John was so happy to have Harlow back under him, he truly missed his valiant steed but he was also happy that his horse was able to have a break, he worked hard with John so he was glad the horse seemed joyful to see him again. However, all joy was deprived of him as he pulled back some on the alabaster horse's reigns... He could see the gate to the MacFarlane's Ranch, even the darkness couldn't shroud John's sight when it came to his woman. He took a breath, hoping to god that Bonnie was asleep.
He slowly reached over and pulled the letter that he had written out of his saddlebag, perhaps Bonnie would appreciate a letter only after a week since his last one... Hoping that Bonnie wouldn't be angry at him for not seeing her, but his family's captures, unfortunately, took first priority. Taking a breath, praying for God to give him strength... He kicked Harlow's sides, making the horse canter onto the Ranch. The familiar sights giving John a warm feeling, he stopped Harlow outside the farmhouse and looking up to Bonnie's window... His heart was shattering...
John's eyes fluttered shut for just a moment... And he slowly dismounted Harlow and walked up the steps to the house, his letter in his hand and slipping the letter into the letterbox by the front door. He reached up and ran his gloved hand over the front door.
I'm here... I'm right here...
With a heavy heart, John turned around, forcing himself to look away... But he couldn't leave. He felt so broken and so torn, he reached up and ran a hand down his face in an exhausted manner before he plopped down onto the steps of the MacFarlane's farmhouse. He lit up a cigarette and just... Relaxed for a moment. He needed to stop... Just for a moment.
Bonnie's eyes opened, she didn't know why... She sat up and rubbed her eyes, she wasn't nauseous and she wasn't aching but... Something woke her up. She swung her legs over her bed and slipped on her robe, standing and venturing down the hall. She stretched some and looked down to her nonexistent baby-bump before she traversed downstairs and looked to the front door. Humming she turned around to walk back upstairs but the distinct squeaking of something being put in her letterbox made her turn back around.
There was no way the mail had just arrived... Glancing at the clock by the stairs, it was around two in the morning. She haltingly approached the door and rested her palm on the knob and turning it, opening the door, her core shuddering as she saw John sitting on the stairs. He was smoking, casually as if nothing was bothering him.
"J-... John." She whispered, watching John pause his movements for a moment and then flicking his cigarette away.
"... Miss MacFarlane... Thought you would be in bed." He murmured and stood, looking to her.
"Oh my god, John!" Bonnie gasped and ran into him, crashing into his chest. "John..." She sobbed, feeling such relief when he finally turned and wrapped his arms around her. "Y-You... Stupid fool..." She cried and hid her face into his chest.
"... I missed you too." John replied with a dry chuckle and ran his hands through her hair, holding her tightly. "I'm so confused." He admitted. "I have to leave to Blackwater tonight but... I'm tired." He sighed, kissing her head and holding her.
"John I know you can do this... You have to." She sniffed, reaching up and running a hand over his cheek, he looked exhausted.
"I know..." He sighed and looked to Harlow. "I do." He said, almost as if he needed her encouragement, he was just happy to see her face... Her sparkling eyes. "... I love you, Miss MacFarlane."
"J-John..." She suddenly blurted and the man looked down to her, she had waited so long to hear those words, but the one thing that had been haunting her over the last few weeks had to be addressed. "We need to talk... Before you leave." She muttered, fidgeting nervously.
"Talk? About what?" John asked just as nervously, wondering if she was going to let him go.
Bonnie turned away and reached up, playing with her hair and gulping. She had been waiting for weeks to reveal her secret and now that she had a chance she was clamming up. She already felt tears coming to her cheeks and she sniffed.
"Bonnie?" John asked, reaching over and touching her shoulder and turning her gently to him. "What's wrong?" He asked.
"I'm just... So afraid of losing you... I love you so much... I'm scared." She whimpered, confusing John greatly.
"Hey... I'm still alive now ain't I?" He asked.
