*Author's Note*

Thanks for reading, faving, following, and reviewing.

I know, it's been a while since I updated this. Sorry for the wait, but I've just been on a role with Transcending Time and starting up my new story The Rowdy Redhead & His Soiled Dove.

Overstepping Your Place

Shaw POV:

Nova was on the verge of breakin' down whenever we pulled into the hospital parkin' lot in Logan, West Virginia. She was softly singing along to The Weight by The Band, but her eyes were glassy and it was clear that her mind was somewhere ese. God, I felt for her. I really did. I mean when I was a kid my little sister Bethany died and it destroyed me. I know how Nova's feeling cause I once felt the same way.

I cut off my truck's engine, causing the radio to stop and Nova's soft singing to end. She looked at me, on the verge of tears, and asked, "Will you go inside with me?"

"Yea, baby, of course." I answered her, my usually deep timbre a notch softer than usual, as I pocketed my truck keys. "We'll go when you're ready, okay?"

She nodded, silently letting me know that she was okay with my suggestion. We just sat in the cab of my truck for a few moments as she gathered her wits; calmed herself down the best she could. When Nova was ready, she turned to me and simply said, "Let's go", before opening up her door and getting out of the truck.

I didn't say a word, just got out of the truck and rounded it; coming up to her side. "I'm right by your side for moral support, babe. I ain't goin' nowhere unless you want me to." I told her, placin' my hand on the small of her back and leading her away from my truck and cross the parking lot towards the large hospital.

"Thank you, Shaw. I can't do this alone."

"I know; that's why I'm here wit'cha."

As soon as we walked into the hospital, we made a beeline towards the greeting desk right in the front of the large lobby and ER waiting area. The candy striper, that looked like a college student, looked up from filing her black polish coated nails and asked us, "What'd ya need?"

Knowing that this was very hard on Nova, I took the liberty of answering the candy striper with, "Her brother was brought in for an overdose. We need to know if he's still in the ER or put into a room on a unit yet."

"His name?" She asked in a very flat and bored tored.

"Moses Quincey." Nova answered in a cracked tone, causin' the candy striper to type in his name and look him up on the hospital's computer system.

"He's in the ICU unit. Floor 8, room 810."

"Thank you." Nova shakily told the uncaring candy striper (who was only doing this for extra money or something) right before I led her away from the greetin' desk and over to the nearby elevator bank.

I pushed the up button on the elevator bank while consolin' Nova by rubbin' soothin' circles into her shoulder wit' my hand as I held her to my side. She was slightly shakin' as the doors dinged open, revealin' to us an open and empty elevator ready for boardin'. "Just take a deep breath, babe. We're almost there." I told her as an attempt to calm her down as we boarded the elevator and pressed the button for the 8th floor.

"Goddamnit, Shaw, I'm so scared." Nova sobbed, shakin' with fear in my arms.

Poor thing was losing it cause her brother OD'd. I felt so bad so her. God, I can't imagine how she feels. I know I'd be a mess if something happened to one of my siblings.

"I know, baby. I know." I sighed, rubbin' her arm up and down soothingly.

When the door dinged open, it revealed a packed waitin' area. Every Hatfield in-law Nova had was in the small area. Who wasn't sitting down was standin' up, waitin' either for word on Moses or for Nova to arrive- one of the two. Everyone's attention was drawn to the elevator's and in extension us as they opened and we walked out of them.

Well, now it's showtime.

Jim Vance POV:

When the elevator doors dinged opened low an' behold Nova stepped out wit' Sully's boy by her side comfortin' her. What in Sam's Hill? I didn't know that boy was back in the Tug or that he knew Nova. Hell, I knew his step-pappy (who he always thought was his real one since the drunk was married t'his mama since he was in her belly) keeled ov'r from drinkin' an' liver disease, but I didn't think the boy'd stick 'round. No, not when tell had it that Shaw H. Eldridge was a Navy Seal; an officer too. Hell, he got outta the Tug thru the military (just like Sully did) so I figured he'd be like Sully an' stay 'way too. Seems like I was wrong. I'm wonderin' if him an' Nova knew eachother 'fore he left the area; reckon they could've since Peter knew Ol' Rand'll an' Shaw's only a few years older than Nova (bein' the same age as Johnse an' all).

