Arthur looks over to Emmeline as she sleeps on the cot in his tent. The day had been hectic, for sure. First it was the long ride from Van Horne, then it was dealing with all the attention from the gang once Dutch introduced Emmeline. He, of course, left out the fact that she's his illegitimate daughter, but rather focused on her being with Arthur as her reasons for being brought to the camp. Which seemed to interest everyone greatly.
"It's so romantic," Mary Beth stated dreamily after she greeted the new arrival.
Arthur felt his cheeks get hot. "It really ain't."
Emmeline let out a little laugh. "I suppose it is." She looked to Arthur and noticed his embarrassment. "Unless it isn't...?"
He realized how his statement must've sounded to her. "I didn't mean- I just-" He scratched the back of his neck. "I ain't all that romantic, is all."
Mary Beth rolled her eyes at him. "Yes you are, Arthur Morgan. You can't tell me different. And I bet Emmeline would say the same."
He looked down to Emmeline standing beside him. "I think she'd probably call me a fool," he said with a smile, though he wasn't really joking.
"Not exactly a fool," she replied as she looked up at him. "You've done some foolish things, but... you're a good man."
They stared at each other for a few moments before they're interrupted by Mary Beth, squealing in delight.
"You need to tell me your whole story," she requested, though it was more of a demand. "Maybe I could write a story out of it!"
After that, Arthur somehow was able to steer clear of Mary Beth long enough to get two bowls of stew for himself and Emmeline for dinner. They quietly ate in the privacy of Arthur's tent, both relieved to have some peace.
Not much longer after that, Emmeline changed into her nightgown and got into the cot, falling asleep almost immediately. Arthur, however, sat down across from her on the ground, which is where he currently is. He lets out a heavy breath and takes his journal from his satchel to recount the last few days.
Emmeline is here with me at camp. After weeks apart, she's just a few feet away from where I am now, sleeping peacefully in my bed.
And I'm conflicted.
I know that I made the right choice in walking away from her. I would've done anything to make sure that she stayed as far away as possible from me and this life I lead. That's the safest thing for her. But I'd be lying if I said I weren't happy to have her here. The second I saw her again back in Valentine, I realized just how much I missed her. Just how deep my feelings run for her. Even so, I think I still would've left her again if it weren't for what I found out just a few minutes later.
I got Emmeline pregnant, apparently. That one time we slept together... guess it were enough. Now all I can think is that I don't ever want to leave her alone again. I want her with me always so I can take care of her. Protect her. Especially since the Pinkertons know about her and that she's Dutch's daughter. And they want to use her to get to Dutch.
I know it were Micah that told them. Had to be. Only three people on this earth knew about Emmeline. Dutch, me, and Hosea. None of us ran to the law, I know that for sure. So someone must've overheard me and Dutch talking about her. Thinking back, I think Dutch said he was her father when we was in his tent, after he read that letter she wrote me. And if I remember correctly, Micah was close by when I left. That had to be when he found out about her. And he went running right to them Pinkertons with the news.
Dutch can't see it, though. I don't have no idea why. But I think Hosea is getting suspicious of Micah. There's just too many coincidences for it to be anything else. If me and Hosea work together, we might get Dutch to change his mind about that rat. I just hope it's before something bad happens.
"You awake, Arthur?" Dutch's quiet voice sounds out from the other side of the closed tent flaps, drawing Arthur from his thoughts. Dutch had heard the pencil scraping across the pages of Arthur's journal, so he was already sure the man wasn't sleeping. Which he is glad about, since he wants to talk with Arthur.
Arthur closes his journal and with a quick glance back to the still sleeping Emmeline, he exits the tent. "What is it, Dutch?" he asks, just as quiet so he doesn't wake anyone. It's late and most of the camp is asleep.
Dutch cocks his head to the edge of camp, prompting Arthur to follow. Once they're far enough away, Dutch starts to talk.
