*Author's Note*

Thanks for all of the follows, faves, and reviews.

Moses is now roughly 16 in this so he gets a new face claim. His face claim is now Ben Robson (Google Ben Robson Emperor and look at the image results, his cowboy/bounty hunter costume for that movie is picture perfect for Moses. Really, it's what I picture him wearin' as Bad Frank's partner/personal deputy.)

Billy McCoy is roughly 17 and his face claim is Richard Madden

Robert E. Hatfield is roughly 16 and his face claim is Patrick Flueger

Mariah Wolford is almost 16 and her face claim is Marina Squerciati

(Yea, Robert E. and Mariah are Ruzek and Burgess from Chicago PD. Hey, it works lol)

I only planned on doin' a scene or so on this, but then the muses struck and I wrote an entire chapter within a few hours. Yikes! Anyways, here's a back to back update.


Spring 1885

Moses POV:

The loud poundin' knock on my door stirred me outta my deep dreamless likker induced coma. Groanin', I sat up an' rubbed the sleepiness outta my eyes. "What?" I shouted in a grumble, causin' the brunette whore wrapped in my sheets next t'me t'stir slightly.

"Get'cha ass outta bed, we gotta tip 'bout a Hatfield t'catch!" Ordered my boss from the other side of my door, his voice demandin' an' raspy string o'words.

"A'ight, I'll be down in a minute." I called back, earnin' me nothin', but the sounds of his spurred boots clunkin' down the hall in response. Lettin' out a deep sigh, I sat on the edge of my bed. Ran my hand thru my long dark hair in a mixed move of exhaustion an' frustration. I just wanted t'sleep in after a long night of hard drinkin' an' beddin' a whore.

My movements of risin' from the bed woke up Ima. She sat up, leanin' on her elbow, and asked me in a half sleep laden voice, "Mo, are ya headin' out?"

"Yea." I nodded. Grabbin' my long-john's off the floor an' pullin' them on I said, "Bad Frank says there's a tip 'bout a Hatfield."

"You don't think it'll end in a shoot out like the last time ya'll tried to take in one of them people, do ya?" Ima asked while I pulled on my pants and then my long-john shirt.

"God, I hope not." I scoffed, grabbin' my shirt off of the floor an' quickly yankin' it on over my head. "Bullet nearly grazed my neck last month." I reminded the whore, who was always wllin' to spend time wit' me for a buck, as I grabbed my boots and plopped down to sit on the edge of my bed.

"You're too young to be livin' such a hard an' dangerous life." She told me, appearin' behind me an' restin' her chin on my shoulder, as I pulled on my boots.

Even tho I was only 16-years old, my lifestyle of livin' upstairs in the Pikeville Saloon an' bein' Bad Frank's partner made me feel like I was a 32-year old man instead. Ima was right, I was agin' too fast, but there was nothin' I could do 'bout it. I was so deep in the lawman an' posse shit that I couldn't get out even if I wanted too. At least I was able to keep my Hatfield kin an' friends safe. I also made sure that the ones who did manage to get caught had proper meals an' were taken care of in the town jail too. Since both Doc an' the mailman smuggled supplies an' letters to wherever in the Sam's Hill the Hatfields were at I was able to keep in touch an' send out warnin's.

Hell, my sister was expectin' 'nother baby in a couple of months accordin' to Doc. Also, Cap's sister Nannie was due to be married to her beau John Vance, one of Jim's many nephews, any day now. Goddamn, I bet some poor relative came for the weddin' an' made the mistake of stayin' too close to town. That must be the tip Bad Frank got, somebody that ran off came back.

Lookin' at Ima from over my shoulder I simply told her, "You're only a couple years older then me an' you're whorin' for a livin'. We've both aged 'fore our time."

I felt her hand slide off of my shoulder an' down my arm as I stood up. Silently I went over to my dresser while she just watched me with her big brown eyes. I grabbed my holster from on top of the dresser and put it on 'fore grabbin' my guns, checkin' them, an' slidin' them into place. I grabbed my bandana from the dresser an' tied it loosely 'round my neck 'fore grabbin' my black hat, which looked like somethin' one of the Three Musketeers would've worn, an' placin' it on my head.

