A/N: Hi guys! I am sorry for such a delay in updates, but with school, I've been very busy. I will continue to update sporadically but will try to update as often as possible. With that being said, please enjoy the next chapter in the story. Please remember to REVIEW THE CHAPTER AFTER READING! Thanks, enjoy !

The Shindig

Chapter Five

The sounds of screams echoed throughout the silent house. There were no running feet or calls of concern as the cries came from the room belonging to Lilibelle Rossetti. The early morning light filtered through the windowed as she continued to scream.

Theo and Chester were out in the fields, too far out to hear, and Wyatt had driven Jace to school as Lilibelle had refused to open her door when Chester tried to talk to her.

Inside the room, Lilibelle thrashed and clawed at her invisible attacker. Her hair was tangled around her like a deformed halo as tears escaped her closed eyes.

"Please! Oh please no...stop it! No more...no more..."

Her eye snapped opened as she shot up in the bed, her blanket ensnaring her legs. Sweat clung to her neck, causing her hair to stick. Her eyes darted about the room, searching for her tormentor.

Though dead, Nathan Shivers still stalked her in her dreams. She had been able to hide the nightmares for the most part, though she had never had one as intense as the one she had just broken away from.

Her fingers trailed down her bare thighs to try and rub the phantom touch left by her terror-filled nightmare.

Throwing the covers off, she pulled her legs up to her chest and encircled her arms around them, letting her had rest against her knees.

Would she ever be free of that man?

Would she ever be herself again?

Jefferson Richards walked out of the morgue, the smell of repugnant rotting flesh still burning his nose hairs.

The body of his friend and colleague , Charlie Rakes, had been found at last. Or what was left of him. When he had disappeared, Jefferson had volunteered to lead the search. The trail led him to Franklin County.

The sheriff was a dumb enough fellow, Jefferson thought.

His informant had told him of the boy working for the Bondurants, and his pretty sister who took him to and from the station.

When he had met that sweet little number he had imagined what she looked like underneath that dress she wore, her exposed knees teasing him. Her hands had been so soft in his.

He was due back in Franklin soon, but the discovery of Rakes body had precedence. He would need to inform Mr. Wardell of his progress.

Jasper Heathrow whistled as he walked down the hall of the management department, searching for Jed. He found the man to be quiet, who kept to himself , and was a hard worker.

Knocking on the open door, Jasper walked in.

Looking up from the pile of paperwork on his desk, Jed saw Jasper with that ever present smile on his face.

" Mr. Heathrow," he greeted with a nod.

Jasper sat dozen across from him, lifting his feet on to the corner of the desk, " You know, Jed, you work too hard."

Jed chuckled dryly, " This ain't nearly as hard as I'm used to, sir."

Jasper looked at the man and could see the wear in his face from years of physical labor. Though thirty-two, Jed looked older than his age.

The young heir had often talked to Jed's brother, Bill, on the line, and had learned that Jed had been forced to take a job on a factory line after their mother died and he lost his job.

" Why don't we go out on the town, Jed? Live a little." Jasper asked, removing his feet from the desk,

Jed quirked an eyebrow, " Doin' what now?"

Jasper sighed and rolled his neck. as he did, a picture frame caught his eye. He picked it up from its place on the desk and saw a pretty girl smiling.

" This your girl?" He asked curiously.

Jed looked up from the paperwork since more and sat up straiter when he saw Jasper looking at the picture.

He reached over and took it from him, placing it back on the desk, " No sir. That's my sister."

" Oh yeah? What's her name?" He asked, looking from the picture to him inquisitively.

Coughing, Jed mumbled, "Lilibelle, sir."

" Pretty name." He said, peering down at the picture once more.

Jace stood outside the school house, waiting for Lilibelle to show up. He had worn his cost to satisfy his sister's worrying, but it had warmed up slightly.

He stepped down the fee steps of the school house and began walking as the truck came into view.

He noticed that Lilibelle's hair was down; something unusual as Lilibelle never wore her hair down outside the house. She wore a simple blue dress with a heavy coat that appeared to be Bill's old one that didn't fit anymore.

Smiling, he jumped into the truck and leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. She offered it up willingly and wrapped her arm around his neck for a weak hug.

As they drove down the road, Jace couldn't help but notice how quiet his older sister was being. She usually would be asking how his day went or what he did in class. But nothing came from her. She looked strait ahead, her eyes solely focused on the road.

" Hey Lilibelle?" he asked hesitantly.

" Hmm?" she hummed, not looking away from the road.

Jace licked his lips, "...are you alrigh'?"

She turned her head at her brother's tone, " I'm fine."

She gave a half-hearted smile before turning back to looking at the road. She turned and headed down the isolated road that led top Blackwater station.

