[ accidentally turning this into a tim gutterson fic — I keep forgetting about Raylan if we're being honest.

thoughts on a Tim fic where maybe she's a young marshal recruit and has to be teamed up with Raylan who HATES having a partner? or art's niece who is an assistant in the marshals office? Idk I'm trying to think because I know I'm gonna stay obsessed with Tim ]

✵︎

BAMBI, DON'T GET INVOLVED.

[ season 1 — episode 12, 13 ]

THE alarm blaring was what woke Bambi up the next morning. But before she could reach over out of habit to turn it off, a strong arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her against a broad chest. And she heard the owner grunt lowly, clearly not pleased by the sound.

"Who wakes up this early on a goddamn Sunday?" Tim groaned, his voice low and raspy, his accent thicker as he was so sleepy.

Bambi smiled while wriggling a hand free to silence the alarm. "I've gotta shower and go to church with my daddy."

Tim let out a truly amused laugh. "Big bad Bo Crowder goes to church on Sundays?"

Bambi hummed while turning around in Tim's arms, looking up at his tired but so handsome face. His blonde hair was a mess, but she figured hers was no better. "Makes him look good for the people," she informed him. "And looks better when his baby girl goes with him. Trust me, I'd much rather be fallin' back asleep in your arms."

"Yeah?" he asked, raising an eyebrow before tightening his hold on her. He rolled onto his back and pulled her flush against his bare chest. "These arms?"

She grinned down at him and nodded before kissing him softly. She felt him relax beneath her. But once Bambi pulled away, he pouted.

"You're gonna wanna be gone before he gets here in an hour," she said with a frown.

"So, I've got an hour, is what I'm hearing," he said with a crooked smile. "Need company in that shower?"

Bambi rolled her eyes playfully. "Something tells me you wouldn't be helping me get very clean."

✵︎

Bambi sat uncomfortably next to her father on the pew like she did every week, eying the pattern of the woodgrain of the bench in front of them as she barely listened to the preacher. She was doing her best not to think about Tim — thinking about her one night stand in church was a sure fire way to get struck by lightning or something.

Instead, she tried to think about Ava. She hadn't heard from the girl in weeks — really, since Boyd and Bo got out of prison. And Bambi was beginning to suspect why.

Ava didn't trust her, what with how often Bambi was around her father and brother. Even if Bambi didn't know anything about what either of them was doing, Ava couldn't know for sure. So, she was steering clear, and that hurt Bambi's feelings. The girls had always stuck together, being there for one another when surrounded by such horrible family members. But now, Bambi was all on her own, not even having Ava to reach out to.

So, Bambi had no choice but to sit beside her father and listen as her brother a few rows ahead shouted out 'Amen's while raising his Bible in the air.

"When you get on the path of righteousness, ladies and gentlemen, the lord will forgive you—"

"Amen."

"—And transform you—"

"Amen."

"—And enlighten you. And you will look back in awe and wonder about the miracle God has worked in your life. Can I hear an 'Amen'?"

As everyone clapped and raised their hands and Bibles, Bambi shared a look with her father, both a little amused.

"Amen," Bambi said enthusiastically, holding back a laugh as her father chuckled. Then she looked back at the front.

"You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. Can I get a witness here today?"

Bambi sighed when her brother stood up quickly. "I am your witness! I am your witness."

"Come on up here, son," the preacher said. "Tell us how you got over."

"Come on, brother!" someone called out.

Boyd proudly got behind the podium to address them all, and Bambi just hoped he didn't start pushing his little church. "Well, as many of you good people may remember... I was a hateful man, and I was a sinful man. Seeking my way through the darkness, looking for salvation in worldly things... and evil things."

"Like Saul on the road to Damascus, I was long gone on a sinful journey, when the light of the lord shone upon me on my deathbed in a prison hospital," he said as he walked around. And the crowd was listening intently. "And, brothers and sisters, I'm here to tell you today that bullet missed my heart, but struck my soul."

As everyone clapped, he got more worked up. "It struck it! For I was blinded. I was blinded. I could no longer see ungodly truth. For if any man be born again in Christ is a new creature, well, I am a new..."

