*Author's Note*

Thanks for reading, faving, following, and reviewing.

I got inspiration for the jury picking scene from the move The Judge. Robert Downey Junior's character in that movie does the same thing Nova does in this, lol. It's brilliant.

Bumper Stickers

Nova POV:

Cap had already left for the courthouse, but I was sitting on the porch waiting for my brother to pick me up. Considerin' that we were on opposite sides of the court, we thought it'd be best for me to ride to Pikeville with Moses. Also, since he was living in Mate Creek now it wasn't a bother or a long trip for him to get me either.

I stood up from the rocker I was on whenever I saw my brother's jacked up Avalanche pull up to the front gate at the edge of my driveway. I took a deep breath before walking down the porch and making the short trek over to the truck.

Once I reached the truck I noticed that Moses wasn't alone, but Jim Vance was with him. Openin' the back door I got in while remarkin', "Wasn't expectin' you to be here, Jim."

"Course I am." Jim spit a wad of tobacco juice out of his window as my brother drove off down the road. Wagglin' his brows, the gruff mountain man announced in a slight chuckle, "I wanna know how that shitshow reunion went."

"We're roommates til I get my money from Uncle Perry." Moses quickly told me, explaining the real reason why Uncle Jim was ridin' to Pikeville's courthouse with us this morning.

"Ah, I see." I nodded before turning my attention to look out the window.

"So, how was Saturday night?" Jim asked over the sound of a country song starting to play on the radio.

"A bit awkward, but it was okay."

Moses looked at me via his review mirror with a raised brow. "No drama?"

"No, but Cap and Bad Frank got into a pissin' match." I answered, glossing over the verbal spat that led to my husband getting' into Bad Frank's face and threating to shove his foot up his ass so far he'd be coughin' up leather.

"Any fightin'?" Jim asked with an excited smile on his face. Dear lord, he would be excited about a possible fight breaking out between HAtfields and McCoys at a large social gatherin'.

Shaking my head, I told Jim, "I drug Cap out of the ballroom when I felt things were gettin' too heated."

"Sounds borin'." Mo shrugged while at the same time Jim sighed out dejectedly, "Hell, I thought there'd be a fight at least."

"Sorry to disappoint ya'll on that."

"So, were people freakin' out 'bout you bein' married to Cap?" Moses asked, eyeing me in the rearview mirror while lightin' up a smoke.

"Yea, but more people were curious on how it happened." I told my brother as he cracked down his window, lettin' the smoke from his smoulderin' cigarette slither out the thin window crack.

"How'd they think it happened?" Jim sarcastically quipped, spitting some tobacco juice out his window. Rollin' his eyes he jeered, "Ya said vows and exchanged rings, goddamn dumbasses."

I let out a sigh before clarifying, "No, I mean people couldn't figure out how I got with him since in high school I dated my client."

"Tolbert, the soulless Crazy McCoy." Rolled effortlessly off of my brother's tongue as we crossed the Tug Fork Bridge.

"Moses, be nice." I scolded, soundin' more like a nagging mother then an older sister.

"It's the truth tho…" My brother trailed off, taking a long drag off his smoke.

"Ya know Saturday night your brother here got a very upsettin' phone call from that snake Perry Cline." Jim's gruff voice boomed, bouncin' like a rubber ball all over the cab of the truck.

Before I could even ask why Moses blurted out, "Our uncle saw me on Wall's commercial with Betty." Tippin' some of his cigarette ashes out his cracked window he went on to say, "He thinks we're both off our rocker now, bein' with Hatfields and all."

Of course, we're both disappointments to Uncle Perry now. Great…Bet he blames me for Moses meeting Betty since it happened at my wedding. Seems that my return to the Tug River Valley has been nothing, but disgraceful, for my uncle. Oh well, at least I got an idea on how to sort out the golden eggs from the duds during jury selection. That ought to make Uncle Perry proud, at least I hope so.

Johnse POV:

I felt so nervous an' my stomach was twisted up as I walked up to Roseanna and Perry's fine house t'pick up my daughter. It was gonna be my first time meetin' her an' I didn't know what t'expect. I had gotten her a new backpack and lunchbox to break the ice. Nova told me that Sarah Elizabeth's favorite color was pink so I made sure that her backpack and lunchbox was that, it also had some flowers printed on it too. I hoped she liked it, I mean Mira thought she would but ya never know.

