A/N Some of the events in the miniseries are out of order. For example, Johnse and Roseanna's daughter died in 1882. So I won't be talking about that. It gets confusing trying to piece it all together accurately. Since I'm still in the beginning phases I'll probably be changing a lot of things. Today I changed the date from 1888 to 1887. Thank you guys!

Lydia was in the kitchen with the rest of the girls making the days bread. The door flew open. Devil Anse, Jim Vance, Cap, and Elias walked in. Cap's eye was red and slightly watery. Lydia's heart sank at his appearance.

"He was my best friend Pa. We gotta kill 'em all." Cap dramatically flung out a chair and sat down.
"What's goin' on?" Levicy asked.
"Selkirk found Skunk dead in the timber. They scalped him." Anse explained. Lydia's stomach churned at the thought. She didn't know Skunk hair very well but she has seen him with Cap a few times and knew they were close.
"My God." Levicy shook her head.
"Like Indians! Let's show them how savages really are Pa! Let's go get 'em now!" Cap exclaimed.
"Not yet son. We gotta play this smart alright. They raised the reward and added new people to the bounty. We can't risk it." At this, Cap stood up and stormed outside. Anse sighed. He was nervous Cap would do something reckless.
"Lyddie?" Anse said.
"Yes?"
"Go after 'em will ya?"
"Yes sir." She was unsure why Anse would ask her to do this. Why not one of his siblings or even Jim? Surely they knew how to calm him down better.

Lydia found Cap saddling their newest horse. It was a gorgeous paint.
"Cap?"
"What?" He sneered. He had never spoken to her like that and it kinda scared her. Cap looked at her face and could see this. He sighed and his gaze soften.
"What is it Willie?" He asked in a nicer tone.
"Can I go with you?"
"I don't know where I'm going." He admitted.
"Even better." She smiled. He mounted the horse and offered her his hand. She took it and he helped her up. She settled behind him and wrapped her arms around his middle. He whipped the reins and willed the horse to go.

"Now why did you do that?" Levicy asked her husband.
"Do you know anyone else that can calm him down like her? He won't do nothin' stupid with her." Anse explained.
"I reckon so." Levicy agreed.
"When's the weddin'?" Jim joked.
"I heard 'bout your idea Jim. Leave the girl be. She ain't marryin' Johnse." Anse told him firmly.
"Cap?" Jim questioned, ignoring the warning.
"I can't say. I talked to the boy. He said he didn't love 'er yet but he cares an awful lot about 'er. Said he ain't gonna court 'er yet, don't wanna tie 'er down during this feud." Anse told them.
"Smart boy." Elias said.
"Whatcha think 'bout that Levicy?" Jim asked.
"She's better than any McCoy hussy. She seems ta know her way around the kitchen. And she can stitch as good as me, if not better." She answered.
"So you approve?" He continued.
"Maybe she'll make somethin' out of him."
"Oh I see now. I can't use 'er as a pawn in the feud but y'all can in your son's life." Jim chuckled.
"We ain't usin' 'er Jim. We just think she'd make Cap a good bride. And they're keen on each other." Anse said.

"Your new horse rides good Cap." Lydia complimented, trying to break the silence.
"He wouldn't even lead when I got 'em."
"You're real good with horses."
"Pa taught me when I was young."
"You and your Pa are a lot of like but you're also really different." She said.
"How so?"
"Well, you're both passionate and caring. You both love your family more than anything. You're both skilled on what you do. Your family looks up to both of you. But you do things different. Your Pa is kinda putting somethings off. I showed him some stuff we could take to court right now but he wants to wait. I feel like if I showed you, you would already have this taken care of. And you're more stubborn like your Ma."
"Makes sense. Do you stalk me or somethin'?" Cap joked.
"Just doin' my job."

Cap stopped the horse in a clearing. He got off and helped Lydia off. He sat down and leaned against a tree and closed his eyes. Lydia hesitantly sat down by him.
"Thanks for comin' Lyd. It's nice ta  have someone outside of this ta talk to."
"Anytime." They sat there for awhile in silence. Just enjoying the peace.

