*Author's Note*

Thank you for the reviews, faves, and follows.

Yes, Perry Cline's a snake. He just seemed a bit shady on the show. Like a part of him had a heart (he was devoted to Roseanna) but another part of him was a shyster that was a bit obsessed with bringing down the Hatfields (most likely cause he was butthurt over losing his timber rights). Eh, the only reason Perry's upset that Novella has a mill claim is cause it's with the Hatfields (he's also upset that a cousin he didn't know she had on her daddy's side's married to Wall's daughter either LOL). Yea, Tolbert's not the sharpest tool in the shed (come on the guy's first solution to solving problems is wanting to kill Johnse all the time *eye roll*) so he'll blindly sign whatever Perry gives him if the crooked lawyer can spin it right. Randall did say that Perry had the gift of law and speech, YIKES! As I've said before that claim plays a big part in Novella's survival and role in the feud in the sequel.

Anyways enough with my note, please read and enjoy the new chapter.

Hatfields & McCoys Don't Mix Pt.2

Tolbert POV:

It'd been hours since we brung a cold-cocked Johnse to Uncle Harmon's old place. We just set him in a chair in the corner, took his gun, an' tied his ass up to the chair. His hands were bond too, but in his lap. I'd fed him later, once he came too. Damn, I knocked him out good. His head was slumped ov'r his chest as he sat tied up. I was sittin' on a stool in front of the fireplace while Pharmer was on a stool nearby, we were cuttin' up a few wild potatoes an' turnips we found for a stew while keepin' watch ov'r our prisoner. Bud was sittin' on the stairs, lookin' at Johnse wit' unease, while Calvin an' Jim were out huntin' a critter for some meat so that I'd be able to make a stew. Hope they find a rabbit, I'd prefer rabbit stew ov'r squirrel, coon, or possum. Hell, I knew that Bud wouldn't give a shit since he never liked my cookin' much while Pharmer's fat ass ets just bout anythin'.

"Ya think he's ever gonna wake up?" Pharmer asked, peelin' a turnip wit' his switch-blade.

"Reckon so, once his head stops spinnin' long 'nough for him t'gain con'cis'ness." I answered while peelin' a turnip as well.

Lookin' out the window 'fore startin' to cut up the root veg'able he remarked, "Looks like it gonna rain bad outside."

"Yep." I popped out, slicin' my turnip. "Hope, Ella an' Rihanna are home or stay wit' Aunt Betty when it does."

"Oh, so that's why ya et wit' us this mornin. She went visitin' our ole crochety aunt."

"Yea. She needed somebody t'talk to." I nodded, continuin' to slice my turnip into the pot 'tween us.

"Bout what? Tol?" If only it was bout Tol.

I shook my head, slumpin' my shoulders, as I grabbed 'notha root to cut out of the bowl on the floor. "No, our marriage."

Pharmer's brows shot up over his high hairline as he asked, "Why?"

"Cause she's listenin' t'idle church bitties gossipin' 'bout me an' wha I do in the Pikeville saloon." I spat angrily, quickly an' roughly peelin' a turnip.

"Oh…" My brother sighed, grabbin' a potato to peel. "Well, did ya tell her ya love 'er an' anythin' at the saloon don't matter?"

"Course I did. She don't believe me tho." I revealed, my velvet-smooth voice a bit tight, while startin' to cut the root in my hand.

"Novella loves ya, she won't stay sore at ya for long." Pharmer assured me as he started to peel his potato.

"Hope not. It don't feel too good havin' yer wife flinch 'way from ya at nite."

"Reckon not. Ya'll been thru lotta tragedy last couple years, maybe tryin' t'be nicer might make her soften up t'ya."

"I'm nice t'my wife." I told my brother, earnin' me a simply nod. I wasn't a man that talked 'bout my feelin's, it just weren't done, but 'fore I could stop myself my gruffy voice echoed out in the cabin wit', "Goddamnit, Pharmer, I love her wit' ev'thing I got inside me. Just need her t'realize tho we're troubled I ain't takin' off or stopped lovin' her."

"Then tell her that." Pharmer simply told me, givin' me a helpful look on his round face.