Once at the front door I took a deep breath and knocked. A couple of minutes later it opened and Roseanna stood in front of me. A slight frown was on her face as she eyed me up an' down. Turnin' her head she called out in her sweet mellow tone, "Sarah Elizabeth, your daddy's here to take ya to your new school!"

In less then a minute Sarah Elizabeth appeared, givin' me a wary look. Bendin' down, I smiled and handed her the new backpack and lunch box. "I got'cha these for school."

"Thank you." My daughter told me, her voice small, as she took the backpack and lunch box from me. Lookin' over her shoulder she asked Roseanna, "Do I really have to switch schools?"

Standin' up I gave my ex a curious look, interested in what she was gonna tell our daughter.

"You'll have a nice time at Mate Creek Elementary, you'll learn more than at Pikeville Elementary too." Roseanna softly assured our daughter wit' a half-hearted smile. She hugged her 'fore sayin', "Go on with your daddy. I'll see ya in a couple of weeks, okay."

"Okay, mama." Sarah Elizabeth nodded 'fore walkin' over to me.

"She's in good hands." I assured Roseanna 'fore placin' a hand on Sarah Elizabeth's shoulder and usherin' her off the porch.

Quietly we walked over to my truck. I helped her inside 'fore roundin' it an' gettin' in too. Sarah Elizabeth was lookin' out the window as I pulled 'way from the house. She was lookin' studious out of it for the entire ride out of Pikeville too. Hell, her eyes were glued on the trees linin' the highway as we drove thru Pike County.

While crossin' the Tug Fork Bridge I looked at her and said, "You'll like the school. Some of your brothers and sisters go there too."

"I got brothers and sisters?" She asked, givin' me an awed look.

"From my side, yea." I nodded, a smile appearin' on my face. "My wife Mira's gonna be havin' a baby in a couple of weeks too."

"I always wanted brothers and sisters, but papa says mama's too sick to have any."

"Sarah Elizabeth…" I sighed in the tone I used when scoldin' my chil'ren. Lettin' out a deep sigh I told my eldest, "Perry Cline's not your papa, he's just your mama's fiancé. I'm your daddy, so just call him Perry."

Her eyes went into lil slits, but she nodded at me in a gesture that she'd listen to me 'bout the Perry papa thing. "Mira's not my mama, but she's your wife." She pointed out 'fore quickly askin', "Do I just call her Mira?"

"Yea, unless anythin' bad ever happened to your mama, just call my wife Mira." I told her, knowin' that Roseanna'd be hurt if her daughter called 'nother woman mama. Hell, I was hurt that Sarah Elizabeth's been callin' that honorable bastard papa all these years. I weren't gonna do that to my ex, even tho she let it happen to me. Hell, even let me believe I never had rights to the lil girl sittin' right next to me with my clear blue eyes and full head of golden hair.

"Mama's lupus is gettin' worse." My daughter told me, causin' me to just raise a brow at her. Sarah Elizabeth's face fell as she sadly admitted, "I overheard her once on the phone with the doctor askin' if there's any new meds to be tried cause everythin' she's done don't work no more or makes her sicker."

Oh…that explains why Roseanna didn't fight me on havin' 50/50 custody or enrollin' our daughter into school in West Virginia. My beautiful sweet darlin' ex was fadin' 'way from sickness. Did Cap know or suspect somethin'? He was the one that told me what things to file for and even remarked how transitionin' over from half time to full time custody, if god forbid somethin' happened to Roseanna, wouldn't be that hard since my daughter'd be used to the family already.

"You're too young t'be worryin' bout such things. Just enjoy bein' a kid, let the doctors worry 'bout your mama."

"Okay."

Wantin' to get her mind off of her mama's sickness I changed the subject by askin', "Do ya like PB&J? It's what Mira packed in your lunchbox."

"Yea, I like it." Sarah Elizabeth nodded.

"There's some cookies in their too." I smiled, pointin' to the lunch box on her lap.

