This idea was actually suggested by a reviewer [ambermarie41] and I really had not thought of it for some reason, so let's see how it works out – this chapter will be from Cap's point of view.

West Virginia, 1883

Three days. Three long days and Abigail had not returned to my Pa's home. Cotton came alone in her absence, but refused to say anything of his sister's whereabouts. The first day she had not come, I questioned my mama but, she told me to stop "pesterin'" Abi and simply find work to do while she was clearly away and busy.

I had become an ornery son of a bitch after that.

Even if Abigail had been around, she probably would have fled my presence in bad temper since I seemed to be snapping at everyone. My daddy had needed to pull me off Johnse two times the second day, so furious was I with my brother. He would come home in the early hours of the morning, still drunk and crying over his McCoy bitch. Lord, but I wanted to strike him with the butt of my riffle. It was a wonder the house was not torn down in Abi's absence.

The third day, I was more somber than anything, doing a lot of what Nancy described as "mopin' around the house". I guessed this was true enough, but damnit my days were long without Abi around. I did not notice until her extended absence how much of my day revolved around what she may be doing. It had been that way since my eye went milky and even before. Whether we were talking quietly on the porch, or I was reading to her down by the lake, we were almost always together. I would not speak it aloud even to Skunk Head, who was doing his best to keep me company, but I missed Abigail.

The fourth day, I was considering not even getting out of bed when my Uncle Jim stormed into the room like a hurricane. Apparently my Pa had ridden to him and told him I was down and he was there to take me hunting.

"Shootin' somethin' dead'll make ya feel better," he had claimed, bringing his bottle of shine to his lips. Looking at me, barely moving, he frowned. "Hey," he said, sitting down beside me. "Don't let it get ya down, nephew…they always come back."

I had regarded him, shocked, with my one good eye. I had not thought my reason for being gloomy had been so obvious, but apparently my papi knew me better than anyone. He knew I was on edge with Abigail not around and that if anyone could cheer me up, it would be my uncle Jim. I had gotten up and gotten dressed, if only to humor him.

"So what is it," Jim said, once we were far out into the forest, guns drawn and walking low to the ground, "That makes you so damn bull headed whenever your pretty little cousin ain't around?"

I wanted to warn him off calling her beautiful, but I knew Jim would shoot me soon as look at me for giving him sass, so instead I just shrugged. "I don't know if that's the reason I been down."

"Don't lie to me, boy," Jim spat, tobacco dripping into his beard as we continued up a hill. "Your daddy tells me you been a right pain in the ass since your cousin been gone, now tell me what it is about her that gets you this way." I kept my head dipped in shame as I shrugged.

"Just miss 'er is all," I claimed lowly, not wanting to come off like a lovesick fool like Johnse. Jim chuckled, a low rumble in his chest. We were walking side by side.

"You love 'er?" It was asked in his usual tone, but I could tell he meant it as a serious question. But still, I was too damn proud.

"I s'pose so." Jim grabbed me so suddenly, I did the worst thing a man could do and dropped my gun. He swung me around, throwing me to the ground before him and putting a boot to my chest. His dog was barking excitedly off to me right.

"Boy," Jim huffed, leaning all his weight onto the boot on my chest. I coughed and struggled. "You know I love you like a son…but I will shoot you dead you keep lyin' to me, now I'll ask again-" He aimed his riffle down at my chest. "You love that girl?"

"Yes, Uncle Jim!" I ground out, still trying to struggle out from under his foot. I was not a weak man, but Jim was a heavy bastard.

"She love you?" he went on curiously. I glared at him. He pressed down harder on my chest.

"Yes!" I yelped in pain, throwing my head back as he leaned a bit heavier onto me, looking thoughtful.

"Well then," he mused, finally lifting his foot and offering me a hand. "I s'pose you better marry the girl."

"I intend to," I coughed, my pride thoroughly stepped on as he helped me to my feet. He nodded, not looking at all apologetic for what he had done to me. I supposed I deserved it. I winced in pain, hand to my chest as I retrieved my gun from the ground.

"She'll come back," Jim said offhandedly, whistling for his dog to follow as he headed off in a different direction. I huffed disbelievingly, shaking my head as I scooped up my hat from the ground. Brushing it off, I smacked it onto my head, following after Jim with a pained scowl on my face.

We spent the rest of the day long hunting trip speaking about Abigail to my embarrassment. Jim told me how he had considered marrying her for a time. I nearly shot my uncle. I told him about how our plans to get my parents' consent had been put off by Johnse's foolhardiness with Roseanne McCoy.

"That boy is a damned fool," Jim had spit, laughing gruffly as I shot down a turkey at thirty yards.

