Disclaimer- Stephenie still owns the usual suspects.
I own my original characters and original story.

Unbeta-ed and Drabble-ish. No heavy angst.

***************************************WYiMA*************************************

By nightfall, we was as close to Memphis as I would allow. Tomorrow, we would start headin' south. Even if Emmett hadn't of telled me to stay away from the city, I'd heard of the troubles they had a year afore, and warn't about to let Izzy anywhere near that place.

Still, even though we was a couple of miles out, I got a bad feelin' as I pulled the wagon off the trail to make camp.

"Izzy, I want ya to take Jack and lay down in the back of the wagon."

"Why?"

"Just do as I say. Once we stop, ya can come out."

"Alright Ed."

Not a minute had passed after she disappeared into the back afore two fellers hopped up on the wagon on either side of me. "Stop if ya know what's good for ya." One of them snarled just afore I heared him cock his sidearm by my right ear. At the same time, the other one started tryin' to wrestle the reins from my hands.

I didn't have so much as a chance to take a breath afore Jack comed flyin' out the back and sunk his teeth into the feller's arm on my right, forcin' him to drop the gun, and Izzy was beside me pointin' a rifle at the other varmint.

"You and your friend best move away from my husband and my dog afore I blow your head clean off your shoulders." The feller who was tryin' to get the reins, throwed his hands up in surrender and the other one tried to get away, but Jack warn't about to give up the grip he had on his arm.

I pulled my sidearm from my lap, and put the barrel against his head afore callin' off my dog. "Come on, Jack." He let go then, but kept his teeth bared at the scoundrel. "Good boy," I made sure to tell him.

"Please Mister, Ma'am, we didn't mean no harm. We's just hungry and ain't been able to find work," the feller with the dog bite started in to pleadin'.

"So's ya thought to rob me and my Missus, maybe kill us while ya was at it?"

"No sir. And we thought ya was alone," the other piped up then.

"That don't mean ya didn't plan on killin' me."

Neither of 'em would look me in the eye then.

"Let's shoot 'em and throw 'em in the river, Ed" I was right surprised to hear Izzy pert near shout the words, makin' both those fellers start shakin' in their boots.

"Please Ma'am, if'n ya let us go, we promise to get on the right path." The other feller nodded his agreement. They both looked to be in a panic.

"Izzy, I think the Lord would want us to give 'em another chance."

Izzy pursed her lips. "I don't know Ed, I'm not feellin' all that forgivin' at the moment. These fellers have been up to the devil's business, robbin' and hurtin' good people." She paused and took in a shaky breath, it warn't 'til then I realized she was cryin'. "They mighta taken ya away from me forever." She whispered.

"They didn't though Izzy, 'cause ya saved me." I watched as she swallowed hard afore noddin'.

We let those no goods go, but not afore relievin' them of the only gun they had between them. Instead of makin' camp right there, I turned the wagon around and drove back the way we comed for a spell, needin' to put a little distance between us and the spot where we met up with those robbers.

I didn't sleep well; my dreams bein' disturbed by visions of mysterious figures stealin' Izzy away while I stood there helpless to stop 'em. I kept wakin' up and lookin' over to be sure she was still there, afore sighin' in relief and closin' my eyes again.

"Ed," Izzy was whisperin' my name. I opened my eyes, to find her leanin' over me. It was still dark, nowhere near close to mornin'. "Is somethin' wrong?" I started to sit up, but Izzy laid her hand against my chest.

"No, there's no danger," she answered in a quick hurry afore bitin' at her lip.

"Then what's ailin' ya Izzy?"

She let go of her lip and it started quiverin'. "I'm scared Ed. Can I sleep next to ya?"

I was for certain that Izzy didn't know what her words was doin' to me, but she looked so forlorn that I warn't about to refuse her. I just nodded and she crawled up under the covers 'til she was lyin' against me. I took a gander at Jack where he was sittin' by the fire, his eyes alert and his ears twitchin' at every sound, and wrapped my arms around Izzy, just breathin' her in.

I heared her let out a contented sigh at the same time my body relaxed. I closed my eyes and didn't know another thing until mornin'.

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A/N more excitement to come… let me know your thoughts.