JD gaped, mouth wide for a full second. He blinked thinking he was seeing things. Nope, it didn't disappear, or vanish. He nudged Buck with his elbow, hard, trying to get his taller friend's attention.

"Ow." Buck side stepped his young friend wondering not for the first time how the kid could have such sharp elbows. "Dammit, JD, you have got to quit doin' that. One o' these days you are going to do some real damage with those knobby elbows of yours."

"Buck." JD huffed out in exasperation as he pointed. "Look."

Bck's gaze followed JD's direction and he stopped. "Well I'll be..." He changed direction, heading toward what appeared to be a 1948 cherry red ford pickup truck peeking out from between too buildings.

Buck whistled softly as he reached out to gently caress the finish. It was well known that the former marine's passion for women was surpassed only by his love of nearly anything with wheels. "Ain't she a pretty baby." Buck whispered, his voice reverent.

JD snorted, not seeing the appeal, and unable to resist teasing his friend. "Oh you've got ta be kidding, Buck. This is like some sort of jalopy that Josiah would want."

Blue eyes narrowed and pinned JD with a fierce look. "This little lady is not for the likes o' him. That man has got no taste at all."

JD grinned, not at all intimidated by Buck's glare. "You just say that because you can't get Hoss to run."

'Hoss' was a sorely abused Hummer that Josiah had 'rescued' from a wrecking yard. It was the only vehicle JD knew of that had managed to resist Buck's almost mystical ability to get any piece of equipment to fire up and run like a top. So far the only one 'Hoss' would work for was Josiah and that was only sporadically. But the big man hadn't given up on Hoss yet, much to the disgust of the rest of the team.

Buck gave JD a one finger salute making the tech wizard laugh lightly. "You know it's true." JD retorted, wagging a finger at Buck.

"Shaddup." Buck waved a hand in a shooing motion before turning his attention to the truck again. He lovingly stroked the hood of the truck as he moved to walk around to the driver side. "Not a mark on her. Amazing."

Buck shook his head. "Can't imagine what a sweetheart like this is doing in Purgatorio."

JD glanced around nervously as Buck opened the door. "Buck," he hissed, "what are you doing?"

The taller man ignored him, reaching inside to pop the hood. With an ease of long practice Buck raised the hood and examined the engine.

JD nearly jumped out of his skin when a toothless old man appeared next to Buck. The ancient slapped Buck lightly on the arm.

"Muy lindo, no?"

"Very pretty." Buck agreed with a smile, somehow not at all surprised or uncomfortable by the invasion of his personal space.

"You like?" The old man grinned, displaying his gums.

"Si." Buck gave the old man a slant eyed measuring look and sighed heavily. He gently lowered the hood and moved to walk away. His gaze lingered on the truck.

He hesitated, pursing his lips slightly. "Cuanto hace este costo?"

The old man's eyes twinkled and he shook his head. "Not for sale, gringo."

"Que?"

The old man reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. He opened the beat up leather billfold to pull out a black and white photo. JD stepped forward to see the picture as the ancient offered it to Buck.

The photo showed the same buildings the truck was now parked between. In front of the vehicle, leaning against it was one of the most beautiful women JD had ever seen. Buck smiled slightly and handed the photo back.

"Esposa?"

"Si." The old man smiled, eyes warm. "Novia. Mi sweetheart." A hand twisted by time, with gnarled knuckles reached out to pat the truck's hood with the same loving motion Buck had earlier.

"Comprendo." Buck spoke softly. He nodded, understanding the depth of the old man's affection not for just the vehicle but for what it also represented. "Wouldn't sell her either, grandpa."

Buck lightly tapped the photo, and tipped his head toward the truck. "Muy bonita."

The old man chuckled. "Si." He returned the photo to his wallet, and with a slight wave he walked away.

JD figured he was headed back to where ever he'd appeared from. Buck slapped JD on the arm. "C'mon, kid. Time's a wasting." The taller man gave the truck one last lingering appreciative look before walking away.

JD shook his head. He knew if he old man hadn't pulled out that picture, Buck would have haggled all day trying to buy that truck. Once he'd seen the picture, Buck's whole posture shifted, and all bets were off. Buck was just too good a guy to buy another man's memory. He was a romantic, plain and simple.