Loving River

Hey ya'll! I just wanted to dedicate this chapter to wildnfree999. Check out their story: Edges of Blythe! I loved it and I'm sure you will too! It's pretty cool! Enjoy! And have a great day!!!??

And now: chapter one of Loving River!

"Shhh." Willow murmured as held her daughter closer. The poor child was terrified, and she had reason to be. The sound of men talking could be heard through the wooden doors. It wasn't easy to hear what they were saying but Willow knew how the conversation would go.

Robert Krillin had come for his rent. The deal had been that the rent would be paid when the crops came in. The weather refused to cooperate however and Mr. Krillin was not a merciful man.

The shouting was getting louder and Willow heard her daughter whimper as she press closer to her.

"Mama, I'm scared." River whispered with a sob.

"Shh, River girl." Willow comforted. "Don't worry-" Her statement cut off then as a particularly loud bellow was made above. Making a decision, Willow pulled away so she could see her girl's a face. "River girl, you listen to me now. I'm going up stairs to help your papa convince-"

"No, Mama!" River cried as she clung to her mother tighter then before.

"River." Willow gently pulled her daughter's hand free. She tilted the girls face up and spoke in her no nonsense tone. "You stay in this cellar. Hide if you have to but do not come out. I don't want Mr. Krillin to see you again. Do you understand me?"

Unable to speak through the sheer terror that was clogging her throat, River nodded.

"I'm going to diffuse this discussion outside. You wait for me, River girl. I will be back."

River nodded and felt her mama pull away.

"Do not leave this cellar, River." Willow warned, then she was gone.

River wrapped her arms around her knees and pulled them to her chest. "Dear God, please help my mama and my papa. Please God, save them." Over and over she repeated her short heartfelt prayer as she sat on the cold hard packed ground rocking back and forth.

------

River sat in the cellar for a long time listening to the hum of adult voices, when a particularly sharp voice caught her attention. "We would never agree to that!" She heard her mama cry.

"I will take my payment!" Mr. Krillin bellowed. "One way or another."

"But she's a our daughter!"

"Please, we only need-"

"I have needs too, woman and I am done waiting!"

River jumped at the quick succession of gunshots. Trembling beyond believe, River rose to shaky feet.

They had been eating supper when Mr. Krillin had arrived. Her papa was not armed. Those gunshots meant something horrible had happened.

'You stay in this cellar.' She remembered her mama saying. 'Hide if you have to but do not come out." River glanced around the dark cellar. Where should she hide? If they opened the cellar door the sun would fill the hole with light. She would be found. Holding her hands out in front of herself, River cautiously walked forward. She found the shelving her papa had built for when the garden was ready. She nearly stumbled over her papa's old saddle. Undaunted, she continued forward hoping to find a safe place before the cellar was searched.

"Find me that girl." Mr. Krillin announced. "I'll take her as payment."

"But Papa, what do you need a girl for?"

"Find me that girl." Mr. Krillin growled. " I have plans for her." Loud rambunctious laugher followed his statement.

River knocked her knee against something hard. She's clamped her small hand over her mouth to keep from crying out. Reaching her other hand out carefully, she leaned forward until her hand came to rest on the object before her. A barrel. A pickle barrel. She remembered the time her mama and she had been playing hide and seek. She hid in the pickle barrel. It took mama a long time to find her and when she did she kissed River's head and told her that was the best hiding place she had come up with so far. That was last summer though. River pulled off the lid and hoped that she still fit as she crawled inside. It felt tighter then the last time but she could make it work. River dropped the lid on the barrel just as the cellar doors opened. She held her breath.

----

Zane stared at the lifeless brown eyes staring up at him. Dead. The woman and man were dead. River's parents. He turned his gaze to his father as the men returned their guns to their holsters. His father had murdered an innocent couple, and a woman at that! And he showed no regret. Of course he wouldn't. Zane knew his father had no conscience. But what would poor River do? She couldn't be more then seven. For her sake, Zane hoped she found a hiding place. A good hiding place. He didn't want his father to lay one bloody hand on that little girl.

"Search the cellar." Robert Krillin instructed. "That's where the woman came from and I bet her brat isn't far behind."

Zane ran ahead of the men and opened the cellar door. He purposely made plenty of noise as he clomped down the narrow wooden steps. He blinked as his vision adapted to the darkness. When he was finally able to see about the small cellar he breathed a deep sigh of relieve. River was no where in sight.

"Don't just stand there, ya lazy lout." His father snarled. "Search the place. She's probably hiding. Cryin' like a baby." He laughed as the other men made their way into the small cellar.

