*Author's Note*

Thanks for all of the follows, faves, and reviews.

I decided to downplay Ransom's role for now since Moses is Bad Frank's deputy until further notice. For story purposes Moses is Bad Frank's personal deputy (being trained and learning the ropes, etc).


Selkirk McCoy, The Kin Killer

Nancy POV:

It's been a few days since my brother died and I still hadn't let Johnse back into the cabin. Right now, I didn't care what happened to him. His uncle, Jim Vance, killed my brother and my pap. He might say Cap shot Jefferson, but I know it was under Jim Vance's orders. Jim Vance is a crazy murderin' old coot, I know he was behind my brother's murder. I was so swallowed up in my grief that I hadn't et in days. I just stayed curled in bed, cryin' ov'r Jefferson's death; bein' left 'lone.

I missed my brother's funeral cause I was too shaken up t'go, but today I'd finally gotton outta bed an' cooked somethin' since I had too. My stomach was growlin' somethin' awful wit' hunger pains. I was at the small potbelly stove, scoopin' up some grits into a bowl, whenever the door flung open. I craned my neck to see who entered only to see my useless Hatfield husband mosey on in, half-drunk. Snarlin' my lip I demanded, "What're ya doin' here? I said I didn't want ya 'round me."

"Came t'see if you'd forgive me for what my family did, but guess not." He said in a bit of a timid tone, as if he was testin' the waters with me, as he shut the door.

"My brother got killed, I can't just forgive that so easily." I snapped, goin' over to the bed with my bowl of food. I glared at him while sittin' down, eatin' a spoonful of my grits.

"I know, darlin', I know." Johnse sighed, sittin' down at the small table in our one-room cabin. "I was at the still half-hour 'go whenever Alex Messer stopped by. Said that Selkirk's incognito now."

Selkirk's on the run now? Oh, how rich the kin killer hidin' somewhere instead of facin' how he betrayed an' murdered his own in cold blood. Puttin' on a fake, but concerned lookin' smile I asked, "Why? He's got a family, he wouldn't leave them without."

"He's scared of gettin' captured since his house is close to the Tug I guess, but he ain't leavin' his family without. He's workin' down in Peckleyville with an alias; sendin' the money back for his wife an' kids."

Aha, now I know how I can get revenge for my brother. I can go straight to Bad Frank Phillips and tell him what my drunken husband told me. I'm sure he'll promise me Jim Vance's head on a silver plater for what I know 'bout Selkirk, the kin killer.

"Oh…I hope his wife an' chil'ren are adjustin' without him." I told my husband with fake concern in my voice. I don't care bout Selkirk's family, only mine and it's broken now cause of the people he aligned himself with.

Johnse gave me this pathetic puppy dog eyed look. "Nancy, I know you're hurtin', but let me come home. Please."

"I'll let'cha come home, but you need'a know that your kin can't be attackin' me; violatin' me."

"I know, Nance, I know." He sighed, his head hangin' low in shame. Good, the bastard ought'a be ashamed by his family killin' mine.

Placin' my bowl on the bedside table I announced, "I'm gonna dress and go to town, get some groceries." Risin' from the bed, I went over to my dress drunk trunk. "I advise ya to get back to the still, make whiskey so we can have some money."

"Yes, darlin'." Johnse nodded 'fore standin' to his feet and leavin' our cabin.

My husband was a dumb gullible idiot. I don't see what Roseanna ever saw in him. I mean if I didn't have an agenda I wouldn't 've married 'im, but I need t'know what he knows so I can finally destroy the family that cause me so much pain. Only Johnse and his drunk babblin' can help me end the Hatfields.