"N-Not like that..." She wept and took a breath. "John... I-I went to the doctor..." She mumbled and met his gaze. "H-He... Thinks I'm pregnant." She revealed and turned away from John again, he was speechless. "I... Won't blame you for disappearing, and I won't ever blame you for never acknowledging him... O-Or her..." She sniffled and tried to stifle her cries.
John stared at the woman's back, memorizing every curvature of her back, he really fucked up... But what he felt was something he wasn't quite expecting... Was he almost excited? He didn't know how he would make this work, surely Drew was ready to hunt him down at any moment. Right now though, he worried about Ross and Archer finding out about his other life... If they found out, he was certain they would toy with it, by either telling Abagail and Jack or worse, taking Bonnie hostage as well.
The silence made Bonnie nauseous with anxiety, but as she felt a gloved hand reach up, running up her back and resting on her shoulder and slowly turning her to him she looked pathetically up at him. John glanced at the front door and back to her.
"... Who knows?" He asked.
"N-No one..." She replied. "E-Everyone who knows... W-Which is just daddy and Doctor Johnston, they think I was raped when I was kidnapped... I didn't want to clarify anything until I told you." She explained and John felt some relief come off his shoulders.
"... I don't want you to think I'm ashamed because I ain't, we need to keep this between us as long as possible." He instructed and took his gloves off and resting them on the railing of the patio as he wiped her tears away. "But right now... I have a lot on the line... And if something were to happen to you... I don't think I could bear it... I don't have a right to ask this of you but, until I take care of my last brother in arms... I need you to keep this a secret..." He said and Bonnie nodded.
"... John, you don't have to be apart of this." Bonnie affirmed, watching John raising a brow.
"Excuse me?" He questioned.
"I-I... I know you're married and have a son of your own already... I don't want to risk shattering that part of your life because of my selfishness... If you can't... A-Acknowledge it... I understand." She murmured.
"Bonnie," John said sternly. "You realize... That when this baby is born whether it's a boy or a girl, it'll be another child of mine regardless... I won't have a bastard." He stated. "It'll be challenging... And I have a lot of thinking to do... I will always cherish Abigail but... Well, we shouldn't discuss this now before my debts are settled but..." He muttered, taking her hand in his own, meeting her gaze.
Maybe I'll come back to you...
"I-I just wanted you to know that I wouldn't give you an ultimatum o-or... Ask you to leave your wife." She said and felt John squeeze her hand.
"And I appreciate that... But I'm going to make this work... For all three of us." He mused, watching relief wash over Bonnie's gaze. "... I love you, Bonnie. That ain't gonna change because of this... Besides, it ain't your fault I had a part to play in this obviously." He chuckled, watching Bonnie blush.
"... I love you, John." She said just above a whisper as she leaned in and kissed his lips.
John had waited for this moment, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close, feeling her arms slither around his neck. A sudden primal instinct took over John as he pushed Bonnie against the front door, hearing her gasp. He was so deprived and he had been on edge constantly for the past month, he separated his lips from hers and glanced around, he couldn't stay for too long... But right now...
"C'mere." He ordered and pulled Bonnie around the corner to the side of the house where there were no lights.
At least now they wouldn't be as noticeable... He pulled Bonnie's robe off, throwing it over the railing and bent Bonnie over, her hands coming up and resting against the house. He then reached down and beginning to unbuckle his pants, pulling up Bonnie's gown and pulling down her underwear to her mid-thigh before he shoved his erection within her. She gasped out of pain and reached down, covering her mouth. John released a breath and ran her palm over Bonnie's back and to her ass, giving it a rough squeeze.
He had to admit, he didn't expect to be doing this when he stopped by here, nor was he expecting Bonnie to reveal that she was pregnant... But he wasn't complaining. John did his best to be gentle, but right now he was releasing so much frustration and anxiety as he thrust into her again, trying to stretch Bonnie out before ravaging her.
"John..." Bonnie moaned quietly, signaling that she was ready.
He gripped her hips roughly as he started a savage pace, periodically looking around, making sure there were no prying eyes. John took a fistful of Bonnie's hair, hearing her gasp and yelp out of surprise. However, after a few minutes, John suddenly pulled out.