Bambi covered her eyes as Boyd started hopping up and down emphatically. "A new creature. I am a new creature."

"Thank you, Boyd," the preacher said, leading him away from the podium.

But Boyd just put up a hand. "Not quite finished yet, Reverend."

"By all means, continue."

"Now - now, Jesus entered a temple in Jerusalem. He found moneylenders buying and selling where they should have been a-prayin'," he said as he came down the aisle of the church. "He called their church a den of thieves. And he turned over their tables. He cast out the robbers! He cast them out! He cast them out! He cast them out!"

God, Boyd just kept getting louder and louder as the churchgoers cheered for him like he was a star.

"And like Jesus - like Jesus... Like Jesus, we must never be afraid to strike out against those who practice evil," Boyd said before pointing his Bible right at Bo, not being subtle at all. "We must take the high road of righteousness, even if it means walking - walking and leaving our own flesh and blood behind. Because there is no greater piety, brothers and sisters, than the love of God."

"Amen."

"Amen to that."

"He is my one true father," Boyd declared. "There is no other. There is no other, Preacher. There's no other."

Finally, Boyd sat down as everyone clapped. And when the music started, Bambi just glanced sideways at her father, seeing the genuine displeasure on his face. It was a look that made her fear for her brother, who clearly had no plans of stopping his current crusade.

✵︎

When services ended, Bambi trailed behind her father and brother as they walked outside. And Bo was ready to give Boyd another talking to — as if he hadn't lectured Boyd countless times since he got out of prison and started his church.

"You probably don't remember the first time I ever brought you here. You were too young. You hated it — whined all the way through the damn thing, embarrassed the hell out of your mother. Bambi was always better behaved."

"This place was always a building to me — an empty shell," Boyd said in a calm tone. "Only now do I see it as the house of reckoning that it truly is."

"As a churchgoing man, I admire your turnaround, Boyd. I could never walk the path, Though I-I understood its virtue," Bo told him. "Your change has been remarkable, son." But then Bo got right in Boyd's face. "Having said that, you are getting severely goddamn close to meeting your maker."

Boyd was unfazed even though Bambi had a concerned look on her face. "You know, I continue to tell myself that you are not an evil man, 'cause I believe that, in your heart, you have the ability to do the right thing, But I will tell you something, Daddy, and you mark my words. Now, you bring meth into our homes, and I will destroy it."

Bo just laughed, which Boyd didn't appreciate. "You think that's funny?"

"You know what's funny?" he asked, stepping closer. "You destroy me or my shit, it's the same thing as destroying yourself. That there's Crowder gospel. You mark them damn words, son."

Bo turned on his heel and stormed away, leaving his children behind. Bambi sighed and reached for Boyd's hand.

"Please, be careful with him, B," Bambi said softly. "I know you think you know what's right, what you're doing, but he's dangerous—"

"Bambi, come on!" Bo snapped, heading to the car.

Again, she sighed and moved to kiss Boyd's cheek. "I'll see you around. Hopefully not after you've blown something up."

✵︎

Bambi wasn't allowed in the back room at Johnny's where her father did his business. Of course, she'd never complain about that. But it meant she was clueless and unable to help Raylan and the Marshals like she truly wanted to.

All she could do while Bo was back there with some woman was sit and eat a basket of fries as Johnny brought her another drink, sitting across from her as she graded papers.

"How was church?" he asked while sipping on his beer.

"Nice. Missed you just like I'll miss you when you're in hell," she said with a smirk, both knowing neither really believed in all that.

"Well, you know I've always liked the heat on," he joked, making her laugh. "Now, about your brother—"

Johnny cut himself off when Ava stormed into the bar, which was the last place she needed to be given that Bo wanted her dead. Johnny and Bambi both quickly stood up.

"Are you crazy?" Johnny asked her as she came closer.

But Ava just stormed past him. "Stay out of my way, Johnny."

"Ava, what are you doing?" Bambi asked as Johnny reached for her arm.

Ava tore herself free and then pulled a sawed-off shotgun from underneath her jacket, aiming it at Johnny as Bambi's eyes went wide.

