A/N: This story is set in S11 show canon before Elizabeth and Nathan are a couple. I want to explore Nathan's history and family. This idea stems from a conversation with a friend as we collaborated on another project and some of those ideas may show up here. I haven't read anything like this yet, so anything resembling another author's work is purely coincidental. Most characters are property of Hallmark Media, some are from my own imagination.

(Notes: (1) O'Malley of the Mounted is an early version of what would become Dudley Do-Right. https/en./wiki/O_of_the_Mounted_(1921_film))

Shadows in the Daylight - Prologue

Granville Prison, Late Summer 1921

(After Allie's failed visit)

Dylan Parks sat in his dingy metal cell. The warden had just left, informing him that Allie was trying to see him. He knew he couldn't look at her without seeing her mother.

He began writing in his tattered journal while memories of Colleen flowed in his mind.

It was a Friday evening. I had just come in from a hard day's labor. I only wanted to grab a pint at the saloon and spend a few minutes playing cards. Colleen wanted a pretty, new dress for Allie, but I was a little short from last night's turn at the tables. I knew I could win it back and give Colleen what she wanted. I just needed time... and a chance to prove myself.

Colleen came into the room and asked me if I was going to the saloon. She seemed angry. I told her that I was, but I was going to have Allie's dress money by the end of the night, plus extra. I wanted to give Colleen something nice, too. It wasn't fitting to spoil only one of my girls.

Colleen stormed out of the house with Allie in tow, yelling about how unfair it was or something. I didn't hear her. She'd be back soon anyway.

I went to the saloon and spent my day's wages on drinks and cards. I didn't mean to. It wasn't that much anyway, and I deserve to be able to relax after all I do for my family. I didn't win at the tables like I hoped. It looked like my luck had run out.

When I returned to the house, it was empty. I called out for my wife, but she wasn't at home. I bet she went to see that brother of hers, Mr. O'Malley of the Mounted (1) himself. Ugh. I hate that man. He is always telling Colleen lies about me. Nathan told her to leave me since I accidentally put my hands on her one time. It's not my fault. She just made me so mad as soon as I had gotten back from the saloon. She knows better than to talk to me right after a losing night at the tables.

My beautiful wife came back a few hours later. A storm had come through, and it was raining heavily outside. Colleen didn't have Allie with her, and I asked her about it.

"I brought Allie to visit my mom. I'll pick her up tomorrow."

"Why did you do that? I wanted to see my daughter."

"You're drunk, Dylan... Allie is here every day. Other than when she plays outside, she's here in the house with me. If you really wanted to spend time with her, you wouldn't be drunk at the saloon tables, losing our money."

"That's not true. You have spoiled her against me, and she hates me."

"Allie doesn't hate you, Dylan. She barely knows you because you're never here."

"Well, clearly you do."

Colleen rolled her eyes at Dylan. "I don't hate you either. I just want you to stop gambling and drinking. I want you to be a husband and a father. Do you love us at all?"

"Of course I do."

"I need you to show me that you are with us. You have to stop what you're doing."

"I can't stop. I have to make the money back so I can get Allie her pretty dress and something nice for you, too."

"I've heard that before."

Dylan grew angry, assuming the worst. "It's never enough for you, is it, Colleen?"

Colleen stiffened. Nothing she said would calm him down... it would only get worse. She spat back at him, "I wish it could be. This is why Allie is with my mother. Somewhere she can't see your lies. Nathan warned me about this."

Dylan exploded at her. "Nathan did WHAT?"

He moved toward her, grabbing her wrists. Colleen struggled against him, wrenching her body away from him. The floor was slick from the rain dripping from her. She finally broke free from his grip but slipped, hitting her head on the corner of the dining table. Her body crumpled to the floor, blood pooling around her temple.

Dylan stared at her momentarily and determined that she was simply unconscious. Numb, he headed back to the saloon, deciding that he really needed a drink.

Dylan shook himself from the memory, grumbled to himself, and continued writing.

I didn't know that she hit her head that hard. If that stupid brother of hers hadn't put it in her head that she needed to leave me, then my wife would still be alive. He's the reason she's dead. It's time that Nathan gets what's coming to him.