*Author's Note*

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

WARNING!: QUICK LEMON IN FIRST SCENE! FINALLY, SOME LEMONS!

What's Going On?

Jessa POV:

I was woken up by the feel of my husband's lips peppering kisses along my bare shoulder. Of course, he was in a romantic mood at dawn on a Saturday, the only day I was able to sleep in (if 6 am was even considered sleeping in). "Wake up, darlin'." Tolbert cooed; his breath hot on my skin.

"It's too early, Tolbert."

"No, it ain't. It's nearly dawn."

"Like I said, it's too early." I groaned, rolling over onto my other side so that I could look at my husband. "Its Saturday, let me sleep in before Silas wakes up and I have to get up."

"Nah, I let ain't lettin' ya sleep. I've got other things in mind for us t'do."

Of course, he wants morning sex. Any other time he's fine with doing it at night, but this morning he's being energetic. Wonder what go into him, I mean he's usually out of the house checking on his still and packing it up near dawn on a Saturday; not in bed with me. I guess I shouldn't be complaining tho, he's making an effort to be more loving and affectionate. With his bipolar tendencies and rash temper, I knew showing feelings was hard for him. I should be happy that Tolbert wanted more intimacy, but on the other hand I really did want to sleep.

Well, since my sleep's broken it looks like I'm having an early morning romp with my husband. "Of course." I told my husband with a sleepy smile on my face.

Tolbert just smirked lazily at me before closing the distance between us, placing one of his hands on the back of my neck, and pressing a kiss on my lips. His lips felt soft as they slid against mine. Even tho I was tired, I responded to his kiss. My lips matched his movements in a lazy speed. Tolbert ran his tongue along my bottom lip, requesting permission to deepen our kiss. I granted him the permission he wanted, resulting in our kiss to deepen and our tongues to tango in a dance together. As we kissed his hands began to deftly unlace my shift, causing the top to fall open. He pushed the straps of my shift down my shoulders while breaking our kiss. With a lusty haze in his stormy blues he placed a kiss on my collar bone before trailing kisses to the valley of my breast. Since he was nestled between my legs, I could feel his hardness pressing against my core, making a small moan fall from my lips.

"Ah, sounds like yer ready t'go." Tolbert mumbled against my breast.

"Mhm, so why don't we move this along?" I purred, raking my hands down his chest and to the waistband of his long-john pants.

Lifting his head, he grinned, "Oh, let's get goin', darlin'."

I pushed his long-john pants down to free his member while he pushed my shift up over my thighs. As he closed the distance between us, his captured my lips in a kiss. Instinctively, I placed my hands on his shoulders and moved my lips against his, kissing him back. I pulled my lips away from his, breaking our kiss and letting out a tiny moan as he pushed into me. Oh, if I wasn't awake before then I'm definitely wide awake now. As he began to move, I wrapped my legs around his back.

"God, this feels good this mornin'." Tolbert's timbre rung out as he moved in quick, but shallow thrust."

"Oh, so last night wasn't any good?" I teased, my breath hitchin' into a slight moan.

"Course it was good, darlin'. Just meant it's good t'be able to be like this in the mornin' too."

"I know, Tolbert. I was just teasing you."

"Well, don't. Bed's no place for teasin', ya know that."

I just shook my head, gave him a lined smile, and planted a kiss on his lips to soften up the foul mood I could sense my innocent teasing was bringing on. Tolbert responded positively, his lips crushing into mine feverishly as his pace quickened up in our morning lovemaking. I nipped and tugged at his bottom lip as I felt warmth pool in my belly. Tolbert's stormy eyes nearly rolled into the back of his head as he sped up his pace.

After a few minutes I could feel myself getting close. I could tell that Tolbert was close too by the way his quick movements were jerky. "Tolbert…Tolbert…" fell from my mouth as a wave of pleasure suddenly washed over me.

Tolbert made a few more jerky movements before stilling and spilling his head while letting out a groan of, "Jessa…"

Heaving for breath, he rolled over on his back. Before I could even scoot up next to him a loud cry of, "Mama! Mama!", sounded from my son's bedroom upstairs.

"Sounds like we finished just in time, darlin'." Tolbert chuckled as I got out of bed and made my way over to the wash basin.

"You're lucky that was a quickie otherwise we'd be interrupted right now." I told my husband, pouring some water from the pitcher into the washbasin and grabbing a washcloth to clean up with.

Shrugging, Tolbert sat up and remarked. "Reckon so."

