Tyson was heading down the main street on his way to the post office. He saw a group of Express Riders loading up the buckboard with supplies outside Cromwell's store and abruptly changed direction and headed for them instead.

"I guess it must be hard for you all," Tyson said as he came up behind them.

Jimmy, Kid, Ike and Lou all turned at the sound of his voice.

Kid raised his eyebrows, "Oh and why is that?" sensing that Tyson was in one of his playful moods.

"Well, you�re having to cope without me for one," Tyson watched as Jimmy shook his head and Ike pulled a face. "Now don�t look at me like that, we all know that it�s true, but don�t worry, I�m not sure I�d be able to handle being without me either. I mean I am one tremendous feller, but I just thought I�d come and tell ya that I do understand your pain." Tyson grinned wickedly.

"Oh yeah? Well, I understand yours, too," Lou said as she picked up the smaller bag of flour and flung it at him.

Tyson tried to dodge it but was too late in noticing and he copped it straight in the stomach. Knocking the wind out of him it sent him to the ground and showered him in a white coating.

Lou stood beside him and smiled. "Sorry about that, sometimes I don�t know my own strength."

"Well, I have a talent for getting myself into predicaments, nice comeback by the way." Tyson grinned as he tried to sweep off the flour from his shirt.

The other riders snickered and went off to use the opportunity of being in town to finalize their Halloween preparations, while Jimmy took the supplies back to the station.

"Well, you gonna get up or what?" Lou held out her hand to help him up.

Tyson looked thoughtful, "Hmm, you�d think that I�d be getting used to being on the ground, seems I spend more time down here than up there." He took her hand and she hauled him to his feet.

"Well, I guess I�ll be seeing you later," Lou suddenly realized that he hadn�t released her hand, and she smiled to herself, thinking how nice it felt.

Tyson shook his head, "Oh no you don�t, you caused me to be in this mess, so you�re gonna help me get out of it."

Lou rolled her eyes, "It�s just harmless flour, it�ll shake off."

"I wasn�t talking about the flour, Lou," Tyson looked straight into her eyes, making her knees feel weak.

"Uh . . . hmm . . . uh, I better be going," she said as she released his hand hoping that no one had seen them.

"Alright, but will you go to the Halloween dance with me?" Tyson asked hopefully as he felt her grip go.

"I can�t. I�m already going with someone else," Lou recognized the hurt in his eyes for the first time. "A friend," she quickly added.

Tyson looked around them to see if anyone was within listening distance, "Can�t you tell them you changed your mind? This is a chance for us to do something together. You know that I�m not above begging," He added with a glint in his eye.

"Alright, I�ll see what I can do okay?" Lou decided that Kimberly would understand.

Tyson gave her a huge smile, "Great, we�ll sort things out later okay?"

"Okay, Now I really better be going. They�ll be expecting me back soon."

"I�ll see you then," Tyson grinned again as they both parted ways.

Lou was back on Lightening when she suddenly remembered that she was still mad at him for doing what he�d done at the station. "Oh damn him!" She smiled when she felt the butterflies in her stomach return.