Anse, who was sittin' next to me, tilted his head curiously as Shaw guided Nova ov'r to us. Yea, he was most likely thinkin' the same thing I was. What the hell's he doin' here wit' her? Cap, who was sittin' on the other side of me, bolted from his seat and scrambled ov'r to Nova. Well, this oughtta go ov'r like a led balloon since he reeks o'cheap perfume. Damn dumb bastard just hadn't go get himself a whore tonight to deal wit' the pressures Ellison's case was puttin' on his marriage (ya know, causin' Nova to walk out on him cause they were fightin' 'bout somethin' case related).

Nova couldn't even look at all of us gathered 'round, instead she looked at the floor while Shaw began t'escort her down the hallway. "Nova, wait!" Cap called out, his deep timbre panicked an' shaky, as he was mere inches behind his wife.

Nova didn't stop for Cap, but she sure did stop for the nurse when the woman barked out from her spot at the nearby nurses' station, "Excuse me, ma'am, if you're here for Mr. Quincey you'll just have to wait. He can only have one visitor at a time; his brother-in-law gave permission for his girlfriend to sit in with him."

Oh hell…there she blows…

Nova spun 'round so fast on her heel that Shaw was nearly knocked off balance; had'a quickly catch himself by smackin' his hand 'gainst the wall. Nova's cornflower blue eyes were shinin' an angry velvet color an' I just knew that my nephew was in for it now. "You bastard! I'm his sister and you just let Betty go in to see Mo 'fore I even got here?!" She shouted incrediously at Cap, causin' him to flinch slightly.

"She was worried about him, baby. What was I supposed to do, make here wait out here while cryin' her eyes out?" Cap asked in a way that gave off the feelin' that he didn't have a choice, but to let his sister see Moses. I told him not t'do it, but he didn't wanna listen t'his Ol' Uncle Jim Vance. Nope. No siree."

"Yes, cause I'm his sister. I'm Mo's kin so I should be the first one in there with him not some bitch he's stuck marryin' to keep hid ass outta jail cause she was in the truck wit' him when the accident that started his depression and guilt happened in the first place!"

"Don't ya dare call my sister a bitch, Novella."

"Don't tell me what to do William Anderson Junior. No, not when you've got the nerve to come here actin' like ya care 'bout me and my brother when you've been out with one of your ex-whores all damn night!" Nova threw up in his face wit' her face blazin' an angry shade of red that rivaled the color of her hair.

No-nova-" Cap stuttered only for Nova to cut him off with, "Don't deny it, Will. I can smell the cheap perfume radiating off of you." Turnin' to the nurse at the station, she curtly said, "I'm Moses Quincey's sister so I'll be going to his room for a visit; I'll also be kickin' out his girlfriend.", 'fore stormin' down the hallway.

Well, that could've gone worse, but it didn't go good.

Nova POV:

I was livid at my husband as I stormed down the hallway towards my brother's room, 810. God, I just couldn't believe that shit Cap pulled on me. How could he? Just…DAMNIT! Damn….

I took a deep breath after stoppin' in front of my brother's room. When I knew I wouldn't crumple, I opened the door and walked inside. Moses was lying in his bed, his hair a matted mess on his pillow; his hospital gown lookin' to be a size too small on him too. An IV was hooked up to him, most likely full of saline to rehydrate him with since he looked like shit. His skin was pale and his eyes sunken in. It was clear to me that he was sufferin' from depression, not just recoverin' from an overdose.

Betty was sitting by his side, holdin' his hand and just lookin' at him with pity and sadness. He was ignorin' her tho. His hand wasn't curled in hers and his eyes were locked onto his sock covered feet that were stickin' out from underneath the blanket. Yea, Mo was odd and never could handle blankets coverin' up his feet.

"Betty, I'm here to see my brother." I announced my presence, causin' both her and my brother to snap their heads 'round and look at me.

"Sissy! Oh god, Sissy, I'm so sorry." Mo broke down sobbin', his chest heavin' up and down rapidly, as I rushed over to his side.

Betty didn't say a word, just stood up and left. I think she knew that Moses needed me; that she overstepped her boundaries by bein' the first to see him too.

"I know, Mo. I know you're sorry." I told him, sitting on the edge of his bed and wrapped my arms around him. He laid his head to rest on my shoulder as I half-cried, "But killin' yourself…oh god, Mo…I can't handle losin' you. I was so scared I was gonna lose ya all the way up here."