I grabbed my suede fridged jacket, which was made from a skinned deer I shot while huntin' wit' Billy 'bout a year or so back, an' put it on. I grabbed my money clip outta the hidden pocket inside of my jacket's linin' an' pulled a couple bucks from it. I placed my money back into my pocket with one hand while puttin' the couple bucks down onto the dresser with the other. "Honey, there's your pay for last night an' somethin' extra t'cover breakfast. Just leave whenever you're ready." I told Ima 'fore walkin' out the door.

"Okay, thanks Mo." I heard her reply as I shut the door 'hind me as I stood in the hall.

I just took a breath, straightened out my spine, and walked down the hall and down the large windin' staircase. Bad Frank was waitin' for me at the end of the stairs. Of course, he was. "I already sent Jim t'fetch Calvin and Ransom t'round up the posse." Frank told me, causin' me to nod, as I stepped onto the ground floor of the saloon. "I want ya to go get Billy; then we'll all met up at the Tug an' cross t'gether to work our tip."

"Sounds good t'me, boss." I nodded, followin' Bad Frank over to the saloon doors.

Great, of course I gotta fetch Billy when I'd rather be sleepin' off my hangover. Damn, I hate my job…


Smoke billowed from the small stove-pipe juttin' out of the roof of Wolford-McCoy house as I trotted up to it, indicatin' that breakfast was either bein' cooked or served. Oh lordy, I hated comin' over here. Billy had moved in with Mariah and Sarah after the latter birthed her son, Jefferson McCoy Junior, couple years back and since then my friend acted like he owned the place an' made himself head of the family. Poor Mariah was stuck with him and when I say that I mean they were all, but married in name these days. I knew that she snuck out some nights t'meet up and see Robert E. since she admitted such to me, but she was more or less taken up wit' Billy McCoy. I knew that she had feelin's for Robert E. an' vice versa, that she didn't want to marry Billy in a few months after she turned 16, but there was nothin' I could do or say to comfort my friend. Eh, truthfully I tried to stay out of other people's private lives; I had even shit to worry 'bout in my own.

Shakin' my head to clear my thoughts, I trotted up to the hitchin' post by the front porch. Quickly, I dismounted and hitched up my horse 'fore makin' my way up the porch steps and to the front door. I knocked twice on the door 'fore leanin' 'gainst the doorframe, waitin' for an answer.

Whenever the door opened, I was meet with the sight of Mariah standin' in front of me wit' an apron tied 'round her waist. "You here foe breakfast or t'pick up Billy for round-up time?"

"Round-up time." I simply told her, standin' up straight an' away from the doorframe.

Mariah nodded solemnly 'fore lookin' over her shoulder an' callin' out to Billy, who was at the table ettin' next to Lil Jefferson while Sarah sat 'cross from him, "Billy, Moses is here to get'cha for a round up."

Billy didn't say a word, just nodded an' took a large gulp of coffee to wash down his food 'fore risin' from the table. He quickly made his way over to the door. Billy pecked Mariah on the cheek 'fore tellin' her, "I'll be back as soon as I can, darlin'."

Mariah didn't say a word, just nodded and moved aside a few inches to give Billy room to head out the door with. "Bye, Billy." Mariah told him, shuttin' the door on his back, as he stepped onto the porch.

"Come on, we gotta meet Bad Frank an' the others down at the Tug."

"Ya look bright eyed an' bushy tailed this mornin'." Billy sarcastically told me as we walked down the porch steps. "Ya gotta lay off the whiskey an' women." He advised me as I went over to the hitch post to grab my horse.

"Yea, well, not all of us find our lady love durin' childhood like ya did, Billy." I told him, my voice a near scoff, as I mounted my horse while he walked over to the barn to get his.

Billy didn't say a word, just shook his head. I rode over to the barn an' waited by the door for him to ready his horse. After a few minutes Billy led the saddled horse out of the barn. Gettin' on the thing he told me, "I hope this round-up ain't gonna take all day, I got fields that need plantin' y'know."

"I know, Billy."

