*Author's Note*

Thank you for all the follows, favs, and reviews.

Alive, But Barely

Shaw POV:

Dawn was breakin' and I haven't slept a wink. Neither has my wife, who's been by Ellison's side since he was brought to the house. Well, the real reason why she wouldn't leave his side was cause Cotton wouldn't leave. Jessa felt so much compassion for my slow-minded cousin, that we agreed to take on as our own once Ellison crossed over the Jordan, that she was determined to sit with him and support him as he watched his daddy fade before his innocent eyes. Of course, my love for my wife made me stay by her side.

I knew that the men in the family weren't too thrilled that I wasn't patrolling the grounds, but I didn't care. My family needed me for moral support in this hard time. My family being Jessa and Cotton since I vowed to look after him; protect him. I didn't give a shit what people (kin or not) thought 'bout me. Honestly, I don't think that I ever really did.

The sound of rustling in the kitchen gained my attention, so I looked at my wife and told her in a soft whisper (so Cottton wouldn't wake up since he was out like a light in the chair by Ellison's bedside), "I'm gonna go see if Levicy needs any help in the kitchen." Pointing to Cotton's sleeping form, I added in, "Stay here and watch him. Okay."

"Okay." Jessa nodded as I stood up, my back achin' and crickin' as I did.

I couldn't help, but to give Cotton a sad line of a smile before walkin' out of the room. Upon enterin' the kitchen I saw Levicy puttin' on a pot of coffee. "Need any help with breakfast, Levicy?" I asked her, causin' her to turn around and look at me.

"I'd appreciate it, but ya don't have to." She told me before going over to a cabinet to grab a bowl, no doubt to make biscuit dough in.

"I don't mind helpin' in the kitchen. In fact, cookin' seems to clear my mind an' bring me a sense of peace." I told her, walking further into the room.

Levicy went over the corner counter, where the dry goods cannisters were at, while making the remark of, "Oh…well, then you're more than welcomed to help."

Before she could even open up the flour cannister and fil her bowl up with it, I bluntly, but politely, told the Hatfield matriarch, "I don't wanna overstep, but I think with a large amount of men here that needs feed that a heepin' mountain of flap jacks with scrambled eggs and slices of salt pork might be easier and less time consuming to make."

She nodded her head, showing me that she agreed with my remark, as she set the bow down on the counter. "I see you've spent 'nough time helpin' your mama out in the kitchen to make quick meal plans for large crowds."

"Yea…" I trailed off a bit uneasily since my mom was a sore spot for me. I never really grieved for her, at least not properly, since I dove head first into raising my siblings and startin' up a business. I didn't like takin' 'bout my mom, unless it was in the safe haven of my bedroom with Jessa during one of our soul baring sessions.

"I'll go collect some more eggs, leavin' ya to make those flapjacks."

Nova POV:

It was mid-morning and I was at the McCoys' with my husband, father, and uncle. We'd gone over in order to bring Randall a writ from Judge Tobias Wagner, that Uncle Perry got his friend to procure, stating that Sherriff Maynard has the legal right to ride into West Virginia to retrieve Pharmer, Bud, and Bobby Belcher. My father and my husband both pointed out that it'd be easier to just give the writ to the sherriff, but Uncle Perry, ever the sly lawyer, was adamant on giving the decree to Randall so that he could bring it to Sherriff Maynard himself and demand justice.

Of course, the Belcher's were at the McCoy house too. Ole man Belcher was a useless drunk that made his wife take in laundry to support them with. Most of his sons were useless drunks too and his daughters had all taken up with the first man to show them an interest in order to get out of their house. Their youngest child, Bobby, was the jackass that started a fight and got Pharmer and Bud wrapped up in a murder. Safe to say, I didn't like the McCoys' neighbors.

I was sitting at the table with my children and my husband while all of the McCoys and the Belchers gathered 'round the kitchen in anticipation as they watched Uncle Perry and my dad stop right in front of Randall and Mr. Belcher. The two worried fathers stood up and politely greeted my uncle and dad.

"I know you're worried for your boys since they were taken from the sherriff's custody yesterday, but I assure you-" My dad began to tell the men only to be cut off by Jim McCoy askin', "Since they were kidnapped illegial why can't we take 'em back same way?"

"We can't, it'd be a bloodbath." My dad told Jim while at the same time my uncle said, "Getting the boys back must be done legally or else it won't hold up."

"Done legal. Hell, the law ain't worth a bucket a spit."

Billings looked at me and remarked lowly under his breath, "And these are the people I represent. No wonder we're the laughing stock in the capital." I cut my eyes at him and kicked his shin underneath the table. "Ow…" He hissed while Sally held her youngest daughter while standing by the door that led to the master bedroom with Mrs. Belcher by her side.