"I'm sorry for scarin' ya, sissy. Truly, I am, but I can't handle the guilt of bein' responsible for Billy's death. I killed my best friend and I can't handle it."

"I know somebody who's sister's grievin' Billy's death too. Maybe ya'll could talk."

"Who is it?" His brows furrowed. "Can't imagine anybody, but family and me grievin' him so badly."

"Mary Eldridge." I told him, earnin' me a lost look. "Her mom owns Peggy's Diner and her brother Shaw works there. She's in high school, but knew Billy well enough that she's havin' his baby." I explained so that my brother would know why he needed to talk to Mary.

"If he had a girlfriend why didn't he tell me? Why was he so hung up on Robert E. and Mariah for?" Mo asked, curiosity deep in his tone.

"I hate to say this, Mo, but I think that's something we might have to dig into. Maybe there's more to it then we know."

"Yea…"

"So, the doctor says you're gonna be okay then?" I asked as a way to get him to tell me what's goin' on medically with him.

"Yea, but later on today or whatever I'm gettin' transferred to the psych floor for a 48-hour evaluation." He answered in a flat tone. Shakin' his head, he chuckled incredulously, "Prolly gonna diagnose me as crazy and give me happy pills or some shit."

"You're not crazy, just depressed and grievin'."

"Mhm…" He hummed, leanin' back into his bed and ploppin' his head onto his flat lookin' pillow.

Suddenly, the door opened and the nurse popped into the room. "Mr. Quincey, your uncle's here to see you." She informed Mo, causin' him to flinch. Turning to me, she said, "Miss, there seems to have been a problem between your husband and friend. Security had to escort them out."

"Why? What happened?"

"They were fightin'." The nurse answered me before slipping out the door.

"Mo, I gotta go. Just call me later, okay." I told him, pattin' him on the shoulder before standin' up.

"Okay, Nova." My brother nodded, his brown hair mattin' even more against his pillow. I just smiled sadly at him and turned to go over to the door. I was halfway to the door whenever Moses spoke up with, "I meant what I said in my text, sissy. You need to get the hell outta the Tug 'fore all the drama with the Hatfields and the McCoys swallows ya whole and destroys you."

"Mo-" I began only for him to interrupt me with, "Nova, I mean it, runaway from here and go as far as you can. And if by some sort of miracle or the grace of god you do get Tolbert acquitted take him with you cause I'm sure if he stays the Hatfields'll do mountain justice on him; kill 'im to revenge Ellison."

"Why would you-" I started to ask only for my brother to once again cut me off, "Sissy, I have the weight of Billy's death on my shoulders even tho it was an accident. I don't want that for ya cause I know without a doubt that if Tolbert's set free he'll be hunted down and you'll feel guilty for it."

"I gotta go." I told him, rushin' towards the door. I opened it right as my uncle was reaching for the doorknob. Not knowing what to do or say, I just brushed by Uncle Perry and scurried down the hall.

Oh my god, everything's so fucked up in my life right now.

Shaw POV:

Fuckin' Cap Hatfield just had to start shit; get us kicked out of the hospital. Fuckin' asshole. After gettin' thrown out he stormed 'cross the parking lot, got into his truck, and left. I guess he went home or maybe back to his whore's house, dunno and I really don't give a fuck either. All I know is that I'm leanin' 'gainst the wall of the hospital, near the automatic entrance doors, smokin' and waiting for Nova.

As I smoked, I got into a tranced and let the fresh memories of what happened moments ago wash over me.

I watched Nova stormed off down the hall and I knew she was pissed. Can't say that I blame her. I'd be pissed too. Her husband was a piece of work. Cap not bein' respectful to the fact that Nova should've been the firstone to see her brother was another demerit against him as a husband; towards their marriage.

The one-eyed shaggy blonde ADA didn't seem to even register my presence until a minute or so after his wife took off down the hallway towards room 810. "Who the hell are you and why're ya with my wife?"

"Shaw Eldridge; I'm a friend. Nova was upset 'bout her brother and asked me to swing by the hotel; give her a ride up here."

"That wasn't your place, Eldridge." He seethed, clearly angry that his wife sought solace from me while he was MIA with his whore.

