In the end, when they had reached the Evans' ranch, she found that getting off the horse on her own was worse than getting on it with help. The rancher insisted she went inside and sat down a little. Although she didn't like being treated like that but as her body began to lose energy and began hurting again, she complied without protest. It wasn't before long that a boy joined her, asking why she was so fat.

"Mark" his mother called

"It's alright" Cecilia insisted and explained the boy that she expected a baby.

"And where is your husband? Shouldn't you be with him and let him take care of you and the baby?"

"He doesn't do that. He was not treating me right and I left him"

"Why?"

"I didn't feel good with him and I wanted a better life"

"Will you stay with us now?"

"No, your father brings me to the train station so that I can move to California where my family is"

"But they have an outlaw with them"

"Mark that's enough. Go help your brother" the boy didn't look too pleased but did leave. Instead, the rancher's wife came and brought her a glass of water.

"Thank you" she smiled at the woman.

Finally, the Marshal arrived with the coach. As she watched the scene with Evans, Tucker and Crawley helping to get the coach out of a ditch, Cecilia realized what they were doing here and what their plan was. To put someone else, Crawley, in the coach so that the gang would follow the wrong person.

"Are they watching?" she asked Mr. McElroy who watched the happenings near the coach through the window. "His outfit?"

"I've seen one man" he nodded in the direction of the coach and with a nod she stared into the distance until she saw him too. She wondered who it could be but then considered how she possibly could get close enough to said man – something told her it was Charlie – and let him know about the plan and that they mustn't follow the coach. And maybe ask them not to kill the people if it could be helped. So she went back inside and took a book out of her bag, planning to write a message on an empty page, to have the outlaw find it. She quickly scribbled down the words and left the house again, pretending she had to go to the outhouse. Her plan backfired when Mrs. Evans brought her there and wouldn't leave. By the time she came out of the toilet (being there, she found out she actually had to pee), the coach was gone and as she heard, also the member of the outfit wasn't here anymore.

"Now" she heard Ben say upon entering "Seeing you again, however, is a great pleasure, Mrs. Dawson" there was an almost mocking pronunciation of the last name

"Uh… just call me Cecilia"

"Ah you like me" he said with a chuckle

"No, I just don't want to be reminded of the asshole I married"

"Poor fella. Thought he was a nice guy"

"Technically, you called him a nice guy"

"Then how would you describe him?"

"None of your business" she replied, making him whistle

"Got some gall. I like that" with a snort and a shake of her head she walked away from him and asked the other woman if she could help something with dinner. She was sent away, so she sat outside with her book but got up again and sat at the table inside when Tucker came to sit beside her. Once the family started to set the table, she put her book away and glanced to her right, where Ben had just dropped into the chair beside her at the head of the table. When the younger boy put a plate in front of her, he asked if he could take her book too. He looked at it

"Moby Dick" he read "What is it about?"

"Mark, she can tell you more about the book later if she wants, we'll eat now" his father said making the boy nod and walk away. Everyone was looking at Ben when he started eating only shortly after he got his plate, when not even everyone was sitting. Of course Cecilia knew the reason for that. It was a vestige of his time at the orphanage where speed determined how much food you got. Usually, it didn't show, for example when he was at ease. A clear sign he was not as unbothered with the situation as he let on. Or maybe he did it on purpose to annoy the others.

"We always wait to say grace" Mark said, almost accusingly, whereupon his mother scolded him again. "Aren't we supposed to say grace for murderers too?"

"Grace is for everyone, dear" again, the boy asked why they didn't say it and after his father reprimanded him, Mr. McElroy piped up, saying he'd like to hear the grace. As they said it, Cecilia folded her hands but didn't really listen, frantically searching for something she could say, in case everyone had to say something as her grandparents always had expected. But luckily, this wasn't the case today, and she said her 'Amen' with a breath of relief.

"You don't seem very religious, Missy" Ben said and she just glanced at him

"Neither do you" Again, Mark spoke up either warning or threatening her husband by mentioning his father's shooting skills and that he'd shoot him he wanted to.

