The closer the trio got to the town, the more frightened Faith became. It was one thing to ignore Mrs. White and her nasty words but she didn't know these people. They might actually be decent folk who don't really want her sort around. And she couldn't blame them either. Her palms began to sweat as she saw more people and more horses and more wagons. They would know and for all she knew Aaron was already there and someone had told him she was here.

Jimmy could hear Faith's breathing coming faster and he handed the reins off to Jenny so that he could loop an arm around her shoulders.

"Are you alright sweetheart?"

"I don't want to do this," she said, "There's too many people."

"Faith, I won't make you do this but I think you ought to," he told her, "I'm not going to lie, there's some real uppity folks here like anywhere else but there's a lot more here that aren't than you're going to find most anywhere else. I won't leave if you don't want me to, okay?"

"They'll know," she whispered.

"Ain't anyone going to know a single thing you don't tell 'em."

Jimmy looked over at Jenny who nodded to him that he was in fact doing the right thing. When they reached town, Jenny brought the wagon to a stop in front of the marshal's office. Jimmy climbed down and then helped both women down.

"And just what are you doing with your hands on my wife?" Buck asked with a smile from the doorway of the office.

"What you should've been doing but were too slow to get out here and do," Jimmy answered amiably tipping his hat to Jenny. He then took a step over and offered his arm to Faith. She took it and allowed herself to be led into the office.

"Well, good morning to you Faith," Teaspoon said getting up from behind his desk ever mindful of the presence of ladies. He even removed his hat and bowed deeply. Jenny giggled having long gotten accustomed to Teaspoon but Faith only offered a guarded smile and when he looked at her she curtsied to him.

"Good morning Mar-I mean Teaspoon."

It took a little doing but eventually Faith was convinced to walk the few doors down to the store with Jenny and leave Jimmy behind in the marshal's office with Teaspoon and Buck.

"I'll be right here," Jimmy had assured her.

"I can't," she had whispered her eyes darting around in near panic.

"We'll be sitting outside," he told her finally, "I will hear if there's any problem and Buck and Teaspoon are right here too. You are safe, sweetheart."

The look she gave him said she wasn't safe, she never would be again and wasn't sure if she ever had been. Security is something she had come to believe was something of an illusion.

Once the ladies were heading down the boardwalk with Faith walking stiffly and Jenny trying to calm her with excited talk of babies Teaspoon looked at Jimmy.

"What in blazes happened to that poor gal?"

Jimmy looked dumbly at Teaspoon for a moment before speaking.

"Besides getting beat nearly every day the last six months?" he asked his voice detached as if still trying to figure out how such a thing could be. "He…he well, he forced…"

He let his voice trail away knowing that nothing more needed saying. He only barely registered Teaspoon's hand on his shoulder.

"She's safe now, son," Teaspoon comforted his boy.

"No she's not," Jimmy said quietly, "She's scared for good reason, not just jumping at shadows. He threatened to track her down if she ever left him. She had to leave. She couldn't stay and get beat and he was going to hurt the baby."

Jimmy stood abruptly and in two large strides covered the distance to the door and inside. The emotion was rapidly overtaking him and he wasn't about to break down on the main street of town. He thought it would be Teaspoon to follow him but it was Buck's voice he heard in his ears and therefore he knew it must be Buck's hands on his arms.

"Nothing is going to happen to her or the baby now," he said with all the resolve in him, "Faith and that baby are family now."

"I left her," Jimmy said staring vacantly ahead, "I just rode away. I couldn't face seeing her with another man. I was selfish and cowardly and she suffered for it. I could have lost them Buck." His voice was rising in volume as well as pitch. "I could have lost them both."

Buck flinched as Jimmy's fist connected with the wall. He was able to grab his friend's arm before the next swing. Jimmy struggled against him a moment and then went nearly limp.

"I could've lost them, Buck. I could've lost them."

Buck managed to get Jimmy into a chair and then pulled another chair up close. He grabbed Jimmy's shoulders and shook him.

"But you didn't," he asserted, "And you won't now."

Jimmy just stared at him.

"I am such an idiot," he said, "How could leaving her ever have been the right thing?"

"I'm sure it seemed like a good idea at the time," Buck said with a loopy grin knowing the worst of the storm had passed.

"It really did," Jimmy said half-heartedly returning the smile but feeling a little better with the exception of his aching hand. "Guess I haven't gotten any smarter over the years, have I?"

"That's just part of your charm, Hickok."

The two of them made their way back out front to join Teaspoon who had been at the ready in case his boys hadn't been able to get through this without him, if Buck hadn't been able to calm his friend down but actually he'd handled it much the same as Teaspoon would have. He puffed his chest out a little with pride in the work he'd done turning those boys into men any father could be proud of.