"Hmm, good advice." It really was. If I told Ella how I truly felt then she'd understand that in time we'd be fine. She'd know that we're not broken. "How's it yer still single, brother?" I asked him, good naturedly, wit' a slight tilted look.

"Uh, cause nobody wants a fatass wit' an early recedin' hairline." Pharmer told me, a bit of a sarcastic an' informative quip in his tone, as he pointed to his hair.

"Go t'sum more of 'em church picnics, find yerself a nice girl. Ain't gettin' any yun'er." I suggested to Pharmer, who was cuttin' up a potato.

'Fore Pharmer could utter a word the cabin door flung open. Jim walked in lookin' tired. "Calvin's skinnin' an' cleanin' a rabbit." He said as he went ov'r to a chair in a far corner of the room. The room was small, kitchen an' man were all in one unlike our folks' an' my houses were set up wit' 'em bein' large an' separate by stairs. Eh, Uncle Harmon was lousy at art'tec'ture."

"Good, was hopin' for a rabbit." I nodded, cleanin' an' cuttin' the wild root veg'ables.

Jim looked over Johnse from his spot in the corner an' asked, "He a'ight?"

"Yea, he's fine." I shook my head, continuin' to cut up wild turnips for the stew.

"Ya sure? He's been outta it for hours now, Tolbert." Jim egged on, pointin' at our prisoner who looked limp an' slumped ov'r in the chair he was tied to.

"I said he's fine. He'll wake up when he wakes up." Not like I want him t'wake up. Johnse'll just open his dumb mouth an' say stupid shit once he's up.

"Are we gonna feed him when he wakes?" I heard Jim ask as I placed the last of the cut pieces of wild roots into the pot that was on the floor 'tween me an' Pharmer.

"Yea, we can give him a last supper I reckon." I nodded, wipin' my knife off on my pantleg 'fore stickin' it back in the sheath I had in my boot.

It was dark an' nearly 9 at nite when Johnse finally came to. The stew was hot in the kettle ov'r the fire. Had'a cook old fashion-like in the fireplace since the damn woodstove was too old an' wouldn't stay fired up, too much rust an' soot in the pipe I reckon. Calvin had just ran inside from collectin' more firewood, his hat an' coat drenched. Hell, his dark hair was drenched too. I was pacin', gun in hand, as my brother set the wood down 'fore takin' off his wet outerwear an' sittin' on the stool by the fire, the one I was just at minutes 'go. Jim was still in his corner chair while Pharmer sat on the side of the fireplace, stirin' the stew so it wouldn't settle an' stick. Bud was sittin' on the stairs, midway up, eatin' a bowl o'stew.

Johnse looked at me, his pathetic blue eyes shinin' wit' fear an' despair, as he sat tired to the chair in front of where I was pacin'. God, he looked so dumb. I dunno what my sister ever saw in the blonde skirt chaser. This fool's just lookin' at me, not sayin' a word. Prolly confused on why he's here all tied up as a prisoner.

"S'pose yer wonderin' why I just don't kill ya right 'way?" I asked him, cockin' my gun an' pointin' it in his face.

"Cause you know it's wrong." Johnse answered flatly, lookin' up at me wit' hope in his blue eyes that I was gonna let him go.

"Horeshit!" I spat at him. It ain't wrong, not after what he'd done t'my sister. "I'm gonna blow yer brains out 'xactly at sunrise, like they do in the army. I want ya to know it's comin', to think bout it for all those hours." I answered in a snarl as I waved my gun at him. His eyes went wide wit' fear. Good, let 'im be afraid. "Payback for all the torment ya an' all the Hatfields brought done 'pon us." My velvety voice soundin' eerily level as I revealed the reason he's gonna be dead in a few hours.

"You're wrong. I love Roseanna." Johnse said, causin' me to just cut my eyes at him. "I respect your sister Tolbert, more so now that she's carryin my baby." Oh, so he only respects her cause she's givin' him a baby. Wrong answer, skirt chasin' prick. Johnse looked at me wit' hope in his eyes as he begged, "Let me find a preacher, make it legal."

