happened to my mother after she married him. So, no I guess I don't much like weddings." Lou paused "Or at least what they represent."

Buck nodded sadly. "I understand."

"Buck it's not you." Lou's fists hit the dirt in frustration, "Dammit."

"Talk to me Lou. Like we did when we were with the Yampa."

"It feels different here." Lou shook her head, "I can't explain it."

Buck nodded and said, "I think I understand. What if we were to go on a run? We would be just us, away from everyone. Would that help?"

Lou shut her eyes and thought for a moment about it and then nodded as a slow tentative smile appeared on her face.

"I'll talk to Rachel. I'm sure something's coming."

"Thank you for being patient Buck." Lou said and held out a hand to him.

Buck reached for her hand and pulled her close. "That's the easy part Lou." He whispered into her hair as he wrapped his arms around her holding her tight to his body.