Teaspoon had plenty he'd like to talk to Jimmy about but right about that time he saw the two women headed back toward their men.

"I thought I taught you boys better'n to let two lovely ladies carry their own packages," he said nodding in the direction of Jenny and Faith. The two younger men headed immediately to help their ladies.

"I shouldn't have bought all this without talking to Jimmy first," Faith worried as the pair made their way down the boardwalk to meet up with their respective men.

"Nonsense," Jenny assured her, "That baby is going to need things and you are running out of time. You didn't buy a single thing you won't need to make things for the baby. I know Jimmy well enough to know he wouldn't want his child going around in its altogether."

Faith was about to protest further when she spied the men approaching them and she shut her mouth quickly and looked down. Buck took Jenny's packages and the two were almost immediately engaged in a playful conversation. Jimmy took Faith's bundles and leaned to kiss her temple.

"Is all this for the baby?"

Faith nodded and then stammered a reply, "I uh, I know it looks like a lot, but really, the baby will need-"

"Sweetheart," Jimmy cut her off, "I believe you. I actually was kind of hoping that maybe you got something for yourself too."

"I couldn't do that without asking."

"I know I lost your belief in me," he said gently as he shifted the packages to one arm so he could place a free hand on her face. "I really do just want to see you happy."

"I am happy," she answered looking away from his gaze.

"I think you have moments of it and I think sometimes you try to tell yourself you are," he told her, "But you're not really happy, not like how a woman about to have a baby ought to be. It's okay though. I guess it will just take time. Now as for all this stuff, I don't have the foggiest notion about what a baby needs so you'll just have to explain it all to me sometime."

Faith nodded at him and prepared to continue walking toward the marshal's office but he stopped her and placed his hand under her chin tilting her face up to him.

"Did you even have a little fun shopping with Jenny?"

The smile that spread across her face was genuine and surprised her. The ability to keep her emotions inside had been her saving grace for months but she did have a good time with Jenny and what was more it felt really good to have fun like that. Jenny had made over some fabric that she thought Faith should make a dress out of. Of course Faith wouldn't get it but she thought maybe some time she would ask Jimmy about it.

"Now that is a smile," he beamed at her not allowing it to reach his own features how much he wished he could have put that smile there. "It's beautiful, just beautiful."

And then he kissed her lightly on the mouth. It was a chaste kiss and appropriate for being in public as they were but it made Faith feel warm and hopeful all the same. He offered his arm and she gladly took it as they continued on their way.

They caught up with Buck and Jenny who were talking to Teaspoon. Jenny immediately brightened at seeing the contented smile on Faith's face. Jenny had been worried about her new friend. Faith was so skittish and while Jenny didn't know Jimmy as well as Buck or the other former riders did, she knew him well enough to know that Faith should never fear him. Jenny decided to pounce on the good feelings that smile spoke of, the security that Faith was feeling with them all right now.

"It's just about lunchtime," Jenny noted, "If we hurry we can catch Rachel while the children are outside. I know she would just love to meet you."

Faith looked uncertain for a second only before Jimmy leaned down and whispered in her ear.

"You go on. I've got some things to do here in town. Ain't none of us far away if you need us."

The two women set out toward the schoolhouse but stopped when Jimmy called to them.

"Faith, are you sure you should walk that far? Maybe you should take the wagon."

Faith's hands went reflexively to her belly and her smile only grew at the genuine concern. She didn't even care right then if the concern was actually for her or just for the baby, at least he was concerned about one of them.

"I'm fine, Jimmy," she told him, "Exercise is good for me and the little one."

But she didn't turn and walk away immediately either. Instead she walked back to Jimmy and wrapped her arms around him resting her head against him for just a moment to hear the steady rhythm of his heart. Then she released him and walked away with her new friend to meet someone who might be yet another new friend. For the first time since Jimmy rode away from her all those months ago Faith felt like maybe things would be alright.

The two women walked up to the schoolhouse just as children were flooding out to eat their lunches. Jenny took Faith's hand and led her into the building. They found Rachel at her desk unpacking a basket of food. She looked up when she heard feet approaching her.

"Jenny," Rachel said with a smile, "What a nice surprise!"

"Hi Rachel," Jenny said breezily, "I wanted you to meet my new friend Faith."

Faith was heartened by the fact that she wasn't introduced as Jimmy's woman but as Jenny's friend. She loved the idea of being his woman, had once delighted in the thought of being his wife but there was something about the knowledge that Jenny wasn't only spending time with her because of Faith's attachment to a friend of her husband's that felt really nice to know.

