Back again, sorry for the delay, but I'm smack in the middle of finals right now, and that's all I've had time to do is study. Fun Fact, Clara's guardian is from Romania because the show was actually filmed there, so kudos if anyone caught that! Also, to answer MissyJ, yes Devil Anse wasn't too sour towards Yankees, but I think for appearance sake he wouldn't want to appear overly inviting to them either, especially now that they are in the start of a war with the McCoys. It also worked that way for my fic, taking liberties and all that stuff!

Thanks again to Kcrane, Tina, Jesse, MissyJ, KelseyBl, beautyinpain and Guests for reviewing!

The wait to see Clarice again wasn't long for Cap, in fact, it was the following evening after he had given the red pipe tobacco to his father. The Darlings gift had been well received, and forgetting about his previous grievances of them being 'Yankees', Devil Anse Hatfield had extended an invite to their home for supper, the hospitable southern thing to do.

His sisters and the McCoy girl were helping his Ma set up in the kitchen while the men sat about waiting for their guests to arrive. Cap was out on the porch with Johnse and Robert E., teaching him his letters from a book while their older brother looked over the porch railing and out into their fields. It was proving to be a quiet evening, and Levicy Hatfield had stressed her point to their father about how important it was not to have Uncle Jim and his dog around for the supper. Clara had already made her acquaintances with Jim, but there was no telling what her father was like considering none had seen the elusive man yet. Cap was nervous for the fact, feeling like it was his responsibility to leave a good impression on her guardian if he wanted to be able to continue to keep seeing her. Not that he was courting her or anything of the like; they were just friends.

"She ain't never told you what happened out in those woods?" Johnse inquired as he turned to lean his back on the porch rail, watching him with their little brother.

"Nah, n' I haven't bothered ta' ask neither. S'none of my business." Cap shrugged while closing the book he had been reading to Robert E. from.

"You ain't curious though, not even jus' the tiniest bit?" Johnse prodded, and Cap concluded it was his brother who wanted to know.

"Suppose I am, but that's natural I expect." He brushed a hand back through his hair while coming to a stand.

"Skunkhair's been sayin' ta' everyone that she kissed you."

Cap scowled, giving Robert E. a shove by the shoulder into the house as he started to laugh. "Skunkhair's got a big mouth. N' anyway, it wasn't that kinda kiss."

Johnse stretched his arms over his head with a disbelieving look. "Really? Kinda kiss was it then?"

Cap once again cursed Skunkhair and his wagging tongue. Nothing was ever private in Mate Creek, least of all who was supposedly riding-the-hobby-horse together. He and Clara certainly weren't, and he couldn't decide if that twisting in his gut was disappointment.

"Don't know. I guess it was the friendly kind, like one you would get from Ma."

"Nah, I don't think so, not when she gave it right there," Johnse said with a chuckle as he pointed to the corner of his mouth.

Cap growled and gave his brother a good thwack on the back of the head to alleviate his annoyance. Wouldn't work in the long run, but for the moment it felt pretty damn good. Their brotherly quarrel was interrupted by Nancy poking her head out the door, shaking her head at their antics before she spoke.

"Ma wants you both inside ta' wash up before they get here, n' she also says ta' stop horsin' 'round cause yer both too old for that."

Johnse let out another boyish chuckle while Cap gave him one more slap on the back for good measure. They entered the house and ran through the kitchen, passed their Ma's annoyed face to head upstairs. Cap wasn't sure what was included in the whole 'wash up' routine other than to make sure his face was free of dirt and that he was presented in clean clothes. Hats weren't worn in the house so he would be without his stetson to hide behind. He made sure his shirt was well tucked into his pants and his suspenders straight over his shoulders without any twists. As he faced the cloudy mirror on the wall, his thoughts drifted to what Clara would be wearing that night. Her fashion was unlike anything the women around Virginia ever wore, and he realized Europe must have been a really fancy place if most of her wardrobe had been supplied from there.

