Karen twirled a cigarette between her fingers before sucking in a drag and slowly releasing the smoke in a long breath.

Something needled at her.

She'd only had one beer last night and nothing the day before, during their move, or this morning. Despite the celebratory mood and camaraderie of last night, the moment she'd taken her first swig, a brief memory had flickered. Blurry, and somehow...bright? But nowhere near clear. Through most of the night she'd stayed awake, trying to recall the memory fully. She'd even set aside her beer until she did so. But nothing had surfaced.

It was when they'd been in Lakay, she was sure of that at least. Maybe it was all a phantom memory anyway and there wasn't anything to recollect. It could be a distraction her mind sought after what she'd witnessed at Willard's Rest.

Karen took another drag of her cigarette and wished for a drink instead. For the first time in a long time, she'd been feeling good at a decision she'd made. She'd left with Strauss, thinking it was the right choice. And when the attack on the house happened, she'd defended Willard's Rest on her own until back-up arrived.

Then that flaming bottle had come whistling through the window unexpectedly. She'd been the closest to it when it burst, glass exploding and the flames reaching far enough to burn her arm. Strauss and Mary-Beth had been dazed just the same, but somehow Strauss had regained his senses first.

It was at that point he could have run. He could have left them in that room and saved himself. Strauss' decision to help them confused her. Everyone knew he was a heartless bastard. But, he'd intentionally stayed behind and pushed her and Mary-Beth to safety. When the second fire bottle exploded inside the house near the front door, Karen was too late to return the favor. She'd shoved the panic-stricken Mary-Beth out the back door, but Strauss was no longer behind her and the house was fully up in flames.

They'd stared, dumbstruck, until Lenny appeared. He had taken hold of Mary-Beth as she started blubbering, "Mr. Strauss. He's in there. You have to save him."

Lenny had looked to her and Karen had shaken her head with regret. Strauss had been trapped, dead instantly or not she'd never know, but there was no going back.

How could a bastard like that have had so much altruism in him? If she hadn't witnessed it with her own eyes, she wouldn't have ever believed it.

A small part of her was of the guilty opinion that she had a hand in his self-sacrifice. Only that afternoon she'd accused him of not giving a damn about anyone in the gang. 'Course, it was Arthur who had told him bluntly what they all thought of him so maybe she wasn't all to blame.

Even still, Strauss' sacrifice was making her rethink her own actions of late. Had she ever been that selfless? Could she be?

Hell, she needed a whiskey. Or something stronger from Pearson's stash.

Karen left the woods and returned to camp, entering on one side of Arthur's tent where he was talking with Trelawny and John. She passed them and Grimshaw was bearing down on her and on the attack in an instant.

"I knew it wouldn't be long 'til you'd want to quench that thirst of yours."

The accusation would have stung if she wasn't intending to do just that. Karen ignored her and continued walking.

"I'm talking to you, girl."

"I heard you." Karen rolled her eyes as she stopped near Pearson's wagon.

Grimshaw snapped, "Where the hell have you been?"

"Around." Smoking wasn't going to cut it. She didn't want to be senseless the rest of the day, but what else was there?

Karen reached for the crate full of bottles and Grimshaw knocked her hand out of the way. She threw the crate's top on before Karen could try again.

"What the hell!"

"You're staying sober until you do some goddamn work around here."

Karen's anger rose, heating her body and reminding her of the burning pain on her arm, her injury from the fire. "I deserve a day off. I nearly got killed—"

Without warning, Grimshaw slapped her across the cheek. Karen lifted her hand to touch the searing on her face, her arm stinging in reaction at the movement.

Karen stared at Grimshaw, in shock more than anything. Grimshaw had smacked her before, but Karen had always been too out of it to think much of it and on those occasions, she'd probably had it coming. This time, she was cold sober, in pain and seeking consolation.

"What the hell is your problem?"

"Don't you tell me what you deserve," Grimshaw hissed. "You deserve to be sent away after the disrespect of abandoning this gang on a whim. You don't know how easy you got it and you chose to throw it all away."

