Two days had passed since the robbery at the bank wagon with Morgan and Bell who didn't stop provoking her with stupid jokes and threats since Dutch had told him who Julia really was and why she was there.

"If I were you, I'd sleep with my eyes open" he said the same night of the robbery while they were seated near the fire, eating Pearson's stew that seemed more bitter than usual.

"If I were you, I'd shut up" answered Julia without looking at him.

"You really think that there's someone here who's scared by you? You're a joke, called after a dog breed" laughed Bell.

But his amusement didn't last, because soon after he finished his sentence, Julia took out a knife from her boot and threw it so close to the man's foot that he jumped on his seat.

"Next time I won't miss" she replied before she stormed away.

That day, Julia woke up earlier, so she had all the time to enjoy her cup of coffee and eat something before she went to Wind Catcher, greeting him with a smile and some petting on his snout.

While she was giving him some more attention, she raised her gaze noticing Kieran who was taking care of one of the horses, as usual.

"Morning Kieran"

The man turned and his face constantly crossed by an afraid expression, relaxed when he saw her.

"Good morning Miss" he smiled.

"How you doing?" asked Julia walking towards him to take her saddle that was on the ground near one of the posts.

"Fine, I guess. I'm just trying to survive" answered the man with a nervous chuckle.

"They don't trust you, I know. I'm in the same situation" answered Julia.

"The difference is that you don't care and I do"

"You care 'cause you know they can kill you at anytime"

While Julia was fixing the saddle on her horse, she saw Mr. Escuella coming out the wood, sure-footed and with a rifle on his shoulder.

He must've been on watch, thought Julia staring at him and when the man walked near Kieran, she heard him say:

"Once an O'Driscoll, always an O'Driscoll"

Kieran turned to look at him.

"What's your problem? I've already proved myself!" he yelled making Javier stop and turn.

Julia stopped what she was doing and watched them.

"Well, all you've proved is how quickly you'll turn on your friends" answered the Mexican.

"It ain't like that!" said Kieran with a lower tone.

He tried to continue what he wanted to say, but what came out of his mouth was a bunch of incomprehensible words and a frustrating noise. He didn't know what to say and how to be convincing.

"I only rode with them for a while" he said in the end.

Javier looked at him for a moment.

"You might have Dutch fooled, but I'm..."

He took some steps ahead, coming really close to Kieran who assumed his usual threated expression.

"...watching you" the man continued, throwing the stick he had in his mouth at him before he left.

Turning around, he saw Julia and greeted her with a gesture of his head that she didn't returned.

Kieran sighed, his hands closed into two fists.

"Don't worry. Nobody is gonna kill you unless is Dutch's order" said Julia trying to cheer him up.

"But they're torturing me! Every day" answered the man looking at her.

"They're going to stop, someday" said Julia getting on Wind Catcher.

Kieran nodded not convinced at all.

"See you later" said Julia and spurring her horse she went away.

On her way to Valentine, she couldn't not think about poor Kieran.

It was obvious that Dutch didn't trust him and if she still had been part of the gang, she wouldn't have either. But sometimes it was like she was the only one who could see that that man wasn't a threat and that he was just trying to survive. Also because, if Colm O'Driscoll found him, he would have killed him like an animal. Besides, she felt pity for him because even if she was in his same situation, the people at the camp seemed to trust her or at least didn't dare to threaten her, except for that Bell.

When she arrived at the town, she focused on what she had to do, so she went to the post office where she asked if there was something for Joseph Larson, but instead of the usual negative answer, this time the postman came back with a letter for her, signed A. Ross.

"When did it arrive?" asked Julia taking it.

"Two days ago, Miss"

Once she got outside, she went to the little saloon at the end of the main street, avoiding the crowd at Clarence's saloon.

She sat at a table near the window where she took the letter out of her back and opened it.

Hound,

We've been wondering near Window Rock and Cumberland Forest for almost a week, but we found no trace of Van der Linde.

We waited for your news, but nothing had arrived. We confine that there's an explanation for that.

However, we heard about a train robbery yesterday. You'll know something for sure and for this reason we're coming back to Valentine.

So please, come to visit us as soon as possible to discuss the last events.

Agent Ross.

Julia wasn't surprised. She knew they would have heard about the train robbery eventually, and that they would have come back. She only had to find another reason to keep them away from the gang. Maybe by telling them that after the robbery nothing had happened and that probably Van der Linde moved again.

She decided to go to them in that exact moment, also because the letter had arrived from two before so she couldn't wait any longer to talk to them or it would have seemed suspicious.

At the same moment she got up, the barman walked closer to her.

"Can I bring something Miss?" he asked.

"No thank you. I was leaving, but please...take this for the trouble" she said giving him some quarters.

The man thanked her before she went outside and got on Wind Catcher heading to the house rented by the Pinkertons.

When she arrived, she noticed a young man seated on the stairs of the porch, his head down and hands joined.

She got down her horse and walked towards him catching the man's attention that she discovered to be agent Grady.

"What are you doing out here?" asked Julia.

