Black Diamonds and Marshmallows

Lou came away from the forge

Feeling mighty sore

Was she wrong about Buck?

She could have swore...

He said that he loved her.

Guess not anymore.

She done as she always had

Using anger when she was sad

As a way to bury it deep.

It's been some time since she felt this cheap.

"So, the Black Diamond Forge?" asked CG.

The words brought her from her revery,

Happy for the distraction,

"That's right," Lou said with satisfaction.

"Come on. Let's get a drink."

Lou agreed needing to think.

"I know just what I want our sign to be!

Would you be willing to run our ad, CG?"

"I'll give you the front page! Orange Hill

might print it too, if you paid."

Lou thought of the image she wanted to see.

Buck sprung to mind immediately.

He could have carved her sign easily.

Perhaps Unger could help or have a suggestion.

"You know anything about running a Forge?"

Was CG's next question.

"Nope," Lou said, with her usual grin.

"But I know just where I ought to begin."

"Her name is Petra Swage. She's the best in the business.

None, better from what I have witnessed.

Had a gun smith job working for Booming Dales.

Until Estee Larder wanted a bigger cut of sales."

"Never being one for all that glamour.

She opened a simple forge called Arm and Hammer.

Being a woman, business is slow.

But all she really needs, is a little more dough."

"So you think you can convince her to come to BG

and set up a forge in Tent City?"

"I know I can," Lou told CG.

"Thanks for the drink, and the time to think.

I gotta go tell Bruce he's free."

CG shook her head, when she said,

"Lou, your life... I don't envy."

Lou suddenly laughed. The sadness had passed.

She had a purpose once more.

With a spring in her step, a smile on her lips

She knocked on Bruce's door.

When an answer didn't come, she open it up

To catch Bruce packing at a furious pace.

She leaned against the frame, her grin growing wider

"I see you're almost ready to head to my place."

Bruce looked at her confused.

"Guess you got the news?

Packing to get a head start?

How nice of you."

"I posted your bail, so for now, no jail.

You ready to come with me?"

Bruce gave her that grin, that made her think of his twin

"Sure, but why set me free?"

"Who said I done it for you?"

"Just curious, Lou."

But then he shrugged, like he didn't care.

"I'm going on a trip, you're coming with."

Bruce stopped packing, "To where?"

"That's on a need to know. You ready to go?"

Bruce followed her out the door.

Once again Lou got the feeling of being watched.

"You, me, the open road what more can a man ask for?"

Lou looked down the hall.

"This is business not pleasure." Red hair she thought she saw.

"Don't even think to run, because I swear

 I'll hunt you down and torture you just for fun."

Bruce smirked, "Me run? Lou, I'm a changed man."

"You suddenly have a heart? Convince me."

He rolled his eyes, "Like I can."

"Is this your way of using reverse psychology?"

"Nope. Just stating the facts, if you're convinced

I don't have a heart, there's no persuading you differently."

"I learned in life, everyday is the opportunity to be someone new.

Whether or not you take it however, is totally up to you.

"Whatever," Bruce said, with with a roll of his eyes.

Lou punched his shoulder. Wondering how

any woman ever found him a prize.

"That's right, Marshmallow. You have fun.

Stay the same self-absorbed, arrogant, son of a gun."

"Marshmallow?"

"Yeah," with a smirk Lou did assert, 

"You know... it seems all tough

but it's really all squishy.

Yet manages to rebound

But with just a little bit of heat

and it melts

Right down to the ground."

Bruce frowned.

"I think I prefer Skirt."