"I've been thinking about all this. With you and Emmeline," Dutch starts and Arthur pales, thinking that somehow Dutch knows about Emmeline's pregnancy. "Let me ask you, did you see her after I told you not to?" The look on Dutch's face tells Arthur that the man isn't exactly happy.
"I didn't," Arthur answers truthfully, a bit relieved that this is where the conversation went. "I told you I was gonna stay away and I did."
Dutch nods, though he still doesn't seem too happy. "And you just happened to be at her house when the law showed?"
"I told you. I ran into her in Valentine. She got real upset when she saw me, so I escorted her home. I promise you, Dutch, that were the first time I saw her in weeks."
That's all the truth, though Arthur again left out the visit with the doctor and what he told them.
"You didn't lead them there?"
Arthur shakes his head emphatically. "They was there when we rode up. Ask Emmeline. She'll tell you the same."
Dutch continues to look at Arthur pointedly. "Tell me now, son, what are your feelings toward her?"
Arthur looks away from the man's intense gaze. "I-" He swallows hard. "I think I might love her, Dutch."
"So you ain't just pretending to cover her being here?"
Arthur shakes his head. "I wanna be with her. If she'll have me."
"Is that gonna cause problems?"
Arthur furrows his brow. "Problems?"
"I need you here. The gang needs you here. I can't have you running off like you did with Mary."
"This ain't like with Mary," Arthur is quick to say. "I ain't gonna abandon no one here. These people are my family and I want what's best for them. That can include Emmeline, too. She's here, ain't she. I didn't run off with her like I coulda. I brought her here."
Dutch shakes his head as he casts his gaze down. "I never wanted her here."
"I didn't neither. But now, this is the safest place for her. I don't trust them Pinkertons. They'd destroy her just to get to you."
"I know they would." Dutch lets out a heavy breath. "All I ask is that you remember where your loyalties lie, son." With that, Dutch walks away, back to his tent, leaving Arthur somewhat confused.
Once Arthur enters his own tent, Emmeline stirs and looks up to him. "Arthur?"
"Sorry, Emma. I didn't mean to wake you."
"It's alright. Are you coming to bed?"
He pauses a moment. "You-You mean...?" He gestures to his cot.
Emmeline lets out a little laugh. "Yeah. Of course. We've shared a bed before, Arthur."
"I know." He scratches the back of his neck. "I just didn't wanna assume you wanted me to. I'm fine on the ground."
She giggles. "You can lay up here, Arthur. We're together now, right?"
"Is that what you really want?" he asks, his insecurities preventing him from just telling her how he feels.
She sits up before answering. "Yes. I want to be with you Arthur." She hesitates before asking, "Do you want to be with me?"
He nods as he sits on the edge of the cot facing her. "I do want to be with you. I just want to make sure that's what you want. You didn't know about none of this," he gestures vaguely to the camp with one hand, "a few days ago. I'd understand if you don't want me as your man because of it."
"Why won't you believe me when I say that I do?"
"Because..." he looks away, "Because I ain't so sure I deserve it."
"Do you trust me?"
He looks back to her, confused. "Of course."
"Do you think I'd lie to you?"
"Don't reckon you would."
"So believe me when I say that you deserve this, Arthur. You deserve happiness. Love. I know I'm not the best woman, but I will try my hardest to show you how much I care for you."
He can't help but smile at her words, though his cheeks turn a bit red. "Alright then, Miss Emmeline." He's not entirely certain that his past misdeeds could ever be forgiven, but he does believe her feelings for him.
After stripping down to his union suit, Arthur climbs into the cot with Emmeline. It's a tight fit, but both of them end up sleeping soundly in the comfort of each other's arms.
Emmeline wakes the next morning, alone in the tent. She doesn't really think much about it, considering that her stomach is forefront in her mind. As she sits up and swings her legs over the side of the cot, all she can think about is that she's somehow both starving and nauseous, though her hunger is just a bit worse.