"Well, Hatfield, it seems that both of us overstepped our places since you were fuckin' some whore while your wife was alone in a hotel most likely crying and stewing over the problems the McCoy case is causin' in your marriage." I smugly, but coolly, told the shaggy haired asshole. God, how Nova fell for him I'd never know. Tolbert, well, that I can understand since she grew up with him, but Cap? No, that I don't understand. I mean the guy's only got one eyeball; a sharp and cold facial structure too. He was a bit too rugged; was the polar opposite of his pretty boy brother Johnse too. Folding my arms over my chest, I added the cherry on the cake by reminding him, "Seems like you're already makin' good on your word 'bout the marriage bein' over and Nova hasn't even gotten custody of Tolbert's kid yet. Damn. Ain't you a nasty one."

"Shut up. You don't know a goddamn thing 'bout me, Nova, and our problems."

"Oh, but don't I? I'm her friend and it's a long ride up here from Pikeville. She did need to get some things off her chest and I just happen to be a great listener."

"If you were any kind of friend, you'd tell her to come home, not live in a damn hotel!" Cap shouted at me, gettin' right into my face.

"And if you were any kind of husband, she wouldn't be livin' in that damned hotel!" I shouted right back, puffin' up my chest in a gesture that meant 'back off cause if not I'll beat your ass'.

"Sirs, excuse me, but ya'll can't be fightin' here. There's sick people right down the hall that need rest." The nurse from the nurses' station told us as she rushed over, thinking that she was goin' to calm us down or something.

We ignored the nurse and just kept throwin' insults and jabs at each other. Suddenly, a pair of security guards were haulin' us off; saying that we couldn't stay no more cause we're disruptin' the peace.

I shook my head, clearing the memory from it, and continued to smoke while waitin' for Nova.

I heard the swishin' sound of the automatic doors sliding open, causin' me to turn towards them right as Nova walked out of the hospital. Pushin' myself off of the wall, I went up to her and asked, "You ready to go, babe?"

"Yea." She nodded, lettin' me wrap an arm around her.

"You wanna talk 'bout it?" I asked, tossin' the cig away and leadin' her away from the front of the hospital building.

"No, just take me back to the hotel." Nova answered as we walked across the parking lot, headin' towards my truck.

"Okay." I simply nodded, knowin' that if I pushed her to talk then I might scare her away. She reminded me of myself in a way and I knew that I just had to shut up and offer her support; that eventually she'd pour her guts out to me when she felt more at ease.

Tolbert POV:

I was woken up by a frantic knock poundin' 'gainst my door. It was pitch black in my room so I knew it was late or well early in the mornin' considerin' what way ya looked at it. I sat up an' rubbed the sleep outta my eyes 'fore groggily slingin' my legs over the edge of the bed an' gettin' up. I let out a sigh 'fore walkin' outta my room, 'cross the kitchen, an' to the front door. Quickly, but tiredly, I flipped on the porch light an' opened the door. "Ella?" I asked in disbelief as the love of my love stood on my porch, eyes red an' puffy, wit' her duffel slung ov'r her shoulder.

"Moses tied to kill himself; OD'd on some painpills Jim Vance had in the medicine cabinet, but he got to the hospital in time to get saved but…I just, I just don't wanna be alone right now."

"Holy shit…" I let out in a long, but shocked sigh. Nev'r would'a thought Mo'd try to take himself out. He just always seemed like a jokester smartass, nev'r seemed like the type that'd get down 'nough to attempt suicide. I should know considerin' I've come close a time or two 'fore my daughter was born; 'fore I was dianonosed wit' bipolar depression. "Do ya want me to take ya to see him or?..."

"I had Shaw take me already." Of course, she did. Damnit, I didn't like this lil 'friendship' she had goin' on wit' him. Shaw was a manipulative piece of shit; he'd work Ella's weak spot to get into her panties. That's the kinda scumbag he is.

"Come in, I can make ya some tea an' we can talk." I offered, steppin' aside so that she'd be able to enter my house. She just nodded an' stepped ov'r the threshold. Quickly, I shut the door an' raced 'round the room flippin' on lights as she dropped her bags down 'fore shufflin' ov'r to the sofa. "So, is he gonna be a'ight?" I asked, goin' into the kitchen an' flippin' on the light after makin' the main room brighter then the sun wit' all the lights I turned on in there.

