All We Can Do Is Make The Most Of Things

AN: I had an email asking where Tom went, I completely forgot to add in chapter nine were he'd disappeared to but I'm letting you know now that Tom has moved back to his homeland and won't be in this story.

As the golden sun rose over the deserted plains of Jamestown, the streets were silent and other than the occasional hungry lamb or calf crying on the James-Younger farm it was silent there too. Mari and Jim lay asleep in each others arms without a care in the world and dreaming sweet, sweet dreams of the years to come. The twins were both asleep too and dreaming of toys and game.

Bob, Cole, and Frank were asleep in their rooms and were dreaming of pretty girls and whiskey. Jesse lay dreaming of his life before the war on the railroad and of his mother, and finally Zee. She was turning in her sleep and breaking into a cold sweat; she was screwing up her eyes and moaning as her nightmare worsened.

"JESSE" she was shouting, and struggling to break free from Pinkerton's grip. The boys had been captured and Mari too, the twins were being looked after by Mari's parents and Zee was still pregnant with her own baby and was desperately trying to save it's father.

"I love you Zee" Jesse smiled and looked up to the sky, "I'm coming home ma" He closed his eyes and took a deep breath as the lever was pulled and Jesse James didn't even struggle as his body was slowly starved of air.

Zee screamed and sat up in her bed. Her body was dripping in cold sweat as she pulled back the sheets and went to the kitchen. She splashed some water on her face and dabbed a cloth on her face to dry it.

She sighed to herself and stroked her stomach. Maybe it was the pregnancy causing her to worry so much, it would be over soon her baby was due within the next few days and then she wouldn't sleep because of her screaming child and not nightmares. She smiled as she remembered helping Mari with the twins when Jim was working on the farm. Soon Mari would be helping her. She looked out the window and spotted a shadow at the window of Mari and Jim's house. The shadow turned and disappeared but Zee new it was Mari.

"Zee what's up?" a voice asked form behind her, Zee gasped and spun round.

"Oh god you scared me." She sighed as she saw Jesse pulling on his shirt.

"I'm fine I was thirsty that's all" Zee smiled and headed for the washroom.

"I'm going to have a wash and then Mari and I are going get some things from town."

"Alright but don't you go wearing yourself out. Remember what your father said, plenty of rest." Jesse smiled and hugged his wife.

"I know" Zee sighed and pulled away from Jesse and closed the washroom door behind her.

Jesse sighed and headed out the house to the barn. His brother, Cole and Bob were already feeding the cattle and sheep, and Jim as just coming out the house when Jesse got to the barn.

"Morning cousin" Jesse smiled.

"Hey Jesse, how's Zee?" Jim said returning the simile.

"She's not sleeping well; I think she's having nightmares." Jesse sighed.

"She'll be ok Jesse the baby's due soon so if it is the pregnancy they'll stop soon." Jim smiled reassuringly.

"And if it's not the pregnancy"

"Then we'll all help you in every way possible" And they set out to finish the feeding of the animals.

Mari was dressing the twins when Zee arrived and broke down in tears.

"Mari the dreams are getting worse I actually saw Jesse being hung, I watched him die" She sobbed as she cried in Mari's arms.

"Zee it's going to be fine it's the stress from the pregnancy it'll over soon."

"It's not Mari I'm going mad. What am I going to do if Jesse dies, if Jesse and the boys are captured?"

"I don't know Zee, we just have to hope for the best and if the worst comes then we'll have to deal with it the only way we can"

"How?"

"By making the most of what time we spend together and don't waste it" Zee nodded as Mari hugged her tight.

"It'll be alright I promise."