Zane scanned the cellar. Where would a small girl hide? His gaze landed on a dusty pickle barrel standing in the corner. He casually made his way over to it. He might as well begin his search here. He lifted the lid and froze.

A small head lifted and large brown eyes blinked at him. Beautidul dark brown eyes. Eyes exactly like her mama's. A tear slid down the girl's cheek. Please? She mouthed.

Zane pressed his lips together and gave a slight nod before dropping the lid back in place. He gave the barrel a gentle kick, "Nothing in there except

A bunch of stinky pickles. " he declared to the men.

"We shoulda kept the woman alive." Hefty grunted as he kicked a loos stone. Hefty was the man who didnt pull his weight but had plenty of suggestions. He always had advice for Zane. "We couldve at least had a bit of fun with her."

"It's the girl I want. I can train her." Robert said as he looked around the cellar in disgust. He was sure the girl would be down here. Where could she be? "Hefty, go check the house."

"Aw, Boss. It's already past dinner time." Hefty whined scratching his food incrested beard.

"We might as well eat." Zane offered. He moved towards the door hoping the others would follow. "She can't hide forever. You'll find her, Pa."

Robert chuckled. It was a cracked, harsh sound. "Yer right, boy. She can't stay holed up forever." His filthy boots clomped up the steps. "Come on."

Zane wanted to look towards the pickle barrel again but he was afraid someone would notice and grow suspcious. He couldn't have that. River was almost safe. He just needed to play it smart and she would be free for awhile longer. Zane hated the obsession his father had with the child. At age 13, Zane was a 'man of the world'. Life was rough with his father. He lived through more in his few short years then normal people did in their whole life. Zane dropped the doors down to cover over the cellar. He hurried to catch up with his father and the fellas. He kept his eyes straight ahead, refusing to even glance at the man and woman becoming one with the earth.

------

"I'm sick of it!" Fritz threw the can of beans at Hefty. Hefty turned his head and snarled at the man when the can connected with Hefty's chest. "What's that fer?"

"I'm plumb sick of beans!" Friz complained.

"So don't throw them at me!" Hefty exclaimed. "I didn't grow the beans."

"Someone did and you might as well take the blame!" Fritz countered unreasonably. "Beans! Beans! Beans! Nobody ever said if I became an outlaw all I'd ever eat was beans!"

"Would you've chosen a different profession if you'd known?" Zane looked up from the wooden wolf he was making. He was curious to hear Fritz' answer. In Zane's mind there was nothing good about this miserable life he was forced to live. Forced. Who said? His father wasn't tying him here. He could leave if he wanted. He was old enough to go off. Maybe he could spend some time cowboying-

"Sure! If I'd settled down and been a farmer at least I would've had a homecooked meal everyday."

"That's another reason we shoulda kept the woman alive." Hefty grumbled. "She coulda cooked us somethin'."

Zane bristled at Hefty constantly refering to River's mama as 'the woman'. The term held no respect. No regret except what her existance would've given him. It angered Zane to see the heartlessnes of this group. They didn't seem to care or even notice that a man and woman were dead for no reason! Unable to sit any longer listening to them, Zane stood abruptly. "I'm gonna go catch a rabbit or something." He mumbled.

"Go fishing." Hefty suggested. "I could go for some fish tonight." Hefty loved fish but he was too lazy to do anything for it.

Taking his shotgun, Zane wordlessly headed off. He walked through the tall grass until he was far enough away from the gang. Then he turned and ran toward town. He ran hard, pumping his fists and weaving around a small grove of trees. Grasshoppers flew as he tore his way through the grass. Soon the small town came into view, but he didn't stoop or even slow down. He knew where he was headed and knew he had to get there fast.

The small wooden house came into view as Zane neared the edge of town. He hoped that Mrs. Kate Christian was at home. Despite his horrible parentage, she had always treated Zane kindly. She gave him the small taste of mothering that he longed for. He knew that Mrs. Christian had been friend's with River's mama. He'd seen them talking at the mercantile before. Dashing up the porch steps, Zane didn't even catch his breath before he knocked pounded on the door.

"I'm coming!" He heard a woman call. Leaning over, Zane fought to catch his breath. He was used to running but for some reason, today he couldn't catch his breath. His mind whirled with the horrific events of this morning. His heart seemed to pound of its own accord.

Mrs. Christian opened the door and gasped. "Goodness, Zaney. Are you alright, boy? Come in dear." She said wrapping and arm around his thin shoulders and ushering him inside.