Goddamn. Karen weren't the only one to have left on that brief stint, but the others weren't getting smacked around. However, Karen knew she was the easiest target since no one would give a damn.

"Go make yourself useful." Grimshaw glared at her and pointed away.

Karen stood her ground and returned the hard stare. The hell if she was going to hurt herself over camp chores. If anything, all it would lead to is her wanting a drink more.

"Now."

If her arm wasn't in pain, she wouldn't hesitate in giving as good as she got. But Karen knew how to play the waiting game, much as she hated it. She turned on her heel and let Miss Grimshaw win. For now.

Since she was stuck sober until Grimshaw let her guard down, Karen wandered over to the other women, who were all together at the same wagon. Mary-Beth sat quiet, holding a book open, but staring straight ahead and not at the page. Tilly was knelt over a tub, obediently scrubbing laundry. Charlotte sat sewing a pair of trousers. There was some redness to her eyes, but she appeared no worse for wear after the night they'd had.

"Grimshaw's got a bee up her bonnet today, don't she?" Karen said loudly, hoping the hag heard her.

"She ain't had an easy time of it," Tilly offered, though there was a wince as she said it. Maybe she'd been subject to Grimshaw's screeching today too.

"How are you this morning, Karen?" Charlotte asked. "Does your arm need any tending to?"

"No."

Karen had wrapped it up in bandages and it still burned like hell. She'd thrown her jacket on today to avoid any pitying looks, but Charlotte's eyes strayed to her covered arm as if she knew the lie for what it was. Karen wasn't about to complain when she at least had her life and Strauss didn't.

To avoid questions, she commented, "I swear, if I have to listen to one more damn word out of that witch's mouth, I'm gonna shoot her."

Tilly told her, "Karen, you know she always gets like this when we first have to set up a new camp."

"Sure," Karen agreed, but she didn't believe it. Grimshaw had never played keep away with the beer before.

Raised voices from across camp interrupted their conversation. It wasn't too much of a stretch to figure out who it was between. Who else argued like there ain't no one else around to hear? Yet, it'd been awhile since John and Abigail had flung daggered words at each other. Truthfully, they'd hardly fought since they got Jackie back.

Soon enough, John strode by, shaking his head and muttering under his breath, not looking anyone in the eye. He headed in the direction of the horses.

Abigail joined them after a minute and sat on an unoccupied chair, but it seemed a waste of her time as she popped up again after only a second and paced in front of them, clearly irritated.

Tilly and Charlotte shared a glanced, obviously not wanting to disturb her. But Karen was feeling reckless. "Trouble in paradise, Miss Roberts?"

"It's that idiot," Abigail spat out.

"It always is," Karen replied, earning herself a glare.

Charlotte asked patiently, "Would you want to talk about it?"

Abigail's movements grew more agitated as her skirts snapped when she swung to face them. "He just got out of jail. Why the hell does he need to go out there again?"

"Out where?" Karen asked, curious.

"Rhodes, of all places. Thought they was done making fools of themselves down there. "

Tilly paused in her washing. "Why's he going there?"

"Some damn job Arthur wants him to do. A damsel in distress or some bullshit." She sniffed with indignation. "It'll probably get him killed, it's stupid enough."

Tilly asked, "Who's he helping?"

Abigail released a huff. "Ya'll remember that young couple, one from the Grays, one from the damn Braithwaites?"

Mary-Beth sat up straight, showing her first sign of interest in the conversation and breaking her act of reading. "The modern day Romeo and Juliet?"

Karen rolled her eyes. She probably thought they was all horribly romantic, star-crossed lovers or some shit. Arthur had mentioned running love letters between them. That man needed to learn how to say no.

"What sort of trouble they in?" Tilly asked.

"The hell if I know, but ain't no point stickin' our noses in it. That's their damn business."

Karen crossed her arms. "You're just saying it like that 'cause of what Catherine Braithwaite did to Jack."

"What's the harm in aiding young love?" Mary-Beth added, her familiar dreamy stare taking over.

Abigail bristled. "He ain't got nothing to prove, but as soon as Arthur asks..."

Charlotte glanced to where John was saddling Old Boy. "Do you think he's in danger?"