Moses POV:

I've been dealin' with Bad Frank for half a week and I don't know how much I can take. The man was too picky when it came to posse signups. Hell, nearly everybody that tried to join the posse was turned 'way for one reason or another. So far the only people we had on the roster was Jim, Calvin, and Billy,but in my opinion they didn't count since they were McCoys. Blah, once again I was wastin' my day sittin' at a signup table next to Bad Frank. He was smokin' a cigar while I was smokin' a cigarette. At least I could smoke 'round my boss. He had a large glass mug of beer on the table within reach, which I also had in front of me since Bad Frank felt I was old 'nough t'drink (which Uncle Perry didn't feel the same way bout), as an old man walked up to the table.

"Name?" Bad Frank asked, pickin' up the pen off the table.

"Bob Moore." The old man said, causin' Bad Frank to write it down.

Lookin' 'tween his signup book and the man in front of us, my boss asked, "Why do you wanna join this posse?"

"I never did like Hatfields." Oh, now isn't that a wonderful reason to hunt down people.

"Ever been in the army?" By the looks of this old guy I'd say no.

"I tried to enlist, both sides, but I couldn't cause there was somethin' wrong with my genitals."

Me and Bad Frank shared a wide-eyed and disgusted look. Dear lord, the old fart was sharin' way too much 'bout himself. "Does it prevent ya from ridin' a horse?" Bad Frank asked, his face scrunched up a bit.

"Not anymore." For the love of god, no more. Shut up, Mr. Moore and go home. "I can shoot a rat's ass from 40-yards." The man bragged, holdin' his gun up in a mock shootin' position.

My boss shook his head while sarcastically tellin' the old man, "If I need ya for that I'll let'cha know."

Mr. Moore stormed off with an offended look on his face. The next man to step up to the table was a lanky man with rusty colored hair hangin' like a greasy rag from under his beat-up hat. "Name's Ransom Bray; I'm here to join the fight, but I wanna be your personal deputy."

Bad Frank tilted his head my way while remarkin', "I've already got a partner." Ranson Bray cut his eyes at me, clearly upset that I was holdin' the job he wanted. Hey, he could replace me for all I cared. I didn't actually want to work with Bad Frank so… "Got any law experience?"

"No, but I wanna learn the occupation." Ransom answered before leanin' a bit closer to the table. His head dipped slightly as he offered a bribe of, "If ya take me on I'll split my wages with you."

"I'll let Mr. Cline an' Mr. McCoy know bout you." Bad Frank told Ranson, makin' the man nod and walk off. Leanin' into me, my boss whispered in a slight chuckle, "I'll half his halfed wages wit'cha, partner."

"Sounds good t'me, boss." I smirked, noddin' at the man I loathed more than creamed corn.

The bartender, whose name I learned was Wiggins, rushed over to us. Stoppin' at Bad Frank's side, right as the next man in line made his way up to us, he bent down and remarked in a hushed tone, "Woman upstairs says she needs t'see ya; it's very important."

Bad Frank nodded at Wiggins, dimissin' him. As Wiggins walked off, goin' back to the bar to clean glasses or what not, Bad Frank stood up and announced, "Excuse me, gentleman." Lookin' at me he ordered, "Interview 'em, ya know what we're lookin' for."

"Sure thing." I nodded, watchin' my boss hobble off and up the stairs, nearly bumpin' into a whore descendin' the stairs. Turnin' my attention back to the men I asked the one next in line, "What's your name sir?"

Bad Frank POV:

I heard the young man take the next signee's name as I went upstairs. Mr. Cline's nephew, Moses, so far was provin' t'be a good partner. He was a nice lad, would grow into a fine lawman under my trainin'. He had chip on his shoulder, which I planned on usin' t'make him into the harsh deputy I'd need down the road.

I limped my way over to my room and walked thru the door only to see a dark-haired woman in a green bustle dress sittin' by the door, waitin' on me. I made my way over to the table next to her. Pourin' myself I drink I told her, "Man down stairs said you needed t'speak to me."

"How'd ya like t'know where Selkirk McCoy is? Traitor that killed his own kin." The lady's raspy voice rang out, her eyes glued onto her leather glove covered hands as they tightly clutched her drawstring bag.