Lilibelle pulled into the station and shut off the truck.

Turning to Jace, she said, " Alright, I'll be back to pick you up in a few hours, Jace."

Jace opened the door to get out but stopped and turned to his sister, " Are you over it?"

Lilibelle blinked and tilted her head, " What are you talking about?"

He looked at her firmly before saying, " Are you over what Shivers did to ya?"

Taken aback, Lilibelle sat up stiffly and clutched at the wheel.

" Why are you asking me that?!" she asked with irritation, turning away to look over at the lake. She didn't want her brother to see her upset.

Of course she wasn't over it. How could anyone ever get over something like that? Especially when it had been only a few months.

Jace forced her to look at him by grabbing her hand. She looked back, her eyes growing watery.

" Lilibelle..." he muttered, unsure of what to do.

He had only seen his sister cry on a number of occasions; most of which had occurred in the the recent months.

" Hey Jace!"

Jack came running out of the station sudden, causing Lilibelle to yank her hand from Jace's to wipe at the escaping tears. He leaned against the open window and nodded at Lilibelle politely," How're you doin' Miss Lilibelle?"

She smiled softly, " I'm doing just fine, Jack."

Jack frowned at the sight if her teary face.

Jace got out of the truck, leaving his books behind. Lilibelle shifted the gearshift before telling Jace she would be back to pick him up later.

" Bye Jack! Nice seeing you again," she said as she pulled out of the station,

Jack watched curiously as she drove off before turning to Jace who had a worried look on his face.

"Yer sister alrigh' Jace?" he asked, taking his hat off to scratch his scalp.

Jace huffed and shook his head, " I don't know these days."

Furrowing his brow, Jack asked, " What's that mean?"

As if snapping out of thought, Jace turned to Jack, " I can't say."

" Somebody been messin' with her? 'Cause if that's the case, we'll take care of it for ya." As Jack said this, Forrest and Howard came from inside.

" Take care of what, Jack?" Forrest asked, causing his brother and the young Jace to turn on their heels to face him.

"Um," Jack said, placing his hat back on his head.

" Well spit it out, Jack! " Howard said, growing impatient with the silence.

Jace spoke up, waving his hand dismissively, " It ain't nothing, Forrest."

Jack looked at Jace with doubt, " You sure, Jace? She seemed pretty upset to me. Cry'in and all."

" Cryin'?!" Howard turned to Jace and gave him a hard look," Why's yer sister been cryin, boy?"

Jace sighed," I can't say. But thank you for carin', I guess."

Trying to change the subject, Jace turned to Forrest, " What you got for me today?"

Forrest nodded his head towards the station, " Mind the place. Me and Howard got a few errands to run,"

Nodding, Jace walked past Forrest and Howard.

He stopped though and turned back just as the two brothers began making their way towards Forrest's truck, " Hey wait!"

They stopped and turned, waiting for him to speak. Jace nervously approached them, his hands burying themselves in his pockets.

Jack gave his friend a curious look from where he stood on the porch. He walked up behind him as he reached his brothers.

" What you got to say?" Forrest asked as he rolled his toothpick from one side of his mouth to the other.

Swallowing his nervousness, Jace said, "My pa, he wants to talk to ya'll."

"'Bout what? He want some white lightning? We just made a batch last night. Maybe some of Forrest's apple brandy? Taste like candy, I'll tell ya!" Jack rambled on excitedly.

" Jack," Forrest said, looked at his brother with a stern gaze,

Jack settled down and cleared his throat, looking down at his feet, Jace looked at Jack, " Not really interested in buyin', per say."

" Then what's he want?" grunted Howard.

Jace took a breath. " I can't really say. Pa just wants to talk to ya'll 'bout something to do with yer business."

They were quiet for a moment, simply looking at him with uncertainty. After all, the last time anyone wanted to talk to them about their business, they ended up on a bridge, guns blazing,

Finally, Forrest said, " We'll be about Campbell's place tonight. Tell yer pa he can talk there."

Howard looked at Forrest, bewildered.

Jack patted Jace's shoulder, " Come on, Jace. Let's play some cards til someone comes in."

Jace followed wordlessly, surprised that Forrest had agreed to meet his pa later. He had expected some kind of altercation , especially with Howard there.

He couldn't help the smile that etched its way on to his face.

Lilibelle came to a screeching halt on the side of the road and proceeded to let out a bellowing scream. Her small hands gripped the wheel tightly as she cried. She fell forward and rested her head against her knuckles.

Was she over it?

Was she over it?!

Her thoughts, turbulent and painful, filled her head as she went back to that night.

Helpless.

Weak.

Violated.

These were the things she felt when she had been tied to the bed in Nathan Shiver's apartment.

These were the things she still felt.