"Oh, sweet Jesus, what have they done?"

"Please, Lawyer Cline, ya gotta get our boys back."

"I've got a writ, right here, from Judge Tobias Wagner stating that Sherriff Maynard has the legal right to ride into West Virginia to legally take the boys back here to Kentucky." Uncle Perry announced, taking the piece of paper out of his pocket, unfolding it, and showing it to Randall and Mr. Belcher.

Mr. Belcher's eyes shined with hope while Randall just nodded his head. Pointin' to Jim, he said, "Ride to Pikeville with Perry and bring that legal paper to Sherriff Maynard." Turnin' to his other son, he ordered, "Calvin, stay 'ere with your mother."

Randall walked out of the kitchen an' grabbed his hat off of the hook it was hangin' on by the door. "Poppy, ya can't be thinkin' of goin' ov'r there."

"If I go 'lone an' unarmed he'll do me no harm." Randall assured his son as he placed his hat on his head.

"I'll join ya, Rand'll. Devil Anse's got my boy too." Mr. Belcher told Randall as he opened the door and stepped out of it. Quickly, Mr. Belcher followed his neighbor out the door.

Jim, Uncle Perry, my dad, Calvin, Sally, and Mrs. Belcher all rushed out of the house and gathered on the porch to watch Randall and Mr. Belcher mount their horses and ride off. I didn't go outside to see them off and neither did my husband. No, we just stayed inside with our chil'ren (sitting at the kitchen table). I knew that this tragedy was damnin' for the McCoys and my family as well. It was also damning for my father's friendship with Sully; might also be damnin' for Roseanna and Johnse's marriage too. My husband on the other hand was only concerned with how bad this feud's bloodshed made him look politically up in the capitol. He's already known as the senator from the crazy hillbilly district, but now…well…he'll be known as the senator from the district full of blood feudin' and murderous hillbillies.

Cap POV:

Nobody got any sleep last night. Pa had everyone guardin' the house in case the McCoys tried to come bust out their boys. Well, everyone, but Shaw was guardin' the house. That bastard was inside helpin' Jessa with Uncle Ellison an' ma wit' makin' meals and whatnot. I felt that he needed t'be outside with the rest of us men, but reckon he must've charmed pa real good in order to get permission to stay in the house.

Damn fuckin' bastard had the gift of gab an' charm oozin' from him like a goddamn overflowin' river.

I was patrolin' the pathway the merged onto the road whenever I saw Ol' Randa'll McCoy an' Mr. Belcher ridin' up. They were unarmed; most likely comin' by to try an' talk pa into lettin' their blood thirsty sons go. I walked up to them, Winchester slung ov'r my shoulder, an' ordered, "State your business here, men."

"We're here t'see Devil Anse 'bout our sons."

Yea, I figured as much, but just wanted confirmation 'fore I led them down to the house. Noddin', I simply ordered, "Follow me.", 'fore turnin' 'round an' leadin' them down the path an' past the countless number of guards towards the house. They were a foot or so 'hind me as I reached the house. I didn't bother to look ov'r my shoulder to see where they were as I walked up the porch steps. I just knew that they were hitchin' up their horses. "Pa, Randall McCoy an' Roland Belcher's here to see ya." I announced t'my pa as I walked thru the front door.

Pa, who was sittin' at the table talkin' to ma an' smokin' his pipe, let out a sigh 'fore standin' up. Wit'out a word, he walked ov'r to the door. Mama followed right 'hind him. 'Fore I went to go join 'em outside I noticed that Jessa was tendin' to Ellison, who looked just 'bout ready t'die, while Shaw sat next to Cotton wit' his arm slung ov'er my cousin. I couldn't help, but to feel jealous an' angry that he was wit' Cotton instead of me. I chould be the one comfortin' him, not Shaw the black heart. Hell…

I just shook my 'head 'fore steppin' outside onto the porch that was occupied wit' Johnse, Uncle Jim, Lark, Frenchie, Uncle Wall, Pa, and Ma. Randa'll an' Mr. Belcher were standin' on the ground right by the porch steps, lookin' up at pa with desperation in their eyes. "We've come unarmed to talk 'bout our sons."

Pa nodded and pulled his pipe out of his mouth. "Your sons stabbed my brother ov'r and ov'r 'gain; then shot him." He told the men while makin' a stabbin' motion in the air wit' his pipe.

"We're sorry 'bout that, but the punishment for that crime's same 'ere as in Kentucky." Roland Belcher said, tryin' to sound remorseful for his son's actions even tho I bet he wasn't. He just didn't want his son to die once my uncle did.