Zane shrugged away. "I can't, Mrs. Kate. You gotta go. You've gotta help her. She's all alone, Mrs. Kate. Will you go to her?" Zane knew he wasn't making any sense but he could't seem to help it. He had lived through many 'buisness dealings', as his father called them, but today was different. Today had struck too closely to home. It hurt him to see the girl's pain, to sense her loneliness, to see those bodies on the ground.

"Goodness, love! You're making no sense. Now calm down a wee bit and tell me what the trouble is. Who needs help now?" Mrs. Kate gripped his shoulders and looked him directly in the face. "Talk to me, Zane."

"River. My pa killed her folks for not having the crop money. He wouldn't wait for it, Mrs. Kate! She's in a pickle barrel in the cellar. I found her but I didn't want my pa to know. He'd hurt her, Mrs. Kate."

"You're right." Mrs. Kate took the information in a stride. She was well accustomed to Robert Krillin's deeds. "You run off now before they come looking for you." She pulled Zane into a tight hug. He wrapped his arms around her seeming to enjoy the brief contact with another human. "Don't worry about River. I'll take care of her."

Zane nodded and pulled away. "Thanks." He said before taking the porch steps two at a time.

"Zane."

He paused and turned towards the middle aged women in the pink apron.

"You're a good boy, Zane. Don't ever forget it. And rememeber, there's no such thing as bad blood."

Zane nodded once and then he was gone.

-------

Terrified and lonely, River stayed in the barrel. She was afraid if she climbed out she would see Mr. Krillin and he would hurt her. Her mama didn't want Mr. Krillin to see her. He was a horrible man. Several tears slid down her cheeks. She knew her parents were dead. The men would've never gotten into the cellar if her parents were alive. She prayed that Zane wouldn't tell his pa where she was. So she stayed in the barrel and tried to calm her terror.

River didn't know how long she had been asleep in the barrel, until the sqeaking of the cellar hinges woke her up. She legs were throbbing with pins and needles and her neck hurt. She didn't dare move though for fear that the men had returned.

"River?" A soft female voice called. It sounded like Mrs. Kate, but River wasn't thinking rationially. To her everyone seemed to be an enemy bound to hurt her. She trembled inside the barrel and fought to withold her sobs.

Soft footsteps padded across the dirt floor. Then the lid to the barrel lifted, and River looked up to see Mrs. Kate peering down at her. "Oh, you poor dear." She crooned. Rather then waiting for River to make the first move, Mrs. Kate reached in and pulled the small girl from the cramped pickle barrel. She hugged her tightly and River melted into her soft caring embrace. She wrapped her arms and legs around Mrs. Kate and seemed to cling to her for dear life. Mrs. Kate didn't speak and neither did River. They just stood in the cellar hugging each other tightly.

-----

Twelve Years Later

"He's out."

"Who is?" Zane asked as he leafed through the stack of wanted posters on his desk. His deputy, Micah, leaned against the cold stove.

"Your pa."

Zane froze. The wanted poster in his hand was forgotten as his brain registered Micah's words. As always, thoughts of his pa brought thoughts of River. A day didn't pass that he did'n't think of the young girl. He wondered what she had become, how she had coped.

"Zane."

Zane met Micah's green eyes.

"He wants River."

Zane's chair hit the floor as he shoved it backward and stood. "What does he want her for! He's an old man! He's already ripped her world apart. When will he leave her alone?"

Micah shrugged. "I don't know. I just heard that he's been asking around for her. He's been checking different town's trying to locate her."

Zane strode for the coatrack near the door. He slapped his hat on his head and checked his guns.

"We going someplace?" Micah asked with a small knowing smile.

"We're going to get River."

Micah laughed and pushed past Zane. "I thought you'd say that." He gestured to bays tied to the hand rail. "Lead the way to your pretty lady."

Zane mounted his horse, and turned toward her toward the east. "She's not mine."

"Yet." Micah mumbled as they rode past the livery and mercantile. "What'cha planning?"

Zane didn't acknowledge Micah's question for several long minutes as they rode throught the empty countryside. It had taken Zane twelve long years to break free from all the probelms life with his father had caused him. He still wasn't fully recovered from the last time he had met up with his pa. He had the scars to prove it. During the last four years, Zane had put a lot of men behind bars, he rescued many innocent folks, stopped more stage robberies then he careed to remember. But his father. His father proved to be his most formible enemy. After years of searching and tracking, Zane had finally come across his father's gang with help from Micah. The man ended up behind bars. But it wasn't enough. Zane would not rest until his father was gone for good. Jail couldn't reform him. His father was way past saving. There was only one thing left for him to do. And he was ready for it.