"Cap, c'mon, Ma's got supper waiting, n' Uncle Ellison is arrivin' with the Darlings," said Johnse, poking his head in while he grinned from ear to ear, that lopsided way that Cap had been used to since he was a boy.

He followed down after Johnse, two steps at a time which he realized must have made him look like he was in some kind of rush. Call it excitement to be seeing Clara again so soon, needless to say he wasn't going to state that out loud. He seated himself at the table between Johnse and Robert E., watching as their Ma finished the last touches for supper. The smell of herbs and ham was strong, seeping into the grain of the wooden furniture and the thread of the table cloth. Cap would have been hungrier for his mama's cooking if it weren't for the nerves stabbing away in his stomach. The salted pork should have had him salivating; instead his lips folded into a thin line as his Uncle Ellison came in through the door with their guests.

Cotton was the first to announce his own arrival, loud and proud, wearing that grin that was just too innocent for this world. He was pleased with himself, no doubt because of having Clara on his arm despite that she was tall enough to see the white wisps on his head. He chatted her ear off with the most basic concerns, but Cap could see she was entranced by his cousin if nothing else. There wasn't much a simple minded lad like Cotton would have in common with the likes of her, but that wouldn't stop him. Cap realized he wasn't even on the same ledge as Clara either, but it made his curiosity for her flourish instead of being swept away by feelings of inadequacy. He was still a Hatfield after all, and that meant a certain amount of pride along with a taste for open-mindedness of the world.

"Welcome back Miss Darling," Levicy greeting, stealing away Clara's attention off from a disappointed Cotton. "You look fairer since last I saw of you."

"I feel better. You have my gratitude for taking me in, and now again for playing host." Her hands folded together in front of her red skirt, and Cap noticed a certain degree of filth lay under her nails, perhaps dirt from a garden bed. She still looked as fresh as a spring morning though, light and airy. Pure.

He would have been content to go on up and talk with her—as he had craved to do every other time—but the first appearance of her guardian couldn't be missed. To observe, Cap needed a moment at a distance, like he was sizing up a threat. And Mr. Darling, or whatever his name was, was menacing like a rabid dog. Not to be mistaken as a big burly man like his Uncle Jim or even Devil Anse himself, but there was something in the man's eyes that made him look powerful and more important than anyone else in the room. When Clara had said he was a professor, Cap got it in his head that he was like a Sunday school teacher, all white hair in a dusty wool coat, but her guardian wasn't no older than his Pap. He was tall and lean like Uncle Wall, with silver hair in a widow's peak combed back on his head. His nose was narrow and pointed like a hawk's beak, making it look like it was difficult to breathe through. Clear blue eyes searched around the home, fixating on Cap for just a moment before he turned to address his Mama.

"You keep a lovely home Mrs. Hatfield," He said, his voice hard and sharp that could cut through timber even if he whispered. He leaned forward and pressed a kiss on Levicy's cheek while she blushed like mad as he drew back. "I do appreciate you opening it up to myself and my Clarice."

"You've been respectable towards us. It's only proper we return the favor," She said in return.

He turned and shared quieter words with Cap's Pa, leaving Clarice just enough time to shoot a shy look up at him before taking her seat down at the table. She got stuck between her guardian and Cotton, though by no coincidence that his cousin had fought to get the seat to her left. He was more content to watch her with awe than eat his own meal. If Cap was honest, he was too, because his eye kept lifting up to watch her every so often. She was so polite in everything she did; even lifting a fork to her mouth was a delicate act. He also couldn't help but notice that her actions seemed forced, completed with a frailty that had the strength of chipped glass. The presence of her guardian made her nervous like a spring doe, her winces expertly concealed to everyone but Cap. She was just like an animal in his sights, and every time Mr. Darling spoke she cowered. Cap wanted to know why. He clearly hadn't struck her, because she had no bruises to bear, nor did she favor an injury anywhere on her body.