"I don't know." Abigail stopped her frantic walking and held her arms to her torso and her response was quieter. "Just, when he gets stubborn about doing these foolish jobs, it feels like he's slipping away from me again."

"If you're so damn worried," Karen suggested, "why don't you go with him?"

"Go with him?" Abigail wrinkled her nose, but there was brief interest of her tone before she looked away and said scornfully, "I can't do that."'

"Why not?" Charlotte prompted.

Abigail's eyes flicked to the horses where John had started unhitching Old Boy. "Who knows if that oaf would even let me?"

Now, Karen had to jump in. "Abigail Roberts, since when the hell do you let anyone dictate what you can and can not do? Especially John."

"It ain't only that. I can't leave, for Jack's sake."

"I could watch Jack for you, if you really wanted to go," Tilly volunteered.

Abigail's gaze strayed to Jack, sitting cross-legged in front of their tent, drawing in the dirt with a stick. She bit her lip, indecisive.

"I'll keep a real close eye on him," Tilly reassured.

Without giving them an answer, Abigail left their group and strode over to crouch next to Jack. "Your Pa and I got to run an errand. Would you be alright for a little while without one of us here?"

"Yes, Momma." he replied, not looking up and without a flicker of concern.

Abigail stared at him a moment as if she wished the boy to provide her some excuse. Then she hugged him. "Listen to Aunt Tilly and don't stray from camp, ya hear?"

"Yes, Momma."

Abigail passed by them again and addressed Tilly, "I'll make sure we're back tonight. Don't you dare let him out of your sight."

"Yes, ma'am," Tilly said seriously.

Abigail strode to catch up with John, who had luckily stopped to talk with Javier at his guard position before taking off. "John, wait!"

The couple had a short squabble between them that for once wasn't audible enough to hear from this distance. Judging by Javier's awkward shuffle backwards to distance himself, it wasn't pleasant. Ultimately, Abigail mounted up on a spare horse and the two left together.

Arthur joined them next, Trelawny at his side. "Charlotte, we mighta got something lined up for you in Saint Denis."

Charlotte stood with her arm against her chest. "What did you have in mind?"

Arthur threw his thumb in Trelawny's direction. "I'll let the genius over here explain it to you on the way."

While Tilly didn't seem too interested, Karen caught Mary-Beth open her mouth a moment before closing it and looking off to the side. She obviously had an interest in taking a trip to Saint Denis. That girl needed to learn to speak up, but Karen wasn't above lending a hand.

Karen grabbed Mary-Beth's wrist and tugged her to stand. "Hey, Arthur, take Mary-Beth with too, won't you?"

Arthur turned his attention to her, eyeing her doubtfully. "Did you wanna come, Miss Gaskill?"

Mary-Beth bit her lip and looked to Tilly. "I really shouldn't. There's a lot to be done around here."

"Oh, go on," Tilly said with a shooing wave and a smile. "I was hoping to be rid of you for a little while anyway."

"Can you ride on your own?" Arthur asked Mary-Beth with practicality. "It'll be faster."

Mary-Beth nodded, sent a grateful look her direction and Tilly's and followed Arthur.

Karen sat with Tilly for an hour or so, assisting her with the laundry as best she could, but always keeping one eye on Pearson's wagon.

They finished the wash and Tilly had to abandon her company to chase after Jack, who had started to wander out of the camp despite his mother's warning. Meanwhile, Grimshaw had taken a position near Pearson's wagon, washing dishes and guarding the alcohol as if it were her prisoner.

Karen threw down the sewing she'd been working on and stomped around the back of their wagon, resisting the urge to scream. She'd take a ride into Van Horn if she had to. The drink ran freely in that town.

While she stood there, frustrated, she spotted Sadie strapping a rifle to her horse and wandered over, seeking a distraction. "Where you heading?"

"I got business to attend."

"What sort of business?" Karen asked nosily.

Sadie narrowed her eyes on the road down the hill. "O'Driscolls."

Karen's brows rose. "You sure got a one track mind, don't you?"

