As Rachel got supplies, the riders looked around for Christmas gifts. Buck had made Corey's gift which he was going to give to her before they left town. When he was walking out of the store, he spotted a necklace that he thought would be perfect for Caly for her birthday. He had already made her a dream catcher for Christmas. On impulse he bought it and then went to find Corey.

Corey was where Buck thought she would be, at work. When he walked in he noticed that Corey was the only one there. "Where's Luke?"

"He went home to have lunch with Meg." Corey responded. "He'll be back in about an hour if you want to come back."

"Well, I came to see you."

"Oh." Corey said and waited for Buck to continue.

"Um . . . I heard that you were having Christmas Dinner with the Saunders, so, I thought I'd better give you your Christmas gift now." He said as he brought a beautifully wrapped box out from behind his back.

"It's wrapped beautifully, Buck." Corey said in awe.

"Rachel wrapped it. Go ahead open it."

Corey did as she was told. When she opened the box, she just stared at the contents. Buck had carved her name into a piece of stained wood. She noticed the Pony Express logo and just for a split second, it made her long for her old job back. She remembered Dean and her current job and the freedom to be herself. She wouldn't give it up for anything. The name plate was the most beautiful thing that she had seen Buck make.

"Thank you Buck, it's beautiful!" She said as she gave him a hug. Buck hugged her back not sure what to think of this. Yes, he knew that Corey was interested in him, but it seemed like she was interested in Dean as well.

"Uh, Corey, Umm, I've noticed that you and Dean are spending a lot of time together."

"Yes." Is that a hint of jealously in his voice? She wondered.

"I know that it is probably none of my business, but what exactly is your relationship with him?" He asked nervously.

"We're just friends." Corey smiled. Maybe he's about to make up his mind between me and Caly.

"Oh OK." Buck smiled. He still wasn't sure if he wanted Corey or Caly, but seeing both of them with other men did tend to unnerve him a bit.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Caly rode out to the Station and when she saw Buck, she dismounted and went up to him. "Buck, I know that you don't celebrate Christmas, but I was wondering if you would have Christmas dinner at my house with my dad and Michael and me."

"Sure," Buck said. He wouldn't tell her that he had made her something for Christmas. He knew that it was White Man's custom to exchange gifts on Dec 25. He knew that from the Mission School. He also learned from the Mission School that Dec 25 was called Christmas Day, and it was very special to their religion. While he didn't celebrate that day, he didn't see any reason not to give Corey and Caly gifts. Besides, he had made the nameplate and dreamcatcher for them before he remembered that Christmas was soon. He was doing it because he knew that the girls would like them. And the dreamcatcher would help Caly with her nightmares.

"OK Great. You can come over around noon."

"All right." As Caly was turning around, he asked, "Is Charlie going to be there too?"

"No, why?"

Buck shrugged his shoulders, "I've just noticed that you've been spending a lot of time with him."

"Yes I have, but we're just friends. You know that ever since the attack, I feel more comfortable with one of you riders around. So that's why I've been asking ya'll to come along."