While new Deputy Darkly was organizing a search party for Ruby, AJ stole from his bed and silently made his way to the doctor's house where he sneaked in and left a paper rose and a note next to CrazyGoose who was still sound asleep. He had been struck by her emotionally and he was gambling on winning her interest.

Next morning he woke up and wondered if he had done the smart thing. He wasn't sure if she even noticed him when she picked up pastries that one time. He also knew of the rumours about she and the Sheriff and agonized over whether or not there was any chance for him. Miss Darkly was up and he turned his mind to his work.

Deputy Darkly gathered everyone together and divided them into pairs to conduct the search of the town for Ruby. 3Gun was excluded because he was still keeping an eye on CrazyGoose and was also worn out keeping the other eye on all the new people arriving in the Gulch.

While the search was being conducted, the Virginian was being called out by three outlaw bounty hunters that worked for a cadre of Confederate ex military and politicians. They exchanged the proverbial tough talk and threats and then, very quickly, the three men were down; two dead, one dying. The Virginian only had one fresh hole in his shirt.

Deputy Darkly broke off from the search to investigate the shooting and received the Virginian's demand for bounty money when he came to the jail the next day. Ruchari also arrived and began a debate with him about NoName, the horse Billy had given him. It went on at great length until 3Gun arrived, breaking up the debate and sending them both on their way. The Virginian was looking for Kae and Galina and Rue was warning Deputy Darkly that she might be her uncle's only chance.

3Gun went back to the doctors. He looked in on CrazyGoose and noticed a piece of paper sticking out of her jacket that he didn't remember seeing before. Taking it out he saw with surprise and some confusion that it was an origami paper rose with a folded note. He read the note and stared at it for a long time, and the rose, then he carefully replaced them in her jacket.

He stood for a long time watching her sleep and wondered about the secret admirer. A strange feeling came over him and he left to go to the saloon. He still needed to get this business done with Raven and Alister. On the way he stoppedat the newspaper office and fed the cat; little Ron could empty the litter box.

Deputy Darkly had organized the search parties and each couple took an area and began hunting Ruby. Kae and the Virginian were given the east side of the Gulch. They searched with no luck until they came upon a couple in an open carriage with two pairs of horses. The Virginian seemed to know them and told Kae that he wasn't coming back to town, he would be leaving with his friends. Surprised, Kae took the reins to NoName that he handed her, telling her to give it back to Billy, and watched as he joined the couple in the wagon.

There seemed to be something more than just friendship between he and the woman, and as they parted, she caught the words Alaska and farm. He was a strange fellow when he arrived with one story and as he stayed around the story changed and he became more difficult to read. There was a lot more to him than anyone in town suspected and they weren't really sure who or what he was.

One thing was certain, he wasn't interested in wasting time talking when push came to shove.