We turned back towards my papi's when the sun had gone down, a turkey thrown over each of our shoulders and his dog carrying a rabbit between its teeth. I was in better spirit now, Jim having convinced me Abigail would return when the time was right. He suggested she was probably experiencing her flow and I had cringed, not wanting to think about it. As we cleared the tree line in front of my family's home, I saw my Uncle Ellison's cart pulled up in front of our porch.

"See?" Jim laughed, as I immediately felt my spirits lift and trotted on ahead of him towards the house. "I told you she'd come back!"

Any anger I had felt over the last few days left me at the idea of seeing Abigail again. Tossing my kill and riffle to the ground just outside the front door and stepped into the house, eyes flying everywhere in search of the girl with the corn silk hair. Instead I found my family, all looking concernedly at my Uncle Ellison who was leaned against our table, head hung low beside Cotton who looked like he had been crying for some time. I froze up.

"Oh, Cap, thank the Lord you're horm," my mother said, drawing everyone's attention to me. As my daddy's younger brother spotted me, hope lit up his face and I frowned at him.

"What's goin' on?"

"Cap," my uncle urged, disregarding my own question. His usually neat appearance was rumbled slightly and he had a slightly crazed look in his eye. "Is Abigail with you?" My initial fear was justified as I shook my head no and my uncle's head fell into his hands. Abigail was missing.

Uncle Ellison explained how Abi had left around noon time to come see me, but as the hours drew longer and she did not return, he began to worry until the sun went down and he had set out to come and retrieve her. The only problem was that, according to my mother and Nancy, she had never made it here and had therefore been missing for a significant number of hours before it was brought to our attention. She could be anywhere.

"We have to go look for her," I urged, as my uncle went to again comfort his near hysterical son. I felt for Cotton-Top. Abi treated him more like a son than a brother and with her not around, I did not know how he would cope. Hell, I did not know how I would cope.

"We wouldn't even know where to start," my father reasoned, pipe in hand as he paced worriedly, clearly deep in thought. My mother had gone to put the younger children to bed, Nancy included though she had protested greatly. "We need to send word to the rest of our kin to see if anyone may have seen her." I wanted to flip the table in outrage. That could take hours!

"And if they haven't?"

He was silent for a time.

"Then we pray harm has not befallen her."

At this I did stand angrily, shoving the table back and causing my mother to smack me over the head as she reentered the room. I was enraged. Whatever stupid son of a bitch dared to lay a hand on my woman would not live to see daylight. I stormed onto the back porch as my uncles Jim and Ellison went to wake the rest of our kin and inquire as to Abigail's whereabouts.

I paced around the porch, chest heaving as I tried to take in enough air to keep from passing out. Abigail was missing. Abigail was missing. Abigail was missing. I squatted down for a moment, hand pressed over my eyes which were too damn close to watering for my liking. The back door opened behind me.

"I know it hurts bad, son," my father said lowly, much the way he had when I had injured my eye saving Abi and Cotton from that falling tree. "And I admire how you're standing up to it." I coughed to cover a sob. This pain I was faced with now was nothing like the pain I had been in that day, but I felt the outcomes would be similar. Losing Abi would be like losing an eye. I would not be complete.

"Daddy," I muttered shakily, straightening up but keeping my head low. "What if somethin's happened to her?" My father stepped to me, turning me by my shoulder and hugging me to his chest. I buried my face in his shoulder.

"We'll find her," he promised. "We'll find her and bring her home. And if she's hurt…we'll kill the son of a bitch responsible."

I nodded, clearing my throat as I pulled away. As a boy, I had always believed whatever my father told me, because he was a man to swear on his own on and not on God's. I admired that and now that I was a man, I still believed whatever he said. Looking up at him with my one good eye, I nodded, knowing we would get my cousin back come hell or high water.

Hours passed and our family came.

None of them had seen Abigail Mounts.

I was beside myself.

"We gotta find her," I ground out, passing the bit of space offered to me in the crowded home. Skunk Head watched me pace, riffle settled across his lap. He knew how I felt about Abi, having told him myself when I was just fourteen. He was already twenty-five at the time. He'd thought it strange, being sweet on a little girl, but had agreed she was 'perdy enough' and not teased me for it none as we both grew older. And he sat by me now, ready to kill anyone I said if they had hurt Abigail.

"We will, brother," he said, spitting. "Don't you worry.

"Mr. Hatfield!" Everyone paused at the distant cry. It was partially muffled on account of it was coming from outside where it had started to rain heavily some time ago, but we had all heard it. "Mr. Hatfield!"

"It's the McCoy bitch!" my Uncle Jim informed, peaking out the window. Everyone rose, guns handy until my father back us all away, telling us to shut up as he and my mother approached the front door with a lantern. We all listened in.