"You gonna put another hand on me?" she asked threateningly.

"Hey, now!" Bambi said, pulling Johnny away from the line of fire.

Only for Ava to aim the gun at her while backing toward the back room where Bo was waiting. Once Ava disappeared inside, Johnny pulled out the gun he kept in his waistband, standing outside of the door in case Bo called for him.

A second later, a young woman scurried out of the back room, looking terrified as she fled.

"What has Daddy done to her now?" Bambi asked Johnny lowly.

"All he's done is tell her to get out of Harlan," Johnny muttered. "Seems she ain't listening, as always."

"Yeah, but coming in with a gun? Something's changed," Bambi said in an accusing tone.

After a moment, Johnny sighed and shook his head, gun still aimed at the door. "Hestler's been... hanging around her house with some buddies."

Bambi narrowed her eyes — of all her father's henchmen, Hestler was by far the worst and most disgusting. And the fact that he was out of prison after the horrible things he'd done to the young girl who rightfully accused him was worthy of a lifetime in prison if you asked Bambi.

"He's lettin' the goddamn statutory rapist take over her house?" Bambi asked, just about ready to storm into the back room too. But knowing it would end badly for her, Johnny pulled her back.

"Bambi, don't get involved—"

"Johnny!" Ava called loudly from the back room. "I'm coming out! You better not be holding!"

At first, Johnny didn't move, but then Bo let him know it was okay. "You hear that, Johnny?"

"Yeah, yeah, I heard it," he sighed while putting his gun away.

A moment later, Ava came out of the room, gun still raised. Johnny pulled Bambi behind him and then put his hands up innocently, letting her run out. But Bambi wasn't having it, so she chased after her sister-in-law.

"Ava! Ava!" she shouted, chasing her all the way to her car. Ava wouldn't listen, just getting behind the wheel. So, Bambi huffed childishly and climbed into the passenger side seat.

"Get outta my car!" Ava snapped, glaring at her. "I don't want nothing to do with no more Crowders."

"Well, tough!" Bambi said, glaring right back. "I ain't letting you go back to your house now that Johnny's told me who's there. Why ain't you come to me? And why ain't you in Lexington?"

After a moment, Ava just shut her eyes. "There ain't nothing for me in Lexington anymore," she said sadly, thinking of Raylan, who'd made it clear things were done. She opted to leave out who she saw leaving Raylan's hotel room the night before, too ashamed to admit it. "And I didn't know if I still had you in my corner. I can't ask you to pick me over your daddy."

"Oh, Ava," Bambi said, reaching for her hand. "I'll always pick you over Daddy. Now, give me the gun and take me to the assholes that won't get off your damn couches."

✵︎

After Hestler and the others were chased off — maybe they weren't scared of Ava, but they sure knew Bambi would shoot to kill them — Ava wanted to sit in the dark, her gun in hand. And since Bambi was scared of the dark, the younger girl opted to sit on the front porch with the light on, swaying back and forth on the swinging bench.

She had her phone in hand and was staring at the text she'd received from Tim just thirty minutes ago.

Tim Gutterson🔫
Maybe I could come
back over tonight?

Slowly, Bambi typed out her response, hating that she had to turn him down because she didn't want him to think that she didn't enjoy herself and want it to happen again. She had really, really enjoyed herself.

Not tonight. Family drama.
Probably not safe for
you in Harlan tonight

Or any man if Ava had any say in the matter.

Tim Gutterson🔫
That's more worrisome
than you realize. Maybe
I should come by.

Trust me. I've got it
handled, handsome.

So, you think I'm handsome?

Yeah, you're alright.

Bambi's conversation was interrupted when a familiar Town Car pulled down the driveway. She just silently watched Raylan as he came closer, a curious expression on his face.

"You don't wanna go in there," Bambi said as he got closer.

"Yeah? Why's that?" Raylan asked with a frown. And when Bambi didn't answer, he just sighed. Then he knocked on the door. "Ava. Ava?"

When he got no response, Raylan let himself inside. Bambi stayed seated, still able to hear everything from her spot on the porch.