"Turn around." He commanded breathlessly, she did so with no complaints, facing him, watching him pull her underwear down the rest of the way and pick her up, holding her against the house, reinserting himself within her.
Bonnie felt weightless in his arms as she wrapped her legs around his waist and leaning in, kissing his lips and tugging at his hair in return. did her best to keep her volume to a minimum while John fucked her. She had waited for this moment just as much as he had, and while she wished he could stay, this was better than nothing. She loved him so much, and feeling her orgasm approaching her noises became more high pitched and quick.
"John I'm almost there..." She whimpered, shivering and holding onto John for dear life.
John growled out a soft groan and grinding himself into her. Bonnie whimpered, and once her walls clamped onto John's shaft, his cum spurting into her, watching her shiver and moan at the hot sensation entering her nether regions. The two panted, his forehead resting against her shoulder for a moment and picking his head up to rest it against hers. He then kissed her lips and slowly released her, pulling out and the both of them getting decent once again, John helped Bonnie put her robe back on. She turned to him and caressed his cheek.
"Sorry... I needed that." He sighed and took her hand and kissed her palm.
"... I did too." She replied, smiling and watching John form a grin as well, but he hung his head for a moment.
"I don't want to leave you... I wouldn't if I didn't have to... You know that right?" He asked.
"Yes, John... You've asked me this before." She chuckled softly.
"I know... It never gets easier." He sighed and brought her in for another strong embrace. "... I have to go." He whispered to her and pulled back.
"... Please be safe John..." She pleaded quietly and John reached up, running a hand through Bonnie's hair.
"No promises... But I'll come back to you." He said and sent one last wink at her before he walked out to Harlow.
When he mounted Harlow, he took one last quick glance at Bonnie before he kicked Harlow's sides. Dutch was next... And he would make sure this was the end.
John rode into Blackwater around eight-thirty that morning, he wasn't a fan of the place, a lot of rich do-nothing people trying to tame the west... Nothing but suits. He allowed Harlow to slow as his hooves began pounding the pavement, he was certain that galloping on the hard surface wasn't comfortable. However the forboding police station made John shudder, he was not excited for this. He hitched Harlow outside the station and walked inside, looking to an accountant who didn't look up.
"101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106..." He counted absentmindedly.
"I'm here to see Mr. Ross." John announced.
"107, 109..." The teller muttered, ignoring John.
"Edgar Ross." John reiterated clearly not going away.
"113, upstairs on the right, 114, 115, 116, 117..." The teller replied with a sigh, obviously irritated at being interrupted.
John nodded discreetly and walked behind the counter, climbing the stairs as anxiety built within him, walking to the office as he watched the younger of his two captors grabbing a rifle.
"Mr. Marston! So glad to see you. How was your journey?" Archer asked casually.
"Where's my wife and son?" John asked seriously, not in the mood for any bullshit.
"Being well looked after... Well looked after." Archer replied smoothly, watching John's jaw clench.
"I want to see them." He said calmly enough.
"Mr. Ross wants to speak with you. We've had some important developments." Archer replied, ignoring John's statement.
"You want me to take out a gun and blow a fucking hole in your head, right here, right now? You want that!?" John barked, stepping towards Archer.
"Mr. Marston-"
"You want that!?" John snarled.
"Mr. Marston, I ask you to calm down." Archer growled.
"Why? Why!? I did what you asked. I got you Williamson and Escuella. It's over. Stop playing games with me!" John hollered irately.
"No one's playing games with you, Mr. Marston! But if we were to play some games, there'd be some interesting ones we could play. Like hanging you for murder, or confiscating all your property, like that little farm of yours, or having you put in the electric chair. Those are the sort of games we could play, but we choose to play a different game, so calm down, and play along with us." Edgar mused as he walked into the room, John's harsh and intense gaze landing on the gray-haired prick.
"Where's my wife?" He interrogated.
"I forget... But I hear it's very nice this time of year... Mr. Marston, please, I've never insulted your meager intelligence. Do not insult mine. We've done this little deal for your freedom in exchange for all the men from your old gang. You gave us Williamson and Escuella. We still don't have Dutch van der Linde, but now we know where he is." Edgar said simply enough.