"Too late for that." And it really was. He should've married her an' showed his repect 'fore beddin' her, takin' her innocence, if he 'loved' her so truly. "I'm gonna shoot ya come dawn an' I'm gonna tell ya what time it is every hour we get closer!" I shouted, gettin' right up in his face.

I lone tear rolled down the bastard's cheek. Good, let him cry for his pathetic life. I turned my back on him and walked over to the fireplace only to hear him ask, "Can I have one last request?"

"No!" I shouted, turnin' my nose up at him. I turned to look at my brothers an' they all had curious looks on their faces, seemed to be nosey 'bout the Hatfield asshole's request. Wit' a sigh I looked at Johnse from ov'r my shoulder an' asked, "What ya want?"

"I want to see Roseanna once last time. Say goodbye the proper way, tell her I love her. Then when ya'll shoot me I'll stand up tall an' ask God when I get to heaven to send your souls fryin' to hell for what'cha done to me." Johnse lengthily said, his voice flarin' up near the end of his request.

I shook my head at him in disgust. "No, yer the one goin' t'hell an' ya ain't askin' God for squat."

"Roseanna does love 'im, she'll hate us forever if we-" Pharmer began to say til I pointed my pistol at him an' cut him off wit' a loud gruff shout of, "No, I said!" Lookin' at Johnse I sneered, "Mmm, all yer gettin's a bowl o'stew an' nothin' else."

"Do ya'll mind if I go home? Stew didn't set right wit' me." Bud piped up, placin' his half-empty stew bowl on the step he was sittin' on. His voice was docile, a clear sign he was fibbin'. Boy prolly don't got the guts t'kill somebody. He was in a sense still a boy. Hasn't got his whiskers yet an' was only a couple years yun'er then my wife, who ain't even 20-years yet herself.

"Yea, ya can go home, Bud." Jim nodded, givin' her younger brother permission to leave.

I frankly didn't give a shit if he stayed or went. I was killin' Johnse at dawn no matter what, if bein' 'round or not wasn't gonna deter my gun hand.

"Yea, yer too yung an' shouldn't be here when we do the killin' anyways." Pharmer told Bud as he stood up from the stairs, walkin' down it.

"I ain't too yung, just don't feel good's all." Bud protested as he walked 'cross the room to the door.

"Hey, Bud, I'll see ya on the other side." Johnse told Bud as he placed his hat on his light brown hair and walked out the door.

Novella POV:

Rihanna was asleep upstairs in one of the guestrooms while I was in the kitchen helpin' Roseanna an' our Aunt Betty clean up the day's dishes, pots, an' pans. The sound of rain pourin' down an' peltin' the roof was loud, boomin' an' echoin' all through the house. I knew my daughter could hear it tho since she slept on her right side, leavin' her left ear up. I had just placed a dish in the cabinet, that I'd gotten from Roseanna, whenever a frantic knock sounded at the front door. Aunt Betty left her spot at the sink an' rushed over to the door.

Right after the door creaked open I heard Bud's voice ramble out, "I need'a talk to my sister."

Roseanna wiped her hands off 'fore rushin' into the main room an' askin' wit' a puzzled face, "Bud, what're ya doin' out in this?"

"Tolbert took Johnse, wit' our brothers' help, an' he's gonna kill Johnse come dawn."

"What?!" I exclaimed, my cornflower blues wide wit' shock an' disbelief, as I appeared on the other side of Roseanna.

"Why?" Roseanna, who was standin' 'tween me an' Aunt Betty, asked her little brother.

"Cause Johnse got ya pregnant. Perry Cline told us the news when he stopped by the house this mornin'."

Shit, what did Uncle Perry do? He knows how Tolbert is, how he gets so enraged an' loses all logic.

"Do ya know where they got him at?" I asked since Roseanna was just standin' next to me in shock, still as a statue.

"Yea, they're at Uncle Harmon's old place." Bud answered me 'fore goin' on too say, "I left cause I felt bad. Tolbert's done gone lost it, he really means t'kill him."

Roseanna announced, ready to run out the door. "I gotta go tell Mr. Hatfield so he can save Johnse."

Grabbin' Roseanna by the arm Aunt Betty told her, "Sugar, in this rain you'll get sick."