"Shooting an animal is a lot different than shooting a man, son" of course Ben disagreed

"We could ask Byron here. Now Byron, he's killed dozens of people. Men and women and children, miners, Apache"

"Not a soul taken didn't deserve what it got" Cecilia was sure that Ben wouldn't quite accept that and of course he answered with yet another bible proverb before struggling to take the whole meat and trying to bite a piece off because he hadn't been given a knife. Cecilia sighed

"Oh, come on, you give me that" she said, putting one hand on his plate and waiting untilhe let go of the meat so she could take the plate and cut it for him.

"Oh, why thank you that's very kind of you, Missy" she rolled her eyes but couldn't help a smile "Guess you had a lot of practice; you do that really well, really can't see why your husband left you" at this she looked at him and decided to play along her part, lowering the knife and thrusting the plate back to him.

"You know what? I hope you choke on it"

"Ah, now that must've been the reason. Proverbs 25:24. It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house" although her previous anger had been just a show, she was actually upset now and grabbed her plate, leaving the table to continue eating outside. Surprisingly, the biggest problem was to balance the plate on her legs, rather than her stomach being in the way.

"You alright?" the doctor asked and she gave a nod, after having taken a bite.

"Got too much" she lied and groaned when Tucker took a seat on the bench next to her.

"Need help?"

"I can eat on my own, thank you very much" with that, she got back up again and considered what to do before she decided to return to the table because her anger at Ben had disappeared already.

"Knew you couldn't resist me" he only commented with a smile and had the situation been another, she would have hit his arm. Luckily, he was quiet now and suddenly a shot could fell outside, followed by even more. They made Cecilia wince, while everyone but herself, the rancher's wife and her husband jumped up and went outside, safe for Mr. Butterfield, who stayed a few feet away from the table, pointing his gun at the outlaw. Soon the shooting stopped and they were talking and while she couldn't hear it, it seemed to made Ben smile so she shot him a quick glance. Since the other woman seemed a bit uncomfortable, Cecilia took her glass and asked the other women to tell her how she had found together with her husband. Before she could reply, Ben snorted "Last time I was surrounded by such pretty ladies I wasn't ignored"

"Well, I don't know where, how or why you met those girls but I sure as hell know I won't be talking to you if I can help it"

"You two know each other?" he asked Mrs. Evans "She always that brisk?"

"If it's alright by you, Mr. Wade, I'd rather we not talk either"

"You ever been to San Francisco?" he just asked her, ignoring the statement

"Didn't you hear what she just said?"

"Well, at least I got you talking to me again" he winked at her "Care to tell me more about that husband of yours?"

"He doesn't like it when other men flirt with me"

"I get that. I'd kill anyone who looks at you the wrong way if we were married. I just realized you're not wearing a wedding ring"

"Fingers keep swelling during the pregnancy, so I removed it" she didn't mention that she was wearing it at a band around her neck.

"Not to forget your husband? Did he leave you or you him?"

"Would you like more water?" she got asked and immediately realized that Mrs. Evans only said it so she, Cecilia, wouldn't have to answer Ben.

"Uh, yes that would be nice. Thank you"

"You're conspiring against me again" her husband protested and in that moment, Mr. Evans entered, calling for his wife. He went into another room and she followed him while the others returned to the room.

"I hope he didn't bother you, Mrs. Dawson" Mr. Butterfield said.

"Oh, he hasn't been worse than my husband" she only said, holding back a smile

"I take that as a compliment"

"You can call me Cecilia, by the way, Mr. Butterfield. I don't like being called Mrs. Dawson"

"I bet you never liked that husband of yours. Why'd you marry him then, Missy?"

"Don't answer him, your love life's none of his concern" Mr. McElroy said before turning to Ben "And you stop talking to her and calling her Missy"

"I bet Missy doesn't mind. Do you?"