"You have a fine family here Mr. Hatfield. My Clarice has gone on for days about the kindness of your people."

"We treat those who show respect with respect," Devil Anse said curtly, but not to be mistaken as unkind. "Clarice has proven herself ta' be a polite young miss, n' she's been good ta' Cap."

"Oh yes, your William," It was then that Cap found himself in the misfortune of being under Mr. Darling's frosty gaze. He met the man head on, regardless of his fogged over eye, this man wouldn't shake his fearlessness in his family's home. "Clarice talks of you most, and I can only assume she is smitten."

That was the last thing Cap had expected to hear, and so it seemed for the rest of the table. Johnse let out a whooping holler before being quieted by a look from their daddy, while Cotton let out a joyous cry to his pap. Levicy quickly worked to quiet the rabble, and bless her for that because Cap felt the tips of his ears go as red as Clara's skirt. The whole time her eyes had been cast down in her lap despondently.

"I'm fond of her also Sir," said Cap, breaking the terrible silence. Clara's head immediately snapped up, and she looked at him worriedly.

"Are you worthy of her, Son?"

Cap didn't like the challenge behind his words. "I reckon I am."

"Hell, maybe we ought'a send 'em down to Wall's n' marry em' off," said Uncle Ellison with a laugh.

"Yeah!" Cotton added enthusiastically.

The jesting worked to cool the rising moods, all except for Johnse and Roseanna, both who looked distraught in their seats by the idea of others getting in line to marry before they could. Neither of them seemed to be able to face the light about that never being a possibility, not with the way the feud was growing between their families. The matter had settled for the moment though, and everyone returned quietly to their meals, with the odd pockets of conversation persisting.

"I think I'll step outside for air for a moment, with your permission Sir," said Clarice, her chair squealing like a mouse as it scraped on the floor behind her. Her face looked stricken as she waited for her guard's permission.

Cap wasn't the only one waiting for Mr. Darling to answer, as many eyes were tuned to him as he slowly chewed on his meal, his gaze never leaving his plate as he wiped at the corner of his mouth with one of the Hatfields good napkins. He returned his utensils to his plate, eying her with contempt like she had suddenly become a nuisance to him.

"Why?"

"I—I just want to see their lands," said Clara weakly, already starting to return to her chair.

Taking matters into his own hands, Cap stood up from his chair, looking straight at Mr. Darling as he did, despite the use of one eye. "I'll go with her."

There was a moment where no one spoke, and Cap thought he might get a smack from his Ma by the way she was looking at him sourly. Finally Mr. Darling smiled wide, all of his white teeth showing, and goodness they were large.

"You will?" His brow rose in skepticism, but his voice sounded anything but reluctant. If Cap had to guess, he'd say he'd impressed the man with his daring behavior.

"No one knows these hills better, 'cept for my Pa. We won't go far, n' I'll keep her safe, you have my word, Sir."

"Well alright then Master William, if you can handle my Clarice."

She was a slip of a girl, what was to handle? "C'mon Clara."

"Cap, not passed the fence now," His father told him sternly before he could get too far away.

"Yes Pa," He said, making sure to grab his coat before leading her out of the stuffy house with Clarice.

His head felt naked without his hat, the night wind ghosting over his scalp as if there was a big bald patch there instead of yellow hair. It wasn't right, not feeling comfortable in his own skin, but he couldn't shake himself of the sensation as he quietly strode to no purpose. Clara didn't say anything as she followed along at his side, though her arm occasionally would brush against his, causing sparks to shoot up his body like it was the fourth of July. The walk under the moonlight was intimate, and he wondered if this was still a result of the marital topic from supper. He noted that no one had outright opposed him going out there with her.

"It's quiet here," said Clara suddenly, catching him off guard with her soft words. "You must do this often."

"What, go for walks out in the moonlight?" He snorted, for a moment forgetting he was in her presence while he did. "Nah, these are reserved for you Clara Darling."