"Then go and shoot him." John scoffed.
"No, sir, I want you to shoot him for me... And then I'll let you be. The last thing I want to do is make martyrs out of all these people. He can be killed by some petty squabble by another lowlife." Edgar crooned.
"We believe Van Der Linde is holed up with a group of renegades near the wreck of the Serendipity riverboat." Archer informed.
"Ah, yes. Another group of renegades, obviously, the first group, your group, has shall we say, been disbanded. Anyway, Mr. Fordham, Mr. Marston, shall we go? Oh, Mr. Marston, your wife, and son are doing well. Let's both try to ensure things stay that way." Edgar mildly threatened, watching John's eye twitch.
"After you, sir." Archer said, nodding to John.
"Oh, Mr. Marston, one more thing. This is for you." Edgar stated, suddenly taking out a pistol, pressing the barrel against John's chest, but then handing it to him.
"You're too kind..." John countered, sarcasm oozing in his words.
"See? I have nothing but your best intentions at heart." Edgar commented, a malicious smirk appearing at the older man's lips.
"Let's hope it doesn't go off by mistake." John grumbled as they walked out of the office.
John begrudgingly walked out of the police station, glancing to make sure Harlow was still at the post. He then stiffly got into the automobile provided to him. He released an tension filled breath and leaned back, figuring he could at least enjoy the silent ride.
"Head for the Wreck of the Serendipity, Mr. Fordham. Isn't this something? Lawmakers and lawbreakers working together for the good ofcivilizationn?" Edgar asked, of course, he couldn't let John relax in peace...
"Like you always say, sir, the higher the stakes, the smarter you have to play the game." Archer commented back.
"I can't imagine I ever said anything quite so trite. In any case, I'm not sure Mr. Marston would agree with us." Edgar chortled.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Marston isn't broad-minded enough to appreciate the unique opportunity we're offering him." Archer replied back as the two ganged up on him, John did his best to keep himself calm for Abagail and Jack.
"Son-of-a-whore." He growled.
"You'd best watch your damn mouth." Archer sneered back to him.
"And it's strange you should say that Mr. Marston, because, according to my files you are the whore's son. Now, what else can I recall from the files? Oh, let's see. You killed hundreds of innocent people. You robbed at least 40 banks that we're aware of..." Edgar recounted.
"They told us there was a prize when you got to 50." John jeered.
"I'm glad this is all such a joke to ya." Archer scoffed.
"I want my family." John hissed.
"And I'm sure all the men you murdered wanted their families too. Come now, you're stupid, but you're not that stupid. We both know how this has to be. And it could be all over today. As soon as we find Dutch van der Linde, you can go back home and play being a farmer again, or whatever else you've been pretending to do for the last few years." Edgar explained in a tired fashion.
"First it was Bill, now it's Dutch. After Dutch, it'll be somebody else. Where does it end?" John inquired.
"It ends when we say it ends. You're in no position to make demands." Archer scolded.
"The life you lived... You don't just walk away from that, buy a few chickens and make it all disappear. You should be dead or rotting in a jail cell by now. We are giving you a chance at new life, a chance at redemption. You can't erase your past, Mr. Marston, but we can." Edgar explained.
"She's running well, sir." Archer observed.
"Such an elegant way to travel. What do you think of this automobile, Mr. Marston?" Edgar asked.
"Slow." John exasperated, tired of this conversation.
"But so convenient and reliable. Are you comfortable?"
"No." John then sighed.
"You see this, Mr. Fordham? The brooding cowboy. There aren't many of these left, you know. A bit of a cliche, admittedly but still a dying breed. Like the buffalo, just as dumb but not quite as noble." Edgar jibbed.
"They move most cows by rail these days, I hear." Archer noted.
"Not where I'm from they don't." John interjected.
"But you aren't from anywhere." Archer replied.
"A new dawn is breaking, Mr. Marston. This is the age of the machine." Edgar informed.
"And soon we'll all be livin' on the moon." John mocked.