Silently we rode 'way from the house an' got onto the road. After a few minutes of ridin', Billy's voice spoke up in the light spring air with, "Me an' Mariah's set our weddin' date for the winter." Lookin' at me he asked, "Would ya be my best man?"

Poor Mariah, only had 'bout 6 more official months of freedom left 'fore she was saddled wit' Billy he forever, legally an' officially. Eh, bet Robert E.'s gonna be devasted when he finds out too. Lordy, why'd I have to have the friends caught up in a love triangle for?

"Course I'll be your best man." I told my best friend since I couldn't say no, I mean it'd be suspicious an' odd if I said no.

"Thanks, I was hopin' you'd accept cause if not I'd be screwed."

"Man, ya know I got your back. I wouldn't say no t'bein' 'part of you an' Mariah's big day."


After meetin' up with Bad Frank an' the posse at the Tug, we crossed over and went to the outskirts of Mate Creek where Devil Anse's loggin' camp was at. Turns out Bad Frank got a tip that Devil Anse's nephew-in-law an' loggin' partner was at the old camp checkin' it out an' placin' a few non-criminals there to work it. Sadly, for me, that nephew-in-law was none other than Sawyer Amstead. Yea, as in my distant cousin.

Whenever we arrived to the loggin' camp a saw was runnin' and a handful of men were workin'. Sawyer was walkin' 'round playin' bossman an' nearly stumbled backwards on his feet whenever he saw our large posse dismountin' our horses. Me an' Bad Frank approached him wit' everyone followin' 'hind us.

"Mister Sawyer Amstead, you're under arrest for the unlawful ex'cutions of the McCoy boys." Bad Frank told my cousin, who was a bit wide-eyed, as he came to a stop in fornt of him with a gun trained on him.

Lookin' into the barrel of my gun, which was pointed at him, Sawyer told me in a dead serious tone, "If your sister could see what's become of ya, she'd be ashamed right now t'call you her brother."

How dare he say that bullshit to me? Nova knows I have to be Bad Frank's deputy, have to round-up people, in order to keep myself safe while I spy for the Hatfields. Sawyer's pissin' me off, sayin' Nova would be ashamed to see me right now. Who the hell does he think he is? Just cause he's married t'Judge Wall's daughter don't make him no better then me. He shot one of the McCoys when they were tied to a pawpaw, he got blood on his hands too. Hell, least I haven't killed anybody yet.

'Fore I could think better of it, I marched over to Sawyer an' pistol whipped him in the temple wit' my gun's butt. He fell on the ground with a loud thunk. Standin' over him with my gun aimed, I seethed, "Don't go judgin' me or throwin' my sister, whom I hadn't seen in years, up t'my face no more unless ya want a bullet in the brain."

Bad Frank appeared by my side an' placed a hand on top of mine that was clutchin' my pistol. "Moses, ya made your warnin', put the gun down so we can take 'im in."

I nodded, causin' him to let go of my hand. I placed my gun back into it's holster while tellin' Calvin an' Jim, "Get this piece o'shit loaded up in the cage."

"You're an awfully cold young man, Moses Quincey. That might be why you're survivin'." I heard Sawyer tell me as I turned my back on him an' started to make my way over to my horse.

I needed to get back to the saloon and get a drink. My nerves are shot an' my head's spinnin' too much for my likin'. Sawyer's words got to me, et a hole into my soul, and I didn't like it. I didn't like feelin' stuck 'tween two families, only givin' 'nough loyalty in order t'surive. Perhaps I was cold, like Sawyer said, but I didn't start out that way. It happened cause if I didn't detatch myself I'd be a blubberin' mess every time I was involved in an arrest or walked into the town jail.

"Don't let that ass wipe get in your head." Bad Frank advised as we reached our horses. "You're a good young man, Moses. Good deputy partner too." Bad Frank told me, assurance heavy in his drawlin' tone, as we got onto our horses and started to ride 'way from the loggin' camp.

"Thanks, Frank." I simply told him, my eyes set on the path in front of me.

Honestly, I don't know if I should take his words at face value or not. He's the enemy to the Hatfields, but in reality, is my mentor and my boss. The man's a bit uncouth, but he's never done me no harm. Hell, I feel like I'm bein' torn every which way when it comes t'my allegiances in this feud.


