"Good, miss Celina, just the gal I was hoping so see." Trelawny waltzed up to her, stopping her from passing him by.

She turned to him with a smile, seeing that his condition seemed to have already improved from the night before. Still, she asked, "How are you feeling?"

"Wonderful, my dear, wonderful. I actually wanted to invite you on a... quest with me. If you're up to it that is."

Celina bit her bottom lip in thought, "A quest?" He certainly had a way to make things cryptic, and interesting.

The magician nodded, "Our friends may call it a heist. A small one at that. Have you ever robbed a stagecoach?"

She shook her head, she hadn't expected him to ask her that, "No, I haven't. Why do you ask?"

"Welllll," Trelawny rubbed his hands together, "I have so happened to befriend a good fella down at the train station in Rhodes. He will be very happy so set us up with a good take."

She pursed her lips together and ran her right hand through her hair, "I suppose that could be interesting... I don't exactly have much experience with this lifestyle though. You may rather take someone who knows what they're doing."

He chuckled, the laugh truly sounding genuine, "You'll never know what you're doing if you don't get out there and do it, my dear."

Celina nodded, trying to hide her nervousness, "Ok then." She smiled slightly, "I'll go."

...

Celina and the magician, Micah watched the two of them quietly. He wasn't sure what it was, but it seemed that Celina charmed just about everyone in camp, the young, the old, the men the women... hell, even the horses. It seemed as if she could snap her fingers and she would have everyone eating out of her hand.

He had been keeping an eye on her ever since he had come back to camp after Arthur had rescued him. It irked Micah, irked him real bad how she didn't even have to try to get people on her side. She simply flashed that 'I've seen things happen card' and Dutch, Arthur, and Hosea took her word for it as if she were God.

And if she were truly from the future, she knew. She likely knew everything, about what he was doing what he had planned. Surely she had informed Dutch about him being the rat in the group. He needed to make the leader question it, make Hosea and Arthur question it too... if possible.

The rat lit up a cigarette as he stared her down as she mounted her horse and headed out with Trelawny. He didn't like it, Trelawny had just come back and she already had him wrapped around her finger? She was a pretty girl, he hadn't denied that. Everyone was so charmed by her, her looks, her personality. The fact that she had helped them so much... It was time that their opinions of her faltered and he knew just the person to help him accomplish that desire.

Molly O'Shea...

Molly O'Shea was the only one in the gang whom she hadn't at least a foundation of a friendship with. The fact that Celina had practically stolen Dutch right out from under her? That level of potential feminine hate was just what he needed.

Putting out his cigarette after smoking it to its end, Micah made his way over to Dutch who was speaking with Javier, "Hello, Dutch."

Dutch greeted him warmly, "How are you doing, Micah?"

Micah laid on his thick, false charm. Dutch had to know, he had to, "Just seeing what we're up to today. I've heard Celina asking you about that money in Blackwater, she wants to get it?"

Dutch nodded, Javier excusing himself from the turn in conversation, "She has, she's been wanting to go alone since odds are she won't be recognized."

"And yet you won't let her."

"No," Dutch shook his head, "I still think it's too risky. Say someone there does happen to recognize her... what happens if she is held captive? Or what if she's not recognized but something would go wrong anyway? None of us would be able to get near there to save her."

"Hmm..." Micah was quiet for a moment, "I wouldn't be so quick to grow overly fond of that woman."

Dutch's brows furrowed, he was beginning to get on the defensive, "Why would you say that, Micah?"

The rat shrugged, "Just the way she runs with all the boys round here, I'd be worried she's like Abigail."

Dutch stepped forward almost in a challenging manner, "She's no Abigail."

Micah sighed and shrugged again, "Ok, but did she tell you that she's running off with that magician?"

Dutch nodded, "Yes, she bid me goodbye on her way out. What is it to you, Micah?"

"Oh, nothing, Dutch. Nothing." Micah turned on his heel and walked away after casting a lingering glance at Dutch. It seemed separating the two of them might prove to be more challenging- and more fun. He ran his fingers over his mustache thoughtfully, the entire gang against him and Molly O'Shea... who would they be able to fool first?

One thing was for sure, this sure would be interesting.

...

"Mrs. Damsen." Trelawny chuckled as he made his way out of the postoffice with Celina following close behind, "We will make quite a lot of money of of her, my dear."

She thanked him for holding the door open for her, "But how do you expect me to help you? She played stupid but kept her voice low, "We're not going to shoot them, are we?"

"Oh heavens no." He bounded down the stairs, Celina shaking her head as she watched him, he sure was full of it. Of what exactly 'It' was? She wasn't quite sure. To her surprise, once he made it down the stairs himself, he turned around and waited for her, extending to her his right hand for support.

In all honesty, she was a bit taken back by the gesture as no one in her life had ever made such an offer to her. Then again, she was in 1899 when for the most part, men were much more gentlemanly. You definately didn't see anyone's pants hanging half way off their asses in the time she was in. She accepted his help, putting her hand in his as she made her way down the steps. In all, it was truly unnecessary but almost heart-warming. If Dutch had been the one to do that, she would think he had secretly screwed up something big.

