Authors Note: I thank everyone who has stuck by this story! I am writing it for you guys, so hopefully it lives up to all your expectations! I have had the end to this story written for a long time now (pretty much since I started). I just need to re-watch the film a few times to make sure I get the details right.

In this story Jimmy doesn't die, so in that case this is an AU.

Thanks To: always to Cougar, you've been a great help and a great friend! Thanks also for allowing me to use Meg.

My apologies for any grammatical mistakes and colourful spelling errors.

Sorry for this chapter being so short, but expect updates over the coming days.

..&..

"Ma," Cassie said, "Ma look at me."

Cassie had been up before the sun touched the horizon; she had packed her bag the night before. Now she was ready to leave, Andrew and the others would be waiting for her.

Mrs. Weston finally looked up at her eldest daughter; Cassie wet her lips and took a deep breath.

"I know all I've done is caused you trouble," Cassie began, "and I don't expect you to understand why I've gotta go but…"

"Cassie," Mrs. Weston interrupted, she reached out and laid a hand on Cassie's shoulder. "You're my baby girl and I love you, just get yourself home in one piece," Mrs. Weston's eyes filled with tears.

"I will," Cassie replied, suddenly her throat constricted and she swallowed down her tears. She looked from her mother to Becca, who was still in her nightdress. "You be good to Mama," Cassie said.

"I want to go," Becca said, and Cassie took her younger sister into a tight hug. Cassie pulled away and wiped her eyes before setting her hat on top her head. She was wearing her trousers and a white button up shirt, she had borrowed a coat from her Father, it was large but it would provide cover and lend to her disguise.

"Goodbye," Cassie said, her voice hitched and she opened the front door and stepped out into the cool night. It was only then that she let her tears fall, she wasn't certain she was ready for this. She took a deep steadying breath and shouldered her bag. She bent over to retrieve her gun that sat beside the porch swing. Her Father had cleaned it the night before, she dropped the box of ammo into her pack and she stepped down the steps.

"You ready?" Her Pa asked he was going to accompany her to the woods; Cassie's mother would not have it any other way.

Cassie simply shrugged; her Pa took his eldest daughter into his arms and held her in a hug.

"I want you to know me and your Ma are so proud of you Cassie, it's not often people are brave enough to take a stand." He pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. "Let's git, we don't want to keep Andrew and the other boys waiting."

Cassie took Bullet's reins from her Pa, and secured them in her hand, she looked at Bullet and he whinnied softly nudging her neck with his nose. He breathed hot air across her face and Cassie was immediately comforted.

They walked down the path that leads from the Weston farm, and then they cut into the woods, heading west towards Meg's Aunt's property. Cassie had been surprised when Meg offered the meeting place, but Aunt Anne was adamant that they all meet behind her farm. Anne McGowan was a well respected woman in the community and she did not support insurgence of any kind.

Meg thought that last bit was especially funny, since for the past few months her Aunt Anne had been letting the James Younger gang use the abandoned barn on her property to keep their horses.

Cassie and her Pa walked in silence, they were both keeping their ears open, and when they reached the edge of the McGowan property Cassie let out a deep breath.

"It's not over yet," Mr. Weston said and Cassie nodded.

They came up to a clearing in the woods and Meg saw Cassie first, she waved them over. She was wearing clothes similar to Cassie's and her hair too was tucked under a wide brimmed hat.

"We've got seven here," Meg said, "There's eight waiting in the next checkpoint." Cassie looked at Andrew.

"My cousin Eric's looking after them," Andrew said. He stood up and waved everyone's attention. "Men," he began, "and women," he added with a wink, "we ride out tonight. Jesse James needs our help and I know we all promised to lend our arms if the chance ever arose. We ride tonight until the next checkpoint, and then we take the back roads to where the rest of the Gang is. There are members of the resistance in the outskirts of town that are keeping Frank and the other's safe. I have the exact location of where the train is supposed to be crossing; we will ride out and hold off Pinkerton's men so that Jesse can be rescued.

"It wont be without danger," Andrew continued, "but we all knew the risks when we signed up," calls of agreement could be heard from different men. "These are words from Frank, "don't be stupid and don't do nothing brave, nothing will be helped by the death of any of you". We know what we're set to do, don't we?" More calls of agreement were called out. "All right, saddle up."

Cassie felt Meg take her hand and squeeze it tight.

"I love you," Cassie said.

"I love you too," Meg replied.

"Don't do nothing brave," Cassie said.

"Don't do nothing stupid," Meg countered. The two girls let go of each other and each climbed onto their horses.

When everyone was mounted Cassie shot Meg a grin and flicked Bullet's reins, "let's ride!"