"Zane. What's the plan?"

"Kill'em."

"Kill him?"

"All of them."

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River sat in the straight back chair, her needle methodically going in and out of the blue shirt. She sewed mindlessly. Her eyes didn't see the rough, dirty shirt she repaired. No, her eyes beheld something much more beautiful. A beacon of hope. A savior of sorts. In and out her needle travelled as she examined the beautiful scenery. It wasn't a dusty, crowded town any longer. No, it was something grand and appealing. The beautiful warm sunshine shone down brightly on the meadow of long grasses waving in the wind. Windflowers of all kinds seemed to flourish and bask in the refreshing sun.

The breeze was gentle and reassuring. She couldn't see a river but she new it was there. She could here the waters as they flowed, faithfully following the course to their destination.

There were no mines. No houses, or towns, or people. Nothing but peace and serenity. It seemed to flow into River as she gazed at this land, as she walked through it in her mind. It flowed into her until she seemed to shrug aside her troubles, her worries. Everything that preyed upon her mind late at night while she tried to sleep was pushed aside. It didn't matter. It truly didn't. Life mattered. And life always repaired itself. She could do that. She could repair her mind and soul until it reflected this beautiful peaceful scene.

"I need to talk to you."

River's brow furrowed as she turned to see a man, a man dressed in dusty clothing with a tin star on his duster.

"River. We must talk." He stepped forward.

She couldn't move. Couldn't speak. She just stood still and watched as the unknown man approached her. How was it possible that he knew her name? She didn't know him. She would have surely remembered him. But she didn't. He was just an unknown approaching her. She tried to feel fear, the kind of fear she usually felt when men- any men came up to her. But it was not there. River remained motionless as she fought with the fear that would not rise. How was it that her body had no natural fear of this unknown man? Why did her subconscious fail to react? Normally, she would wake up drenched in perspiration and screaming if a man was even in her dreams.

He was close. Close enough for her to reach out and touch him, if she desired. Wait. Why would she even think such a thought? This man couldn't be trusted. And why was he in her daydream anyway? This was supposed to be her time. Her time free from life and the anxiety she normally felt towards it.

"River. You aren't safe."

She knew it. Oh boy, did she know it. Why was this man so close to her? Why did he know her? Slowly she lifted her face and her eyes met his. She gasped and felt her world start to spin as she locked gazes with eyes that she'd only seen once before in her life.

Zane.

"River." His hand lifted to cup her cheek. "My father is coming. For you. River, we must talk."

Closing her eyes, River blocked him from her sight. There was no logical reason why she should feel the desire to lean into his touch. This was a large and dangerous man. Why did she feel so protected?

It must be the tin star. It's laying tricks with her mind. He must wear it to deceive the enemy. What a clever trick. It was working.

"River." Zane said again, though this time he spoke differently. His words seemed almost as a caress. Much like his hand against her cheek. "River." He murmured against her lips. "I've got plans for you." He whispered just before his mouth closed over her's in a passionate soul reaching-

"River, honey? Are you alright? You seem out of it today. Did you sleep alright?"

River blinked slowly before she turned her head to meet Mrs. Kate's eyes. "I'm sorry." She whispered as she shook her head in an attempt to clear it of Zane's powerful touch. "I didn't seem to hear you. What was it you said?"

Clucking in disapproval, Mrs. Kate took the shirt from River's trembling hands. "You've been working too hard." She scolded as she set the shit aside and turned back to River. "This is what comes of not letting you have more sun on your skin."

River pulled away from Mrs. Kate's touch on her shoulder. She didn't want to go outside where it was dangerous. She was safer in the house.

Mrs. Kate sighed heavily at the obvious rejection. This was a common argument between the two.

"Dearie. Run over to the mercantile. We need some more black and cream thread." Mrs. Kate said as she searched her a couple coins to pay for the thread.

"I thought you shopped for supplies yesterday." River replied as she retrieved the shirt and returned to her task. Repairing miner's shirts was and ongoing task. She didn't dare rest for even a moment.

"I did. But his shipment of black and cream thread was supposed to come in today. He said to just stop by and pick it up." Mrs. Kate eyed the broken girl before her. Though she was fully grown in body and mind, River had never seemed to let go of the past. She was so young when her parents died so tragically, Mrs. Kate had held hopes that the girl wouldn't remember it. Unfortunately for the both of them, the memories seemed to be burned into her mind.