Trelawny curtseyed to her dramatically as she took the last step down, making her laugh, "So where are we going?"

Together, they walked towards their horses, "Just north of here, Miss Celina. Mrs. Damsen should be going by there shortly. Have you ever heard her sing?"

She shook her head, she hadn't- not really, "I can't say I have.. is she any good?"

The conman even stood by her as she mounted bullet, ready to help if necessary. Seeing it wasn't needed, he went and got on his own steed, "Not at all. To hear her sing may make you want to shoot her... If you would ever be in the need for extra money, you can always come here and get some information on the best stagecoachs and their locations, I might tell you."

"That's good to know, you lead the way."

Josiah spun his horse around and headed off north, Celina following. He couldn't help but to make conversation, "So, how long have you been riding with the boys?"

"Well..." She thought for a moment, how long had she been worth them? Almost two months now? About a month and a half? That was probably accurate, "About a month and a half I'd say, they found me when they came out of the mountains. I was lost and alone.. they saved my life and now, well... I know I haven't been with them a whole long time, but they're like family to me."

Trelawny nodded, "They are the same to me as well, the same to me. It is easy, bonding with them, is is not? They're good fellas, in their hearts. Quite terrifying on the outside at times."

She laughed and nodded, "That they are, but yea, they're alright... I do worry about them though."

His brows rose in intrest as they exited the town, "Oh, do they now?"

"Yea, I can't say I trust Micah... I think he gets in Dutch's head. I mean, the gang describes Dutch as the best man they know and make him out to be so level-headed... but sometimes-"

He raised his hand to stop her with a look of acknowledgement, "Let no more be said, I know of how he can be at times, as if he truly believes he has this world at the tips of his fingers."

She took a deep breath, "Exactly. I just, I don't know. I worry about worse case-scenario how bad things could get."

"I have worried for many years about that lot. I have seen them go through quite a bit. Like brothers to me, they are.. they always come out on top though it seems, in the end."

Celina chewed on her bottom lip in thought. She couldn't help but to think that that was true, it had remained true for a good twenty years but now, unless she could do something about it, their luck would change... and it just wouldn't come back. She figured though, that the fact none of them would be screwing around with the plantation houses things would be better. For now at least, at least Sean wouldn't die... like, like that.

What she really wished was that Dutch would tell her where that money in Blackwater was but she wasn't all too helpful that he would. It wasn't that he didn't trust her, she knew that much, but he was scared. He had explained that to her each time she had brought it up. It made her feel good, like he truly cared for her.

Off course she knew that he cared for her, that much was obvious by the entire way he was with her. Still, her concerm was that if she didn't get that money, the law would end up closing in on them just like before and just like before they would grow desperate for money to buy their way to freedom. Just like before, she feared things would begin going terribly wrong. Expecially without Strauss' business. Part of her wondered how hard it would be for her to take the older man's place in 'banking'.

"Ok," Trelawny's voice brought her back to reality and she realized that she must have been following him on autopilot for a bit because she sure hadn't been paying attention, "This spot should be good, now all we have to do is sit and wait."

"So," Celina stared out ahead of them, looking for any sign of the approaching coach, "You never did tell me what the plan was."

"I will ride up and create a distraction while you quietly sneak up behind the coach and open the lockbox. You will, unnoticed, slip back into cover and poor, unsuspecting Mrs. Damsen will be on her way."

"Hmm..." She pursed her lips, "Sounds easy enough."

"It most certainly will be." He reached into the pocket of his suit and removed a lockpic before handing it to her, "That will do the job quite nicely."

Celina studied the instrument, turning it over in her hand, it felt so very different, holding it instead of her revolver, "Ok." She turned her attention back to the road ahead, "Now we just have to wait."

"Indeed we do." She glanced over at him wondering how he could be so effortlessly classy. Seriously, the man chose a suit as his everyday attire. He picked up conversation yet again, that British accent of his drawing her in, "So tell me about yourself, if you wouldn't mind. It will beat sitting here in silence."

She shook her head with a small smile. What was she supposed to tell him? Certainly not about her unforseen ability to time-travel... "There isn't much to tell about me... I'm twenty three, grew up in a broken household, I love my family, but..." She trailed off. She hadn't spoken about her family at all since she had been taken in by the gang. What was she supposed to say? That she missed them but probably wouldn't ever see them again considering the current year? She darted her tongue over her lips quickly, "There's just not much to tell." That was a lie, there certainly was, "Why don't you tell me some about yourself?"

Trelawny's mouth gaped open for a moment in surprise at the sudden turn in conversation, "It certainly seems like there's at least a bit interesting about yourself. We can start with that mark on your hand for one."

She froze if only for a second and looked down at her hand to see that her glove had rode down towards her wrist a bit, exposing a small portion of the tattoo on her pointer finger. Quickly, she tried to find an explanation, pulling the glove back up to hide it. The first thing out of her mouth was stupid, so very stupid, "It's, it's just a scar."