"He was my best friend." Cap mumbled.
"I'm sorry Cap. I know no one can ever replace him."
"He was somethin' alright." Cap gave a small closed grin. Lydia looked over at him and saw a few wet streaks down his face. She tried to comfort him by placing her hand over his. Cap leaned his head on her shoulder and closed his eyes.

"Cap, Cap. Wake up." Lydia gently shook him. Cap opened his eyes and found himself laying in her lap. His eyes went wide and he sat up.
"It's almost dark. We both must've fell asleep." Lyddie explained.
"Come on. Any later and we'll have a lot of explainin' ta do." Cap stood up and grabbed Lydia's hand to help her. They both mounted the horse and Cap rode them back.

"Look who finally showed up. Did you get your mind off Skunk boy?" Jim taunted as soon as they walked in the door.
"Shut up Jim. Nothin' happened." Cap told his Uncle as he sat down for supper. Lydia followed him and sat down by him.
"While you were gone we decided we're gonna have lookouts all down the tug at all times. You start in the morning." Devil Anse told Cap, changing the subject.
"Yes sir." Cap nodded and filled his plate.
"Ms. Wilson, we have somethin' to discuss." Anse said. Lydia and Cap both turned their attention to Devil Anse. Before Lydia could speak, Cap was speaking for her.
" 'Bout what?" Cap asked.
"Well, Lyddie, it's almost Christmas. Do ya wanna go home for the holidays?" Anse asked her.
"I haven't even thought about the holidays. I've never been away from my family on Christmas but I hate to go." She admitted.
"Think about it for awhile. Whatever ya decide will be fine." Anse said.
"Thank you. I'll write to my parents and see what they think."
"Your Ma will want you home for Christmas. It might be best if you go." Levicy advised.
"She can't go.......alone. If anyone knows she's helping us they might hurt her. Someone will have to escort her." Cap said.
"Boys got a point. Tell your Pa of our concerns and see what he wants ta do." Anse told Lyddie.
"I'll mail it tomorrow." She said.
"Just have your Pa come here." Cotton said.
"Cotton, that might be the best idea I've heard tonight." Cap praised. Cotton smiled widely.
"Why would they wanna come here?" Jim asked.
"It's just us three at home anyway. I'll ask. Or maybe you could all come to Charleston." Lydia suggested.
"I don't think we can all make the journey there. But they're more than welcome ta come here." Anse said.
"Ready ta meet the parents Cap?" Jim chuckled. Cap went to say something but Lydia beat him to it.
"He's already met my Father and he seemed to take a liking to him."
"He gets his charm from me." Jim said.
"That's odd, you haven't charmed me at all. Maybe you should take lessons from him." Lydia smirked at the old man. Jim looked like he was going to blow up. Cap put one hand on Lydia's thigh and the other on his pistol and stared his Uncle down. But the unexpected happened. The Bad Jim Vance laughed. Cap looked at him funny. Jim only laughed when something bad happened to a McCoy. Maybe having Lydia around wasn't just brightening his spirits.

That night, Lydia was in the girls room fixing her pallet. A knock sounded on the door.
"Come in." She called.
"If ya go home, will ya come back?" Lydia instantly recognized the voice and turned to face him.
"Of course Cap. I have a lot of unfinished business left to do."
"Yeah, ya gotta stay around till your job is done. Then you'll go back home?"
"Maybe. I don't know. I've grown fond of this town. Might find a job here for awhile. Then see where the world takes me."
"Yeah. It's a nice town." Cap stood awkwardly.
"Is something wrong?" She asked.
"Nah. I was just askin' for the girls."
"Okay. Goodnight Cap."
"Goodnight Lyddie. Oh, um, Cotton wants to know if ya want ta go fishing tomorrow at the Tug when I get off watch."
"Sure. I haven't been in awhile."
"Alright. I'll tell 'em. Goodnight."
"Night." She said and he walked out of the room. She couldn't help but smile at how awkward he was. She wanted to go home for Christmas but she didn't want to leave for that amount of time. So much could happen. She grabbed a paper and quill and wrote to her parents.