"I'll go." River conceded. She hated to make Mrs. Kate worry over her so, but she couldn't seem to quench her fear of men. As often as she could, River preferred to stay inside. Away from men and danger. Her mind seemed to consider it a protection of sorts.

"Oh good." Mrs. Kate sighed in relief. "I need to black to finish Mrs. Porter's mourning dress."

River closed the little shop's door and took a deep breath. The air wasn't as refreshing as that of her meadow, but it would do. She crossed the street and made her way down the board walk to the mercantile. Absently, she pondered why Zane had been in here meadow. She hadn't thought of him in a long while. Usually, when she did think of Zane it was accompanied by horrifying memories. Today had been different though. Very different. River couldn't figure out why he had been there. Why she wasn't afraid of him and what he had said about his father and needing to talk. River sighed, a small smile turning up the corner of her lips as she thought of the interrupted kiss.

"I must truly be losing my mind if I'm now dreaming of an outlaw's kiss." She mumbled as she walked thought the mercantile's doors. "Hello, Mr. Weber. I came for the thread on today's-" her sentence died as she locked eyes with the man before her.

Brown and blue eyes seemed to burn into each other. The only people in the room made it a quiet affair.

"Hello, River."

"You remember my name." Her lips and tongue felt like chalk as she forced the words out of her tight throat.

"Of course." He took two small steps forward. "I've spent my whole life remembering you."

River's eyes drifted downward to the metal star pinned on his duster. "You're a sheriff."

"Upholding the law and everything." His hand reached out and gently brushed against her cheek, as if testing to assure himself that she was real. "River, we need to talk."

River raised her gaze to meet his. She studied him for three short seconds before her eyes rolled and she collapsed into his arms in a dead faint.

A/N- THANKS FOR CHECKING OUT MY STORY! IF YOU LIKED IT PLEASE VOTE!

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Zane easily caught the slight form before she crumpled to the ground. His brow puckered as he gazed at the beautiful soft woman he held. She was gorgeous. She was in danger. Zane glanced at the mercantile owner. "She probably needs some air. We'll be back when she recovers."

The man nodded without seeming too concerned about the unconscious woman. "Probably came for the thread." He grumbled as he picked bad apples from the crate on the counter.

Zane wasted no time in taking River from the mercantile. He turned and strode for the soft grasses just behind the diner. He knew that nature would calm the girl's soul while he caused her to faint. Zane wasn't surprised that she fainted. He rather expected it. The girl would only associate him with horrific memories. She would be a monster if she hadn't acted so. Kneeling, Zane settled himself onto the grass. He pulled River onto his lap, cradling her gently, he stroked her hair. "Come on, baby." He whispered. "Come back to me. We need to talk." Zane sighed as she made no reaction to his soft words.

"I know you don't think well of me. You have reason to be weary, but baby, my Pa's found his way out of prison and word has it that's he's been asking about you. I protected you from him once, darlin' and I'm not gonna let him get his grubby hands on you this time either."

The crease in his brow seemed to deepen as he continued to watch the sweet girl. She was perfect. Why couldn't his father just leave her be? He stripped everything from this girl? Would the nasty man not even leave her with her future and pride? "Baby girl, I'm here to help you. I'm not bad news for you. Please wake up. We need to talk."

River's lashes fluttered against her skin as her mind slowly came to. She was laying down outside. Someone was holding her. He smelled wonderful. The scent was familiar to her. It was similar to the scent that accompanied her fathers memory. The scent of the outdoors, hard work, and leather. She breathed deeply, reveling the the comfort that the familiar scent brought her. As her mind slowly returned to consciousness, she heard a voice, a deep voice speaking to her in a soft, reassuring manner.

"You just relax, River girl. I'll take care of you. You have my promise. I'll never let anyone hurt you. I promise. Now come on, baby. Wake up and talk to me, this is important darling. Come on." He whispered. Unable to resist, he bent and placed a warm kiss to her forhead. "Please talk to me." He murmured against her skin.

River basked in the warmth surrounding her. It had been too long, much too long since she had felt so protected and secure. She felt as though someone really cared for her- not just care for her, but was taking care of her. It was a feeling that she associated with love and happiness. She didn't want to lose that feeling, it had been so long since she felt it. Content. That's what it was, contentment.

"River, baby. We need to talk. There's danger coming but I promise he will not get to you. I will protect you. I will always protect you."