"Then I'm honored," Cap was envious of the hand that she laid over her heart, suspecting it was a soft place to put his own if she would let him. "It was getting a bit overwhelming in there though, wasn't it?"

"Hmm, yep."

"My father is like that. Our habit of moving around from one place to another has made him paranoid and mistrusting of others."

"Seems alright," countered Cap.

"Oh Will, I know it seems that way," She put stress on the word. "But make no mistake; half of what he said tonight was just a way to learn more about you."

They had walked as far as the barn before stopping, the horses quiet in their stalls all through the chirping of crickets. Cap leaned up against the wooden side, frowning slightly as he hid his hands into his pockets. They wouldn't stop twitching, and he didn't want Clara to notice his nervous tick. "Why's he so curious 'bout me?"

"Because of me. I talk too much, and I might have led him to believe I have feelings for you."

She looked him right in the eyes as she said it, and Cap chewed on his tongue for a moment before asking what was on his mind then. "Do you?"

"We've only spoken a handful of times," She reminded him, and disappointment clenched his gut together. "I suppose everything is taken on face value though, and I admire many of your qualities. You're brave, and you're loyal. You don't let the clout of your family define who you are."

He let out a low whistle. "Mighty fancy words. Most girls woulda turned n' ran from my eye n' been done with it."

She blushed that time, embarrassed. "Well I'm brave too, and only the weak would run. Besides, to me looking into your eye is like…like looking at a full moon."

She made him feel smaller as she took a step towards him, encroaching on his person with his back pressed against the barn. His whole space was dwarfed by Clara, everything from her smell to the sight of her blocking everything else out around him, and he forgot they were still on his family's property, only a few feet away from the house where her father sat with his kin. Her palm closed around the left side of his face, brushed down his rough cheek with her nails until she gave his chin a tap to tilt his gaze upon hers. So demanding, she was.

"You sayin' stuff like that makes me think I ought'a marry you now before somebody else steals ya," He joked, swallowing hard as she leaned forward, causing loose wisps of her hair to tickle his face.

"Is that you asking me?"

"Maybe. I should probably get on my knee though, do it proper."

Her arms wrapped around his waist and she hoisted herself right against him, bolder than any proper girl he had ever known, and without all the begging of a whore. "If you take to the knee, then I can't do this."

Her lips closed over his bottom one, making the target she had missed the last time when he had been in Mate Creek. Hell, this would definitely give Skunkhair something to yap about, but the thought evaporated from his mind quickly as he gave her hips a good squeeze and returned the gesture, his lips moving over hers until the stubble on his upper lip caused her a fit of giggles. He smiled too, the moment entirely their own, and he was greedy enough with the short time to let his hands slightly graze over her round bottom. To his delight, she wasn't wearing a bustle.

After they broke apart, Cap managed to reclaim his breath, grinning at her while she nervously played with the buttons on his collar. "Hell, I'm gonna wanna follow you home."

She smiled faintly. "I wish that you could."

"I gotta treat you proper though. I'm gonna marry you one day Clara Darling."

"Cotton will be so happy," She said with a laugh, beaming up at him, a smile brighter than the moon.

They kissed again, and were silent again for a while as he walked her around the Hatfields land. Both of them were wrapped up in the idea of the future, blissfully heedless in the fantasy of each other. There was still too much danger ahead from the brewing feud that they weren't privy too, but that night was theirs. Soon they would belong to a war between Hatfields, McCoys, and the pair of yellow eyes that hunted him with murder.

So this was actually a very important chapter (outside of the kiss!) Though the subtle hints might have been difficult to spot, but that's on purpose to keep you guys guessing. I wanted things to work fast between Clara and Cap, because in the future there will be many things that keep them apart, much like poor Johnse and Rosanna in the mini-series. More to come yet, so stay tuned!

AN: Casting call, who do you guys think would be a good fit for Clara and Mr. Darling? Let me know in your comments!