"I don't care, I'm not gonna sit back an' let him die." My sister-in-law said, wrenchin' her arm free from out old aunt's hold.

"I'll go wit'cha, Roseanna. I know a shortcut to West Virginia an' if we ride on horseback we'll get there even faster." I told her, not offered, since I honestly couldn't let her take off by herself in her condition.

"Thank you, Novella, but I can't ask that of ya. Tolbert's your husband, you'd be betrayin' him."

"No, I'd be helpin' him an' savin' my husband from doin' a murder."

Roseanna nodded her head while tellin' me, "Okay, we gotta hurry."

"Oh, girls, please be careful out there." Aunt Betty told her, her raspy voice full of worry, as we rushed over to the door.

"We will." I assured her 'fore we ran out the door an' over to the barn 'cross the yard where the horses where kept.

Oh boy, tonight's gonna be a long one. I hate ridin' horses, but here I am goin' off with Roseanna to help her prevent a cold-blooded crime.

The rain was bone chillin' as it poured down on us, drenchin' us, as we rode as fast as we could ov'r the uneven hills an' country-side of the woods goin' from Kentucky to West Virginia. Roseanna had a ridin' crop so she'd smack the back of her horse t'get it to speed up. I on the other hand had'a kick an' dig my heels into the side of my horse 'long with shoutin' yah at it to make it speed up. The more we rode the more soaked we got, the rain was worsenin' instead of lessenin'. The down pour felt razor sharp as it worsened as well.

Whenever the Hatfield house came into view we both spurred our horses on even faster. "Mr. Hatfield! Mr. Hatfield!" Roseanna cried out loudly, her sweet voice frantic, as we rode up to the front of the house.

As we were dismountin' our horses the door flung open wit' a loud bang. Out came Devil Anse in pants an' his long-john shirt, one suspender loosely slung ov'r his shoulder, holdin' an aimed Winchester at us while Levicy appeared right next t'him holdin' a lantern wit' a burgundy shawl wrapped ov'r her shoulders. It was clear that the couple were roused from their sleep.

"What is it?" Devil Anse asked, his cold chiseled face hard an' a pointed look in his ice-blue eyes.

"It's my brothers. They've got Johnse an' they plan on killin' him at dawn." Johnse cried in a loud shriek, holdin' her soaked skirts to keep her grounded in her sense frantic peril.

"Where are they?" Anse asked, no commanded, in a deep an' deadly tone. His jaw was locked an' stern as he stared down my sister-in-law.

"If I tell yo-" Roseanna began til I cut her off wit' a loud informative shout of, "Harmon McCoy's old place." Wherever that is I dunno, but reckon he does by the way his face darkened an' his brows knitted.

Roseanna pointed a finger up at Anse while desperately demandin', "Promise me ya won't hurt my brothers."

Really Roseanna, they wanna kill your man an' you just ratted them out, but you're worried bout them getting' hurt? Hell, if they do murder on Johnse then they deserve whatever punishment they get. I know Tolbert's my husband, don't get me wrong I love the man, but my firm belief is a life for a life so if Tolbert manages to maim or murder Johnse then I know it's only justice that he'd be punished in a similar way. I studied the law, worked as my uncle's law clerk, so perhaps that's why I view the subject of life for a life as justice. Roseanna's worried bout safety, I'm just worried that my drunken fool of a ill-tempered husband'll kill Johnse 'fore he can be stopped, causin' me to become widowed in the aftermath.

"If my son's unharmed then no harm will befall your brothers." Anse swore, a serious look on his face as he tightly clutched the rifle by his side.

"Go on, I'll get your boots." Levicy told her husband, pattin' his shoulder an' usherin' him in the house. Lookin' over her shoulder she said, "Come on inside." I nodded an' she disappeared inside wit' her husband.

