Warning…there will be some discipline in both parts of this chapter…Nate pushes beyond the limit of Raylan's endurance and the marshal reacts to worst fear a parent can have.

I Wanna Be Like You part I

"Arlo this is your grandson Nate," Raylan begrudgingly introduced. He hadn't been looking forward to this but Helen had called and had really wanted to meet Nate. He felt after everything she had done for him throughout his years he at least owed her a visit and unfortunately Arlo was part of the package. He had no desire for his son to have any type of relationship with his father and didn't plan on any regular visits.

Raylan had given his son a broad overview as to why father and son didn't get along and made sure the boy understood never to believe anything his grandfather told him. He also had no intention of ever leaving his son alone with his father. Nate seemed to take it all in stride as he sat patiently in the living room of the house in Harlan County.

"I know who he is, who else would you be toting around. The last time I saw you, you was just a baby, right before your mama lit out of here like she was on fire." Arlo stated.

Nate just stared his eyebrows shot up at his grandfather's terminology. "Spoken like a true Kentuckian."

Arlo wasn't quite sure what Nate had meant. "You look some like her but I see lots of your daddy in there too. I sure hope you don't act like him." He said giving his son a dirty look.

"How about some lemonade," Helen offered not waiting for either Raylan or Nate to reply.

"I can't drink lemonade, too much acid."

Helen looked confused. "He can't drink most fruit juices the acidity in the fruit irritates him." Raylan interjected.

"Oh, well then what would you like?"

"Nothing, I'm fine," Nate said shifting in the chair.

"Well how about a chocolate chip cookie then?"

"I can't have chocolate, the caffeine is a problem."

"He's on a very restricted diet," Raylan stated.

"So I see; poor boy. Does it help your…your condition?"

Nate merely shrugged. "They tell me it does, but my life still sucks."

"Spoken like a true man and a Kentuckian." Arlo quipped.

"Great I've already turned," Nate said sighing.

"So do you like Lexington?" Helen asked.

Nate shrugged again. "It's okay I guess."

"How about school? Have you made any friends yet? It's got to be hard to start late in the year."

"So far it's boring, no friends, not yet and yes it is hard starting late. They even start in July, because it's year round."

"Oh my, that is early. But I'm sure you'll make lots of friends soon," she assured, patting his knee.

After an hour of back and forth conversation Raylan decided it was time to wrap up the visit, Nate was about to explode if he had to sit and answer any more questions and he didn't want Arlo to feel as if he would ever truly be a part of his grandsons life. So they packed up and headed out to the yard where Nate once again paused at the miniature graveyard. "There's one for you," he pointed out.

"I know, I never liked it either."

"Are you going to be buried here?"

"That my son is up to you."

"It is?" he asked wide eyed.

"Yes it is, you put me where you think its best."

"Right by my side for a long time," the boy responded.

"Fine choice."

"But you have to try and fulfill it."

"Will do partner, will do," he said swiping his fingers over the brim of his hat.

They headed away from the homestead when Raylan got a call. He kept his answers short but Nate feared he was being called to a scene and he would end up back with Arlo and Helen. Finally he disconnected and smiled at his son. "Have to make a quick stop."

"It's Sunday, you aren't supposed to work on Sunday," Nate admonished.

"I know kiddo but they just need another set of eyes for a minute and it isn't very far from here. So I'll go take a look and then we'll go home."

"Yeah right." Nate said snidely.

"Now don't be that way."

Nate reached over and took his dad's hat and placed it on his own head where it instantly fell around the boys eyes. He looked down and kicked the dirt in frustration and then climbed into the car. "Wake me when it's over."

Raylan drove for a few more minutes and followed the winding road down to where a group of marshal's had convened. "Sorry to bring you in on your day off," Art said as Raylan got out of the car. "This was supposed to be the ATF's deal but they got hung up on another matter. Otis Guthrie and his crew are said to be in the woods not far from here. He's wanted on a warrant concerning some illegal gun running. His posse is said to be flush with weapons and the desire to overthrow our government starting with Frankfort," Art explained. "It might be helpful to have you here Raylan since you're a bit more familiar with the area."

"Sure, I just have to make a call and have somebody pick up my son," he said nodding towards the car.

"Rachel isn't far, she can take him back with her," Art said peering over at the car.

"Sure," Raylan agreed going around to the passenger side. He opened the door and took his hat back.

"Let me guess you're staying and I'm going."

"They need me here, Rachel from the office is on her way and she'll take you to our house and sit with you until I get back."

"She can drop me off, I'm not a baby."

"No you're not a baby, but I want her with you, besides what will she do if she's not with you?"

"Marshal stuff like you're gonna do."

"Just sit tight for a bit." Raylan said taking back custody of his hat.

"Like I have choice," Nate sighed leaning back into the seat.

Raylan joined Art who took out the map and had it spread out on the hood of a car. "We think the group is right around here," he pointed. "But I sure wish I had confirmation, going in blind is not a good choice out here in these woods. I want Tim towards the front with you Raylan, but the trees, while they'll help cover us will also make for a tough shot."