Karen glanced back at camp, where all that awaited her was chores and Grimshaw pushing her to kill over a drink. A real fight just might break out if that woman got in her face again. She faced Sadie, who had clutched the horn of her saddle and mounted up.

Karen called, "Hey, you mind if I tag along?"

Sadie turned her head. "You squeamish about shooting holes through O'Driscolls?"

"Hell, no."

Sadie shrugged. "Then saddle up, I suppose."

She followed on Old Belle, disappointed when Sadie took the trail west rather than towards town.

"Where we headed exactly?"

"I heard in town there's a decent-sized camp of those bastards somewhere between here and Three Sisters."

Despite Karen's attempts at making conversation, Sadie answered in short responses. Somehow, she'd forgotten Sadie weren't much a talker.

After about half an hour of silence, Karen had no distraction as her arm started burning again with the bouncing of the horse's trot. She itched to rub at the skin, but held off. She needed a break, but the last thing she wanted to do was ask for one since she had a sneaking suspicion Sadie would leave her behind.

Karen was in luck though, because after another few minutes, Sadie pointed at the horizon. "Look, smoke. We'll head into the trees here and get a better look."

They left the path and rode into the woods, stopping at a point where their horses wouldn't be seen from the road. They dismounted and Karen hopped down one-handed.

Sadie must have noticed her awkward dismount. "You feelin' alright, Miss Jones?"

"Well enough," she said evasively. She pulled her repeater from the horse's saddle. "Let's get this done."

They walked through the trees, the sun directly above them hidden partially through the canopy. Following the smoke line, they were a ways off yet.

Karen made another attempt at conversation. "So, this what you do with yourself every time you leave camp?"

Sadie turned her head slightly. "Yes."

Karen said doubtfully, "You think you're just gonna find Colm sleeping in the dirt at a raggedy-ass camp in the middle of nowhere?"

"He ain't the only one I'm after," Sadie responded with cold anger, her lips pressed together and she didn't seemed inclined to say more.

Karen shook her head and dared to push her, "You said you stuck with us to get your hands on Colm. Ain't much of a reason to stay on."

"What do you get out of staying?" Sadie shot back unexpectedly. "You ain't respected. Susan slaps y'all around like you're less than dogs."

"She ain't always that bad," Karen denied, despite that very action happening only this morning. Some nights, when there weren't nothing to do but suffer each other's company, she weren't as unbearable.

"Hmph," Sadie replied. "You also got to fight with the men to get in on any jobs."

That did piss her off. Karen was just as good a shooter as the rest of them, but she could count on one hand the bank robberies those boys let her in on. As much as she argued for it, it was only when they needed a woman to act some part that she was allowed most of the time.

"You're beginning to catch on why I drink so much," she said with a half-grin.

Sadie didn't smile with her to turn it into a joke. "When it was just me and my husband, we shared responsibility of everything. Made it fair."

Karen was regretting opening her damn mouth. "Yeah, well, you got lucky. The kind of men in this sort of life are shit."

Now Sadie did crack a smile. "What, you don't fancy the charmer that is Micah Bell?"

The mention of Micah had her brain itching again, which made her uncomfortable since she couldn't remember why it was so important. She said shortly, "No."

"Hmm." Sadie shrugged. "Well, ain't all of 'em bad. Could be worse company."

"The other side of that coin is that it could be better company."

They reached close enough to the campsite they were seeking that the wind blew smoke their direction. They took care to tread lightly as they walked on and paused to spy on the men they sought. It took only a moment to evaluate the situation. The camp was small, one wagon and three horses. Maybe there were more of them boys out hunting, but there were only three sitting around the fire, talking shit.

"Only three," Sadie said under her breath, disappointed and frustrated all in one.

Up to this point, Sadie had been calm, but as soon as those O'Driscolls were in view, she dropped all caution. She stood from where they were crouched and started shooting. "Die, you bastards!"

She shot one dead before Karen got her bearings and by the time she followed after, a second gunman had three bullets to the chest before he reached for his sidearm.

The last scrambled backwards and dove behind a crate. Sadie holstered her revolver and unsheathed a knife. Karen could almost pity them if she didn't know they didn't deserve nothing less.