It wasn't hard to guess what the shocked expression on Raylan's face looked like when he turned on the light and saw Ava sitting on her couch with her shotgun pointed at him. 

"What are you doing?"

"Sitting in the dark," Ava said as if he was stupid.

"Point that thing away from me!"

"You gonna tattle to my parole officer?"

Bambi could hear as Raylan grabbed the gun and unloaded it before tossing it to the side. "You waltz into Johnny's bar and stick this in Bo's face? What the hell are you thinking? You are determined to be contrary, even if it gets you strung up from a tree. Well, I've had it, Ava — Enough. I'm not gonna watch you and Boyd and keep an eye on Arlo, too. I mean, the hell with it!"

Bambi looked over her shoulder and through the screen door, watching as Raylan stormed toward it. And Ava chased right after him.

"You just wish you could keep your eye on everything, don't you?"

"I just wish you'd get the hell out of Kentucky once and for all!"

"Why? So you can keep screwing your ex?"

Bambi's eyes went wide and her jaw dropped, Raylan catching her scandalized expression before he turned around to face Ava. The last thing she expected was to hear about Winona and Raylan hooking up — it made her stomach twist, thinking it was wrong.

"What?" he whispered, horror washing over him.

Ava's voice shook as she spoke. "I was there, Raylan—"

"Wait."

"I saw her leave," she clarified.

Raylan paused for a moment, realizing the gravity of the situation. "Shit."

"I didn't think she was that kind of girl," Ava said softly, tears welling in her eyes. "Tell me something so I know exactly how cheap I should feel. Were you screwing her all along?"

Raylan shook his head softly. "You know I wasn't."

"No," she breathed out. "Come right down to it, I don't."

"So, what are you gonna do?" Raylan asked, trying to push his shame to the side. "Are you gonna sit in that chair with a shotgun, kill any man who walks through your door?"

"I didn't kill you."

"Fair point, considering," he muttered.

"I'm just a girl from the holler, Raylan, for better or worse. I can be myself here, you know? And whether I die tomorrow or - or ten years from now... It's gonna be here. This is home."

"I understand," he said even though he so badly didn't want to. "But just... just be smarter, Ava. Don't go provoking Bo. And keep close to Bambi when you can. Y'all are good for each other."

"Yeah," Ava said, wiping her eyes. "Yeah, we are. Now, good night, Raylan."

It was her subtle request for him to leave, and so he did, stepping outside. But once the door was shut, rather than go to his car, he sat next to Bambi on the swinging bench.

They sat in silence for a moment before Bambi broke it, staring at the night sky. "You such a slut, Raylan Givens."

Raylan let out a huff of a laugh. "I suppose that's an apt description." Then he sighed heavily and rubbed his face, just exhausted. "God, I've made a mess of things."

"Yeah, but it'll be okay," she told him.

"And you know that for certain?"

"No," she admitted. "In fact, I don't know that Ava's gone live through the week. But you've done everything you can, Raylan. So whatever happens — it ain't your fault. And I'll be staying here with her for a while to keep her as safe as I can."

"That just makes me more worried about you," he told her. "I'd have you out of Harlan just as soon as her if I could. I hate thinking of you here, all on your own."

"I ain't on my own," she reminded him. "I got Ava and Johnny and Boyd — even though he's crazy and killed someone, I got him. I'll be just as okay as I've always been."

He nodded in understanding while looking at his hands. "Just promise me that you'll call me if you need to. Promise me."

"You know I will," she said softly. "I trust you."

"And I trust you too. More than anyone in this town. Probably a little too much," he admitted. "So if you get mixed up in something because Ava's back in town, I need you to put your own safety first — not hers. Can you do that for me too?"

Bambi thought it over before nodding softly. "I promise. I won't get into any trouble."

✵︎

It was a day later that Bambi was proving Raylan wrong and breaking that trust — but it was hardly her fault that Johnny showed up at Ava's house that Monday night.

"Ava Crowder! Hey, Ava!

Bambi and Ava shared a look before going to the door, seeing Johnny with his hands up innocently. Though she didn't aim it, Ava was still armed.