"Chocolate chip?" Sarah Elizabeth asked, her blue eyes lightin' up joyfully.

"Yea, homemade ones." I smiled, pullin' down the road that led to the school.

Much to my relief it seemed that my daughter was gonna be just fine adjustin' to life in Mate Creek.

Nova POV:

When I walked into the courtroom with my brother by my side, I was startled to see that it was filled up. This was only the jury selection, the trial didn't even officially start til tomorrow, but it seems that didn't matter to people. This case was huge and everyone wanted a front row seat. I felt eyes on me, hundreds of them, as I walked down the aisle and to the counselor's table on the defensive side of the room. I noticed that Cap was sitting at his table on the prosecution's side, clickin' a pen as he waited for me to show up.

Once at the long table I took my seat 'tween Tolbert and Moses, who was sitting next to our Uncle Perry. Tolbert and Pharmer looked nice and presentable in slacks and button-up shirts. At least they cleaned up for court. Tolbert leaned into me and whispered, "Heard ya and yer one-eyed freak husband had a run-in wit' Nancy an' Bad Frank at the reunion cause they confronted ya 'bout turnin' Bud 'gainst us."

Snappin' my head 'round so fast, I glared at Tolbert while lowly hissing, "Don't go there. I did my job of savin' a McCoy boy's ass."

"All rise for the Honorable Judge Wall Hatfield." The bailiff announced as the judge entered the room.

Everyone stood up and watched as Judge Wall walked over to the bench. "Ya'll may be seated." Wall told everyone as he sat down, causin' everyone to sit in unison. "Now we're here today to select 12 jurors and a couple of alternates from all these fine people sittin' in the jury box today as is their civic duty." He announced, gesturing to the endless sea of people sitting in the box on the far right. Noddin' at me my uncle-in-law said, "Ladies first. Mrs. Hatfield, your up to question potential jurors first."

I just nodded at Uncle Wall before looking at my brother and telling him, "Look at my hand behind my back. I'll do thumbs up or down."

"Yea, I got'cha." Moses told me, makin' a quick yes and no column on the legal pad he swiped from our uncle.

Rising from my seat and walking over to the jury box I smiled, "Good morning, it's nice to meet ya'll." In return I was greeted with the generic replies of 'Good.', 'Nice meetin' ya too.', and the ever so popular 'Good morning.' From the potential jurors. "Well, how 'bout we start with a simple question. Who here has bumper stickers on their cars?" I asked, using the nicest tone I could muster to make myself come off as friendly and likable.

The response I got to my question was massive. Everyone, but three people, raised their hands. Oh, you can tell a lot about a person by what they advertise on their car. So, with a smirk on my face, I looked at my husband to silently gloat that I was gonna get a good jury pick out of my method. Cap just sighed and rolled his eyes, clearly showing me that he didn't think my little stunt was cute.

Tolbert POV:

Lookin' at that man bun wearin' idoit I asked in a hushed snarl, "What's yer sister doin' up there? Bumper stickers ain't gonna help me out, get me a good jury."

"I dunno what she's doin'." Moses honestly told me 'fore barkin', "Don't bitch at me, I'm just the scribe on this one."

"Dear lord, of all the things to ask she asked that." Perry Cline shuddered out in a long drawl. A worried look 'peared on his face as he whisper-hissed, "What's wrong with her? She's supposed to be a cunning lawyer like me not a bumblin' fool like her father Brenton was."

"Wonder if anybody has a sitcker 'bout food. I got one a KFC chicken one wit' The Hound in place of Colonel Sanders." Pharmer blurted out, causin' me to just roll my eyes. Of course, my fat ass brother had that bumper sticker.

Perry Cline just shook his head at Pharmer while Moses bit his lip, stiflin' a laugh.

Ella pointed at a man in a cut-off sleeved flannel, who looked 'round my age. "You, number 5, how many stickers do you have on your car?"

"Three." The man simply stated.

"And what are they of?" Ella asked 'fore quickly addin' in, "And please get as detailed as you can."

Number 5 just nodded his head 'fore sayin', "One's a bullet and says 'Merica, other's a yellow and black sign and says Redneck On Board, and the last just says Eat More Possum."