"You better get dressed so you can eat and get to work." I advised my husband, grabbing a dress from my dresser and putting it on.

"I'll just grab a leftov'r biscuit an' head out t'my still." Tolbert told me, getting out of bed and going over to where he had his pants laid over the back of the corner chair.

"Okay." I simply said, grabbing my boots and stocking while Tolbert quickly pulled his pants on.

Silently, we finished dressing and then left the bedroom. While Tolbert walked out of the house to go work his still I wen upstairs to change my son and bring him down into the kitchen so I could watch him while making breakfast.

Tolbert POV:

I was at my still cookin' some corn mash t'put into it whenever I heard a crunchin' leaves echoin' in the crisp air. Lookin' ov'r my shoulder t'see who was comin' up on me, assumin' it was one o'my brothers, I was shocked t'see that it was Brenton Landon who was walkin' ov'r to my still. Placin' my wooden spoon in the cookpot, I stood up and made my way ov'r to him while askin', "Hey, Brenton, what brings ya t'my still this afternoon?"

He had a serious look t'his eyes as he told me, "Some startlin' news 'bout your wife."

"What 'bout my wife?"

"I have it on good authority that somebody saw Jessa at Shaw Eldridge's livery business yesterday; she brought the boy to see him."

"What?!" I exclaimed in a stunned shout. Jessa took Silas t'see that Vance Bastard 'hind my back. What the hell possessed her t'do that?

"Yes." Benton solemnly nodded. "Before you ask my source is reliable." He told me as a way to let me know that his word was solid an' true. Just nodded, which caused him to tell my the heart shatterin' news of, "Apparently, they spent quite some time in the livery as a family."

"I can't believe she'd do this t'me." I muttered, my jaw clenched an' gritted in anger. Dear god, how could this be happenin'.

"I know it's hard to grasp," Brenton told me, pattin' me on the shoulder. "but she went behind your back to see her ex-lover; let him have rights to the boy too."

"Ya better get on home, Brenton. I need'a go speak t'my wife 'bout this." I sighed, my gruff tone harder then usual, as a breeze started t'stir up in the air.

"Of course." Brenton told me with an understandin' nod. "I'll see ya tomorrow for Sunday dinner at your folks'." He told me 'fore turnin' 'round an' walkin' off.

I was so pissed; I could spit nails. I stormed ov'r t'my still and pulled the pot of mash off the small fire it was cookin' on. After placin' the cook pot on the ground I kicked some dirt onto the cook fire t'put it out an' then stalked off. I was so pissed that Jessa took Silas t'see Shaw; that I had'a hear 'bout from Brenton too. I knew Brenton didn't like me so him tellin' me 'bout my wife goin' 'hind my back t'see the shady Vance Bastard wit' our son meant a lot. Meant he wasn't just cousin Perry Cline's brother-in-law, but was loyal to the McCoys.

*Meanwhile In Mate Creek, WV…*

Shaw POV:

I was sittin' in my armchair, waiting for Olga to come in. She was gone when I woke up, but her bag wasn't so I knew she didn't leave for good. Too bad… Damn bitch didn't even cook breakfast before she took off either. What good's she if she can't even do that? Hell, I swear I can count on my hands how many times Olga actually makes breakfast. Half the time I feel like I'm stuck doin' the cooking. Shit, I didn't mind doing house chores when I didn't have a housekeeper, but with her 'round I do mind. Olga should be doing more then she does. Eh, and the fact that her usefulness is limited in my bed's another reason why I'm over her. Shit, my relationship with Olga's the longest one I've been in with somebody I didn't like (other then what I could get physically).

The front door opened with a slight squeak followed by the soft pitter-pattering of heeled boots shuffling against the floor. I looked up from the book I was reading only to see Olga walking into the room with a small bag in her hand. "Where ya been? You weren't here when I woke up."

"Doc needed help birthin' a baby. He came by last nite t'get me; ya were in a deep sleep so I just let ya be an' left wit' him." She told me while going over to the bookshelf and placing her midwifing bag on the top shelf.

"Well, a note would've been nice to let me know where you went." I told her before pointing to the sofa and saying, "Sit down, Olga, we need to talk."

"I'd like t'check on Lydia 'fore we talk." Olga remarked as I closed my book.

Placing my book onto the coffee table I told her, "She's takin' an afternoon nap." Olga nodded and went over to the sofa. "Hell, since when do you give a shit about our kid anyways?" I scoffed, watching the overly thin brunette take her seat on the sofa.