"What are you doing here, Johnny?" Ava asked after sighing.

"It's Raylan. Got some bad news," he said, making Bambi cover her mouth, fearing the worst — that her father got to him.

Ava wasn't as easily led by him though as she raised her gun. "What are you talking about?" she asked as she stepped outside.

Only for one of Bo's men, Rufus, to come from the side and tear the gun from her hand as Hestler came at her from the other direction, putting a bag over her head.

"Hey!" Bambi exclaimed, trying to get the gun from Rufus as Ava struggled. "Let her go! Get the fuck off her!"

"Now, Bambi, calm down," Bo said, coming from around the side of the house where he'd been waiting. Bambi looked at her father with wide, scared eyes. "Give me that shotgun."

As Rufus tossed the gun, Hestler huffed, trying to keep Ava restrained. "A little help here!"

"Watch your head," Bo said before knocking Ava out with the butt of the gun.

"Daddy, stop!" Bambi exclaimed, rushing toward him. But he just pushed her back by her shoulder.

"Johnny, get your ass up here," he instructed.

"What are we gonna do with her?" Johnny asked, watching as Hestler and Rufus carried Ava off. Only to freeze when Bo cocked the gun, aiming at him. "What the hell?"

"This is for tipping Boyd off about that shipment."

Johnny's eyes went wide, realizing he'd been caught trying to double cross Bo. "Now, h-hey, now, Uncle Bo, t-that wasn't me—"

Bambi screamed as he shot Johnny in the gut, the force making him topple over the porch railing and back onto the grass. Bambi ran down to him as Bo kept talking, her hands shaking over Johnny's wound before putting pressure on it, making him groan in pain.

"Yeah, it was. You know, when they get here, all they're gonna find is you dead and Ava gone. They'll figure that she killed another Crowder come to harass her and then she lit out for the territories. That'll just be a theory, you know. They'll never be able to tell for sure. Ain't nobody ever gonna see little Ava again," Bo told him, not that he could hear over the blood pounding in his head. "So long, Johnny."

Tears welled in Bambi's eyes as she looked at Johnny, feeling his blood pool beneath her hands. And then suddenly, her father was harshly yanking her back, making her cry out.

"No! Daddy, no! Let me help him," she cried as he dragged her toward the car. "Please, please, let me help him!"

"He's as gone as Ava's gone be, Bambi," Bo said. "And you're coming with me. It's high time you learn a little bit about what we do in this family. Can't seem to trust anyone else these days."

"No," she said, trying to yank herself free. But Bo as huge and strong, so it was easy for him to manhandle her and force her into his Buick where Hestler was waiting in the backseat. They'd already shoved Ava's unconscious body in the trunk.

Bambi tried to swallow her sobs as they drove off, leaving Johnny to bleed out. And once they were down the road, Bo grabbed Ava's phone that Rufus had retrieved for him. Bambi strained her ears hard to hear who he was calling.

"Ava?" Raylan asked, picking it up.

"Marshal," Bo greeted. "I figured either one of my guys would answer the call or you would. Seeing as you're still alive, I guess I can pretty well figure out what happened with Arlo."

Bambi's eyes widened, realizing he had plans to take out Johnny, Ava, and Raylan all in one night.

"You're on Ava's phone," Raylan noted.

"Yeah. You get the picture. I'd let you say 'hi' to her, but she's in the trunk," he informed him. "I'm sure if Bambi wasn't so busy crying in the backseat, she'd be chatting away with you."

"So, what happens now?" Raylan questioned, already running a million horrible scenarios through his mind.

"Why don't you get in your car and start driving toward Bulletville? You ought to be there about sunrise. I'll call you with directions when you get close. I know I don't need to tell you to come alone."

Bambi knew what was in Bulletville — her dad's cabin. The one that she wasn't ever allowed to go to because it wasn't just for hunting deer.

"Yeah, I figured that," Raylan muttered.

"'Cause if I see a cop, or a helicopter, or even a glint from a sniper's scope, I will kill Ava," he threatened.

"I'll be alone."

"That's all I ask. We'll make a straight trade."

"My life for hers?" he guessed.