"So, you like to eat possum?" Ella asked, her flowin' voice full of sweetness an' interest.

"Yes, my favorite's my wife's possum pie." The man revealed wit' a rotten toothed grin.

"She sounds like a great cook. Must make all kinds of good things for the family to eat." Why's she complimentin' this man's wife's cookin'? Possum pie's got nothin' t'do wit' my case. How's a man likin' t'et possum gonna be good for me.

"Family ain't that big yet, we just had a baby few months 'go." Number 5 told Ella wit' pride in his voice.

"That's nice, I'm expectin' myself." Ella smiled 'fore askin' the greasy lookin' man, "And you're a gun owner, correct?"

"Course I am." The man quickly shot out, soundin' offended Ella'd think otherwise of him.

Behind her back she made a thumbs up sign, causing Moses to put a 5 in the Yes side of his paper.

"Why's she picking him? He's an idiot." Pery Cline hissed as his eyes darted 'tween Moses' paper an' the man Ella'd just talked to.

Lookin' at Perry, Moses explained with a smirk, "That's why, Uncle Perry. We can spoon-feed idiots anything and they'll believe it."

Suddenly it dawned on me what she was doin'. "She's weedin' out smart people from idiots by their stickers ain't she?"

"Yea, I think so." Moses nodded at me.

Ah, my Ella was a genius. I knew she'd figure out how t'help me and my brother. Maybe the deal for Bud was her way of savin' him to focus her energy on me an' Pharmer? Seems like I might've gotten everythin' wrong 'bout her. Maybe everythin' she's been doin' has been t'help me, just like Pharmer keeps suggestin'.

Eh, well I know that Ella's gonna get me a good jury. Hopefully they let me an' Pharmer walk.

Pointin' to a woman Ella asked smarter, "Number 8, what stickers do you have?"

"One, it says Proud Parent of An Honor Student, Pikeville High and it's red with the school's mascot on it." The curly haired middle-aged brunette woman bragged in a haughty an' high pitched tone.

"You must be so proud of your child." Ella told her while makin' a thumbs down 'hind her back.

The mother smiled as she bragged, "Oh, I am. Charity's just the smartest girl and she's going to be going to UK when she graduates."

Ella just nodded 'fore pointin' to a man on the next row and askin' him, "Number 15, would you like to share your bumper stickers?"

"I got a few, but right now my new one's my fav'rite." The man said wit' mirth in his green eyes.

"Well, can you list them in order?" Ella asked, walkin' a bit closer to the jury section in order t'seem more int'rested in their answers.

The man nodded 'fore sayin', "One says No Coffee, No Workee an' 'nother says Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Chevys." Ella nodded, silently urgin' him to continue his list. "Got 'nother one that's Batman." A smirk 'peared on his face as he chuckled, "New one I just got the other day says My Dropout Got Your Honor Student Pregnant."

Ella waved a thumbs up 'hind her back while tellin' the man, "Congratulations on bein' a grandfather." Lookin' at the woman with the 8 tag on her chest, Ella advised, "Ma'am, I think you need to have a little chat with your honor student when you get home."

The haughty woman's face turned redder then the dress Ella was wearin' as she slumped in her chair, most likely wishin' she could dis'pear into thin air. Ella just pointed to 'nother jury an' went on to ask 'bout bumper stickers 'gain.

Nova POV:

Judge Wall sat at his desk in his chambers, during the brief recesses he announced, while all of the legal counsel was gathered in his office. Pouring himself a drink, which caused my Uncle Perry to roll his eyes, Wall remarked, "Well, tell me what jurors to strike so we can tell these people whose comin' back tomorrow to serve."

"Uncle Wall, I've found nothing wrong with the jurors. They all seem to come from diverse walks of life, but I must say that number 1 has got to go."

Damnit, I liked number 1. That guy was a retired old-time shiner, he would've been on the McCoys side for sure.

Gesturin' to Moses, who was sittin' on my right, I told the judge, "My brother has the list of jurors we want to strike."

