*Author's Note*

Thank you for all the follows, faves, and reviews.

I hope ya'll like this new chapter.

Pig Trial Aftermath

Allie POV:

A tall and slender middle-aged woman with a golden bun on top of her head ran out of the kitchen with a large bucket of water. Without warning, she tossed it onto Cap and Tolbert, causing them to break apart and stop fighting due to the shock of being splattered by cold water. "Stop fightin' in my establishment! Ya'll already scared half my customers 'way!" The woman, who's name I didn't know, screamed at the drenched men that were staring at her with wide-eyes.

Tolbert just snorted like a pig before spinning on his heel and storming out of the diner. Cap just held his chin up high, despite having just been dowsed with a bucket of water, and told the livid woman, "He insulted us and swung first. I had no choice, but to defend myself."

The woman placed a hand on her hip and sighed, "You're lucky you're kin t'Sully. If not, I'd be makin' ya work here t'pay off damages." Her honey eyes went a bit soft and glassy at the same time at the mention of Sully's name. Clearing her throat, she simply said, "I'll go see him 'bout the damages, just get out of my diner."

Cap just nodded his black Stetson covered head before turning on his heels and walking over to where I was standing. Silently, he grabbed my hand and led me out of the diner. I felt like we were on display considering Cap just got into a big fight with Tolbert in the middle of the room. Once we got outside, I felt like I could breath easily again and had more space.

We started to walk towards where his horse was hitched, which was all the way down at Judge Wall's office, whenever I spotted Sully sitting on the porch of the schoolhouse. Shaking his head at us, he remarked loudly, "Looks like Peggy got your fight to end. You're soakin' wet with her dish water."

"Haha." Cap sneered at his cousin. A shit eating grin crossed over his face as he told Sully, "Peggy says she's gonna pay ya a visit cause you owe her for the damages my fight caused."

Sully's face turned whiter then a sheet and his eyes bulged out of his head at hearing Cap's remark. Um, I take it he didn't have a good history with the diner woman, Peggy. Cap just let out a small chuckle and led us on our way down the road.

Once we were out of Sully's view, Cap told me, "Sully's gonna be lookin' over his shoulder for days 'til Peggy graces him with her presence."

"Is he avoiding her or something?" I asked since that's the vibe I was getting.

"Yea, he's been avoiding her for years." Years, why? My brow rose curiously, causing Cap to tell me, "They were t'gether 'fore he went off to fight in the war. She told him if he left, she weren't waitin' 'round for him."

"She found somebody else, didn't she?" I asked since that's the conclusion I was getting from what I've just been told.

"Yep, married the man whose mama ran the diner." Cap told me, popping his tongue with the first word of his sentence. The judge's office along with our hitched-up horse came into view as he let out a small chuckle while remarking, "Sully avoids her cause a few years back she was widowed; I think he's afraid she'll want to resume where they left off."

"Um, he teaches her kid." I pointed out as we made out way to the horse. "Won't he have to talk to her eventually?" I asked as Cap unhitched Badger.

"Ya'd think, but no." Cap said before getting on his horse. Extending his hand to me, so he could help me onto the horse to sit behind him, he said, "One thing 'bout Sully is he's good at keepin' his head low." As I got onto the horse and settled behind him, I heard him let out a long scoffing sigh of, "Hell, nobody ever knows when he's comin' 'round til he just shows up outta thin air."

Considering he's a time traveler, yea Sully does just pop in and out of thin air.

"Oh." I simply said, resting my chin over Cap's shoulder as we trotted away from the hitching post.

Jessa POV:

The pig trial yesterday along with the entire day was a fail. Today was a new day and I prayed it was a better one. Everyone was gathered around the kitchen tables for breakfast, even Tolbert. Randall had just said the blessing and the food platters were being passed out whenever a loud knock sounded at the front door. "Wonder who that could be?" Randall asked, no one in particular, as he rose from his seat. Everyone watched him as he swiftly made his way over to the door. Quickly, he opened it only to reveal a tall middle-aged brunette woman at the doorway. "Benina, what's brought ya here this mornin'?" He asked the woman, who looked about ready to cry.