Silently me an' Roseanna walked up the porch steps an' then into the house. We looked like drowned rats as we trudged over to the table to sit down. I heard Levicy shoutin' for Cap to get up an' dressed cause Johnse was kidnapped by McCoys as she helped Anse gather whatever he needed. Both me an' Roseanna were shakin' an' cold from bein' wet from the rain. Hell, my teeth were even chatterin'. The drenched blonde next to me looked like she wanted t'cry. I know for a fact that I wanted to scream or throw somethin' out of frustration. I was so upset at this stunt my husband was pullin', wranglin' his brothers into kidnappin' somebody wit' plans on killin' 'em.

I heard the stairs creak as Cap ran down them, mumblin' an' grumblin' under his breath as he did so. He was holdin' his Winchester an' had his gun belt on. He was 'bout to go over to the rack to get his coat an' hat, but paused in his steps whenever he saw me sittin' at the table wit' Roseanna. "Nova, why're ya here?" Cap asked, his deep timbre crackin' a bit, as he walked over to my side.

"I knew a shortcut here, plus I couldn't let Roseanna ride 'lone in the dark an' rain." I left out in her condition, but wit' the cuttin' look I gave I knew he silently got the hint.

He nodded 'fore sayin', "I'm sure Ma'll fire up the stove an' make coffee. Drink a few cups t'warm up."

"I'm wet an' soaked to the bone, coffee ain't gonna do shit to warm me up." I scoffed, rollin' my eyes at him. Yea, like a cup of coffee's really gonna warm my freezin' ass up.

Roseanna just quietly sat wit' her elbows on the table, eyes flitterin' 'tween me an' Cap. She was half-heartedly watchin' the interaction goin' on wit' me an' the one-eyed man by my side, leanin' gainst the table.

"Sit by the stove once it's on or start up a fire. Quicker ya get dry less likely you'll catch anythin' that can be brung home to Anna." I nodded at him, showin' him I understood. "Ya know if that crazy husband of yours hurts my brother…" Cap's deep rollin' timbre darkly trailed off, alludin' to the fact that if Johnse was dead then he'd put a bullet 'tween Tolbert's eyes.

"I know, now go on an' save Johnse." I told him, seein' his pa standin' by the doorway sayin' his assurances an' goodbyes to Levicy.

"Cap, let's go bring your brother home." Anse told his son, his voice deep an' demandin', 'fore walkin' out the front door.

Cap didn't say a word, just went over to the rack near the door to retrieve his black Stetson an' matchin' black coat. After quickly puttin' them on he rushed out the door. His heavy boot steps gettin' lost in the sound of the pourin' rain.

Levicy shut the door and turned to look at us. "Nova would you mind strikin' up a fire while I fire on the stove?" She asked me, her syrupy voice heavy wit' unkown dread, as she clutched tightly to the shawl 'round her shoulders.

I just nodded an' got up to do what I was asked.

"Do ya need me to do anythin'?" Roseanna peeped up.

"You've done 'nough. If it weren't for ya spreadin' your legs for my son like some two-bit whore your brothers wouldn't be gettin' ready t'kill him in a few hours." Levicy spat, her eyes fiery wit' blame an' contempt, as she began to load kindlin' into the wood stove in the corner by the front window.

Whoa. Mama Hatfield's pissed, but I can't say that I blame her. Even tho her words were harsh, they were true. If Roseanna wasn't pregnant Tolbert an' his brothers wouldn't be tryin' to kill Johnse right now.

"It weren't like that. I was savin' myself for a husband, but I loved Johnse an' he said that God knew we were married in the hearts since nobody was givin' permission for us t'marry." Roseanna explained, her voice low an' weak, as she looked at Levicy wit' a tremblin' lower lip.

"Roseanna, just be quiet right now. You're explanation's not helpin'." I sighed, my flowin' voice on edge, as I tossed some starter logs into the fireplace.

Roseanna just nodded her head meekly, slumpin' over the table to lean her chin over her crossed arms. Levicy quickly looked at me with approval in her eyes 'fore goin' back to startin' up the wood-stove. I grabbed a matchbox from the mantle on the fireplace an' lit up the starter logs 'fore addin' the larger firewood in. I could feel the heat hit my skin, warmin' me up, as the orangey-yellow flames began to crackle an' dance in the stone fireplace.

