Abe raised her head. Her eyes where red a puffy as if she had been crying for awhile now, "I'm just…thinking." She wiped the tears away trying to make it look like she was fine.

Jimmy jumped down from his bunk and pulled a chair over to where Abe was, "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I just don't know what to do. I want to go with my brother. We've been apart for so many years. We've got so much catchin' up to do, but I love Ike. I don't want to leave him, and I can't ask him to come to Virginia with me, he loves it here. This is his home." Abe dropped her head.

"Have you talked to Ike about this?" Jimmy asked consolingly.

"No, I'm afraid to. I'm scared if I tell Ike I want to go back he'll be mad at me for wanting to leave." Abe's head was still hung sadly.

Jimmy touched Abe's chin, softly nudging her head up, "Maybe if you talk to him, it won't be as bad as you think." Jimmy said.

Abe realized Jimmy was nothing like she had thought he was. Sure, he came a crossed as a real hard guy, but he was gentle and kind too. Abe smiled at him, "I think I should talk to Ike."

Jimmy stood up and put a hand on Abe's shoulder, "I'm sure no matter what you choose to do Ike will be behind you 100%." He said.

Abe shook her head, "Thank you."

Jimmy smiled then turned and walked back to his bunk to lay down.

Ike was working in the barn when Abe came up to him, "Can we talk?" She asked. He nodded and they walked for awhile. They ended up walking out to the watering hole, which was a long ways away. Abe, not sure how to start just blurted it out, "Ike I want to go to Virginia, and I want you to come with me." Ike stood there, stunned by what was just told to him. He turned away from her; "I know I have no right askin' you to leave everything for me, but I love you…" Ike turned back and stared into her eyes.

He signed, "I love you too, but I can't leave this place. This is my home."

She nodded, not completely surprised. She knew he would choice to stay here, but still she was disappointed. Abe's head hung sadly and tears started to fall from her eyes. Ike's body stood in front of her just barely touching. He lifted her head and kissed her softly on the lips, "Marry me." He signed.

With tears still falling she looked at him, "Can I think about it?" he nodded his head then kissed her again, pulling her close.

They returned to the Way Station and as soon as they arrived a rider rode into view. Bo, Abe's brother, was the rider and he slowed his horse. Abe wide eyed with fright ran to meet her brother, "What are you doing here?" Abe asked.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't wait for your decision. An emergency has come up and I need to return to Virginia today. Are you coming with me or not?" Bo answered.

Teaspoon exited the house and walked to where Abe, Ike, and Bo where, "Who's this?" he asked.

"Teaspoon, I'd like you to meet my brother, Bo." Abe introduced them.

"It's a pleasure." Bo tipped his hat. Bo forgetting what Abe had told him earlier that day spoke of the pervious matter, "Abby are you coming or not?"

Teaspoon looked confused, "Abby? Why ain't that a girl name?"

"Um, Teaspoon there's somethin' that needs to be said." Abe turned to him, "I'm a girl."

Bo realizing what he did apologized, "Oh damn, I wasn't supposed to call you that now was I?"

Abe glared at Bo, then turned back to Teaspoon, "Now Teaspoon. I know girls ain't supposed to be ridin' but you don't understand." Now the other riders had joined the group, along with Emma. Abe explained her story to Teaspoon, and apologized for all the trouble that she may have caused. He excepted her apology, and was very kind about the matter, "And you don't have to worry, I won't be causin' anymore trouble cause I'm goin' back to Virginia." Abe looked over and Ike who now had an answer to his question. He turned on his heels and walked into the bunkhouse, leaving the others looking around dumbfounded, "Excuse me." Abe ran after him.

She entered the bunkhouse and Ike was there, throwing stuff around, "Ike?" he turned with an upset look on his face.

"Please just leave me alone." He signed.

"I know you're upset but, we need to talk." Abe moved closer to him.

"I'm tired of talking." He moved away.

"Fine then just listen. I want nothing more than to marry you, you know that, but don't you understand how important this is to me?" Abe paused in the middle of her sentence and walked over to him, "If I stay here what am I going to do? Teaspoon won't let me ride."

"Then marry me and I'll take care of you." He signed.

"But I want to go back to Virginia. That's my home!" She started to grow angry. Why couldn't he understand she wanted to go back?

"I guess I can't hold onto you then. You're going to go and I can't stop you." He signed.

"You can always come with me." Abe said.

"Like Virginia is your home, this is mine." Ike signed, "I love you." He kissed her and then slowly walked out the door.

Abe packed her things and tied them to her horse. The riders where outside ready to say their farewells.

Lou whispered in Abe's ear, "It was nice to have another girl rider around here. Remember, if you ever need anyone to talk to, I'm here." Abe hugged her with tears in her eyes.

"Thank you." Abe whispered. She turned to Jimmy, "Thanks for keepin' my secret. I'm glad I didn't get you in trouble." He smiled and Abe hugged him too.

Next was Cody, "You sure are a tiny one, but you can ride like no body's business."

Abe smiled at Cody's comment, "I can ride better than you." She hugged him, "Good bye."

Kid smiled at her, "It was nice havin' you here. I hope you come back and visit us some time." He hugged her quickly.

Buck was at Abe's side, "I'm glad Ike found someone like you. I know you made him happier than he's been in years."

Abe hugged him, "Take care of him for me." She smiled through tears.

"What no hug for me?" Teaspoon said.

Abe let out a little laugh, "How could I not give you a hug? You were so forgivin' about the whole me being a girl bit." She gave Teaspoon a big hug, "Thank you."

"Now you're welcome back her anytime you hear? So that means visit." Teaspoon said.

Emma reached out and hugged Abe next, "You take care. Don't forget, I'm here if you need me."

Abe returned the hug kindly, "Thank you so much, all of you."

Ike hung back not wanting to say good bye. The others faded away seeing that the two wanted to say their good bye in private. Abe made her way to Ike's side, "I know I caused you pain and I'm sorry, but I can't say I love you enough. I'm never going forget you." She hugged him. Abe went to turn but he wouldn't let go, "I'll be back, I promise." She whispered to him.

He let his grasp on her loosen and he let her go, "You better come back." He kissed her softly on the lips for the last time. She started to back away towards her horse; "I'll always love you" He signed.

Abe mounted her horse. A second later she and her brother were off.