She threw smiles on her face to make everyone happy and to hide what she really felt. Inside she was screaming and a storm of anger filled her.

Taking a breath, Lilibelle sat up and wiped harshly at her face. She could't let anyone see her like this.

She shifted the gear and made her way home.

That night when Lilibelle arrived to pick up Jace, she arrived to an empty station. There was no sign of her brother or the Bondurants anywhere.

Sighing, Lilibelle sat at the bar and laid her head against the wooden surface. After her breakdown earlier, she had gone home and had fallen asleep. She had been exhausted from the lack of sleep due to the constant nightmares.

The quiet disturbed her.

She was used to noise. Constant and loud noise.

When Jace finally walked into the station, He found his sister sleeping at the bar. He sighed and wiped his forehead of sweat. Approaching her slowly, he shook her shoulder, causing her to groan and sit up.

"Jace?"

He offered a tired smile, " Hey, come on we gotta go."

Jace nearly dragged her out the door. Lilibelle barely caught herself as they walked down the steps outside, " Jace! Calm down now!"

He pushed her into the driver's seat and jumped in beside her, "Hurry up sis, we gotta meet Pa at the Campbell's place!"

Blinking in confusion, she merely said, " Huh?"

Jace wiped the sweat from his brow and threw his head back with a deep sigh, "Chester didn't tell you?"

By the blank stare he was receiving, Jace took it as a no. Lilibelle started up the truck and started driving, "Tell me what?"

Unrolling his sleeves, Jace said, " We're meetin' the Bondurants at a shindig on Campbell's land. Jack gave me the directions."

Lilibelle groaned and looked down at her outfit. She still wore the same blue dress and had her brother's worn out coat. She had a pair of Jace's old boots on, in her hurry to pick up Jace.

She sighed as she followed Jace's directions, becoming lost several times, until they came upon a number of cars parked on the side of the road near a barn.

Jace jumped out of the still moving car, causing Lilibelle to nearly have a heart attack. She came to a sudden stop, causing the breaks to squeak and gained the attention of everyone around.

"JACE MICHAEL ROSSETTI!"

Growing white in the face, Jace turned on his heels to see his sister charging at him, hair flying about.

"Ah!" he hissed as he held the back of his head.

Lilibelle had boxed his ear in her fury, " Don't you ever do something like that again! Are ya crazy?"

Face red from embarrassment, Jace looked around at the people around them, "Um...yes ma'am."

Shaking her head, she said, "I swear Rossetti men are something stupid at times!"

"Hey!"

Turning around, Lilibelle saw Wyatt standing there, a look of mock insult on his face, "I take offense to that, little sister!"

She rolled her eyes, "Well you are!"

Wyatt kissed her temple and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Looking over at Jace, he said, "Thought Pa told you ta go home, Jace."

Lilibelle turned sharply and glared at her younger brother, "What? You lied?"
Jace stuttered and stuffed his hands in his pants, "W-well,"

"Jace!" she screamed, reaching out to smack him.

He saw her coming and dodged, running into the crowd. Sighing, Lilibelle dropped her head on Wyatt's shoulder, "I'm gonna kill that boy."

"Lilibelle!"

Forrest stood with his brothers near a fire barrel, looking around the place for the Rossetti patriarch. He had only met the man once; filled up his truck on his way into town. From what he saw, Theo Rossetti was a quiet man, though he had a certain air about him that didn't invite trouble.

When he heard Lilibelle scream, he didn't recognize her voice at first. He had never heard her voice turn harsh and angry before. He was accustomed to her gentle, soft spoken nature.

He turned his head in the direction of the hollerin' and watched as Lilibelle stormed across the ground towards Jace, her hair flowing wild behind her.

He heard Jack snicker as Jace ran off, escaping his sister. Their brother, one he hadn't met yet, who had come up behind them.

"She's a firecracker, ain't she?" asked Howard, holding a jar of shine in his hand.

Jack crossed his arms, "I don't reckon she is. She's too gentle-liike, if you ask me. 'Sides, she's just worried about Jace. He tells me all the time she fusses over him, like she's his mama or something."

As he continued to watch her, her other brother, the one he nearly took out his knuckles for at the station, stalked up to her. He took her firmly by the arm and looked as though he were hissing in her ear.

He didn't like his manner very much. In fact, he had an urge to knock his teeth in. A puff of smoke from his cigar bellowed from his mouth as he watched, eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

Lilibelle wrenched herself away from his grip and glared up at him. He said something to her, pointing in the direction of Jace, who had found himself being berated by his daddy.

Whatever he had said caused the dainty woman's lips to tremble. Forrest immediately straightened, pulling his cigar from his mouth.

Her brother's demeanor changed just as suddenly as Lilibelle's. He attempted to wrap his arms around her in a hug but was pushed away by Lilibelle, who suddenly swung her hand out and clasped her brother clear across the face, the sound echoing in the noisy crowd.

