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John Dutton stood with Lee and Rip, the three talking about which pasture to put the new cattle in, faint screaming coming from the barn.
"Well my guess is that's Beth and Jamie," Lee said with a big ol smile on his face, his father's glare not doing much to deter it.
"I swear these two fight like cats and dogs." John shook his head, pushing himself from the fence and walking towards the door of the barn.
"I don't know sir, never seen cats and dogs fight that vicious." Rip added, John made no comment, but Lee laughed and slapped the man on the shoulder.
As they rounded the corner they could hear Jamie yell back to Beth,
"- I could barely remember what you were like before you killed her," Beth's heels quickly stomping across the wooden floor.
Lee's smile dropped now, knowing his baby sister blamed himself for their mothers death when it was just an accident.
The three stepped in the barn as Beth was pelting her brother, screaming at him to 'be a man'.
Rip was the one who moved to go pull Beth away, everyone pausing when she screamed the loudest yet, Jamie finally hitting her back and sending her straight to the ground.
Jamie hadn't noticed them come in, not caring to hide his smile, until his father had shoved him up against one of the horse pens.
Lee helped his sister from the ground, Rip putting himself in between her and Jamie.
"I'm fine" her words came a bit slurred as she patted Lee's hand away, the man tightening his grip when she stumbled a second.
"Give me a reason not to put your head through this fucking wall!" John was in his son's face, goading him to say something.
"Daddy its my fault, I started it." Beth tried to put a hand on her father's shoulder, but Rip stepped in the way, even Lee pulling her back, tipping her chin to see the damage, an already darkening bruise just under her eye.
"I don't give a shit of who started it, Lee get her out of here." John held Jamie up, ignoring Beth's pleas as she was dragged from the barn.
"Seriously dad, she's going to lose this ranch-" Jamie couldn't continue as John punched him in his stomach, letting go as Jamie curled over with a groan.
"She's not afraid of a fight, you are. There's a reason I called her." John backed up a few steps, Rip backing with him, coiled and ready incase Jamie would attempt to fight back.
"You ever lay your hands on her again, I'll let Rip tear you to shreads." John turned, walking away, Rip slowly following after.
Rip was eager to hurry to the house and check on Beth, but he knew she would've wanted her to have John's back as he confronted Jamie.
Finally they reached the house, Rip following John straight to the kitchen where Lee and Beth both had a beer, Beth choosing to hold hers on her face rather than the ice pack that now laid on the counter top.
"Lemme see," John said, coming over and lifting her cheek towards the light.
Beth rolled her eyes, but complied nonetheless, sharing a brief smile with Lee as he mouthed 'daddys girl.'
"Well I hope it was worth it." John kissed the top of her head, moving to pour himself a drink.
"Oh I think I made my point, I did start it though daddy," Beth looked to Rip, eyebrows furrowing when he refused to meet her eyes.
"I mean Jamie wasn't going easy with his words either," Lee, shared a look with his dad. Beth couldn't argue with Lee either, Jamie's words had hurt.
The room fell quiet, John looking between his daughter and surrogate son, rolling his eyes he began to excuse himself.
"I'm gonna head up, see you in the morning sweetie," John moved to kiss his daughters head again, grabbing Lee's jacket and dragging him along as he left the room, leaving the pair.
"Rip?" Beth quietly questioned, she was worried for the silent man.
Slowly he lifted off the wall, walking towards Beth with his head down, his hands gently coming to touch her face.
"I wanted to kill him." Rip finally spoke.
Beth closed her eyes, nodding towards him,
"I'm betting next time my father will let you"
"Don't, don't joke about that. No one should ever put there hands on you." Rip slowly pulled away, meeting Beth's eyes for the first time.
"Come on cowboy, you can escort me to my room," Beth stood, leaving the beer bottle in favor of grabbing the ice pack, letting it sit on her cheek as she led the way upstairs to her room.
Rip followed her in, waiting as she walked into the bathroom and prodded at her cheek, quickly running through her nighttime routine she joined Rip back by her bed.
Slowly she pulled him to lay down with her, throwing her body on top of his so he couldn't move, he'd never forcefully push her away.
"Beth you know I can't stay,"
She only shhed him, moving into a more comfortable position.
"Honey if you're gonna trap me here, at least let me take off these boots."
Beth huffed dramatically, but got up nonetheless, sitting up to strip from her clothes as well, she quickly flipped back the covers and sat back down, Rip sliding in next to her.
Beth quickly flipped the lights, curling her body next to Rip, the two basking in each other's presence, using the moonlight to see.
"Your father's gonna kill me when he finds me in here." Slowly Rip brought his hand up to Beth's bare back, slowly tracing invisible patterns.
"Not if he doesn't find out." Beth tried to be cheeky, but slowly Rip was lulling her to sleep, her eyes getting heavier against her will.
"You'll let me know, if he hits you again?" It was whispered, so much worry filling the man's tone. Beth opened her eyes, meeting his,
"He ain't ever gonna lay a hand on me again baby, not while I got you."
The pair fell asleep together, safe with each other, though Rip did leave out the window in the morning, trying his hardest not to fall as Beth's giggles filled the room. John Dutton just pretended like he hadn't a clue what had happened, just glad to have his children together and happy.