"Maybe. This is the future. Anything is possible. Finally, this godforsaken land is entering the twentieth century. Prosperity has arrived. It's not far now. The old Serendipity has been used as an occasional criminal hideout for years. We were informed that Van Der Linde and his gang are making camp there. We'll stop on the cliff above and you and Agent Fordham will go on foot. I'll stay with the vehicle and keep watch." Edgar said as the automobile came to a stop, the old boat wreckage in the distance.
"And you'll do as I say, Marston. Don't try anything stupid." Archer ordered.
"Oh, I think he knows what's at stake. Don't you, Mr. Marston?" Edgar asked, smirking at John.
"Let's find Dutch and finish this." John fumed.
"Come on then, Marston. You're with me. Keep quiet and stay close." Archer commanded as he started to lead John towards the abandoned ferry.
"Yes, sir." John muttered, rolling his eyes as he followed.
"Van Der Linde is the priority. We go in, take him down and get the hell out of here. Quick and clean." Archer explained.
"You leave Dutch to me. We don't want you gettin' that suit dirty." John slightly taunted.
"If you step out of line even once, well... I hope you're aware of the consequences." Archer huffed and eyed John.
John and Archer walked over the deck and approached the boat boneyard, the two separated briefly as they investigated the first level. It was silent... Desolate even. John looked around cornered, pistol drawn, but he felt... A ball knotting in his stomach... Something wasn't right here. Dutch wouldn't just relax here by himself and it wasn't like him to abandon post with absolutely no guards.
"Seems real quiet, don't you think?" Archer asked as they met up once more on the deck.
"You tell me." John quipped.
"Maybe Dutch caught wind of things. That informant better not have been lying to us. Keep your eyes open." Archer instructed.
"They are open. I don't see nothin'." John scorned.
"It doesn't feel right. This place is usually teeming with lowlifes." Archer muttered uneasily, however, a sudden scream from the upstairs deck made the two look to one another. "Did you hear that? Go see what's happening up there. I'll wait here." Archer directed.
John jogged upstairs, having the howls guided him as he walked in and out of rooms, but hearing another shout from behind a closed door he had just passed, John stopped in his tracks. He twisted the knob, but the door was locked. John wasted no time kicking the door in, seeing a man tied to a chair, a bag over his head.
"Over here! I've found someone!" John called as he approached the man, carefully taking the bag off his head as Archer rushed in.
"Good god, that's our informant! Nastas, what the hell's going on here?" Archer asked frantically.
"It's a trap!" The Native American man gasped out.
"Shit. Marston, you'll have to carry this man. I don't think he can walk." Archer said as he drew his gun.
Everything had to be complicated. John hauled up the man with a small grunt, he was not a light man. He also had to keep Nastas from being shot as the renegades suddenly appeared, shooting at the outlaw and the agent. Archer wasn't a terrible shot, he held his own and was able to help John since he had a handicap at trying to keep the informant safe. Finally getting off the boat after slaying about a dozen men, the three also had to take down multiple men hiding on the dock.
"I can't see any more of them! Come on, follow me!" Archer yelled, the three finally getting to the vehicle.
"Who's this? What in god's name is going on?" Edgar asked as John lifted this fellow into the back seat.
"Put him in the care so we can get out of here! Let's go, there might be more of them." Archer panted as he got into the driver's seat and hightailed it away from the riverboat.
"Christ alive! What the hell happened down there?" Edgar questioned.
"It was a trap. They were waiting for us." Archer answered.
"And who is this savage? A prisoner?" Edgar inquired, peering into the backseat where Nastas limply laid on the seat opposite of John.
"This is the informant, sir." Archer recounted.
"Do you speak English?" Edgar asked slowly, almost ignorantly
"Yes he does, sir. he's the informant. Nastas." Archer stated in a slightly expasterated fashion.
"Don't get snarky with me, Fordham." Edgar snapped.
"We found him tied up on the boat. Then they jumped us." Archer explained.
"Nice of you to help us out. Hell of a plan sendin' in two men to take on an entire gang of outlaws. Especially when one of them's an office clerk or social secretary or some such." John insulted.