Sadie strode over. "Oh no, you don't."

She took hold of his coat's collar, dragged him back and rested the edge of her blade on his exposed neck. "Coward!"

"Hold up!" Karen reached the two, but didn't attempt to stop Sadie. "You're trying to find more of them, right? Then question him."

Sadie gritted her teeth as if she didn't want to waste the breath to even speak to him.

"Where are the rest of you bastards?" Karen asked.

Sadie pressed the knife firmer into his skin and demanded, "Where?"

He whimpered, but he was cooperative. "T-there's a farm. In the Grizzlies."

"Where in the Grizzlies?" Sadie drew blood.

The O'Driscoll squeezed his eyes shut, but not his mouth. "Big Valley, on Little Creek River."

Sadie didn't seem to fully process that admission, so blinded by rage, but his answer confused Karen. "If the gang's holding up way out there, why the hell you boys camping this way?"

Even with his eyes closed, she could tell he didn't want to tell her. He licked his lips and then hid them, as if it trying to stop himself from saying more.

Sadie threatened, "Spill it or I'll spill you."

"B-big Tom wanted a couple dozen of us out this way..."

Sadie's eyes went wide and wild. "Tom?"

"Why?" prompted Karen.

The O'Driscoll opened his eyes and glared at the two of them. "Colm's been taken in. His mistress sold him out and the law ambushed him. They're gonna try to hang him in Saint Denis soon, but we're gonna be there to stop it."

"No..." Sadie said low, deadly. "You're not."

Sadie had used up all of her restraint in keeping the O'Driscoll alive. She moved the knife too quickly for Karen to try and change her mind. Sadie dropped the body and glanced around the camp.

Damn, she was bloodthirsty, but it was scarier than that. Sadie wasn't crazed, but focused and targeting specifically the men who hurt her. Karen was glad she weren't in the O'Driscolls' places and she idly wondered how the hell Kieran had survived so long with her in camp.

"Colm O'Driscoll's gonna finally hang." Karen lifted her shoulders. "There's that done then."

"No." Sadie wiped her knife on the vest of the man she'd just killed. "They got a plan to break him free."

"So?"

"You heard the piece of shit. There's likely a bunch of these bastards in Saint Denis already. I'm gonna make sure Colm's boys won't prevent the hanging."

Karen stared at her. Okay, maybe she was crazy. "It's one thing to ambush a few of these fellas in the woods and another to hold 'em off in the middle of a city crawling with all sorts of law."

It didn't seem to dissuade Sadie in the least. "Dutch will want to see him swing."

Karen frowned at her logic. "Dutch? Dutch didn't even want to listen to Arthur about the bank or moving to Charlotte's. What makes you so sure he'll listen to anything you have to say?"

"He'll listen to this."

She was probably right even if it felt like they had bigger fish to fry at the moment. "When is this gonna end, Sadie?"

Sadie sheathed her knife and then spit. "I ain't stoppin' until they're all dead."

It was the kind of fervent declaration you heard and you either ran from it or embraced it. She sounded insane. She sounded unhinged. She sounded...like she had a plan.

If Sadie didn't get herself killed in Saint Denis first, and if the O'Driscolls really did have a hideout in the Grizzlies, there was no way Sadie wasn't hunting down those men. They'd ruined her life and she wasn't giving them a chance to live it down.

Somehow, Karen found something infectious about the ferocity of it. Maybe...maybe this was the chance she needed.

Even with her burned arm, Karen was more than capable of handling herself in a shootout. She could prove to them all that she was more than the newest camp drunk. She could be the one who does the saving for once.

Karen decided then and there that while it wasn't a righteous path, it was a path. And it was more than what she'd had this morning. "Mrs. Adler, you got room for one more in hunting down these O'Driscolls?"

Sadie considered her warily. "I ain't gonna say no to help."

Karen winked, a sense of purpose filling her chest. "Then I got your back, sister."

"Good." Sadie grinned suddenly, sharp, devilish and with a hint of madness. "Then let's guarantee that son of a bitch swings."