"What'd ya want in return?" I asked with a raised brow, holdin' my shot glass mid-air, since it was in my experience that people don't give out tips without wantin' somethin' back. Most times it was money for information.

"For you to kill Jim Vance, man that did this to my face." She lifted her chin, turnin' her face so I could see that one side was marred and bruised. Such a pretty lady didn't deserve t'have her face bashed in. Her jaw hardened as she spat, "Worse then that, he killed my brother and my pap." Ah, so she must be Nancy McCoy rumored to be the black-eyed beauty of Kentucky.

I sipped on my drink before telling her, "Jim Vance's on the list. Eventually, we'll get him."

"Not just get him, kill him." Her oval face hardened as the last word she spoke went up in a high pitch seethe.

"Okay." I nodded, acceptin' her terms. I didn't mind promisin' t'kill Jim Vance for information of Selkirk McCoy. From the one time I met that mangy dog I couldn't stand him, wanted t'shoot him down.

"Selkirk's down in Peckleyville, workin' under a fake name." Nancy told me before risin' from her chair and walkin' out the door.

Peckleyville, never heard of it. Does she mean Peckville in Pennsylvania? That I've heard of. Hmm, she must. I downed the rest of my whiskey and then exited my room. I need to tell my deputy that we're goin' on a roadtrip t'bring in Selkirk McCoy.


Moses POV:

I had just finished signin' up some guy that I vaguely recognized from school, I think he was an 8th or 9th grader, but I wasn't too sure, whenever I saw Nancy McCoy (I refuse to acknowledge that nutty bitch as Hatfield) walk downstairs. She had a few bruises and lacerations of her face, that looked t'be from a whip, as she held her head up high. A cunnin' an' calculated look was on her face as her black eyes met my cerulean blues. Her lips curled up into a smirk that looked predatory 'fore noddin' at me and makin' her way to the exit of the saloon.

It was as clear as day that she was silently lettin' me know that A-she approved of my job workin' with Bad Frank and B-she had tilted the tides and given my boss some dire information needed in the hunt for the Hatfields.

Creak, creak, creak, echoed out in the air as Bad Frank hobbled down the stairs. "Men, we'll have t'carry on tomorrow. Me and my deputy's got a kin killer t'go pick up." He told the men as he came to a stop next to the table, leanin' 'gainst it.

Oh shit, Nancy told him where to find Selkirk at. Damnit, Johnse must've been told where he went and passed it onto his hateful wife. With a solid look on my face, makin' sure no emotion cracked thru, I rose from my seat and told Bad Frank, "Are we gonna take that Ransom guy as back up or go ourselves?"

"We're goin' ourselves. I haven't seen Mr. Cline and Mr. McCoy 'bout him yet, plus we can handle Selkirk McCoy." Bad Frank told me as we made our way out of the saloon and over to our horses at the hitchpost.

Eh, I was 'fraid of that. "Okay, so where we goin'?" I asked as we unhitched an' mounted our horses.

"Peckville, Pennsylvania." My boss simply told me as we began to trot down the road.

Oh my god, this is gonna be a long day. Hell, a long couple of days since I assume goin' to Pennsylvania's gonna be a long ride since we gotta go up to Ohio and then cross over into Pennsylvania. Damnit…just what I don't need, a road trip with Bad Frank.


When we arrived in Peckville it was late so we got a room at a small inn for the night. I was tempted to go warn Selkirk, but I didn't cause I didn't want to get caught. I was too far from home to get into trouble. No, I just wallowed in my guilt, tossin' and turnin' all night til I finally fell asleep.

"Wake up, Moses." Bad Frank ordered, slammin' my door open with a loud bang. "I got'cha 'nother gun and a double holster, like mine."

"Why?" I yawned, rubbin' sleep out of my eyes.