As if on cue, Arthur walks into the tent carrying a plate of eggs and bacon. "Mornin'," he says gently once he sees that Emmeline is just barely awake.
"Good morning," she responds as she stretches a little. "Is that for me?"
"Yeah." He gives the plate to her then sits beside her. "Didjya sleep well."
She doesn't answer. Instead, she starts shoveling the food in her mouth quickly.
Arthur starts to chuckle. "Don't choke now."
She swallows then wipes her mouth with her hand. "Sorry. I was really hungry."
"I guess."
"I just wanted to get some food in me. My stomach ain't really good."
"Oh?" Arthur's eyes travel down instinctively. "You feel like you're gonna throw up?"
"Not right now. Just a little nauseous. I think the food helped a little."
"Sorry you feel sick."
She shrugs as she takes another bite. "I suppose I'll have to get used to it."
As Emmeline finishes her breakfast, Arthur fidgets beside her, anxious at the subject of her pregnancy. It's only been a few days since the two of them received that news, so they haven't really discussed it very much.
She sets the now empty plate down and looks up to Arthur beside her, noticing his state. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." He clears his throat and scratches the back of his neck in nervousness. "Can I- Can I... touch...?" He holds his hand out and gestures to her stomach.
"Yeah." She pulls her arms away and sits up straighter. "There's nothing there, though."
He chuckles as he lightly places his hand on her. "Guess you're right," he mutters, though he doesn't move his hand away.
When she places her hand atop his, he shifts his gaze up to meet hers. Softly smiling at each other, they share a moment as both of their anxieties seem to melt away. Things may not be perfect for them, but at least they can count on each other.
The serenity of the moment is shattered by a most unwelcome voice.
"Dutch!" Micah calls out from somewhere inside the camp.
Arthur lets out a growl upon hearing the man's voice. "Stay here," he commands to Emmeline as he stands from the cot. Before he exits, he turns back to her. "Get dressed."
His harsh tone scares her. Whatever is happening outside, Emmeline is sure that Arthur is worried about it.
Before Arthur can intercept Micah, the man is standing before Dutch.
"Oh, Dutch," Micah calls out in a jovial way. "Do I have some good news for you."
"What is it, Micah?" Dutch responds neutrally, though he sends Arthur a look as he approaches.
Against his better judgement, Arthur keeps quiet and allows Dutch and Micah to have their conversation. His attention is momentarily shifted to Hosea as he starts to walk up to them, though it goes back to the conversation happening before him after Micah starts to speak.
"Ran into some of them O'Driscolls," he explains. "Right before I could decide to pump them full o' lead, they start tellin' me that they want me to deliver a message to you from none other than Colm O'Driscoll himself."
"Colm?" That gets Dutch's full attention.
"He wants to parley," Micah says with his usual smirk. "Wants to bury the hatchet."
Dutch runs his hand over his mustache, considering Micah's words. Before he can say anything, Arthur jumps in.
"Are you kidding?" he calls out, unable to hold his tongue. "He wants to talk now? When we're already dealing with a heap of shit! We don't have time for this."
Micah holds his hands up. "I'm just the messenger, cowpoke. But don't ya think it's time we settle things."
"We?" Arthur growls. "You weren't even around when our beef with Colm started!"
Dutch lays his hand on Arthur's shoulder, stopping him. "It seems unlikely Colm wants peace between us," he finally says. "I killed his brother. And in turn, he killed someone very special to me."
Hosea jumps in. "This parley is surely a trap," he says matter of factly.
"Maybe," Micah concedes. "But ain't it worth the shot if it ain't. We wouldn't hafta worry about them O'Driscolls causing us problems no more. Besides," he claps Arthur on the back, "we'll have you scoping the whole meet out from above us with a rifle. If shit goes south, you take 'em all out."
"And where exactly is this meet?" Arthur snarls.
"Out in the Heartlands."