"Just a scar?" He didn't seem to believe her, not one but. However, his attention was diverted when the stagecoach came into sight, "That would be it. Keep your distance and don't be seen, I'll go on ahead."

Celina nodded, feeling butterflies in her stomach caused by sudden nerves. Trelawny had seen the tattoo, he definately wasn't the worse person to have see them but she didn't fancy not being able to make the decision of who knew her orgin or not. No one that did know seemed to think it a good idea for her to reveal her experience to too many others. Trelawny, well, she was sure he meant well, but as Arthur had said, he could have a big mouth at times.

When she felt that the stagecoach had moved past her far enough, she rode out, tailing it from a safe distance as instructed. She kept her eyes on Trelawny up ahead as he managed to get the stagecoach to stop. She could hear him with his loud mouth clearly from where she stayed in the distance, "Mrs. Damsen, please, I know that it's such a small show, but could you, possibly, just let me hear a song or two?"

Mrs. Damsen leaned out of the stagecoach slightly as she spoke to Josiah, "Oh, I- I- I don't know."

He turned on his charm... and ability to lie in attempt to pursuade her to comply with his request, "If you would that would be quite wonderful. I've got an event coming up... May fifteenth at the chapel in Valentine and I would so love to have you for the occasion. I'll only take a moment of your time."

If Celina weren't so entertained by the exchange she was witnessing, she may have felt bad for the singer.. maybe, "Well," Mrs. Damsen huffed dramatically, "Ok then, I suppose."

Trelawny feigned excitement and Celina once again wondered how it would be to truly know Josiah Trelawny who seemed to be able to come up with rubbish as easily as breathing, "How wonderful." He opened the stagecoach door for the woman and helped her out being quite the gentleman in that aspect.

Seeing that everyone near the stagecoach seemed to have their attention fully fixated on the small show, Celina took the opportunity to hop down from bullet and both slowly and quietly, began her approach.

Mrs. Damsen's singing, as Trelawny had said was truly awful. Perhaps some folk liked it, well, she figured, some folks would have to like it for her to be in the intertainment industry, but she, to say the least, was most definately not a fan of the woman. She sorrowed for a moment over the thought that she may never again hear classic rock in her life... Even the music Dutch played grated on her nerves from time to time. It was Dutch who played it though, so it almost had a spot in her heart.. almost.

She finally made it to the back of the stagecoach and with a somehow steady hand, she inserted the lockpick into the lock, opening the box quietly. Her eyes just about boggled at the stacks of cash which was stored here. It was a good take, she quickly gathered the money and began to sneak away as Trelawny managed to get the woman to sing another song. It was a very good take.

She almost laughed when upon seeing she was back by her horse, Trelawny immediately stopped Mrs. Damsen from continuing. It was funny she thought, the idea of him standing up there, having pretended to love her voice, "Thank you madam," he said upon helping her back into the coach, "I hope to see you at the event."

"Oh, you most certainly will!"

Josiah bowed to her dramaticaly in goodbye before standing there for a moment, seeing the stagecoach off. Celina chuckled as she walked up to the magician, the stagecoach a safe distance away, "You are quite the charmer."

"As slippery as an eel in an oil slick as Arthur would say." Trelawny took the money that she offered to him, "What do we have here?"

"Five hundred and twenty five dollars for you, the same for me, and the other half for the gang."

He nodded, and tucked the money into his suit, "Just the way it should be. I think I should be off now."

"Really?" She tucked the rest of the money into her satchel, "So soon?"

He nodded, "While I so enjoy sleeping in the dirt with you and and gang, it really isn't quite my style. But," he seemed to be thinking whether or not he should say what it was he was about to. He finally said what was on his mind anyway, "If ever you should want to join me I would welcome you warmly."

"Oh," she shook her head, she couldn't leave Dutch and the gang, not even for a short bit. They meant too much to her, as she had established, they were like family. And Dutch, she couldn't leave Dutch anyway nor would she. She loved him, of that she was sure, even if the option of sleeping indoors appealed to her, "I can't... thank you for the offer though."

He smiled kindly and took her hand in his before raising it to press a kiss against the back of it like he liked to do. He backed away from her then, "Until I see you again, Miss Knoll." He did another bow, making her laugh. Then, he simply mounted his horse and was off. All without another comment regarding the mark on her hand.

She stared after the charming man for a moment before shaking her head. It was time to get back to camp.

...

A/N: A lot of thought went into this one, things just keep continuing to progress and I'm getting more and more excited to see where all of this goes.

And yes, for you guys commenting about maybe Celina should get the Blackwater money, there's your answer. Put that out there to clarify why she hasn't attempted to retrieve it... yet.

Questions? Comments? Please leave them for me to read as I so love to do.

Have a great day everyone.

Disclaimer: I do not own Red Dead Redemption 1 or 2 or anything associated with it.