Nova POV:

I had just put in a loaf of bread whenever a knock sounded at the door. Since Anna was outside playin' with her brothers and the dog along with Cap bein' at Uncle Jim's visitin' wit' him, I was the only one in the house and therefore had to get the door. I didn't mind the mid-afternoon guest, in fact I was curious to see who was visitin'. Whenever I reached the door and opened it I was met with the site of Essie standin' on my porch with her bottom lip tremblin' an' a toddler on her hip.

'Fore I could even ask her what was the matter, she blurted out, "Sawyer got captured by Bad Frank's posse."

Oh no, that's horrible news. I knew that Sawyer was lookin' over the old loggin' camp while in town for Nannie's weddin' that was in a few days, despite warnings not too by Anse, so I wasn't too surprised that he was arrest. It was sad, but it was what it was. I felt bad for Essie tho since she had a toddler and was now alone.

I wrapped an arm around her shoulder, givin' her a side hug, 'fore usherin' her into my house and sayin', "Let me get'cha a cup of tea t'help ya calm down."

"Pa an' ma came up here, I rode with them." She told me as I led her over to the table. "They're tellin' Uncle Anse an' Aunt Levicy what happened."

Meanwhile In Pikeville…

Moses POV:

It was lunchtime and I had just entered the jail with some food and water for the prisoners. I could feel their eyes starin' at me, burnin' holes into my back, as I pulled the bowls an' cups out of the basket I got from the diner 'long with the pail of stew an' canteens of tea I bought. I was scoopin' the stew into the bowls whenever I heard Selkirk ask, "Do we get bread wit' our stew?"

"Yep." I popped my tongue while continuin' to make up the bowls for the prisoners.

"Moses makes sure we et an' get clean clothes. If not for him we'd be starvin' an' in tatters." Alex Messer told Sawyer, most likely since he was wearin' a hard scowl on his face.

Yea, he was still upset at me for arrestin' him. Oh well, he wouldn't be locked up right now if he'd stay hidden. People tip off Bad Frank for a payday so…

I grabbed a chair from the table and drug it over infront of the cells 'fore placin' the stew bowls an' tea glasses onto a large wooden tray. I carried the tray over to the chair and set it down on it. Silenty I began to hand out the bowls and glasses, placin' them 'tween the gap in the bars for the men to grab. Everyone thanked me, even my pissed off cousin. I just nodded and told them, "You're welcome, 'fore grabbin' the tray and chair an' goin' back 'cross the room to where the table was at.

I had just sat down at the table t'et my lunch whenever Sawyer asked me, "So, you're the one that man's the jail?"

"Most of the time, yea." I nodded 'fore shovin' a spoonful of beef stew into my mouth. "No harm'll come t'ya, Sawyer, as long as I'm here." I promised my cousin, a serious and truthful look shinin' in my cerulean eyes.

"Mmm mmm, this stew sure is tasty." Selkirk remarked 'tween a mouthful of food.

"There's plenty for dinner 'ere too." I told the men 'fore ettin' 'nother spoonful of my stew.

"See you're feedin' these goddamn prisoners 'gain." I heard my boss sneer as he entered the jail.

"Yea, well, don't want nobody sayin' we mistreated them by lettin' 'em starve t'death 'fore they could make it to the gallows." I told my boss, trying to sound sarcastic even tho I was bein' serious, as I watched him limp his way over to the small table that I was sittin' at.

"After lunch I want ya t'go take a break." Bad Frank told me as he sat down. Grabbin' a bowl an' divyin' himself some stew from the pail he added, "Ransom can watch these bastards."

"Sure thing, boss." I nodded, seein' the men in the cells deflate out of the corner of my eye. They hated it when Ransom watched them cause the dumbass never fed 'em or gave 'em anythin' to drink. All he did was sit 'round an' play cards or nap.


Nova POV:

After dinner me and Cap were sittin' on the porch, watchin' our chil'ren play 'fore the arrival of dusk struck. We hadn't talked about Sawyer's arrest yet, but I knew that my husband had to have heard 'bout it. It was a hard thing to talk about, but I knew I had to bring it up. "Um, I had tea wit' Essie this afternoon when Uncle Wall and Jane were talkin' with ma an' pa."