Benina's bottom lip quivered. With a devasted look in her eyes she told Randall in a longwinded cry, "Devil Anse Hatfield and a posse come 'round up my sons just a now. Says Parris an' Squirrel done murdered Bill Staton, but I knows they didn't. They killed him in self-defense; he threatened murder on them."

I should've stayed quiet, but after witnessing Bill Staton threatening and chasing the McCoys yesterday I spoke up from my spot at the table with the remark of, "I saw Bill Staton yesterday outside of the tavern waving a knife and threatening to cut down Parris and Squirrel, Mr. McCoy."

Randall looked at me and gave me a nod. I think it was a nod of approval, but I wasn't sure. Tolbert leaned his head down slightly and asked into my ear, "When ya seen that?"

Looking at the redhead, I simply replied, "When you were fighting in the diner."

"Oh…" Fell off of his lips in a long drawn out sigh, a sheepish look overcoming him.

"Come in, Benina, and have somethin' t'et." Randall told the woman, who I quickly figured out was his sister-in-law, as he stepped aside from the doorway. Looking at the adults' table he ordered, "Boys, Squirrel and Parris've been taken an' locked up by Hatfields. We're goin' to Pikeville now t'get Perry's help."

The boys didn't say a word, just nodded and got up from the table. All of Tolbert's brothers were going over to the wall hooks by the door to grab their hats and jackets, along with a gun from the rack near the door, while the redhead looked at me a bit solemnly and said, "Try an' keep my aunt calm 'til we get my cousins back. A'ight?"

"Okay, I'll keep her calm." I told Tolbert with a small nod as the woman he was talking about took a seat near me at the end of the table.

Tolbert took me aback by pulling me into a quick side hug and kissing the top of my dark-haired covered head before leaving the table and rushing over to grab his hat, jacket, and rifle. With a stunned look on my face I watched him put on his hat and jacket before quickly walking out of the door and joining the others on the mission to go to Pikeville and get Perry's help.

"He cares 'bout ya, y'know." The dark-haired woman next to me, Benina, told me with a knowing line of a smile on her face.

"Yea, I know." I simply replied while grabbing the pot of coffee from the table and pouring Benina a cup.

I gave her the coffee, earning me a soft and grateful smile, before I went back to eating my breakfast. Benina didn't grab a plate and food, just opted to sip on her coffee. Giving me a slight smile, she told me, "Give him some time an' he'll realize you're good for him. His temper just makes it hard t'see clearly sometimes." I just nodded since I didn't really know what to say. "Tolbert's good friends with his cousins, my boys Parris an' Squirrel. They're all good boys, I can vouch for that."

"I've met your boys a few times. We're friends." I told her with a smile, letting her know that I too wanted to see them come back safe and sound.

"Yes, they say they think you're good for Tolbert. They also say you're a nice girl; good add to the McCoy family."

Trying to keep the mood light and off of the fact she might never see her sons again, I asked Benina, "So, how did Squirrel get his name? I know it's really Sammy, so where does Squirrel come in at?"

"Oh, now that's a story you'll wanna hear." Benina smiled at me before going on to say, "You see ever since Sammy was a boy, he loved huntin'. Not just huntin', but for squirrel."

And for the rest of the morning Benina talked and told me stories about her boys growing up.

Cap POV:

Pa and Uncle Wall were inside the Justice of the Peace Office lookin' over the jailed murderous McCoys, Parris and Squirrel, while the rest of us just stood outside by the porch post. When I say the rest of us, I mean, Uncle Jim, Uncle Ellison, Uncle Lias, me, and Abel. Johnse was off at his still so that's why he wasn't 'round. We were 'waitin' for Ole Rand'l, the lawyer Perry Cline, and some other McCoys to show up and try t'free their kin. We knew it was just a matter of when, not if, they came.

"Look, the McCrazys have arrived." Abel said, pointin' to the group of McCoys comin' round the bend.

I swear, my future brother-in-law was growin' on me. His nickname for the McCoys was genius. Seems like Uncle Jim felt the same way cause the crochety old goat smacked Abel on the back and chuckled, "They be crazier than a bed bug."