"Something like that," Bo said with a smirk.

"And Bambi?" Raylan had to ask. "I know you don't usually get her involved. So, how about you just let her out of the car?"

Bo looked at his daughter in the rearview mirror, seeing how she glared furiously at him. "Oh, see, I think I'm gone let her be the one to pull the trigger on you. It's been a long time coming, don't you think? The baby of the family taking over. So, she and I will be waiting nice and patient for you."

"Then I guess I'd better not be late."

✵︎

Bambi was all cried out as Raylan finally pulled up to the cabin the next morning. She knew she looked a mess, still covered in an alarming amount of blood with vacant, red eyes. She was a step behind her father and Rufus as they intercepted Raylan, neither one daring to arm her.

"Mr. Crowder," Raylan greeted, no weapon in his hand, knowing how that would end.

"Raylan," Bo said as Rufus began to search Raylan for weapons.

"Bambi," he then said, looking to the apologetic girl.

"Raylan," she whispered, not knowing how this could turn out for him if he was really and truly alone.

"Make sure and get that backup," Bo instructed. "This old boy can't be trusted with a cap gun. I hope you know how sorry I am about this, Marshal."

"Yeah. You seem torn up," Raylan said sarcastically as Rufus found all his guns.

"Well, I ain't saying I'm gonna throw myself on top of your coffin or anything, but this 'bring him in to me alive' shit ain't quite my style. I'd kill you quick if I could," he explained.

"Thoughtful of you. So?" Raylan asked. "Now what?"

Bo nodded toward the cabin. "Come on inside. We got something rigged up. You're gonna love it. Hestler's been keeping Ava company."

Raylan glanced between the cabin and Bambi, still worried by the blood she was covered in — he couldn't tell if any of it was hers. But he complied, taking a step toward the cabin.

Only for a gunshot to sound, distracting them all.

And when Bambi saw Raylan move, she did too. As he caught Rufus off guard and grabbed his gun to shoot him in the gut three times, Bambi raised her knee and hit the gun out of her father's hand. She caught it before it hit the ground and turned it on him, her hands as steady as ever.

As she kept it aimed at her father, Raylan knelt down and grabbed Rufus' gun as well so that he'd have two. Then he glanced from Bo to the cabin.

"Well, let's go see," he instructed, clearly knowing something Bo didn't.

"Now, Bambi," Bo said, looking at his daughter firmly. "Don't point that gun at your daddy now. You know you ain't gone pull that trigger."

"Only 'cause the Marshal is here," she admitted. "And I think you'd know what I'd do if he wasn't. So, head to the cabin."

Bo clenched his jaw before walking toward the cabin, three guns now pointed at him. Only for a fourth to be added as Boyd came out the front door. Bambi frowned, seeing his roughed up face — Bo had paid him a visit and killed all his followers the day before, not that she knew it.

"Raylan, I'm gonna need you to step away from my father," Boyd instructed.

"Boyd," Raylan said carefully. "You don't want to do that."

"Not something I want to do, my friend. It's something I have to do. Step back, please," he again requested.

"You didn't come to save my ass, did you, boy?" Bo asked, chuckling. Here both his kids were, wanting him dead.

"No, Daddy, I did not."

"You gonna shoot me, son? That it?" he asked mockingly.

"Maybe."

"It don't really seem right. I had a chance to kill you, and I didn't do it," he pointed out.

"That's where you're wrong, Daddy. There's more than one way to kill a man. You can kill his physical body, or you can kill his spirit within."

"You gonna pull the trigger, or you gonna talk me to death?" Bo asked sarcastically.

"Don't tempt him," Bambi muttered.

But before any Crowder could pull the trigger, another shot rang out, coming from out of nowhere, the bullet piercing Bo's chest. Bambi gasped as Bo fell to the ground while Raylan looked off in the distance, trying to spot the shooter.

Then another shot rang, and it hit Boyd'd in the shoulder, who cried out. Raylan moved quickly, grabbing Bambi and getting her behind them as they ran for the protection of the cabin. And Raylan shot wildly in the general direction of the shooter.