"So is this Jimmy's Faith?" Rachel asked, her smile never changing. Faith didn't know where to look or what to say. She had no way of knowing what Rachel knew or didn't know about her. Rachel came out from behind the desk and took Faith's hand gently in her own and then pulled Faith toward her into a hug.

"Oh honey," Rachel said, "You're among friends here. There's no need to be so uncertain."

The three sat and talked a few minutes and both Rachel and Jenny tried to keep to light topics. It wouldn't do to get into anything too heavy when there was so little time before Rachel had to call the children back in from lunch.

"Have you two thought anything about names?" Jenny asked and Faith looked down at her hands in her lap.

"That's alright," Jenny said on seeing her friend's discomfort, "You've only just gotten here and you two haven't even had time to properly get to know each other again let alone talk about silly baby things."

"If I know Jimmy," Rachel added, "He's probably still trying to get used to the idea of fatherhood. He's a sweet boy but sometimes it takes him near to forever to digest news. I think I should have you two over for supper sometime. How about tomorrow?"

Faith tried to think of what to say. She wanted to accept the invitation and for sure didn't want to be rude but she didn't know if it was her place to do so.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Rachel smiled, "You're not likely to hear anything about it from Jimmy but if you're concerned you can say I insisted."

Faith nodded and allowed herself to be pulled from her seat by Jenny who was indicating it was time for them to leave so the children could come back in for school.

Jimmy watched Faith walk away with Jenny and had some serious mixed feelings as he did. He knew she was safe and was very happy that she had a friend. But at the same time he hated having her out of his sight. He had only just gotten her back and letting her go the first time had proven to be a big mistake. He felt now that he needed to see her at all times to prove to himself she was really alright. Jimmy knew that wasn't realistic or even fair and hoped that need would fade some in time as they both got more comfortable again. He was so lost in his own musings he didn't hear the first two times that Teaspoon cleared his throat to get Jimmy's attention. Finally on the third 'ahem' he looked up.

"She got any kin?" Teaspoon asked.

"Her father passed on a couple years ago and her mother moved in with Patience and her husband," Jimmy said quickly clarifying, "Patience is her rotten sister. I mean that too. She is just terrible to Faith."

"Then I guess I should act on her behalf a bit," Teaspoon mused, "Someone needs to know your intentions toward that lady."

"We were engaged, Teaspoon," Jimmy told him wondering how anything could be clearer, "She's carrying my child."

"So are you still engaged? Is she still married?"

Jimmy visibly deflated, "I don't know either one of those things."

"I'll tell you what," the older man said, "I'll look into the legalities of her marriage. Might be she ain't even married to him no more and might be it's real easy to get divorced from him. You see to the other part. And if you want my advice on that, ask her on purpose this time."

Jimmy half smiled remembering his bumbling and accidental proposal the first time. She had almost been a different person then as she had brazenly called him on his choice of words. He knew that something that subtle would now be allowed to pass by so he would have to be more overt. Or he could just ask her if she believed they were still engaged. Perhaps she did. He would like to think so. His feelings for her had not changed at all but he didn't know her feelings exactly and had been afraid to ask for fear of finding that she no longer felt the same and only sought him out in desperation. She had no one else really to turn to.

About halfway between the schoolhouse and the marshal's office Jenny stopped Faith.

"I know bad doesn't even begin to describe what you went through," she said trying to find the right words to say all she needed to. Jenny just could not bear to see Faith in this much hurt any longer. She wasn't sure why she felt such an instant bond with her and perhaps it was purely the opportunity to have a female friend and especially one who was going through the same thing she was. As excited as she was to have a baby, without her mother, Jenny was actually quite nervous. "But I know you're safe now. Jimmy protects his family and he's been so miserable without you. We didn't even know there was a you out there but we knew he was miserable. He won't hurt you."

"Every person who ever met Aaron would have said the same thing," Faith snapped with tears springing to her eyes.

Jenny was taken aback and as much as she tried not to show it, Faith saw and felt bad.

"I'm sorry," she said, "I shouldn't have bitten your head off like that."

"No, you're right," Jenny told her guiding her new friend over near a tree where they could sit a little while and talk. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't try to tell you how to feel."

Faith couldn't fight the tears any longer.

"I don't want to be afraid of him," she sobbed, "I love him and I know he still loves me. I think I doubted a little because he had left you know but he says it and he shows it and I believe him. But then Aaron loved me too. He used to be so kind and thoughtful and now he is cruel. I can't let my guard down. Jimmy says someday I'll take for granted that he loves me and I'm safe but I don't think I can ever take something like that for granted again."