The group continued to discuss the best way to attack the situation and had become so involved they didn't even hear Rachel drive up. "So where's your son?" she asked walking towards the group.

"He's in the car," Raylan said.

"No he's not," she countered.

Raylan looked over at the Lincoln his eyebrows knitted together in concern. "He's probably laying down in the backseat."

"I checked; he's not in there."

"He probably just stepped out to pee or something," Tim offered.

"How long has it been since we began discussing our plans?" Raylan asked.

"A good twenty minutes I'd say," Art replied.

"Shit," Raylan said looking around. He took his hat off and sighed, a bad feeling taking hold.

"Why do you say that?" Art asked concerned.

Raylan stepped towards the tree line just as his phone rang. He looked at the caller ID and relaxed. "Where are you?" But he was met with the sound of rustling and then finally very faintly his sons voice.

"What?" Tim asked backing out of Raylan's way as he rushed over to his car and stuck the auxiliary cable into his phone and cranked up the volume.

"Hey boy what are you doing here?" A voice rang out.

"Hello, what are you guys doing, is this like a hunting camp or no, it's like an outdoor man cave right? My father wanted his in the basement but my mother said no so he added on to the garage and I'm not even invited in there," Nate babbled using his very best Floridian accent.

"Who are you?" the disembodied voice asked.

"My names Mark O'Brien."

"What are you doing here?"

"We're on a trip, we live in Florida but my mom is tired of not having all four seasons so she wants to move back to Maine but my dad says that's too far north so he is trying to talk her into Kentucky. He likes all the hills."

"How old are you?"

"Ten."

Raylan shook his head. "What is he doing?" Tim asked.

"Telling him he's younger so he is less of a threat."

"No what is he doing?"

"He took off into the woods to get a line on where their camp is. He must have overheard our concerns, so he's pretending to be some stupid lost kid while he gets a look at their set up. He has his phone on mute so we can't be heard but we can pick up his conversation."

"Are you kidding me?" Art snapped. "Just great, I get two for the price of one. Please tell me you didn't orchestrate this?"

Raylan looked as if he had been slapped and Art instantly regretted his accusation. "Shhh," Rachel said causing them all to listen once again to the conversation.

"So why are you out here by yourself?"

"My parents pulled off at a scenic overlook up the road so they could argue about the whole moving thing, I guess they prefer to yell in the midst of beauty. But nobody seemed to care what I thought so I just left. Heck they probably aren't even aware I'm gone. So what to you guys do out here? Do you get to hunt and stuff? My dad wants to hunt, that's part of the reason he want to move here. He's in computer software so it doesn't matter where we live, but I personally just want to go back to Florida."

"Kids good," Rachel commented. "He keeps them off balance by talking nonstop."

"His demeanor is so calm, likes he's been doing undercover work since he was two." Tim added.

Raylan merely glared at them.

"So I guess I better turn around and go back before they have a fit. It was nice meeting you guys, I hope you have fun without your wives and all."

"Hey kid," came a familiar voice.

"I think that's Otis," Art said.

"Be cool Nate," Raylan whispered.

"Yeah."

"Don't mention you saw us here."

"Sure, I wouldn't want to ruin your man cave experience. Have fun."

They heard a few voices rumbling in the back ground and then just the sound of Nate walking in the woods. They all held their breaths praying they didn't hear a gunshot. The air was clear of sound other than Nate's steady pace.

"Keep your same pace, don't run and don't reach for your phone," Raylan said to his son who couldn't hear him. "What if they have somebody following him?"

"Then they'll be in for a hell of a surprise when they get here." Art said. "Tim take the western edge of the trail and if anybody is following him or looking the least bit menacing shoot them."

Raylan looked pale and like he might vomit at any time. He continued to listen to the quiet noise emanating from the phone. He had sat down in the driver's seat turned so his legs were outside the car he took his hat off and smoothed his hair back. He looked up at Art who did his best to bury his anger and disbelief to give Raylan a sympathetic look. He desperately wanted to explain the similarities of how Raylan was feeling as to how Art felt when the marshal pulled one of his stunts, but he wasn't the type to kick a man when he was down. Suddenly Tim came out of the woods and announced that all was clear and Nate wasn't far behind. Raylan suddenly shot up and headed towards the trees.

Art motioned Tim over. "I want you to grab Raylan when Nate comes out; he needs a minute to collect himself before he can get his hands on his son." Tim nodded and moved towards Raylan.

Finally the small frame of the younger Givens appeared and as ordered Tim grabbed Raylan. Nate looked scared as he tried to work up a face full of contrition. He stood frozen; much like his father had been only moments before. "I'm fine," Raylan assured as he spun out of Gutterson's grasp.

Nate wanted to step backwards but he held his ground. His father looked more imposing than ever as his face was rock hard in anger and disappointment. Suddenly Raylan's hand shot out and crashed across his son's face. The sound seemed to reverberate off the surrounding trees. Before anybody could react the marshal had kneeled down and scooped his son up and pulled him close holding onto him for dear life. It was clear as the man buried his head into his son that he was doing his best not to lose it. His coworkers stepped back giving the small family the privacy they needed.