"Hand it over, Moses." Wall ordered, holding his hand out. My brother quickly gave him the paper, resulting in the judge mulling over it. After a few minutes, Judge Wall nodded and announced, "I'll strike these jurors." Looking over at me and my brother he said, "Ya'll can go while Perry and Cap go into the courtroom with me for the jury announcement." With a sympathetic look he added, "I'm sure with your pregnancy you're 'bout exhausted by now and could use some rest."

Cap looked at my brother while tellin' him, "Take her home, Mo. I'll be there whenever I can."

My uncle didn't say a word. He just silently watched me and my brother rise from our chairs and walk out of Judge Wall's private chambers.

We walked silently, the only noise coming from the clicks of my heels and the stomps of his boots, down the hall and into the foyer of the courthouse. People were crammed into the large room, anxiously waitin' court to be resumed so the jury selection could be completed. Me and Moses were almost to the door, after successfully navigating the sea of people standin' around, only to be stopped by Tolbert's velvety gruff voice askin', "Where ya goin'?"

Before I could say I word Moses replied, "I'm takin' her home so she can rest. Judge Wall only needs Uncle Perry and Cap for the jury announcement." Pointin' to where the hallway was my brother added, "Go sit on a bench by the courtroom with Pharmer, Perry'll need to get ya'll inside the room soon 'nough."

"Ella, if you're gettin' sick from the pregnancy some things t'make ya better are ginger candies, mint tea, an' lemon-lime pop." Tolbert told me, seemin' concerned 'bout my health, as his stormy-eyes went a bit soft as they looked into my cornflower blue ones.

"I know, Tolbert." I simply told him 'fore tearing my gaze off of him and walkin' out of the courthouse doors.

"Poor guy's gonna be crushed when he sees you on the witness stand first t'morrow instead of at the defense table." Moses told me as we walked down the courthouse steps side by side. I didn't know what to say that wouldn't make me feel guilty, so I just nodded and let out a silent sigh. "Your jury questionin' was somethin' else." Moses chuckled as our feet landed on the cement walkway of the courthouse. "How'd ya figure out to ask 'bout bumper stickers to figure out who'd be most likely to swing our way?" Moses asked, soundin' a bit curious and stunned, as he gave me a tilted look.

While starting our walk into the parkin' lot I answered my brother with, "I took Defensive Tactics 101 my first year of law school. The professor taught a lot of out of the box tricks."

"Oh, yea, that's the class only offered in the fall by Senator Billings ain't it?" Moses asked, his brows knitted, as our feet echoed against the blacktop parking lot.

"Yep." I popped my tongue, spottin' my brother's truck a few yards away.

"He's friends with Uncle Perry from law school ya know. They're not that close, just send Christmas cards and shit like that in the mail." Moses told me, assumin' he was telling me something I didn't know, as we walked over to his Chevy truck and got inside of it.

"I already knew that, Mo." I told him as he backed out of his parkin' spot.

"Oh, yea, since he was your professor, he prolly told ya he knew Perry cause of your name on his roster." Moses mused out loud, pulling out of the courthouse's parkin' lot and onto the road. "So, was he a good teacher?"

"Must've been since the bumper sticker tactic worked." I answered as Moses speed down the highway.

Moses seemed to accept my answer with a nod. Turnin' on the radio he asked, "Ain't he up for reelection?"

"Yea, for a third term."

"Shit, he's really been in office that long?" Moses scoffed, one of his brow's quirking up.

"Mhm…"I hummed out, stretchin' my arm out and playin' with the tuning buttons on the radio.

Honestly, I didn't want to talk about Senator Billings too much. He was a nice guy that only ever treated me with respect, but he wasn't somebody I told people I knew. I had my reasons for not talking 'bout him to people. Well, only one person knew that I knew the senator, but I trusted her and knew that she'd never tell anyone.

But…

Maybe, in hindsight, I shouldn't have trusted her to keep quiet since many lives and careers were at stake with what she knew. Something I'd learn a little too late…

AN:

My OC Senator Billings Brooksdale makes a small appearance in the next chapter. Oh boy…it's not cause he's supporting Perry's defense of the McCoy boys either…

Oh, the trial starts in the next chapter. Angst and drama up ahead, yay!