Ava was in the corner, hiding low as Boyd joined her. Raylan pulled Bambi next to his side underneath a window, which he tried to peek through.

"B," Bambi called, glancing his way. "Are you okay?"

"Oh, I am great," he said breathlessly.

"Who are these people?" Ava asked quietly.

"Raylan, who is out there?" Boyd asked weakly, clutching his bleeding shoulder.

"Miami gun thugs, I suspect," Raylan replied.

"What do they want?" Ava questioned.

"Me."

"You thinking about giving yourself up to save us?"

"No, he's not," Bambi told Ava quickly, not wanting to even think about that.

"Well, if I thought that'd work, I might consider it, but I'm getting the impression they intend to kill us all," Raylan replied.

"How many you figure are out there?" Boyd asked.

"More than one," Raylan said simply, not able to really tell just yet.

"I think I saw two in the trees," Ava told them.

"Raylan," Bambi whispered, calling his attention back to the window. They watched as a black SUV pulled up and two armed people got out. "Looks like we got two more in a vehicle."

Then Raylan looked back over his shoulder. "Ava."

"Raylan?"

"Next time I ask you to get out of Harlan..."

She groaned as Bambi smiled, always loving an 'I told you so' moment. "I'll get the hell out of Harlan."

"You do seem to have a penchant for getting abducted," he pointed out.

"Well, hey, it's a knack."

"Bambi, is Daddy moving?" Boyd then asked.

Bambi looked from the car to her still father, his chest not moving even a bit. And she found that she was a bit relieved. "No, B."

Before Boyd could comment on it, they heard a rustling noise near a window closer to Boyd and Ava. So, keeping an arm around Bambi to keep her close, Raylan pulled her along. They looked out the open window and spotted a man hiding in the trees, ready to shoot when he got a good target.

"Okay, Ava?" Raylan asked her.

"Yeah?"

"That window over your right shoulder..."

"Yeah?"

"When I say, stick your gun out and take two shots—"

"I got it," Bambi whispered before raising her gun.

"Bambi—"

Raylan's protest fell on deaf ears as Bambi leaned out the window a bit and to the side, getting a better angle as she shot the man in the trees. Raylan watched as his body slumped over, the bullet having hit him in the side of the neck.

"Bambi!" Raylan hissed. "Put that gun down."

"Well, he's dead, ain't he?" she huffed, glaring at him.

"Jesus, go check on your brother while I get the other one," Raylan muttered, crawling to a window facing the back of the cabin.

Bambi crawled on all fours over to Boyd, frowning at his bleeding shoulder. Then she reached for a nearby rag and gave it to him to hold against his wound. Since Bambi was holding onto the gun, Ava took over and helped apply more pressure.

"Where's Johnny?" Boyd asked, noticing the lack of his cousin. He also noticed how Bambi's eyes watered.

"Bo shot him at my house," Ava told him. "Said that he betrayed him to you, said everyone would think that I-I shot another Crowder and ran."

Boyd studied Bambi's distraught face. "Is he dead?"

"I don't know," Bambi whispered. "He was gut-shot."

"Oh, dear lord," Boyd sighed, looking upward.

Then, Bambi heard another gunshot, so she whirled around, seeing that Raylan had hidden underneath a window and shot a man as he poked his head in to try and sneak up on them. Raylan ran back over to them. Bambi crawled to his side, holding her gun tightly.

"I got your man out back!" Raylan shouted to the two in the front. "That leaves four of us - only two of you! You start walking, we'll hold our fire!"

Rather than respond with words, rapid fire was aimed at them as one of the thugs used a machine gun. Bambi screamed as Raylan grabbed ahold of her and covered her with his body, covering her ears with his hands as well. Glass shattered and wood splintered all around them, but none of them were hit by the round of bullets.

When it stopped, Raylan leaned up and looked at Bambi carefully. "You guys good? You all right?"

She nodded simply as Boyd spoke up. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm good. You good, Ava?"

"Yeah," she nodded.

"You didn't happen to bring your rocket launcher, did you?" Raylan asked Boyd.

He shook his head. "I didn't think to pack one."

"All we want is Raylan Givens!" a woman shouted out.