"I'm here to take you to our new place"

"Oh, I thought they were here" she answered surprised.

"Agent Ross thought it was better to change spot. He sent me here every day since we got back knowing that you would show up" explained Grady.

Julia nodded.

Agent Grady looked at her for a moment and smiled.

"How are you?" asked Julia fixing the lapel of his jacket.

"Fine. I've been looking for Van der Linde the entire time up there. But we found nothing. Then we heard of the train robbery. Did you know they used an oil wagon from the "Cornwall Kerosene & Tar"?" asked Grady.

Julia looked at him for a moment and sighed.

If you only knew.

"Yeah, I knew that" she answered making Grady frowned.

"Then, why didn't you send Agent Milton a letter?"

"I couldn't! They gave me the name I should ask for their letters, but they didn't told me where I had to send them" explained Julia.

They remained silent again.

"I think it's better if we move" Julia added walking towards Wind Catcher.

Grady nodded and got on his horse in turn, leading the way that wasn't so long. They followed one of the secondary paths to get out the town and at the crossing, they turned right and then went up to the north, towards the Dakota River.

After they passed the first few trees, Julia could see six big white tents that remind her of a military camp.

They left the horses with the others and then Grady led her to one of the tents, moving a flap aside to make her pass while smiling at her.

Julia returned the smile passing by.

Once she got inside, she noticed how the cot, the chairs, the table and the rest of the furniture was nothing like Dutch's. Everything seemed new and comfortable.

At the center, there was this table where there were different maps and around it, three agents were discussing but no one of them was Milton or Ross.

The three men were so focus, that no one noticed her, but when agent Grady cleared his throat, they turned to look at them.

"Sorry for the interruption, sir. The Hound's here to discuss with you about the outlaw Van der Linde" he said and turning to look at him Julia noticed his posture: back straight, head high and arms along his sides.

"Of course. Thank you Agent Grady, I'll call if needed" answered one of the men with a thick beard and dark eyes.

Grady made a gesture with his head and got outside, giving her a look that Julia didn't notice, too focus on the man who was staring at her.

"Please Miss, have a sit" he said pointing at the chair in front of her.

"Where's Agent Milton?" asked Julia not moving.

He went for a walk with Agent Ross. I'm sure they'll be back soon answered the man holding his arms behind his back.

Then he turned towards his coworkers and whispered something before they left quickly, leaving them alone.

"Who are you?" asked Julia.

"I'm Agent Abney. I'm the third in command here. Agent Ross asked me to talk with you if they wouldn't have been here" explained the man.

Julia nodded, walking around the big tent.

"So...you have any new information?" asked Julia looking at the man.

"We know about the train robbery and the theft at the "Cornwall Kerosene & Tar", but that's all" Abney answered.

"And of course you wanna know if I've got extra information about it" said Julia leaning against the table and looking at the maps.

"We want to know why you didn't inform us first of all and then..."

"I couldn't. Talk with Agent Grady, he already knows" cut short Julia.

The agent sighed, sitting at the table and inviting Julia to do the same and this time, she accepted.

"After the robbery I went to the train and found those men dead. There were others, but I didn't want to be seen or they'd asked me questions, so I ran away. I searched all around Valentine and where the robbery took place, but I didn't find anything. So I waited for you to send me some news since I couldn't" explained Julia, trying to be as convincing as possible.

The agent looked at her for a couple of seconds before he nodded.

"We didn't find anything too. It's like they dissolved in the air" he said with a sigh.

Julia remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"Well Miss, thank you for coming. We'll get in touch with you if we get new information" he said standing up.

Julia did the same and after she shook his hand she walked out of the tent with a sigh.

It was easier than I thought.

"I think it's better if I talk with Agent Milton. I'll come back tomorrow" she added turning around and Abney nodded.

"Agent Grady take the Miss to her horse, would you?"

"Of course sir. Immediately sir" answered Grady seated a few steps from them.

The man took leave, returning in his tent while Julia turned to Grady who smiled.

"Come" he said and she followed him towards the horses.

"So...I think I'll see you..."

"Tomorrow. I'll come back to talk to Milton" answered Julia taking the reins and guiding Wind Catcher out of the camp.

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow then" said Grady with a childish smile on his face.

Julia got on Wind Catcher and started to walk away, but before she could speed up she turned to look once again at the young agent who continued to stare at her and smile.

She smiled in turned and turned shaking her head and spurring Wind Catcher to go faster.

When she arrived at the camp was already noon.

Once she got down her horse she headed to her tent, but her attention was caught by Arthur and Dutch who were discussing in front of his tent, and from the expression on their faces she knew that something was wrong.

"...and they want you, Dutch. They offered me my freedom in exchange they did" said Morgan.

What the hell he's talking about?

Dutch turned his back to him.

"Why didn't you take it?" he asked.

"Huh, very funny...well, what do we do now?" answered Arthur.

Dutch walked around in front of his tent without saying anything, then he turned to Arthur.

"I say we do nothing...just yet. They're just trying to scare us into doing something stupid"

Dutch looked at her at the same time Arthur had noticed her, staring at her while she did the same.