A hurt look came over her face as he softly told me, "Don't act like that, Shaw. I've always cared 'bout our daughter."

"If ya say so, but as far as I'm concerned you don't."

"What'd ya wanna talk 'bout, Shaw?" She asked, giving me a slightly curious look.

Ripping the band-aide off and cutting to the chase, I bluntly told her, "You movin' out an' findin' your own place since we're obviously not going to work out."

"What?" Olga's doe brown eyes popped out of her head. "You can't do that, I got nowhere t'go an' a baby t'care for." She trembled, tears brimming around her eyes. Eh, she better not break out the waterworks cause it ain't gonna work, she's gotta go and nothing's going to sway me from that.

"Actually, Olga, I have a baby." I told her, letting her know that Lydia was staying with me in my custody. Hell, I didn't even list her as Lydia's mother, only the housekeeper in the census. She's got no rights to my kid. "There's a buildin' downtown with a couple open apartments for rent. Also, there's a few vacant houses too." I informed her before quickly adding in, "I'll give ya some money for a month's rent and food, after that you're on your own."

"Ov'r my dead body I'm gonna let'cha keep my daughter while I run off like a dog wit' my tail 'tween my legs."

"Well, that can always be arranged." I told her with a cold stony look.

"Ya wouldn't dare. I'm the mother o'yer child." Olga squeaked, sounding shocked by my threat.

"A piss-poor mother to my child cause I was dumb enough to knock ya up despite bein' careful when usin' you to warm my bed." I bluntly spat, not giving a fuck if I hurt her feelings or not. It was true, getting her pregnant was an accident.

Olga's doe brown eyes turned into black slits as she snipped, "Yer such a blackheart, Shaw."

"Don't try to insult me, I don't care what you think." And I really didn't. She knew from the beginning that I didn't want her and could never love her. She knew I couldn't give her what she wanted, but she dumbly decided to hop into my bed to give me what I wanted (a piece of ass). "Now, go pack your things and leave."

"I'm not leaving my home." She stubbornly told me; her arms folded over her chest in a show of defiance.

"It's my home and I want you out. Now, pack up, I need to go outside and check on my siblings; make sure they're not tormenting my horses." I told her before rising from my chair and stalking over to the door.

She didn't say a word as I walked out of the house and onto the porch, but I pray she's smart enough to just pack her things and go on her own cause I don't want to resort to drastic measures in order to get her to go away.

Jessa POV:

I was dusting the coffee table whenever the front door slammed open and Tolbert stormed in looking madder than a wet hornet. Before I could even ask what his problem was, he cut his eyes at me and gruffly questioned me in a bark worse than a mad dog's, "What's this I hear 'bout ya payin' that shady Vance Bastard a visit yes'day wit' Silas?"

"Who told you? I know it wasn't Shaw, so who?" I asked, looking between him and the table I was almost done dusting. I had a funny feeling it had to be Brenton Landon since Shaw told me he was close to Sully (who saw me yesterday too). At the time he told me that fact I didn't believe him, but now I do.

"Ya bitch, ain't even got the decency to try an' deny it. Just wanna know who told." Tolbert spat in a hateful tone that I've never heard him use with me before. "Brenton Landon was just up at my still; he told me he had a source tell him ya were at that livery yes'day for a while." He informed me as I stood up, the feather duster in my hand dangling by my side and getting some dust on my white apron.

"Of course, he told you." I scoffed, rolling my indigo eyes. "That man's playing both sides, Tolbert. Brenton's best friend's with Sully, who waved at me yesterday." I informed my husband while going over to the corner bookshelf. While beginning to dust the top shelf, I firmly snapped, "Brenton's stirring the pot and getting involved into things that don't involve him, not to mention breaking the trust of his so-called friend."

Tolbert shook his head while defending that slimy legal assistant with, "Brenton's loyal to our family." His stormy blue eyes narrowed coldly at me. "He ain't playin' sides, but right now it looks like yer the one doin' that."

I moved onto the next shelf that needed dusting while defending myself with the remark of, "I'm not playing both sides, Tolbert. All I did was take Silas to see his father."

"Which ya nev'r should've done cause I'm his poppy, not him." The redhead lashed out in a near scream, giving me a look so hateful that if looks could kill I'm sure I'd be dead or close to it right now.

Now my blood was boiling. How dare he pull the poppy card when after the way he filled out that census. I spun 'round on my heel and stared him down while sarcastically scoffing, "Oh, so now you're Silas' poppy, but last summer you weren't when you filled out the damn census."