"I'm Raylan Givens!"

"No," Boyd shouted out. "I'm Raylan Givens!"

Raylan cut his eyes to Boyd as Bambi smiled a bit. "Are you trying to be funny?"

The corners of his lips turned up, reminding Raylan of his amused sister. "A little."

"We get Givens, the other three can walk," the woman from outside claimed.

"I ain't going anywhere," Boyd said, shaking his head. "They killed my daddy."

"You came here to kill your daddy yourself," Raylan accused.

"Well, that's different," he huffed.

"How?"

"You got to kill the two men who came after your daddy. You give me the same courtesy."

As the boys argued, Bambi rolled her eyes and backed away on her knees, still staying low she made for the back exit.

"Why don't we all just run?" Ava questioned.

"Well, someone's got to keep them here for the other three to have a chance, and if we all stay here, night comes, we're dead. Only one way this works," Raylan explained, clueless to the fact that Bambi made it outside and was running into the woods and around the side so that she could see the two hiding behind the SUV.

"I'll stay, then," Boyd offered.

"Boyd, I'm asking you - take Bambi and Ava out of—" Raylan froze, his blood running cold as he looked behind him and finally noticed her absence. "Where the hell is Bambi?"

"I figure she wasn't a fan of all this talkin'," Boyd said before looking at Ava. "Come on. She's gone need Raylan's help if she's out there."

Meanwhile, Bambi was walking slowly through the trees, her eyes on the black car and her hand on the gun.

"I don't suppose you'd flip on Gio?" Raylan was asking loudly.

"Come on out, and we'll discuss it," the woman said.

"Well, when I see empty hands, maybe."

"Yeah. How do we know you won't shoot us?"

"How about... I come out unarmed and you come out unarmed and we talk?" he offered.

"Okay."

Except it wasn't that simple. Bambi finally got a good look at the two gun thugs from Miami who didn't even look all that intimidating if not for the automatic weapons in their hands. And as the woman set hers to the side, the other was reloading.

Raylan stepped outside with his hands up, as did the woman, but as soon as the other man made a move from out behind the van, Bambi raised her gun and shot him right through the heart, watching as his body fell.

Instantly, Raylan and the woman began firing at each other as the woman backed toward the van.

And knowing that a witness would be better than more dead bodies, Bambi shot the woman in the shoulder from behind, catching her off guard. She turned around and shot at Bambi, who cried out when it hit her side. The woman then climbed in the car and backed up, nearly running Bambi over, who just dodged out of the way.

Raylan ran after the car, firing his weapon pointlessly as each shot missed her, only shattering her back window. And then Boyd came out, now holding the dead sniper's rifle.

"Is he dead?" Raylan asked, looking at the man that Bambi shot.

"Yeah," Bambi grunted as she got to her feet, holding her side that was slowly bleeding. Then she noted there was no blonde at her brother's side. "Where's Ava?"

"She's running through the woods," Boyd said before watching Raylan walk toward his car. "Where you going?"

"I'm going after the young lady with the automatic weapon," he explained.

"I'll get her," Boyd said, aiming his gun at Raylan, who stopped walking.

"What are you gonna do after you get her?" Raylan asked knowingly.

"I ain't quite figured that out yet," he admitted while moving toward Bo's car. "You gonna shoot to stop me?"

"Maybe."

Boyd shook his head. "I'm pretty sure you're empty."

"You gonna bet your life on that?" Raylan asked.

"No, Raylan, I'm gonna bet my life on you being the only friend I have left in this world," he said sadly. "And on the fact that you'd rather get Bambi medical attention than go after me."

Raylan glanced warily at Bambi, his eyes on her bleeding side, giving Boyd plenty of time to get behind the wheel and start driving off. And Bambi watched as Raylan focused back on him, raising his gun, ready to shoot him — or at least a tire so he'd be stuck.

Only for Raylan to make a shooting sound, signaling that Boyd had been right — they were friends whether Raylan liked it or not.

"That's a cute symbolic gesture and all," Bambi spoke up, a grimace on her face, "but got keep my brother from going to jail for murder again."