Howard let out a hollering laugh, pointing at Chester, who looked after his fleeing sister with shock.

Forrest followed her with his eyes, all the while silent to his brothers chuckling. Her retreating form moving away from the shindig, disappearing around the side of the barn.

She looked...worn. As though something was eating at her. She looked as though she was caught up in whirlwind.

He found himself walking after her, leaving Howard and Jack confused, "Hey, Forrest! Where you goin'?"

He tossed the cigar he had been savoring into the fire barrel and pocketed his hands as he weaved through the people, all of whom where ignorant of the troubled girl, too caught up in their liquid bliss, courtesy of him and his brothers.

As he grew closer, he stopped in front of Chester, who removed his hand from his cheek to glare at him, "What do you want, Bondurant?"

Forrest stared at him, hard.

Chester watched him with uncertainty. He had heard stories of Forrest Bondurant around town. There seemed to be a legend surrounding him and his brothers, that they were apparently immortal.

He didn't believe a word of that bullshit.

"What're you starin' at!" he hissed.

Forrest pulled his hands from his pockets and faced him fully, "Don't ever touch her that way again."

Chester clenched his fists, "What'd you say?"

Though slightly taller and bigger than him, Chester knew that Forrest was capable of killing him. There was something dark in this man standing in front of him,, something very dark and untamed. He feared for Lilibelle because he knew there was something in Forrest Bondurant that appealed to her.

He knew his sister better than anyone else in the family, and because he knew Lilibelle so well, he knew that she was just like their mother.

And because she was just like their mother, he knew that she found a man like Forrest Bondurant attractive. After all, their mother married their daddy, who was a very dangerous man himself.

He feared for her and would do anything to keep her safe.

Forrest didn't repeat himself. He simply turned and walked away, continuing on his way towards the barn.

Lilibelle let herself slide down the side of the barn until her rear sat on the grass. She pulled her legs up to her chest and laid her head against her knees. Letting out a sigh, she closed her eyes and sat there in silence.

She let out a sudden sob as her emotions came to the surface. How dare he say such a thing to her!

Lilibelle let the tears fall, her brother's words echoing in her head. She did everything she could to help her family, she didn't want to be a burden to them!

She sat there, listening to the sound of crickets chirping and the wind blowing through the fields as she gently weeped, when a soft voice asked, "You alright, Miss Belle?"

Her head shot up in the direction of the voice.

It was Forrest.

He stood at the corner of the barn, looking down at her with silent concern. She wiped the tears from her cheek, trying to act as though she was merely scratching an itch.

She attempted to give a smile, though it was wobbly, "Of course, I am."

He tilted his head, "Don't do that."

Blinking, she watched as he approached her. She was surprised when he sat down beside her, wincing slightly as he did.

He rested his arm on his bent knee and looked down at her. Even sitting down, he was taller than her.

" Do what?" she asked softly, looking down at her lap.

"You hide behind yer smile," he said.

She looked up at him, surprised, "I don't know what you mean, Mr. Bondurant."
"Forrest," he said, giving her a pointed look.

She couldn't help the small grin that graced her lips.

"Why're you cryin' Miss Belle?" he asked bluntly.

She tilted her head, causing her hair to fall over her shoulder as she looked at him curiously, "Miss Belle?"

He grumbled and looked away. She giggled softly and let her legs relax, making sure her dress didn't stick against them.

"You shouldn't let yer brother walk all over ya, like that." he said, looking back at her.

She seemed surprised that he saw what had happened, "You saw?"

He nodded.

She laid her head back against the barn, closing her eyes as she did. This gave Forrest a view of her exposed neck. It was slender and milky white, soft as a peach. He swallowed heavily before clearing his throat, coughing slightly.
i
She turned her head to look at him, "I don't know what's gotten into him. He didn't always used to be like this, you know. Before the war, he was sweet and always was so gentle. Now, he's completely different. I don't know what I did."

"Nothin' you did, Miss Belle," he said softly.

She opened her eyes and gave him a grateful look, "Thanks for thinking that."

He shook his head once, "Ain't no thinking; it's just the truth."

She smiled.

A real, happy smile, "Thanks all the same."

A silence fell between them. It was uncomfortable or strange; it was a pleasant silence.

"You have a nice right hook, though, Miss Belle," he said after a moment.

She let out an airy laugh and without realizing it, rested her head against his arm, allowing him a whiff of her smell. He couldn't recognize it, other than it was flowery and sweet. He liked it.

"Mr. Bondurant, I advise you remove yourself from my daughter, now."

The happiness she felt quickly dissipated, leaving behind worry at the sound of her father's calm, though cold voice.

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