"Goddamnit, woman, don't hold that 'gainst me. I was strugglin' wit' fatherin' a child that looked like my enemy, ya know I didn't mean no harm when I listed him as my step-son."

"No harm?" I rhetorically asked, shaking my head incredulously. "Damnit, Tolbert, he's legally a bastard cause of you even tho you promised to love him as your own."

"I do love him, Jessa." He tried to assure me in a quick, slightly panicked tone. His eyes dropped to the floor shamefully as he sighed, "I just had a weak moment's all."

Suddenly, words that Shaw told me a long time ago came to the forefront of my mine. I guess he was right, my man would never fully accept my son. It was sad, but true. Oh my god, why was my life so complicated for? Why couldn't I just be like normal girls, get married and then have the baby with my husband the right way. Why did I have to do everything ass backwards for?

"You don't love him, Tolbert. You love me and tolerate him cause we're a package deal. Can't have the mother without her baby."

Tolbert's auburn eyes furrowed deeply as he gave me a puzzled look. "Why'd ya say that for, darlin'? That's not how I feel. I love both of ya."

"I said it cause it's the truth, Tolbert." I firmly sighed, moving over to the mantle on the fire place. Starting to dusk it, I told him, "You're not very hands on with Silas."

"Yes, I am. I change him for ya sometimes an' help feed him too."

"That doesn't count, Tolbert." I told him before going on to ask, "When was the last time you actually held him? Not to change a diaper or feed him, but just held him to spend time with him and too play with him."

"I dunno, couple days maybe." Tolbert shrugged, a blank look on his face.

"Two days, Tolbert. Just the fact that you can go that long without holding Silas, without playing with him and just spending time with him, worries me." I honestly said while dusting the hearth.

"I'm busy, Jessa. I gotta make an' deliver shine so I'm tired when I get home; just want t'get off my feet an' relax." Was my husband's sorry excuse for not spending time with my son, the one he promised to raise as his own with no grudges (something he was trying and failing at).

"You can relax and spend time with Silas at the same time, but you won't. You tolerate him cause he's not yours and it's not fair to him." I told Tolbert while going into the kitchen to place the feather duster back into it's spot on a hook by the backdoor.

He just stood in place in the middle of the floor, his face getting a weird look on it. "I don't tolerate him. I struggle wit' him not bein' mine, but I still love him." Tolbert told me in a smooth tone, trying to convince me that he was able to love Silas as his own. Something I didn't really believe anymore, sadly. Suddenly, his features went cold as he gruffly ordered, "Now, don't take Silas t'see Vance Bastard 'gain."

While walking back into the main room I told him a bit edgily, "Don't tell me what to do with my son, Tolbert. Shaw wants to be a father to Silas and unlike you he actually enjoys pending time with him." While going over to the sofa and sitting down on it, I added in, "I won't deprive my son of a father that wants to spend time with him, that holds him and plays with him."

"Oh, of couse Shaw's actin' like he cares." Tolbert rolled his eyes before sneering, "It's just an act t'get ya back, darlin'. He don't mean nothin' by it."

"Don't you dare say that. It's not an act. Shaw loves his kids; I've seen how he is with both Silas and Lydia and frankly you don't hold a candle to him when it comes to being a dad." I boldly told Tolbert, my indigo eyes cutting into him.

"I won't say it 'gain, don't go ov'r to that livery wit' our boy no mores." He sternly told me before going on to say, "I got work to do.", and pivoting on his heel. I didn't say a word, just watched him storm out of the house.

If he thinks he's going to order me around and I'm just going to listen then he's mistaken. Tolbert's my common law husband, not my lord and master. If I want to give Silas and Shaw the chance to know each other then I will. At least Shaw actually seems to enjoy fatherhood, unlike Tolbert.

Olga POV:

I packed my things an' couple of Lydia's, but not a lot t'make Shaw suspicious. I'd leave like he wanted, but I'd be takin' my daughter wit' me. I'd go in the middle o'the nite after he was passed out from drinkin' his bottle. I had my bag by the door, ready t'go. I was sittin' at the table, feedin' Lydia a bottle, when the back door opened an' in came Todd an' Mary. "Where's Shaw?" I asked since he didn't come in 'hind his siblin's.

"In the corral trainin' that colt he got from out West." Todd told me before askin', "What're you makin' for dinner?"