Almost against her will, her lashes fluttered open and she found herself gazing into the handsome face that could only belong to one.

Zane smiled as he gazed into River's eyes. "That's it, girl. Come one. We need to talk, baby."

"You're a lawman." River whispered.

Zane smiled as he gently caressed her cheek. "Yep."

"Are you-. Is your father-?"

"My father isn't here. Yet. Now listen, we need to talk. There are things that you need to know. Just relax, and let me tell you."

River nodded her silent agreement as she sat up and pulled away from Zane. She wanted nothing more then to sit in the embrace of his arms and take comfort from this strange man. She knew she couldn't though. It wasn't safe and she wasn't going to risk her life with a man known to be dangerous.

"After I told Mrs. Kate about you, I took off and found a life of my own. A life that didn't involve my father."

"Why are you here? What do you want with me?" Rivers mind was tormented by remembering the deeds of this man's father. How was it that only a moment ago she'd been drawing comfort from the terrible man's son.

"I'm here to help you. Trouble is coming. Just let me-"

"What do you mean trouble? I haven't bothered you, why are you here?" Panic rose in her voice as she leaned forward.

"River girl." Zane chuckled. "You need to recall your manners. Just let me speak and it will all be clear. Okay?" He paused, only continuing after he received her nod. "I've made a decent life away from my Pa. After I grew some, I went searching for the old gang. We took them all in." Zane shook his head in disgust. "They were supposed to hang for their offenses, the murders." Zane paused and pursed his lips as he gathered his thoughts. Finally he looked up and directly into River's worried eyes. "River, my father is alive and he is out of prison. Word is that he's been searching towns, asking about you."

"Why?" River sobbed. "What does he want with me?" She shook her head and brushed furiously at her eyes. She didn't want this man to see her weakness.

"I don't know." Zane mumbled. He leaned forward and clasped her hand in both of his. "I promise you though, you have my word that he will not touch you. My deputy and I came to make you safe, to protect you from my father. River, I will not let him hurt you."

River took three deep breaths, her mind carefully sorting though what Zane had to say. She believed him that his father was coming. She believed that his fathered wanted her. What she didn't believe however was that she could trust Zane. "How- how do I know you mean what you say?"

"River just think of my father. He-"

"I am thinking of your father. And that is why I ask my question. How do I know that you mean to protect me? Maybe you came to collect me for yourself. Maybe it's an elaborate scheme of your fathers to make me trust you."

Silence ruled over the couple as they sat in the sun warmed grass and studied each other. River was surprised by the look on Zane's face. She had expected malice, guilt, or even anger to cross his features. Instead his face softened, caring look in his eyes as he leaned forward and whispered. "I protected you from my father once before. What makes you doubt that I would do it again?"

Surprised by his words and confused to his motives, River attempted to make sense of this man. "Why did you?"

Her question was not harsh or accusing. It was a simple question born of the girls honest confusion. Perhaps that's why Zane decided to answer honestly. "I always liked you. You and your family. It killed me when my father did what he did to your parents. I wouldn't let him take you too. Not if it was in my power to save you."

"Why did you come now? To warn me." She asked as an unknown force caused her to move closer to him.

"I loved your family, River. I've- I've never had that. My childhood was difficult at best. I always hoped- wanted what your family had. With you."

"What?" Rivers eyes widened. Her ears surely had deceived her. Surely he wasn't saying what she thought he said.

"I was afraid that you'd hate me for my connection with him. So I stayed away." Zane shrugged. "I didn't have much choice though when I heard he was looking for you. I had to risk it."

"Risk what?" River fought to understand what this man was saying. She couldn't believe it.

"I had to risk your hatred of me to save you from him."

"Are you- I mean." River took a deep breath and looked into Zane's eyes. "Did you say that you wanted a family with me?"

Zane smiled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Is that all you heard, River girl?"

"Isn't that what you said?" She tilted her head as she studied Zane with new eyes.

"I did say that. But you don't have to feel obligated- I mean. You wanted the truth as to why I saved you from my father. I told you, but I will help you stay away from my father regardless."

"You saw me in that barrel." She looked at him with amazement and awe reflecting in her gaze. "And you never told them."

"I couldn't."

"You got Mrse. Kate."

"I couldn't leave you alone."

"You came back."

"Yep."

"Zane, do you love me?"

Zane leaned close until he was face to face with River. His breath caressed her lips as he spoke, "Baby, I always have."

A/N- THANKS FOR CHECKING OUT MY STORY! IF YOU LIKED IT PLEASE VOTE!

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