All of us just nodded and smirked at that. As Randall McCoy pulled his wagon to a stop in front of us, we all resumed our stoic stares. Perry Cline was sittin' upfront with Randall while Tolbert and Jim were standin' in the back, armed wit' rifles. Why in Sam's Hill were they standin' for, only god knows? Too bad those jackasses didn't fall outta the wagon when crossin' the Tug. Calvin was on a horse next to the wagon along with a couple other riders I assumed were neighbors or distant kin.

"Wonderful day for a hangin', wouldn't ya say so Ole Rand'l?" Jim Vance sarcastically asked Mr. McCoy, earnin' him a hard stare from the man settin' down the reigns of his horse team.

Tolbert shoved his rifle into his brother's chest 'fore jumpin' down from the wagon. With a cruel sneer on his face he walked up the porch an' over to Uncle Jim. "Jim Vance, I always wanted t'meet the man that done murdered my uncle." Oh, wow, he's got some stones t'be sayin' that to Jim.

Uncle Jim spit out a large wad of tobacco juice, hittin' the toe of Tolbert's boots, 'fore askin' sarcastically, "And who the hell are you?"

"I'm Tolbert McCoy." Tolbert introduced himself. Tiltin' his head over to Randall, who was gettin' out of the wagon along with Perry, he added in, "Son of Rand'l."

Yea, the dumbass didn't have to tell us that. Jim's question was rhetorical an' sarcastic, a way to bust his balls, and didn't need an answer. My uncle, hell all of us, knew who Tolbert was. Reckon them McCoys ain't too bright.

"Ah…" Uncle Jim nodded his head, a bored expression all over his face.

"Well, ya don't look like much." Tolbert snickered, comin' up to my crochety uncle, while McCoy and Cline walked up the porch. "Not all close up like that is." Tolbert snickered, pointing his finger mockingly in Jim's face.

Goin' nose t'nose wit' the ginger, my uncle seethed out warningly, "Get outta my face ya wet turd chaffin' lil shit, 'fore I snap ya like a chicken neck."

"Tolbert, we're here on other business!" Randall berated his boy with a shout as he stood at the door of the buildin', his hand loosely holdin' the doorknob. Perry just gave the crazy ginger a stern look, tilting his head at him like one would scold a bad child.

Tolbert's face quivered in anger 'fore he spun 'round on his heel and stormed off. We laughed at him and made cluckin' sounds as he went by. Tolbert, bein' an asshole, snapped at some old women talkin' an' holdin' baskets cause they were gathered 'round the sidewalk. Hell, the moody bastard even smacked one of the baskets, nearly knockin' it out of the arm of the woman it was looped on.

That jackass had problems. He needed a good smack upside the head or somethin'. Clearly, he never got thought manners an' his rude behavior was horrible. Hateful bastard, couldn't stand his guts. Hell, how Allie's friend even got with that cruel an' crazy McCoy's a mystery. Had'a be a pity thing since he found her.

"Somebody's butthurt and guzzling down his flask to make him feel better." Abel spoke up, pointing to the building down the ways where Tolbert was leanin' 'gainst the edge, tippin' back his flask into his mouth like a man dyin' of thirst.

"Typical McCoy, nothin', but a useless drunk." Uncle Jim spat out in a tangy drawl, shakin' his head at the sight of Tolbert comfortin' himself wit' a bottle.

The McCoys, bein' Jim and Calvin, along with a few of their neighbors, were silently watchin' the door of the jail with intent stares. We were just waitin' 'round, watchin' the door to see Parris and Squirrel escorted out in chains for their hangin'. When the door opened cheers erupted from the McCoys as Parris and Squirrel walked out onto the porch uncuffed as free men.

"Not guilty!" The brothers announced. What the fuck?! Not guilty, how's the possible?

"No, that ain't right." Lias shook his head, his eyes wide with shock.

"The hell, they should be hanged." I barked, shakin' my head in disgust.

Ellison shook his head. Pointin' 'tween the freed McCoys and the buildin', he remarked in a hard sigh, "Somethin' had've been said for Wall t'let 'em go."

"Bullshit's what it is. Murderin' bastard scum ought'a hang." Uncle Jim harshly snapped 'fore spitting a lage wad of tobacky onto the porch floorboards.

