Six Months Earlier

"Stephen Austin?"

Lily marched up to the middle aged man with much more confidence than she felt. She was sure this was Austin but she waited nervously for him to look up. It had to be him. She couldn't imagine there was another man in an army camp this clean.

He looked up from his horse then down at her. She planted her hands on her hips authoritatively while he looked her up and down. She was grateful that her clothes had managed to remain at least somewhat clean on her ride from Coahuila. A simple white blouse missing the top button and brown suede skirt held up with a black leather belt she'd stolen from her father's bag as well as an old pair of cowboy boots and her grandmother's gold pocket watch that hung from around her neck. Looking decent and strong would probably help her more than it could hurt her for this conversation.

"Yes I am. Who's asking?"

She offered a hand which he gladly shook. "Mr. Austin, I'm Lily May Houston. I wantch ya to make me a ranger."

There was a chorus of laughter from behind them where a group of men stood around a hitching post. Lily side eyed them in annoyance but said nothing. While Austin shut them up quick with a warning look. Turning back to her he wore a patronizing smile that made her feel even more like a child despite him being the only man she'd ever met she had to look down at. "Now ma'am why would a pretty thing like you want to be a ranger?"

"Same reason the rest of your men do I suppose. Texas has gotta have some protection. Specially now."

"Houston? You're the general's daughter right?" He craned his neck to peer over her shoulders for any sight of her father. Obviously hoping for someone else to tell her to stop bothering the officers and send her to the medical tent. "I am." As she spoke Austin met Major General Sam Houston's eyes over his daughter's shoulder pleading for help. Sam smiled at the scene, offering only a shrug before disappearing inside his tent followed by officers Baker and Sherman.

Austin was left by his lonesome to deal with the brazen young woman.

"And you're father is alright this conversation?"

"You leave my father to me Mr. Austin. Now, I repeat. Make me a Texas Ranger."

A snort from one of his men went ignored. "Now ma'am. I'm not sure you fully understand. Being a ranger is more than simply riding a horse and knowing how to shoot a gun." He eyed her up and down like he didn't expect she had ever touched a gun. He didn't know about the pistol strapped to her thigh underneath that skirt. "It's about-"

"Protecting the settlers of Texas? Defending the territory from the Comanches and mexican troops? Helping the army fight and win battles against El Presidente General Santa Anna? May he be sent to hell and rot."

Lily could visibly see Austin grinding his teeth, trying to flex his jaw and open them and speak properly to her. "It's a dangerous, trying job that is suited for men. It just works better for everyone that way." She cocked her head to the side and spoke with an even voice, looking him straight in the eye. "I wasn't aware that shooting a gun required a penis."

Austin's face dropped instantly, he flushed red and not from the Texas sun. Behind him there were more snikers. Lily May smirked thinking she won. She was never dreamed the father of Texas would react the way he did.

"Now listen here little missy! I will not be talked to that way in front of my men and I will certainly not tolerate such language from a woman who does not know her place! If you would like to help the cause then there is a medical tent to my left, the doctor could use another nurse. Though God help anyone who had you holding their life in your hands. And in the meantime no woman will ever work for my rangering company so long as it in action!"

He shoved past her fist clenched by his sides before he could do something he regretted ignoring the hell fire burning in Lily's eyes and her own white knuckled fist. Her face was flushed in anger and embarrassment she hadn't been able to fully brace herself for. She then remembers her audience. A line of rangers each watching her with their own expressions of curiosity and amusement.

"Gentlemen." She nodded respectfully before turning on her heels.

"Ma'am." They nodded back, some even tipping their hats respectfully.

Lily May rushed for the safety of her tent, away from anyone who may have witnessed her conversation with Austin. She was embarrassed, but she was nowhere near done.