"Cause every good lawman needs two guns. Shoulder holster's better too, easier t'get the guns in a jam."My boss told me, hobblin' over and droppin' the items he bought onto my lap

"Okay, but why get me 'em?" I asked, pickin' up my new colt and double shoulder holster.

"Cause your my deputy and I'm trainin' ya the right way. Told ya, I'm showin' ya the ropes." Okay, that answer made perfect sense. "Now get dressed, we gotta get Selkirk." Bad Frank told me before hobblin' out of my room, givin' me my privacy.

Oh my, he's serious 'bout turnin' me into a gritty deputy. I let out a silent sigh, got up, and quickly dressed. I put my holster on and placed my guns into it before leavin' my room and makin' my way downstairs. Bad Frank was leanin' 'gainst the main door, waitin' for me. I took a deep breath and made my way over to the outlaw turned my lawman boss. "Ready t'go, boss." I told him, just wantin' to get arrestin' Selkirk over with.

Bad Frank nodded his head and headed right out the door. As I followed him out onto the street he told me, "Found out that a new man callin' himself Big Will came to town few days 'go and he's workin' at Shiftletts Store."

"It's Selkirk." I stated, pickin' up right away that's what he was gettin' at with tellin' me 'bout Big Will workin' at the general store.

"Yea." Bad Frank nodded, leadin' the way to the back of the store. I didn't say a word, just followed him. Right as Selkirk came into view, loadin' up a barrel into the back of a wagon with some guy, Bad Frank whispered, "Draw your guns, we're goin' in." I nodded and did what I was told since I didn't have a choice. "Selkirk McCoy, the kin killer." Bad Frank loudly announced, a slight chuckle laced in his voice, as we approached my cousin.

Selkirk looked at us while calmly sayin' "You're mistaken. Name's Big Will."

I figured Cap told him how I was stuck workin' with Bad Frank since he didn't seem to shocked to see me.

"Cut the horseshit. We both know you're Selkirk McCoy." Bad Frank barked right as the man workin' with Selkirk grabbed a rifle from the wagon. The man couldn't even aim the gun at Bad Frank good 'fore gettin' shot by my boss.

"I'm givin' myself up." Selkirk quickly announced as his friend dropped dead on the floor. "I don't got no gun." He pulled his jacket opened, revealin' no holsters or guns.

Cockin' his pistol Bad Frank stated, "Doubt a man that murdered his cousins is just gonna go in without a fight."

Oh god, this is escalatin' quickly. I couldn't step in cause then I'd give myself up; break my cover, but I also didn't want my cousin that I liked to get hurt. Oh god, I'm caught 'tween a rock and a hard place. I just held my guns on Selkirk, tryin' to show him with the sleight of hand that my thumbs weren't on the hammer of my guns, but just hoverin' 'bove it.

With his hands raised Selkirk trembled loudly, "I got my hands up, surrendin'."

"I'll let ya defend yourself, give ya til the count of three." Bad Frank taunted, hobblin' closer to the frightened and unarmed man.

I looked at Selkirk and then quickly to the floor, silently tellin' him to lay on it in surrender. Selkirk trembled before annoucnin', "I'm gettin' on the floor." Good, he was takin' my cue.

"Don't do it, Mister. Ain't right." A boy 'bout my age said, standin' in the open doorway, as me and Bad Frank came up on Selkirk.

"You ain't worth the price of my bullet." Bad Frank mocked Selkirk, kickin' him with his boot.

"Yes, Sir. Uh, I mean no, Sir." Selkirk trembled in fear as Bad Frank motioned for me to get our prisoner off the floor.


It was late, some time past midnight, whenever we got back to town with our prisoner, who was stuck ridin' on my horse. After we placed Selkirk into his jail cell Bad Frank went to his room at the saloon while I went home, only to discover that my Uncle Perry was already asleep. Knowin' I had to get word to the Hatfields 'bout Selkirk's capture, I slipped out the back door, got on my horse, and rode over to Mate Creek. When I reached Nova and Cap's house, I was exhausted, but hitched my horse at the post and drug my ass up the porch anyways. Once I reached the door, I pounded on it while shoutin', "It's Mo, open up! Open up, it's urgent!"

