Cassie

Written with the help of Cougar!

Rating: PG.

Disclaimer: no one besides Cassie and her family belong to me, no infringement intended.

AN: My apologies for any grammatical mistakes and colourful spelling errors. Right…I suppose after this chapter is where it will start to be more of an AU. And I've decided that they come home a few times before the Lawmen and bounty hunters come around.

Thanks to: Cougar! Who got me started writing this story again and who helped me write it! Thanks so much! And also to those who reviewed!

~*~

Cassie leapt off the wagon and their front door burst open.

"Mama!" Becca cried.

Mrs. Weston was holding Nat, who was screaming in her arms, "what happened?" Her face was drawn, "I heard an explosion."

"The Pinkerton's," Mr. Weston said, he drew his wife and daughters into the house.

Suddenly Cassie gasped.

"What is it? What's the matter?" Mrs. Weston exclaimed.

"Ma James!" Cassie cried out, remembering the encounter with the Pinkerton's the month before. Before Cassie could help herself, she burst into tears, "we've got to help! We've got to do something."

"I know you mean well Cassie, but it ain't safe!"

Cassie knew he was right, but she just felt so helpless.

"Go to bed," Mrs. Weston sighed, Cassie turned and followed her sister up the stairs. She heard her parents talking but didn't pause to listen. She walked into her room and sat on her bed. A few moments later there was a soft knock on the door.

"You girls need some help?" Mrs. Weston asked kindly, Cassie nodded and her Mama stepped inside.

She unbuttoned Cassie's dress and helped her loosen the corset. Cassie pulled off her dress and dropped it beside the bed, her mother didn't say a thing but helped Becca fold her skirt and place it in the chest at the foot of her bed.

Cassie pulled the pins out of her hair and placed them gently on the dresser. Mrs. Weston kissed Becca's cheek and smoothed her hair away from her cheeks. Cassie pulled back her quilt and slipped into bed. Mrs. Weston kissed Cassie goodnight and then left, closing the door softly behind her.

Cassie lay down, her eyes open facing the window. Becca blew out the lantern and the room was cloaked in darkness. Cassie pulled her knee's to her chest and cried herself to sleep.

Please Review but no flames!