Then Dutch turned to Arthur and said something, he nodded and walked towards her with an angry expression on his face.

"You come with me" he said grabbing her from her wrist and dragging her away.

"What? Wait..."

Julia tried to free herself, but she knew that Morgan was much stronger than her and despite she tried to plant her feet to the ground or to use her entire weight to block him, in the end he dragged her away anyway.

"Arthur! Wait! Arthur...you're hurting me!" Julia screamed trying to free herself once more.

Morgan pushed her against a big tree and stepped in front of her.

"I thought we could count on you, instead you set us up!"

"What are you talking about? I didn't do such a..."

"Yes, you did! I met Milton and Ross near the lake while I was with Jack. They said they've killed Mac in front of him! Are those the people you work with?!" Morgan interrupted her getting closer.

The two stayed silent, staring at each other.

"I didn't set you up" said Julia calmly.

Morgan kept looking g at her.

"I went to see Milton at their camp near Valentine, but he wasn't there..."

"Wait, wait...so they came back?" asked Morgan interrupting her again.

"Of course they came back! You really think that the news of a train robbery doesn't go around? That you can rob a reach man like Cornwall without being noticed?"

"You said that you would've kept them away from us!" yelled Morgan.

"I did! What do you want from me? I'm doing my part as much as Dutch. But you can't pretend that is going to be easy because it'll not! You're criminals! You're the bad guys and I'm risking my life to let you run away!"

"Yeah, and we're paying you to do it!"

"You're paying me because you owe me!"

Hearing some steps near them , they shut up and looked around them untill they saw Hosea coming out from some bushes.

"Arthur, wait...Dutch told me what happened. I'm sure there's an explanation"

Julia looked at the man who did the same while Morgan moved his gaze from one to another.

"There's no explanation, she set us up Hosea"

"I didn't!" argued Julia.

Morgan was about to talk back, but Hosea stopped him by putting a hand on his shoulder and moved him aside before he stepped in front of Julia and looking in her eyes.

"Tell me you have nothing to do with this" he whispered.

Julia stared at him for a moment.

"Tomorrow I'll go see Milton and I'll tell him you moved after your encounter. I'll make sure they'll go away" she said with a firm tone.

Hosea nodded.

"Okay then. I trust you"

Julia looked at Morgan who kept his eyes glued to her, then she looked at Hosea once again before she left.

Once in her tent, she closed the flaps behind her back and sat on the covers, rubbing her paining wrist.

She didn't blame Dutch for not trusting her because she knew that if the situation was reversed, she would have suspected him as well. But he had no right to let Arthur treat her like that.

Julia shook her head and laid down. She was tired. Tired of that situation, tired of being the double agent. She only wanted that story to end, but she had made a promise and she was going to keep it.

She closed her eyes, feeling her eyelids too heavy and soon enough she fell asleep.

When she woke up, it was already dark outside.

She got out her tent, looking at the dark-blue and cloudy sky above her head. Then she moved her eyes across the camp, seeing that almost everyone was seated near the main campfire while the others were near them.

She walked towards the pot of stew and she took some putting in in a plate before she walked towards the campfire the horses where there was nobody.

She ate slowly and when she finished, she left the empty plate near her feet. She stared at the fire, rubbing her hands but when one of them touched her wrist she jumped on her seat and looked down noticing a few bruises on her pale skin.

Hearing some steps she looked up and saw the last person she wanted to see in that moment.

"What do you want Morgan?" she asked quickly covering her wrist, but maybe not fast enough.

"I wanted to ask you how you feel" said the man looking at her covered arm.

"I'm fine" answered Julia getting up and ready to leve.

"Look I..."

Morgan tried to touch her shoulder to stop her and make her turn, but Julia jerked away.

"Don't you dare to touch me" she growled looking in his eyes.

"I want to apologize...for today"

"I don't blame Dutch for doubting me, but I think I proved myself enough. I stay here, in your damn camp, risking my life every day and night because at any moment someone can kill me while I sleep. I demand nothing but some respect and good manners, so I'll tell you what..."

Julia stepped forward, her face a few inches from Morgan's.

"Dutch allows someone else to touch me and I kill him. Whoever it is. Am I being clean?"

Morgan looked at her without saying anything for a moment.

"Yes ma'am" he said in the end.

"Good" said Julia stepping back.

Morgan kept staring at her with an apologetic look on his face that for a moment made Julia regret being so harsh with him. But before she could do something stupid, she turned on her heels and walked away.

Damn you, Morgan.

...

HI EVERYONE!

Sorry for the late, but I tried to write a new chapter these past few days and I can't wait for you to read it!

Also, I'M SO HAPPY 'CAUSE THIS STORY REACHED ALMOST 2K VIEWS! *screaming internally and externally and miserably crying*

THANK YOU SO MUCH! THANK YOU FOR THE VIEWS AND COMMENTs! THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT, REALLY.

In this period I've been a little sad for...reasons but you cheered me up! So thank you kindly.

Alright, I've been enough mawkish for one day.

KISSES!