"Yea, but later on they're gonna transfer him to the pysch unit for a 48-hour eval and he thinks they're gonna call him crazy and give him happy pills cause he's depressed and ate more painkillers to knock out a horse." She told me while I turned on the coffee machine and placed a tea kettle on the stove along wit' grabbin' some mugs outta the cabinet an' settin' them on the counter.

Turnin' 'round an' leanin' up 'gainst the counter, I crossed my arms ov'r my chest and asked, "Do ya want me to talk t'him 'bout it? Ya know, one crazy t'another?"

"I thought you didn't want anyone knowin' about your bipolar depression, Tol?" Ella counter, her thin auburn brows knitted curiously.

"I don't, but if it'll help yer brother feel better, I'll talk t'him 'bout it."

"Oh…well, then, do whatever you want."

"Ella, sweetheart, what's botherin' ya?" I asked, goin' ov'r to my coffee maker after hearin' it spurt out it's last drop into the glass pot. 'Fore Ella could give me some horse shit, I told her, "An' don't tell me Mo cause I know ya, it's somethin' more than him tryin' to take himself out.", as I grabbed the coffee pot an' brought it ov'r to where the cups were at; pourin' myself a cup.

"Cap gave permission for Betty, his sister that's datin' Moses, to go see him first before I even had a chance to get there." She revealed as I placed the coffee pot back into the machine, only to open up my fridge an' grab some milk outta it. I was out of creamer so milk would have t'do.

"Well, that's a prick move." I scoffed, goin' over to the counter an' pourin' some milk into my coffee.

I took aspoon from a drawer and stirred my milk and coffee t'gether while she told me, "Worse is that when I got there and he tried to talk to me he reeked of cheap perfume." Oh, course he did. Fuckin' prick's just like his brother, fuckin' everythin' an' anythin' in a goddamned skirt. "You know the stuff that whores that hang 'round bars typically wear." Ella added in, wantin' me to know how slutty he smelled from his whore as I placed my spoon on the counter and went to grab the tea kettle since it was whistlin' Dixie.

"Sam's Hill, ya sayin' he cheated on ya wit' a whore then came to the hospital t'check up on yer brother an' didn't have the decency t'clean up or hide it?" I asked in disbelief while turnin' off the stove, grabbin' the teakettle, an' goin' over to the counter wit' it only t'pour some tea into her cup.

"Yea…" She sighed out sadly an' heavily as I poured some milk into her hot tea.

"Well, looks like yer marriage is dead." I honestly told her, grabbin' the honeybear and squeezin' some into the cup.

"Tolbert-" She began only for me to cut her off bluntly wit', "He's out fuckin' whores when yer not in Mate Creek while yer shackin' up wit' me ov'r here.", while stirin' her tea; mixin' the additives in it. Grabbin' our cups an' makin' my way into the livin' room t'join her, I went on t'say, "Whether ya wanna believe it or not, yer marriage's ov'r. Might've nev'r really been nothin' holdin' ya t'gether 'cept for the pregnancy an' some old feelin's from back east."

Grabbin' her teacup from me 'fore I took a seat next to her, she asked, "Since when did you get so perceptive?"

"Since I became a poppy." I answered, takin' a long sip of my coffee.

"Oh…reckon so…" She sipped on her tea. Ella's tone bothered me. She sounded lost an' so unlike her strong-willed self. I didn't like it, not one bit. I knew that 'tween her marriage problems an' her bother's attempted suicide she's hurtin'.

Placin' my cup onto the coffee table, I turned t'her an' stated in a serious, but smooth tone, "Look, even tho plenty of folks'll look down on it ya can move in wit' me. Just be wit' me til I get locked up or get old an' die, one o'the two."

"How can you want me to do that after everything we've been thru? After all the heartache and hurt, all the drama?" Ella asked, her cornflower blues lockin' onto the teacup in her hands instead of lookin' at me.

Tiltin' her chin up wit' my knuckle so that she could look me in the eye, I honestly told her, "Cause I love ya, Ella; I always will too." It was true, she was it for me whether we worked out or not. I pray that I beat the charges an' that we can be t'gether; raise Sally Elle an' the new baby as a family. That's my only wish, my only desire. All I want is for God to give us another chance t'be happy t'gether.

AN:

Yikes, all kinds of angsty and melancholy things happened in this chapter. Anyone shocked that Nova went back to Tolbert in the end? And Uncle Jim, of course he knows who Shaw really is...