"So the middle of nowhere. Out in the open," Arthur adds, repeating the words that Milton had said to him. It seems like too much of a coincidence that Milton asked Arthur to get Dutch out in the open. Now Colm is asking for a meet out of the blue?
Dutch catches Arthur's meaning, but he's still mulling it over. "You think you could take the shot, son?" he asks of Arthur. "Before those boys get the chance to kill me and Micah?"
"I ain't goin' along with this, Dutch," Arthur says, almost quietly.
Micah throws up his hands. "Of course! Arthur wants to play house with his little whore instead of working with us. That's all he cares about Dutch! He ain't loyal to us no more! Only thinkin' with his little prick!"
Hosea has to step forward before both Dutch and Arthur throttle Micah. "Now, Emmeline ain't got nothing to do with this. Arthur has his reservations and they're warranted."
"Ain't about loyalty, Micah," Arthur presses. "It ain't disloyal to try and stop Dutch from doing somethin' foolish!" He turns to the older man. "You know I want justice for Annabelle just as much as you do. She was like a mother to me; I loved her almost as much as my own. But this? Meeting with Colm now when we got the Pinkertons breathing down our necks? It ain't gonna work out, Dutch. I know it."
Dutch lets out a heavy breath. "If I go out there, I'll need you backing me up."
Arthur shakes his head as he casts his gaze down. "I ain't gonna participate in this, Dutch. I ain't. And you shouldn't neither."
Dutch takes a moment before making his final decision. If Arthur won't change his mind, then Dutch knows the plan would fail anyway. "If Colm really wants peace, he'll wait until we're outta this mess with the law."
Hosea concurs. "The time will come for us to talk with Colm, but it ain't the time yet."
"Come on!" Micah calls out, exasperated. "You're listening to him?!" He gestures to Arthur. "After he abandoned you!"
Dutch can't hold back, his voice cracking as he screams, "Now. is not. the time!"
Micah stares back at the leader, breathing ragged. "Fine, Dutch. But you're making a mistake." He doesn't wait for a reply, turning away from them and stomping over to mount his horse.
Arthur watches the man ride off. Once the hoof beats fade away, he turns back to Dutch. "We need to move camp. Now, before Micah knows what we're doing."
"What?" Dutch asks, his face contorted displeasure.
"He's a snake, Dutch!" Arthur calls out, unaware that the raised voices have drawn attention from everyone in camp. "He failed with that bullshit he was spoutin'. So I'd bet money he's riding off to tell Milton to come and pick us up!"
"You think I'm that bad a judge of character?!" Dutch spits back. "That I'd let a rat into my home?!"
"I think you're human, Dutch," Arthur replies more calmly once he sees how agitated Dutch is. But he can't stand by and do nothing as Dutch comes to the realization any longer. "You can make mistakes, but you gotta see that now. Before it gets us all killed."
"We've been here too long as it is," Hosea steps in diplomatically. "Even after we backed off from those families, they remain skeptical of us. If one of those agents comes sniffing around, I have no doubt that anyone in Rhodes would point them our way."
Dutch takes a deep breath to calm down. "Where are we gonna go then?" he snips.
"Um." Lenny walks forward cautiously. He, like everyone else, heard the conversation going on in the middle of the camp. "I know a place." He looks over to Arthur. "That old plantation we cleared out down in the swamp. Shady Belle. We could hole up there."
"Ain't too far from here," Arthur adds.
Dutch reluctantly nods. "Lenny, take John with you and make sure that place is still clear. Charles." He waves the man over and waits for him to arrive.
"Yeah, Dutch?" Charles says once he's close enough.
"Track Micah," Dutch says reluctantly. Either Micah's a rat or he isn't, but he needs proof either way. "Don't let him see you. Then come find us at Shady Belle and tell us what he's up to."
Charles nods and without question, turns to leave.
"Everyone," Dutch calls out loudly, "pack up! We're leaving in twenty minutes. Then Arthur will lead us to our new home."