"Mr. Hatfield, my brothers got Johnse and Abigail." I would have stormed the porch if Uncle Jim had not caught me around the throat right before the threshold. He shushed me. "T-They're plannin' on killin' 'em at dawn." My blood ran cold. It was a little over two hours to dawn.

"Where are they?" my uncle asked quickly, relief flooding his tone as well as fear. Shamefully, none of us had questioned Johnse's whereabouts and it seemed he had been in trouble too.

"If I tell you that," the girl sobbed, "You gotta swear you won't hurt my brothers!"

"If my family lives, no harm will come to your brothers now where are they?"

"They got 'em down at my uncle Harmon's old place," she sniffled and I shoved Jim away from me, turning only to grab my rifle which Skunk Head threw to me. "Please, Mr. Hatfield, hurry!"

The young woman gasped as I stepped onto the porch, riffle in hand followed by the rest of my family, all armed and terrible. She stumbled back in fear as I fixed her a cold look with my milky eye. Skunk Head and Uncle Jim flanked me, with Jim spitty grossly into the mud.

"Let's ride!"

We set a grueling pace, crossing the Tug in record time and tearing through the forests of Kentucky like the devil himself. It was not fast enough for me. I spirred my mount to the point I feared it may flounder, but we continued until we reached the small cabin, my father telling us to hold back as he dismounted, rifle at the ready. I did the same along with Skunk Head who held two torches in hand. Down the hill a ways, the cabin door opened and Abigail was pushed out.

"Hold your ground, Cap," my father ordered, no doubt able to feel the rage rolling off my. I thought my head might explode as I watched that bastard Tolbert McCoy drag my cousin across the ground, away from Johnse who was stood up ready to die I suppose. We drew closer. Silently.

We got into hearing range just as Tolbert tossed Abi to the ground. Johnse was being restrained as she got to her knees in front of Tolbert's pistol. My heart was hammering so loud I was surprised the McCoys could not hear it as we drew right up on top of them.

"Any last words?"

"Cap Hatfield will kill you all," Abigail replied. I held myself back from a disbelieving laugh. My girl was brave. And smart too. She knew I would avenge her.

"To hell with this-"

"Put your guns down!" my papi yelled just as I was prepared to shoot that son of a bitch Tolbert myself. They all turned to us and I had to fight myself not to look at Abigail lest I lose focus. "I said put your guns down." The McCoys obliged, our kin hurrying forward to disarm them as my daddy struck Tolbert to the ground.

"Abi angel, get away from there," Uncle Jim ordered, riding up on the McCoy boys with his gun drawn. "Someone's waitin' for ya." I finally looked to my cousin as I heard her tiny cry and almost collapsed in relief. She was safe. Johnse passed me and I handed him his gun as Abi ran to me, throwing herself into my arms and crying softly. I crushed her to me, face buried in her hair and gun lowered to my side.

"I thought I'd never see you again," I breathed lowly, the words only meant to be heard by her. I began drawing her back towards my mount as my daddy urged the McCoys to their knees. Regretfully releasing Abi from my arms, I hoisted her into the saddle. She sagged tiredly. Blood was caked over her pretty face and I felt rage boil up inside me at the thought of one of those bastards laying a hand on her.

"I knew you'd come for me," she whispered, face lowered to be near mine. I could have cried.

"Are you deaf, McCoy?" I turned to see my father drawing a gun on James McCoy who had not taken to the ground with his brothers. "I said kneel."

"Don't hurt him, Uncle Anse," Abi called, voice horse. I cast her a confused look. These boys had kidnapped her and my brother and held them against their will.

"I kneel to no man," Jim said severely, not quavering under my papi's gun. "And I pray only to God…Not you."

There was silence.

"You're a brave man, Jim McCoy," my father observed, stowing his gun away once more. "Your daddy should be proud." He stepped away from the brothers, nodding to Skunk Head who in turn waved me over. "Burn in."

Taking one of the torches, I followed besides Skunk Head and began setting fire to the small cabin. I smiled maliciously feeling some of my rage relieved as I broke in one of the windows and tossed the torch inside to set the whole thing ablaze. As I passed the McCoy, I spit at them, glare feeling like it was never leave me again as I returned to my horse. Abi was slumped over in the saddle looking boneless and I was afraid she may have passed out.

"Ride behind me, Will," she murmured as I rested a hand on her thigh. "I fear I might fall off." I nodded gravely, swinging up behind her and taking the reins into my hands. She leaned back against me and I landed a kiss on her slender shoulder.

"I'll get you home soon, Abi," I promised, urging us into a gallop to match the other Hatfields as we fled the burning cabin and the McCoy boys. I was angry we had left them alive, but my first priority was getting Abigail back to West Virginia. Even though the riding was rough, I knew she had fallen asleep before we even reached the Tug. I spurred my mount on faster.