Takin' Caps advice I sat in front of the fireplace. Roseanna was poutin' an' never moved from her spot at the table. Levicy, once the stove was on an' coffee was brewed, poured us all a cup. She took a seat next to me in front of the fire. As we sipped on our coffee Levicy told me, "Anderson's a good man, he'll 'round up everyone an' get Johnse back alive. Your husband won't be a murderer."

"No, but Tolbert'll still be a hot-headed drunk." I scoffed, shakin' my head, while starin' at the glow comin' from the fireplace.

"I sense resentment in your voice." She pointed out, givin' me a tilted look. With a thin lined smile the middle aged woman suggested in her syrupy voice, "Perhaps you should talk to Sally, she's got the gift of sight an' maybe able t'see or sense somethin' 'bout the future with your husband."

My marriage won't last an' I'll have a family wit' somebody else. Yea, I'm not tellin' her that. "She's already told me things she's seen." Is what I did tell Mrs. Hatfield, in a polite manner might I add.

"Despite how religious of a man Ole Rand'l claims t'be, Sally's blessed with the gift and if she says she's seen somethin' heed her words. It'll most likely come to pass." Levicy told me as she sipped on our hot coffee in a room that was quiet, other than the peltin' sound of the heavy rain outside.

"I know." I sighed, my floin' tone void of emotion, 'fore revealin', "She told me I'd never have any boys named McCoy an' both my sons are dead an' buried in the ground."

Levicy just nodded her head, a sorrowful thin line crossin' over her face. She looked over her shoulder real quick at Roseanna 'fore lookin' at me an' sighin', "I don't think she's a bad person, but she's more trouble then what she's worth."

I agreed with the Hatfield matriarch. Roseanna was trouble for the Hatfields just like Johnse was trouble for the McCoys, their entire relationship was nothin', but trouble an' doomed from the start. Now lives hang in the balance cause of their foolishness.

Tolbert POV:

Johnse's hands were untied an' he was holdin' the bowl of stew Pharmer had just given him. Calvin was sittin' on a chair near our prisoner while Jim was in the corner wit' an old wool blanket ov'r his shoulders. Pharmer was sittin' in front of the fireplace fixin' himself up a heapin' bowl of stew while I sat on the stool next t'him, pistol in one hand an' my pocket watch in the other.

"Once yer dead an honorable man's gonna marry my sister." Calvin told Johnse, who just placed a spoonful of stew into his mouth.

"Who's that?" Johnse asked, his brow furrowed, as he wiped some stew off the corner of his mouth wit' his hand.

"Lawyer Perry Cline's offered to take my sister as his wife, claim her baby." Calvin informed him, causin' Johnse to drop his spoon in his bowl.

Johnse's face fell an' his brows rose as he trembled, "Havin' a man killed, takin' his woman an' child, that ain't honorable."

"One more hour t'go, Hatfield." I informed him, my smooth voice flat an' bored soundin', as I showed him my pocket watch.

I was ready for the next hour to arrive. I wanted him dead an' gone, he'd done too much t'wreak havoc on my family. Johnse treated my sister like shit an' soiled her honor. His charms caused her t'shame not just herself but our entire family. Wit' Johnse dead an' gone Roseanna can marry Perry, save her honor an' act like her time wit' the blonde dumbass was just a bad dream. Also, Johnse don't deserve t'live an' have a baby wit' my sister, not when it came 'bout the wrong way. Nope, he ain't gettin' a happy endin'. Why should he? I did ev'thin' right wit' Ella an' our baby boys are rottin' in the McCoy family cem'tary. I was makin' sure that things stayed fair, no way a Hatfield was gonna enjoy fatherhood wit' my sister an' play happy family when I'm goin' thru tragedies an' struggles wit' my wife an' family.

It's time that the Hatfields get served the hell that's been gettin' dished to us McCoys for years. Oh, dawn can't come fast 'nough.

AN:

Hope ya'll liked this chapter. I tried to keep it as close to the show as possible, but obviously the tweaks were Novella going to the Hatfields with Roseanna to get help and Tolbert's talk with Pharmer about his problems with Ella. Also, with the whole did Tolbert cheat or not thing I've decided to let you readers decided whether or not he did. Whatever you wanna think's fine with me, lol.