"How is your brother, Ellison, by the way?" Rand'll asked even tho he knew full well how my uncle was doin'. Hell, didn't take a whole bucket of brains t'know that he was dyin' from his wounds.

Pa an' Uncle Jim shared a pointed look 'fore he turned to McCoy an' flatly answered, "Alive, but barely."

"I pray that he recovers." Rand'll said wit' a small tip of his hat out of respect. He can shove his prays an' respect up his ass, my uncle don't need 'em.

"Yes, so do I." Mr. Belcher added in, causin' my pa to just roll his eyes.

"So, all still believe in prayin'?" Pa asked, his voice hard an' stoic as he looked at the men standin' below him.

Mr. Belcher just nodded while Rand'll answered wit', "Yes, I do."

"Then we'll leave it in the hands of the almighty." Pa told the men standin' across from him, earnin' him raised brow looks. "If my brother recovers then ya'll get your boys back, but if he dies…if he dies then they'll stay 'ere to face justice." Pa explained, nearly chokin' up at the thought of Uncle Ellison dyin'.

"Is there anythin' we can say or do t'mova ya from that?" Belcher asked while McCoy just looked at pa with wide eyes.

"No." Pa simply, but gruffly answered/

"Can we see 'em?" Rand'll asked while Mr. Belcher just stood next to him wit' a look of pure shock an' despair on his face.

"No." Pa repeated with the same gruffness he used a moment ago.

"Then can their mothers see 'em?" McCoy asked while Belcher looked ready to drop to his knees and either cry or curse both my father an' god.

Pa looked ov'r his shoulder at my ma, who was standin' next to me by the wall right by the doorjamb, silently askin' her what she thought on the matter wit' his eyes. She nodded, causin' him to turn back to the fathers standin' in front of the porch and give 'em the answer of, "Yes, we'll send for her."

"Thank ya, Mister Hatfield." Belcher said in a sorrowful tone 'fore goin' ov'r to his horse.

Rand'll McCoy's jaw was clenched as he went ov'r to his horse. Quickly, he unhitched it an' mounted it. Right when Belcher was ready t'give Randa'll the single to go, the latter looked at my pa an' spat loudly, "I rue the day I saved your life, Devil Anse. May god damn your eternal soul."

"God had nothin' to do wit' it, Rand'll. We saved each other that day cause's that's what men do in war." Pa snarled at Rand'll, angrily pointin' his pipe at him while ma tugged at his arm in an attempt to drag him into the house; away from a confrontation. Pa jerked his arm out of ma's grasp an' marched ov'r to me. 'Fore I even realized what was happenin', he yanked my rifle from my hands an' went ov'r to the edge of the porch. Cockin' and aimin' the rifle towards Rand'll, he lowly warned, "If ya bring up god one more time, Rand'll, ya won't be makin' it back t'Kentucky alive."

Rand'll looked like a swallowed his teeth, he was so frightened by pa's threat. Wit'out a word, Rand'll guided his horse 'way from the hitch-post; causin' Mr. Belcher t'follow right 'hind him. As they trotted 'way from the house Uncle Jim stood up from his sot perched on the porch steps an' followed them while loudly cacklin', "I hope all your kin an' friends an' babies come up 'ere tryin' to bust the boys out so we can kill 'em all at one time instead of draggin' it out."

"Uncle Jim, sit down an' shut up!" Pa ordered in a low, but menacin' shout.

Uncle Jim begrudin'ly did as he was told an' went back ov'r to the porch steps an' took a seat. All of us on the porch just watched Rand'll an' Mr. Belcher ride off. Half-way to the road they stopped their horse to look back an' wave at their murderous sons holed up in the barn since they heard their boys screamin' and callin' out to them from their makeshift prison.

Shaw POV:

I heard the loud shouts of "Poppy!" and "Poppy, we're in here!" echo out loudly from the barn outside, causing me to rise from my spot sitting next to Cotton and peek out the bedroom window that had a clear view of the barn. I stopped at the window and folded my arms over my chest while lookin' out of it and seein' that Randall McCoy and Roland Belcher were perched ontop of their horses, stopped a few yards away from the barn, wavin' to at their screamin' sons that were trapped inside of the barn's hayloft.

I shook my head and went back over to my chair, which was next to Cotton's. As a father myself I felt the pain of the men wavin' to their sons for what would be the last time, but as Ellison's cousin I also felt the need for justice and vengeance; the need to take the lives of Pharmer, Bud, and Bobby cause they took my cousin's life without a second thought.