We rode straight through sunrise, reaching the cabin at around the time we would usually be rising to begin chores. Nancy spotted us from her seat on the porch and rushed inside to tell mama. Our kin dropped farewells and best wishes to us before continuing on to return to their own homes, promising to come back to check in on Abigail when they had the time. Uncle Jim stayed. The girl had not woken as we drew to a stop outside the house. The front door opened and my Uncle Ellison came rushing out, not having ridden with us since he had to stay and keep Cotton calm.

"Give 'er to me, Cap," he urged, reaching up for Abi. I was reluctant and ready to say so, but my father cast me a warning looking and I begrudgingly passed my future wife into her father's arms. "Thank you, my boy." I felt better at this, seeing how happy he was to have her back, tears of joy in his eyes. I knew the feeling.

As we all retired into the house, my uncle carrying Abi into the girls room to rest, I noticed Roseanna McCoy was sat at our kitchen table, dry and looking concernedly at Johnse who near fell over when he saw her.

"Roseanna?"

"Why is she still here?" I growled, turning to my mama who just shook her head at me. Johnse was confused. Roseanna explained how her little brother, Bud, had ridden to her aunt's home to warn her about their brothers' plan. She had ridden to us and in doing so saved Johnse and Abigail's lives. I still could not stand the sight of her though.

"Well I was ridin' to your aunt's to get you when they caught me," Johnse admitted, drawing everyone's shocked gaze. Including Roseanna. "Yeah," he continued. "I was goin' to get you and saw Abi ridin' on her way here to see you, Will." I perked up at this, moving from my spot leaning against the window. "I told her you wouldn't be home and invited her to come with me."

I finally snapped and lunged at my brother, swinging him around by the collar and throwing him to the ground. He jumped to his feet, shouting in indignation as I went to back hand him. "You almost got Abigail killed!"

"It wasn't my fault!" He ducked away from me. I pushed him back by his shoulders.

"You were a damn fool to go riding into the McCoys with Abigail in toe."

"Well if she hadn't been ridin' to see you it wouldn't have happened!"

"Hey!" my father yelled at Johnse as Uncle Jim had to physically hold me back from throttling him. "Don't you speak about your brother or cousin like that, Johnse, you put 'em both through hell with your foolishness." I shrugged my uncle's hold off, glaring at my big brother as he gave me a chagrined look.

"Cap, I-"

I spit at his boots, not wanting to hear any more from him as I stormed from the kitchen and into my cousins' room. For all my anger, I shut the door gently, not wanting to disturb Abi who was lain across the bed, looking peaceful under the watch of her brother and father.

"Hey, Cap," Cotton whispered, hand extended to stroke his sisters hair lovingly. Her father had washed her face. I nodded to Cotton, removing my hat as I took a seat on the bed beside my uncle.

"She wake up at all?" I questioned my uncle, staring hard at her face with my good eye. She looked unharmed besides a small cut in the middle of her lip which was slightly swollen. An angry fire raged inside me at the sight of it but I kept it down.

"Not a bit," he replied, wringing a blood stained rag between his hands. "None a that blood on her face was hers, thank the Lord." I nodded. I suddenly felt worn out and rubbed a hand over my face roughly. I needed to shave. "Cap?" I turned to my uncle, but his eyes were on his daughter. "You love Abigail?"

"Yes," I said immediately, not about to fool around with pride after almost losing her. He nodded, shooting a smile at Cotton who watched on innocently, still stroking his sister's hair.

"Then marry her."

"I intend-"

"No," he said, turning to look at me, elbow resting on his knee. I shifted. "I don't mean marry her when the time is right or when your mother says so." My brow furrowed in confusion. "I mean marry her as soon as possible – before this here feud kills one of you…or both of you." I sat up straighter, head tilted so that I could look at my uncle with my good eye.

"I won't let Abi be hurt, Uncle Ellison," I swore seriously. He nodded slowly, reaching out to clap a hand on my shoulder.

"I know that, son," he said lowly. "But it ain't her I'm worried about." With that, he took to his feet and calling Cotton to his side, left the room. I watched him go, not sure how I felt about what he had just said. He thought I would die in this feud and soon to by the sounds of it. I did not know how I felt about that.

I turned around to face Abigail, scooting higher up on the bed. Reaching over, I took her hand in mine and began stroking the back of her knuckles. She sighed in sleep but did not stir otherwise. I considered what her father had said and realized I did not want to die. I hated all McCoys right down to the ground, especially after tonight, but I did not want to die and leave Abi just to fight with them.

I knew this was a conflict that could not be solved overnight and swore myself to choosing when the time came. But I would not just sit back and be contemplative while I figured it out. I would follow my uncle's advice and marry Abigail as soon as possible.