"You shut your mouth." Archer snarled as he drove.
However, before anyone can heave a sigh of relief, the vehicle suddenly begins to sputter.
"Come on, not now!" Archer bellowed.
"What's wrong?" Edgar asked frustratedly.
"I don't know, the motor just gave out." Archer said in a panicked fashion as the automobile rolled to a stop.
"Well fix it, you fool! We need to get this man to a doctor." Edgar demanded.
"Of course, sir... It's Dutch's men!" Archer gasped as he saw horses nearing from the distance.
"Marston, we'll hold them off. Fordham, you'll fix that damn engine!" Edgar ordered harshly as he and John jumped out of the car.
John and Edgar ran to cover as Archer desperately tried to revive the dead engine. John peaked over the rock he was currently hiding behind and noted about six people, he took out his shotgun and loaded it, waiting patiently and as soon as someone rode to the side of him he blasted them off their horse. He then took out his pistol as he and Edgar held the assailants off. When the hammering hooves ended, Edgar sped over to Archer.
"I can't see any more of them. Fordham, are we ready?" Edgar asked as John stood.
"Yes, sir, I think so." Archer replied.
"Come on. Let's get back to Blackwater." Edgar huffed, the three climbing back into the vehicle, thankfully the automobile started back up.
"Damn that was close." Archer panted.
"We're lucky to be alive. I'm beginning to see why Mr. Marston has made it to such a ripe old age." Edgar grumbled.
"You'll make me blush with all these kind words. So much for this automobile of yours. If this is the future, God help us all." John groaned.
"It's not the automobile. A bad workman shouldn't blame his tools. Perhaps if Mr. Fordham maneuvered it with a little more finesse." Edgar quipped, side-eyeing Archer.
"I was trying to escape an ambush, sir." Archer replied flatly.
"Even if it was runnin' fine, they'd still have caught us. I can walk faster than this piece of crap. Give me a horse any day. So what now? Do I get to see my family?" John asked, but again, he knew the answer.
"Where is Dutch van der Linde?" Edgar asked back.
"I don't know." John replied, biting his tongue.
"In that case old boy, no, you don't get to see your family. It's a fairly simple agreement, Mr. Marston, even for a man as devoid of intellect as yourself. If you'd like me to explain it again, I'd be more than willing." Edgar provoked.
"No, you've said enough." John seethed.
"We'll find Van Der Linde soon enough. For now, however, I suggest we call it a day." Edgar said in a relaxed fashion.
"So how does it feel? Taking a man's wife and child from him? Does it make you feel good?" John badgered.
"How does it feel to kill hundreds of men in cold blood?" Edgar asserted back.
"You're a coward." John sneered.
"You're a murderer. Actions have consequences, Mr. Marston. Come now. Try to look on the bright side." Edgar mused.
"The bright side? There ain't no bright side." John disagreed.
"Your family is enjoying a much-needed vacation. And in far more luxurious surroundings than those to which they're accustomed to, I assure you. Soon you will be able to start a new life together, absolved of all your sins. We should take the Indian to Professor MacDougal. See what he can get out of him." Edgar suggested.
"Good idea, sir." Archer affirmed.
"I just can't communicate with them." Edgar scoffed.
After reaching downtown, John assisted Archer and Ross in unloading Nastas. Despite not wanting to do a single thing for these two assholes again he didn't have a choice. He was like an imprisoned animal, when he was backed into a corner he wanted to fight but if he fought they would murder his family. He turned away from the police station and he walked over to Harlow, gently petting the pearly horse's pelt.
"Fuck." John sighed in frustraion.
He was so tired... His eyes fluttered shut.
I love you, John...
I'm pregnant...
You stupid man!
It's Bonnie you fool!
John exhaled slowly as the blonde woman's smile filled his mind. He told himself he was doing this for Abagail and Jack, and he was to a small extent... But he was doing it to see Bonnie again... To see he unborn child when they came into the world.
"I'm coming for you, Dutch." He muttered and reopened his smoldering eyes.