"Can we go to Levicy and Anse's for dinner?" Mary asked wit' a big hopeful smile.

"Go ask Shaw if he wants t'go there for dinner. If not, I'll cook somethin' from the smokehouse." I told them, puttin' the decision on Shaw. I wanted t'say no, but that lil girl's sweet smile wouldn't let me. I didn't wanna disappoint her.

"Okay." They said 'fore rushin' out the door t'go ask Shaw what he wanted t'do 'bout dinner. I hope he wants t'stay in cause I didn't want t'deal wit' Roseanna McCoy t'nite while ettin'.

I placed the empty bottle on the table 'fore pattin' Lydia's back. My sweet Lydia, who I decided t'call Imogene once we left an' made it to San Francisco, was that one bright spot in my dark world right now. She was a perfect ray o'sunshine despite her da bein' a complete blackhearted bastard.

Shaw POV:

I was outside in the corral, walking my freshly broken horse. I was getting ready to mount him; ride him a bit around the corral to ensure that he rode smoothly and stayed broke whenever my siblings came running over. I looked at them with one of those 'what's going on?' expressions. Todd didn't say a word, but Mary did. "Shaw, Olga wants to know if you wanna go to Levicy and Anse's for dinner." My sister told me, revealing the reason why they were out at the corral for.

Dear lord, of course she sent Todd and Mary out to the corral to ask me that. Looks like the lazy bitch ain't cookin' tonight. "Yea, we'll go over there for dinner." God, bet Jessa makes dinner every night and has it on the table on time too. Shit, the sooner I win her back the better. "Mary, go tell Olga we're goin' to the main Hatfield house for dinner." I told my sister, trying to keep my voice as even as possible although I fel annoyed and frustrated with the situation at the moment.

"Okay." My golden-haired sister simply nodded before running off to the house.

Before my brother could take off, I pointed to the edge of the corral and told him, "Todd, stand by that railin' over there." He just nodded, causing some of his dark brown hair to rustle, and walked over to where I told him to stand. As he leaned his armed against the railing, I told him, "You need to watch me train this horse cause come January you'll be my apprentice at the livery; will need to know a thing or two 'bout horses too."

"But what 'bout my schoolin'?" Todd asked with an arched brow.

"Don't worry about it. You know all you need to know and if you want to know something else, I can teach ya. Look, you'll be turning 12 come February so it's time for you to learn the livestock trade." I firmly remarked while mounting my horse.

"Sully ain't gonna like this..." My brother trailed off.

"I don't care what he likes. You're my brother and I'm making the decision to make you my assistant, not him."

My brother's living in the 1800s not the 2000s, learning a trade's going to benefit him more than endless amounts of schooling. With a trade he can survive, work, and make a proper living in the hills. With an education, well he'd have to move (most likely to Charleston or out East) to work. I ain't having that, my family's not going to be split up.

"Okay…" Todd hesitantly sighed, resting his chin on his arms that were folded and leaning on the corral's fence post. "How long are we gonna be out here for?"

"Not long, I'm just riding Tornado 'round the corral so he doesn't get angsty. So, he stays broke." I explained to my brother while trotting Tornado 'round the corral.

"He looks like he's gettin' ready to buck ya off." Todd pointed out since my horse wasn't riding smoothly.

"He ain't gonna buck me off, but he might try cause he hasn't been broke for long."

"Ya gonna breed him like that horse ya got last year?"

"No, I'm gonna keep him as my personal horse and then let ya have Duke."

Todd's face lit up brighter than a Christmas tree. "Really? I'm you're givin' me Duke?"

"Yea, he's a good horse and it's bout time you had your own trusty steed." I told Todd before going on to say in a stern tone, "You'll have to care for him, not just shove sugar cubes down his throat."

"I'll groom him and clean his stall. Promise, Shaw." Todd vowed with a serious look on his face as he watched me ride Tornado.

I didn't say a word, just nodded at my brother. As long as he took responsibility for the horse, which I'm sure he'll do, I didn't mind Todd taking over ownership of Duke. My new horse, Tornado, was full of spirit and speed; would serve me well. With what's up ahead in this feud I need a fast-spirited horse.

AN:

Yikes! Drama's going on, huh? So, now Tolbert and Jessa's having a rough patch cause of Shaw. Do you think they'll smooth it over or will it fester?

Well, Olga goes bye bye in the next chapter. Do you guys think her plan to get to San Francisco with Lydia will work or will something go wrong? Also, in the next chapter Shaw has a talk with Devil Anse.