For the second time that day Jenny held Faith while she cried. Jenny figured that Faith probably did a good amount of crying and would probably need to do quite a bit more.

Once Faith's tears stopped the two finished making their way to the marshal's office.

Jimmy was starting to worry for how long the women had been gone.

"Relax," Buck told him, "Jenny's with her and they are close enough if there was trouble we'd've heard."

"I left her unguarded once Buck."

Buck understood. He wasn't sure how he'd react if anyone had done those things to Jenny, especially now that she was expecting. There weren't really words he could offer to comfort his brother so he opted to change the subject a little.

"So are you ready for fatherhood?"

"No," Jimmy answered honestly, "I don't know what that even means, being ready."

"You know babies need things, Jimmy," Buck pointed out.

"I know they do I just don't know what those things are," Jimmy replied, "All those packages in there and I have no idea what she needs to do or make with all of that."

"Clothes, blankets, diapers," Buck answered, "Babies need other things that she can't make herself. Where is the baby going to sleep?"

Jimmy just looked blankly at his friend and brother and Buck smiled.

"Babies sleep in cradles and you need to make one unless Faith is hiding some carpentry skills."

Jimmy furrowed his brow for a moment and then a smile spread across his face.

"A cradle," he mused, "Hell, I can make a cradle."

It made him feel better to have a purpose and he couldn't wait to tell Faith which brought him back to worrying for her. She should have been back by now. He searched the direction she would be coming from and when he saw two shapes heading toward him he took off running toward her.

Faith was surprised to see Jimmy running toward her and grabbed Jenny's elbow for support.

"I think he missed you," Jenny said stifling a small laugh, "I'm going to find Buck. Don't worry. A smile like he's wearing can only mean he wants to kiss you silly."

Jenny broke away and gave a knowing smile to Jimmy as she passed him. Jimmy closed the rest of the distance to Faith and wrapped her in his arms. A part of Faith told her she should be frightened but the rest of her wanted to melt into his arms and live there forever. But then Jimmy released her and she felt a little sad for being let go. She didn't get much time to mourn the loss of his arms around her as he took her face in his hands and brought her lips to his. Jenny had been right and Faith suddenly remembered how very good it felt to be kissed like this. When his lips left hers, she could not help the giggle that escaped her. Jimmy couldn't think of a better sound than her laughter and the only thing that made it sweeter was that he had brought it about. He just had to kiss her again.

"Guess what, Faith," Jimmy said not really pausing for her to guess anything, "I'm going to build a cradle."

He just couldn't get over how good it felt that he could do something useful for her and for his child with his own two hands and that when his baby was asleep it would be in a bed he lovingly crafted. He had felt too helpless for too long.

Faith smiled at him, really smiled at him. Perhaps she was even proud of him, he dared to think.

"I have to talk to you about something, sweetheart," he said, emboldened by her laughter and smiles, "It's important and I'm not good with words so bear with me."

Faith cocked her head to one side trying to read his expression. She wanted to believe this was nothing bad. Surely he couldn't kiss her like that and then have bad news for her but she couldn't read his face. She did think she caught a glimmer of something resembling fear deep in his eyes.

"I don't know how to tell you how happy I was to see you here," he began, "I mean, sure, I would have preferred that you not be hurt and none of that happened to you. That's my fault for leaving though and I understand why I've lost so much of your trust. I want to work to get it back though. Nothing changed about how much I love you though. I can't even think of another woman besides you, even when I thought I'd never see you again."

He paused and ran a sweaty hand through his hair.

"I don't know how you feel about me," he continued, "I mean I know you're scared and I expect you're mad a little too. You should be anyway. I don't know if you came here because you wanted to be with me or because the only other option was Patience. I asked you this once on accident. I meant it but the way I asked probably didn't sound like it. I don't aim to make that mistake again."

Faith's hands went to her mouth as Jimmy lowered himself onto one knee.

"Faith, I love you and I want to marry you. Please say you will."

He looked to those eyes which in the best of times only gave him a tiny glimpse into her feelings and they were wide as saucers and beginning to shine with moisture. Her hands were still over her mouth.

"I'm asking you to marry me. Please say something."

"Oh Jimmy," she said at last.

And in the immortal words of Bugs Bunny..."Ain't I a stinker?"

So what does everyone think her answer will be? And what about Aaron the crazed wifebeater? It probably won't be long before another installment is up. And a special thanks to my dear sweet friend for not only helping out with all my arranging of matches but with keeping me sane when the world is bound and determined to make me otherwise. Thanks K!-J