As the gang starts to tear down the camp, Arthur heads back to his tent. Once inside, he sees Emmeline carefully packing away his things in his trunk.
"I heard Dutch," she says before he can ask what she's doing. "Is someone coming for us?"
He decides to just tell her the truth. "It's a precaution. I think one of our gang, a man named Micah Bell, is informing on us to the Pinkertons. I think he's the one that told them about you. And, right now, I think he's on his way to them. So we're leavin'."
Emmeline nods and they both get to work packing up the tent. Before they're finished, Emmeline voices the question on her mind.
"What would happen if they found us? The Pinkertons?"
He stops what he's doing and looks over to her. "Reckon all the men would hang. The women, ain't so sure about."
"You'd hang?"
He looks at her a moment before answering. "Honestly, I ain't too sure what would happen to me. I don't got the same bounty on my head as the others, but I don't think them agents would just let me go. They'd sooner have me rot in prison on trumped up charges just for pissing them off."
Dutch's voice yelling for everyone to hurry up draws them out of the conversation and they finish up with their things. Once all the trunks are packed away in the supply wagons, Arthur leads Emmeline to one with seats in the back. Abigail, Jack, Tilly, Mary Beth, and Karen are already seated, with Miss Grimshaw and Hosea on the leads.
"Can't I take Miss Susie?" Emmeline asks once she realizes Arthur wants her to sit in the wagon.
"Kieran's gon' take good care of her, I promise. I want ya here, okay?"
She nods at him. Despite her wanting to stay with her horse, it might be more relaxing for her to ride in the wagon. Especially with her stomach being sour.
"I'm gon' be in the front leading the way, but Sadie'll be riding behind. If you need anything, you yell to her. And if you start hearin' gunshots, you duck down and don't look up, alright?"
"Okay. I guess I'll see you when we get there." She takes his hand in hers as she looks up to him, placing her other hand on his cheek.
Arthur isn't used to such a tender gesture, especially not in front of other people. But he finds himself reveling in it. Her soft fingers on his skin sends a warmth through his chest that he hasn't felt in years. Maybe ever, really.
Mary never touched him like this. Certainly not in public. "It's not proper," she'd say. Even behind closed doors, it was always him lavishing her with attention. He hadn't realized how such a simple gesture could mean so much to him.
Before he can give it much thought, he bends down to place a sweet kiss on her lips. It's cut short, though, by giggles coming from the wagon. Arthur instantly feels his ears go hot at what the women had just seen, knowing that they're probably going to tease him for it. Without looking at them, he pulls away from Emmeline and helps her up into her seat.
"Listen to Sadie," he says to all the women, though he's not making eye contact with any of them. "If she tells you to get down-"
"We know, Arthur," Karen cuts him off. "We weren't born yesterday. Stop fussin' cuz your lady's here. We'll take care of her."
He lets out a huff. "Alright then." With one last look to Emmeline, he hops down and mounts Sparrow.
The ride to their new campsite isn't a particularly long one, especially given how long the rides Emmeline has done the past few days. However, it's not entirely comfortable for her, given her morning sickness.
"You alright, Emmeline?" Abigail leans forward to ask the woman sat across from her.
Emmeline nods. "I'm fine."
"You look a little green around the gills," Karen comments from her seat beside Emmeline.
"It's just-" Emmeline starts, trying to think of how to explain it without divulging her secret.
Mary Beth jumps in, inadvertently helping Emmeline. "All this change for you... I get queasy when I'm worried, too. Just keep breathin', sweetheart. It'll all work out."
Tilly reaches over and pats Emmeline on the knee. "We always make it outta our messes. You got nothin' to worry about."
The women all accept that explanation. Well, all of them except Abigail, though her mind isn't completely made up on Emmeline's affliction just yet.
Within a few hours, they arrive at the rundown plantation and set up the wagons and tents. Miss Grimshaw readies a room for Arthur and Emmeline in the house, across from the Marstons and down the hall from Dutch and Molly's room.