"You finish eating, we leave in five minutes. Doc, get Mr. Evans here" for a very short moment, no one paid any attention to them and Ben used that chance to quickly squeeze her wrist, before leaning back and digging into his food again. The touch had only lasted for the blink of the eye but she felt reassured about everything and with a smile, she finished her food. After throwing a glance at her, Ben just pushed his plate over to her.

"Here"

"Time to go" Mr. Butterfield then decided about two minutes later, once Mr. Evans had joined them again.

"Maybe Missy wants to pack the rest of the food for underway?" Ben asked, pointing at the plate but Mr. McElroy just grabbed his shoulder and ordered him to get up. Quickly, Cecilia ate the last few bites before getting up and bringing the plates to the kitchen.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" she got asked "He's dangerous and his gang could come. And are you sure about travelling?"

"I haven't really got a choice. I'm sure I'll be protected by the rest of them" Mrs. Evans sighed.

"You'd better go then" she told her "I told my boy to make sure you get enough water"

"That's kind. Thank you" she went back outside and decided to relieve herself again before she went to her horse.

"Need help?" she heard Ben and before she knew it, he lifted her, helping her onto the horse

"Thanks" she said, taking the reins and giving him a nod. She watched how he went to his mare but Tucker stepped in his way.

"Oh no, no, no, no. This is my horse now. Come on, over here" he led him to his own horse. Without a word of protest, Ben complied and mounted the other horse, what surprised her a little. Knowing her husband, however, it was certain was that he would get his revenge. After all, he already was on to him because Tucker had hurt her.

"Shit!" she cried out "I forgot my book"

"You don't need your shit book. Women shouldn't read, makes 'em get ideas" Tucker shouted but she was glad to see that Mark ran back into the house and came back with it a short while later.

"So, boys – and Missy – what train station you gonna bring me to? Contention?"

"Ain't none of your business where we're headed, Wade, you're a prisoner. You don't speak, you don't piss, you don't goddamn breathe unless we say so. You understand that?"

"Fine but if he dies because you forget to tell him to breathe you'll still get me to the train or what?" Cecilia retorted.

"Takin' you to Contention. Putting you on the 3:10 to Yuma, day after tomorrow" Mr. McElroy explained

"Shouldn't have told him that"

"Relax, friend. Now if we get separated, I know where to meet up" Cecilia, however, was playing with the thought to somehow find the gang and inform them where they had to go.

The men wouldn't let her ride at the end of their short convoy and while she kinda liked how they took care of her, she felt exposed now as if everyone was watching her, just waiting for her to drop off her horse or something. They probably thought she shouldn't be with them in her condition or at all. The situation got worse when suddenly Tucker was beside her.

"At least we now got time to talk" she glanced at him

"Don't know why I should do that. In case you didn't hear, I'm leaving for Colton, to join my family and never have to see you again"

"You don't have to leave"

"Well too late, I'm already at it. And just to get it clear, even if I would stay, I'd never ever talk to you on my free will let alone marry you"

"You didn't have an issue talking to Ben Wade earlier"

"Says a lot about you then if I prefer talking to the outlaw to talking to you" Ben let himself fall back so that he came to ride right in between herself and Tucker.

"You heard the lady. She said she doesn't wanna talk to you 'cause she likes talking to me"

"I never said I like talking to you"

"Come on Missy, am I that bad now?" she glanced at him

"You're the one in chains, so you tell me" from behind she heard the Doc chuckle.

"Alright that's it" she heard Mr. McElroy as he appeared next to Tucker "Both of you stop talking to Mrs. Dawson and leave her alone at once"

"I ain't been bothering her" Ben just said "have I?"

"You haven't been here long enough"

"Don't worry, we'll get plenty of time. Even more when my boys came"

"What makes you so sure they'll come for you, Wade? Why should they? They got all the money"

"Oh, they'll be coming" Mr. McElroy said "They're lost without him, like a pack of dogs without a master" Cecilia frowned because she didn't have that impression and she was sure that Charlie would come out of loyalty rather. But there were some men she wasn't too sure about. Jackson for example. She was sure, if he had the saying, he'd leave Ben to his fate and try to claim her instead. The thought made her shiver. Suddenly, there was a sound behind them, the sound of someone approaching and in an instant, everyone seemed ready to shoot. Ben, as so often, placed himself between herself and the source of the potential danger. Mr. Evans suddenly stepped forward "That's my boy"

"Is that the quiet one of the one who won't shut up?" her husband asked but Cecilia already was certain it was the older one that had insisted to come with them when they had been at the rancher's house. Already sensing this could lead to another discussion that took some time, she decided to get off the horse to pee.