Allie POV:

The atmosphere during dinner was very heavy and stoic. None of the men talked, just ate in silence. It was odd since the Hatfields were always a lively and talkative bunch. Hell, even my own brother was silently brooding during dinner. Something happened, something bad too. After the heavily tense meal I helped Levicy clean up the kitchen and then got the little ones changed into their night clothes since they'd be in bed after dusk settled.

Currently, I had just finished tucking the girls into bed and was in the main room playing a game of checkers with my brother. Abel was winning, but I didn't care. Cap was sitting on a chair, brooding and smoking. Anse and Levicy had gone to their room, most likely to talk in private or to spend some alone time together since it was still a bit early for us grownups to go to bed. Johnse wasn't home, he went to the town tavern after dinner. Bet he's seeing that whore Cap says he's got a thing with. I think her name's Mira, but I don't remember.

"Allie, can we talk outside?" Cap asked me from his spot smokin' on his chair 'cross the room.

"Sure." I nodded, standing up from the table and abandoning my game with Abel. Abel didn't just a word, just shrugged and started to clean up the checker game.

Cap just rose from his chair and went over to the door. I met him there and together we walked outside, him letting me out the door first since he was acting as a true southern gentleman. Once on the porch we settled at the spot we usually used when talkin' outside, the porch posts by the steps. I just folded my arms over my chest and looked at my fiancé, waiting for him to tell me what was troubling him. I knew he was troubled since he had a heavy weight on his shoulders all day since he came home. Hell, all of the men did.

Cap took a drag off his smoke before sighing, "Bill Staton's dead. Done been murdered by Parris and Squirrel McCoy."

Oh my god, poor Bill. I liked that drunk, he was a real hoot. "They've been arrest, right?"

"They was, but Uncle Wall let 'em go." Cap bit out, shaking his head before taking another draw of his smoke.

My brows furrowed questioningly as Cap passed me over his cigarette. "What, why?"

"Grounds of self-defense, which is a goddamn lie." He told me while I took a small drag off the cigarette.

"Of course, it is. McCoys hate Hatfields, prolly murder all of us in our sleep if they could." I scoffed, upset that Parris and Squirrel got away with murder, as I passed the smoke back over to Cap.

"The lawyer, Perry Cline, spun a good tall tale of how they had no choice, but to shoot Bill Staton on the side of the road after he threatened murder on them." Cap sighed, looking at the smoldering end of his cigarette before taking a drag off of it.

"Okay, but do yo know what really happened?"

Nodding his head and tossing his cigarette butt out into the yard, Cap told me, "Yea, they emptied their chambers into Bill and stabbed his damn balls off. Left the knife 'tween his legs too."

My sapphire eyes were wide with shock as I let out the remark of, "That's a bit much for self-defense. That's a crime of rage and murder."

"Yep." Cap's tongue popped. Looking up at the stars in the sky, he told me, "Funeral's in a couple of days. Gotta wait for Bill's sister, Sarah, to get into town from Ohio."

I just nodded silently. Seems that this is just the beginning of the deadly feud. Hopefully with the things me, Abel, and Sully know we can prevent some of the deadly events from happening. I wonder if Sully knew about what would happen to Bill or not? I mean my history book said an altercation between some McCoys and a logger for Mr. Hatfield was a result of the pig trial, but I never thought that altercation was a murder. Sheesh, I'm starting to think that maybe the history book glossed over some things it should've been more detailed about.

Jessa POV:

Whenever Randall and his sons, minus Tolbert, came home with Parris and Squirrel in tow Benina was beyond relieved. She gratefully thanked her brother-in-law with a huge hug and invited the family over for dinner the following night as a way to show her thanks. Of course, Randall accepted the invitation with a broad smile and sent her on her way. He also told his nephews to be careful and to avoid anymore run ins with Hatfields before they left with their mother.

Randall and his sons ate a very late and room temperature breakfast before taking off to try and salvage the day's harvest. All day I just did my usual routine of housework and chores. Whenever supper time came around everyone washed up and gathered around the tables. Well, when I say everyone, I mean everyone, but Tolbert. I figured he must be eating in town or making himself some stew out of something he hunted. The meal was tense with the only words spoken being the blessing Randall said.