Novella POV:

"It's Mo, open up! Open up, it's urgent!" My brother's shout paired with his poundin' on my front door woke me up.

I sat up in bed right as my husband stirred, makin' to get up too. Placin' a hand on his shoulder, stoppin' him, I said, "Stay here and go back t'sleep. I'll see what Moses wants."

"Mhm." Cap sleepily nodded 'fore layin' back down, burryin' his face into his pillow.

Quickly I got out of bed and grabbed my housecoat. As I was puttin' it on I heard my brother pound on the door 'gain while shoutin', "Open up! It's Moses; it's important!" Thank god my daughter sleeps with her bad ear up or else she'd be wide 'wake right now. I slipped on my slippers and quickly left my room. It only took me a few quick strides to reach the door. Flingin' it open gave my brother a curious look. "It's past 1 o'clock in the mornin', what's wrong?"

"Me and Bad Frank arrested Selkirk, just brought him into the Pikeville jail 'bout an hour 'go." Moses revealed, an apologetic look painted all over his face.

"What in Sam's Hill? How'd he find out where he was hidin' at? He was incognito."

"Nutty Nancy paid Bad Frank a visit yesterday in his room." Moses told me, givin' me a raised brow look that insisted that Nancy found out from Johnse 'bout Selkirk and then relayed the information to Bad Frank. I just nodded, a solemn look on my face as I bit my lip. "She can't be trusted."

"Go home, Moses." I told my brother in a sharp sigh. Placin' my hand on his shoulder I assured him, "I'll tell Cap what happened."

"Okay, but be careful on how much Johnse knows. One wrong slipup could get ya'll killed or taken in." Moses told me, his tone dead serious, 'fore pivotin' on his heel and stompin' down the porch steps.

I watched my brother get on his horse and ride off before goin' back inside. Once I made it back to my bedroom, I took off my housecoat and placed it on a small trunk near my side of the bed. I slipped out my slippers, pulled back the blanket, and then got into bed. I had just laid down whenever my husband mumbled out, "What'd he want?"

I let out a long sigh 'fore answerin' with, "Bad Frank got tipped off by Nancy on where to find Selkirk. Mo an' him just got back maybe an hour 'go from arrestin' him; they took him to the jail in Pikeville."

"But Selkirk was in Pennsylvania. Near an area pa's got a huntin' cabin at." Cap's voice echoed out deeply in our room.

"Yea, well, they rode there t'get him."

"And he said Nancy gave the whereabouts to Bad Frank?" He asked as if he couldn't believe that's how the gun for hire got his information. I don't see what's hard to believe 'bout it. The evil, hateful, cunnin' bitch is married to Johnse, she's got a way to find out just 'bout anythin' on our family.

"Yep." I popped my tongue.

"Shit…" Cap's deep rollin' voice trailed off. In a heavy sigh he concluded, "Johnse told her."

"I know." I sighed, slidin' closer to my husband. Restin' my head on his chest, I told him, "Mo's afraid that if Johnse knows things he'll let 'em slip to Nancy resultin' in our death or capture."

"I'll talk t'pa 'bout it." Cap assured me, placin' a calloused hand protectively on my growin' belly. "Go back t'sleep, sweetlin'." He ordered in a soft, but tight, tone before kissin' me on the head.

I just nodded, knowin' that Cap was done talkin' or wantin' to talk 'bout Moses' news, and closed my eyes. The risin' and fallin' of my husband's chest under my ear lulled me into a dreamless sleep.


AN:

Poor Selkirk, he's in jail now. He's gonna be locked up for a long time. Anyways next up is that barroom brawl between Johnse and Uncle Jim, YAY!