"Mr. McCoy and Mr. Belcher's here, aren't they?" Jessa asked as she changed the oozing bandages on Ellison's torso as his entire middle heaved up and down painfully.

"Yea, but they look to be wavin' their goodbyes and leavin'." I answered my wife before placin' a gentle hand on Cotton's shoulder, causin' him to look up at me with big sad eyes, and askin' him, "Do ya want me to make ya a sandwich, buddy?"

"Nah…" Cotton shook his head. His eyes fell onto his dad's ailing form as he sighed, "I ain't too hungry."

"Ya sure?" I asked before smirkin' at him and pointin' out, "You gotta eat and I bet I could whip ya up a mighty tasty cheese and salt pork sandwich."

"Can ya toast it?" He asked, a hopeful look in his blue eyes. "Daddy toasts 'em for me." My cousin added in as a quick fact, wantin' me to know why he was inquirin' 'bout a toasted sandwich.

"Of course, I can, buddy." I smiled at him, pattin' his shoulder before walkin' out of the room and into the kitchen.

I quickly went to work slicin' some bread, cheese, and salt pork to make Cotton's sandwich with. I'd just placed the sandwich into a cast iron fryin' pan whenever heavy bootsteps sounded out in the cabin. I looked over my shoulder only to see a Cap walkin' across the main room and into the kitchen. His scruff covered jaw was clenched and his mismatched eyes were icy and hard as he stared at me. "Ya should be outside patrollin' wit' the rest of us, y'know."

"There's 'nough men to guard the homestead." I stated matter-of-factly. Watchin' the sandwich toast and sizzle, I informed my cold mannered cousin, "Cotton needs looked after; I gotta make him a sandwich and get him to eat."

"Ma or your wife can do that." He dryly told me as I flipped over Cotton's sandwich with a spatula.

"That's right, I forgot that you were raised to think that cookin' and tendin' to kids is only for women to do." I sarcastically rolled my eyes at Cap.

"And I forgot that ya cook so much cause you were raised in a diner half your life." He spat right back, cuttin' me down icily with his blue eye and its dead white twin.

"Don't throw my childhood up in my face. I lived it; don't need a newsflash 'bout it." I ordered in a snarl as I waited for the cheese and salt pork sandwich to finish toastin' up. "Just cause you got all the love and hugs growin' up from your folks don't make ya any better then me." I spat, goin' over to a cabinet and grabbin' a plate from it.

"Ya were raised real bad; I don't think you're fit t'raise Cotton." He bluntly told me as I placed the plate on the counter and took the toasted sandwich out of the frying pan.

"I don't care what'cha think, Cap." I roughly spat, placin' the sandwich onto the plate. I grabbed a knife from a butcher's block and cut Cotton's sandwich into tiny triangles. "Ellison asked me and Jessa to look after Cotton and that's what we're gonna do."

"Cotton oughtta be wit' me an' Allie." Cap firmly told me as I picked up the plate.

"No, he shouldn't be." I firmly told Cap while givin' him a hard look with my honey eyes. Cap narrowed his eyes into angry slits, causin' me to tell him, "Ellison picked me and my wife for a reason and, by god, we're gonna treat him like one of our own. Protect him from this goddamned bloodbath of a feud instead of tossin' him into the deep end of it and lettin' him drown."

I didn't let Cap get another word in since I walked away from him and back into the bedroom Ellison, Jessa, and Cotton were in. "Here ya go, buddy. Eat up." I smiled at Cotton as I handed him his sandwich.

"Thank ya, Shaw." He told me before pickin' up one of the triangles and takin' a bite out of it as I took a seat next to him.

I could see Cap standin' in the doorway, starin' daggers at me, out of the corner of my eye. I didn't do a thing, just ignored him. Jessa brushed a sweaty lock of red hair away from Ellison's face before wipin' his forehead off with a cool, wet rag.

Ellison's blue eyes popped open. They were glassy as he looked between me and my wife 'fore mutterin' a soft, "Thank you."

I knew what he was thankin' us for and it wasn't for the cool cloth wipin' his brow. It was for treatin' Cotton like a son, like a little boy instead of fillin' his head with revenge bullshit. Bullshit that Cap would surely be pushin' on him if he was in charge of the boy, which he ain't.

"You're welcome, Ellison." Jessa smiled at him before softly.

"Just rest Ellison, we've got everything under control." I told my cousin, pattin' his hand gently to let him know that he could stop fightin' and move on to the other side if he wanted.

AN:

I hope you guys liked this chapter. Poor Ellison, poor Cotton, poor Hatfield family. Of course Senator Billings is more worried about his image in the capitol then what happens to the McCoy boys and Belcher.