After dinner I overheard Calvin and Pharmer talking in hushed tones about how Tolbert's most likely drinking himself into a stupor after being insulted earlier by Jim Vance. I couldn't help, but feel bad for Tolbert. My sympathy for him didn't go away, in fact it kept me up after it was time to go to bed.

Even tho it probably wasn't a smart move, I snuck out of the house and walked all the way to Tolbert's still in the late dark night in order to check up on him. Damn my feelings for him. I saw him sitting on a cot by a low burning orangey flamed fire. Tolbert had a flask dangling from his hand as he just stared into the small dancing flames that provided a casting glow of light in his still.

As I approached the still, I called out to him, "Tolbert…"

His head popped up to look at me. Tolbert's brow furrowed as he asked, "Jessa, what're ya doin' all way out 'ere this time o'nite?"

"I overheard your brothers talking about how you've been drinking all day and got worried about you." I honestly told him while taking a seat next to him on the cot. Looking at the flask he was loosely holding in his hand I admitted, "I'm worried about you, wanted to make sure that you're okay."

"Well, I'm okay." Tolbert told me before adding in with a small smirk, "Just a bit drunk tho."

"Yea, I can see that."

"Ain't ya gonna lecture me 'bout how I shouldn't be drinkin' myself t'death all day and nite?"

"No, you're a big boy and if you want to drink all day and night then that's your business." I meant it to, I wasn't going to nag and lecture him about how stupid drinking himself into a stupor was. He was an adult and knew right from wrong. What would my nagging do, other then make him mad or aggravated?

Tolbert just nodded his head at me, biting his lip as he thought over what I told him. After a few silent moments he took a sip from his flask and sighed, "Them Hatfields think cause they got money they can do an' say whatever they want." Shaking his head, Tolbert scoffed, "Heathens all gonna go fry in hell."

"I know what I'm saying's hard to do, but try to ignore them next time. They're bad people, their opinions shouldn't count."

"I know that, darlin', but their words piss me off. They always got nothin', but fightin' words an' insults t'say."

"Yea, well, just try to ignore them." I told him, earning me a shrug and a snort from Tolbert. Looking into his stormy eyes with my indigo ones, I pleaded in a soft tone, "Please, I don't want you getting caught up in a fight or situation that blows up bigger then expected and you get hurt or in trouble cause you let their words fire up your temper."

Yea, I was talking about the drunken fight gone wrong on election day in 1882 that caused Tolbert and two of his brothers to get unlawfully executed (tied to pawpaw trees and shot to death by Hatfields). I cared a lot about Tolbert, hell I think I was starting to fall for the temperamental redhead to tell the truth. I didn't want to see him get himself killed a few years down the road cause of a stupid fight, one most likely fueled by drunken words spewed out by Hatfields too.

"Easier said then done, darlin'." Tolbert told me instead of giving me an 'okay' or a 'yes' type of answer.

"Just promise me you'll try to keep your temper in check. Okay?" I pleaded with Tolbert, desperately wanting him to get a level head on his shoulders and cool down a bit. If he didn't, well I didn't want to think about that. Not when I had feelings for him.

"Okay. I'll try, but it ain't gonna be easy." Tolbert told me with a slight softness to his smooth gruff voice.

"You're going to have a bad hangover tomorrow. I can help you work on your house or still if you want?" I offered in a sweet, but soft tone as I looked between Tolbert and the low smoldering fire in front of us.

"Nah, I'll be fine on my own. Won't be the first time I worked with a hangover." He told me, declining my offer. "Ya better get back to the house; get some sleep."

I didn't say a word, just nodded and stood up. Tolbert wanted to be alone now and I respected that. Before walking away from him I simply said, "Goodnight."

"G'nite, Jessa." Tolbert told me as I walked away from his still.

As I made my way back to the McCoy house, I couldn't help, but feel like I had made progress in knocking down the high walls Tolbert had up. At least he knew I was around for him no matter what and cared.

AN:

So, basically Sully didn't break up the fight between Cap and Tolbert because he doesn't want to deal with an ex. LOL, nice guy huh?... Do you guys think Peggy knows the truth about Sully or is their another reason he's avoiding his widowed ex like the plague?Anyways, something will be happening to cause Tolbert and Jessa's relationship to spark up. Cap and Allie, yea they'll be getting hitched soon.