"She told ya Sawyer got arrest." Cap stated, not asked, as he took a drag off his cigarette.

"Yea." I nodded 'fore adding in, "She was really shaken up by it."

"Don't know why, she knew he had a price on his head an' had a chance of bein' spotted an' picked up while down in Mate Creek."

"I know, but I don't think she ever thought somebody'd tip off Bad Frank 'bout where to find Sawyer tho." I told Cap, tryin' to make him see Essie's point of view on Sawyer's arrest.

My husband's deeply blunt voice filled the air with, "Just 'bout everyone has a price. Only certain people's loyalties can be trusted now-a-days."

Talk about trusted an' loyal people...I looked at my husband and curiously asked, "Get anythin' from the mailman from my brother yet?"

"Nope." Cap shook his head, his shaggy blonde hair goin' every which way. "But Robert E. got a letter from Mariah an' it wasn't good." He sighed, tippin' some cigarette ashes onto the wooden floorboards of our porch.

Oh no, I can only imagine why it'd be a bad letter. Wanting my suspicions confirmed, I asked, "Why? What happened?"

Cap leaned back in his rocker and took a long drag off his cigarette. Lettin' a cloud of smoke wafter out of his nose and mouth, he flatly told me, "Robert E. emptied his gun chamber on a tree 'fore chuckin' his gun at said tree an' cursin' on top of his lungs cause Billy McCoy an' Mariah's got a weddin' date set for this winter."

"Oh…" I sighed out. I figured it was somethin' to do with her relationship with Billy. At least she wasn't pregnant and it was just a set weddin' date. I knew that Billy lived with Mariah and Sarah, that they were a thing and Robert E. was more or less the other man, so I figured a pregnancy would be complicated and one of questionable paternity.

"He don't want her t'marry Billy and she don't want t'marry him either, but…" Cap told my, trailing off and lettin' his sentence linger in the air with a hidden meanin' instead of just statin' the end of his thought.

"But it's what's arranged for her." I said, finishin' my husband's trailed off thought. Actually, since Mariah and Billy were already shackin' up an livin' as unofficial common law it was just the next logical step to take.

"Yep." Cap popped his tongue, his head noddin' slightly.

Lookin' at my husband, I seriously told him, "Seems like Robert E.'s a lot like you, gettin' into a love affair with a woman taken by a McCoy she can't stand."

"Mhm…" Cap hummed 'fore takin' a drag off his smoke. "He says he's gonna figure out a way t'get Mariah up here and 'way from the McCoys."

"Oh boy…" I sighed, knowin' that Robert E.'s intentions would spark another fire in the already heavily burnin' feud.

Cap just nodded his head, blowin' a large lungful of smoke out into the air. Changin' the subject to something happier, he asked, "Ready for Tommy t'get here in a couple months?"

We've decided to name our boy, that we were expectin' in the summer, Thomas Wallace after Skunk Hair in order to honor our fallen friend. We decided to call him Tommy for short. I had admitted to him early on in the pregnancy that I felt I was carryin' a boy cause of what Sally had told me years ago bout havin' many sons with my second husband.

With a large smile, I rubbed my round belly and I nodded, "Yes, I can't wait to have him."

"Oh, I'm sure he'll be handsome like his daddy." Cap smirked at me, wagglin' his brows.

"Oh, yes, all of our sons'll take after you." I told him with a smile, basically repeatin' what was said to me by Sally many years ago. I was told that all of my sons favored their pa, and so far, they do.

A small smile appeared on my face as I watched my chil'ren chasin' after their dog. They we happy an' carefree chil'ren despite livin' in a hidden mountain settlement. I was happy that they were happy. I was also ready to add another bundle of joy to the brood I shared wit' my husband.


AN:

Hope everyone liked this chapter. How do you guys feel about Moses being a bit rough around the edges? Poor dude, never really had the chance to be a kid… Nova and Cap are expecting once again. How exciting, right? Sally's vision/sight 'bout Moses and Billy will be happening within the next few chapters. Yikes…