"I like this better than the tent," Emmeline comments as she looks around the room. "It's almost sad this place fell into disrepair. I bet it was beautiful."
"The building mighta been beautiful, but this place sure weren't. Them buildings out back are slave quarters," Arthur explains.
"Oh." Emmeline lets out a breath as she shrugs a shoulder. "Guess this is the south. Wasn't much thinking about that."
"Lenny's told some stories 'bout his parents being slaves." Arthur shakes his head. "Don't know how nobody can treat others like that."
A knock at the door pulls them from their conversation. Before they can answer, Miss Grimshaw calls out, "Pearson's got the stew ready," before she walks back down the stairs.
"Hungry?" Arthur asks with a smile.
"I'm starving."
They head outside to eat their dinner with everyone else as the sun sets. Despite the hectic day, everyone seems to be in good spirits. Emmeline learns a lot about the gang's history as tales of their exploits are told. To be honest, she hadn't expected the stories to be as lighthearted as they are, considering they're about criminal acts. But it seems like the gang, especially early on, was more akin to Robin Hood and his merry men rather than outlaws. Their adventures involved stealing from the corrupt elite and donating the spoils to orphanages, charities, and the like.
With how Hosea and Arthur describe Dutch as a younger man, she can see how her mother would have been drawn to him. He's not exactly like the man that raised her (the man she knew her mother loved very much), but he isn't a complete opposite either.
"Why don't ya tell us about yourself, girlie?" Sean asks Emmeline in his thick Irish accent as almost everyone sits around the fire unwinding.
"I've led such a boring life compared to all of you," she answers. "I don't really have any stories that don't end in me doing chores or reading a book."
Dutch looks up at her and smiles. "You're a reader? I'll have to include you on the discussions Lenny and myself have."
"Pfft. Books," Sean calls out. "What's the use of 'em? Nobody never filled their bellies or their pockets with books."
"People make money off of books, Sean," Lenny points out.
"Well..." Sean starts, trying to save himself from looking foolish. "I still don't see the fuckin' point."
"If you'd let me teach you-" Lenny starts to comment, but Sean cuts him off.
"I've lived this many years just fine! I ain't gonna learn how to read at this point in my life!"
"You can't read?" Emmeline asks, confused as to why anyone wouldn't learn such a thing.
Sean starts to get a little flustered, actually embarrassed. "I ain't the only one 'round 'ere. Abigail can't. Karen, neither. And I think John's fakin' it."
"I know how to read, dumbass!" John bites back.
Everyone laughs as the two men start to bicker back and forth about various things they're better at than the other one. It's not until everyone hears hoof beats approaching that things go quiet as they ready themselves for who it could be. The tension leaves everyone's bodies when they see it's just Charles approaching, though.
After he dismounts, he walks over to where everyone is gathered. "Dutch," He starts, his face stoic. "Arthur was right about Micah."
Dutch stiffens and stands. "What did he do?" he asks calmly, though the tension is evident in his stance.
"I followed him all the way to Flatneck Station," Charles begins. "I stayed outside as he went in. He was in there a while. Never got on a train. Then I saw those two Pinkerton agents ride up and go inside. They all stayed in there for maybe half an hour, then the agents left. Five minutes later, Micah left."
Dutch's breathing picks up as he takes it all in. But Charles isn't finished.
"I went back to Clemens Point to scope it out after that. The law descended on the place, Dutch. Didn't seem too happy we weren't there."
Arthur knows now isn't the time for "I told you so"s, so he keeps his mouth shut. But he is certainly relieved that Dutch has no choice but to see Micah for the rat that he is.
Everyone just stares at Dutch, waiting for him to say something further.
"He betrayed us," he finally utters. "He betrayed us. And that means..." he takes a breath, "he gets a death sentence. If anyone sees him from here on out, shoot him on sight! Understood?!"
Everyone nods, though no one says a word as Dutch turns away to go up to his room.