"What are you doing?" Tucker asked

"I thought I'd walk the rest of the way" she said as she finally got down and, surprisingly, managed to keep her balance.

"That's too far"

"You're either not used to sarcasm or too dumb" she winced when Tucker got off the horse too and marched in her direction. Swallowing, she took some steps back and luckily Mr. Butterfield intervened, ordering Tucker to get back on his horse before asking Cecilia what she had.

"I need to pi-… uh... you know… relieve myself" she only faked the uncomfortableness because she found it wouldn't be a good idea if she used words like 'piss' around them, or other words she had started to use while with the outlaws. And shit, she would even have to do something about her cussing all the time. She still was a woman after all and her talking like that could be suspicious. Mr. Butterfield gave a nod and asked the doctor to accompany her.

"Are you alright?" he asked when they were a few feet away from the group.

"Yeah, I guess so. Worst is getting off and on the horse. But nothing I can't manage with a bit of help. But I think I might have forgotten a jacket and hat"

"Are you cold?"

"No. Not really. Only good thing I have all these heat flushings during the pregnancy" once they were out of sight, she searched a quiet place to relieve herself.

Not even two hours later, Mr. McElroy decided that they'd stay here and rest for some hours until the morning. Ben had joked about the Pinkerton being scared of outlaws or darkness itself. While everyone was settling around the fire, she returned to Cherry to get her book from the saddle bag and see if she could get more blankets or other soft stuff she could use as pillows. When she found the carrot she had taken from the saloon in the bag she smiled and broke it in two, offering Cherry a piece, intending to eat the other one herself.

"There, isn't that delicious?" she asked, gently stroking her nostrils. There was a snort next to her and she felt a nibble at the back of her skirts. She turned around to see Ben's horse, which Tucker had 'stolen', gently nudging her. "Oh hey" she petted the underside of her jaw "You miss me?" she asked quietly but the animal was only interested in the carrot she held "Ah that's what you want, huh?" she held it out, watching with a smile how the horse ate it.

"He's beautiful, isn't he?" she suddenly heard Tucker and she glanced at him in annoyance.

"Technically it's a she"

"And how would you know that?" she didn't really know how to explain that without revealing she knew the animal.

"Have a look at her underside and you'll see there's no… you know. Just like you" apparently, he didn't like that at all and came at her again. Although she had almost suspected it, she still let out a shriek and used the first escape route she saw; moving past Ben's horse. Tucker tried to go after her but the mare moved and wouldn't let him. When he wanted to push the head away and reach for Cecilia, it even snapped at him, making him utter a low curse before trying to get around the horse's back. The next thing she heard was him groaning and she dared a look, seeing him doubled over, holding his stomach. Meanwhile she had passed by all the horses and directly ran into her husband's arms.

"You alright?" he asked

"Yeah. Your horse stopped him" by now, Tucker was on his feet again, although still in pain, and marched right in her direction. Ben let go of her and shielded her with his body. Luckily, the other man stopped, staring down at him.

"That horse's as disturbed and dangerous as you" he growled

"Girls stick together" was the reply that made her chuckle "I was just gonna see if Missy needed help but the girls handled it themselves"

"What's going on here?" the doctor had joined them

"You should put that horse down"

"Did it attack you?" the Doc asked Cecilia

"No, me"

"Because you tried to attack her" Mr. Evans, who too had come, as well as Mr. Butterfield, commented.

"That's amazing" the doctor said "Not that he tried to attack you but that the horse protected her" Cecilia threw him an aghast look. What if he figured out something?

"How glad I am no one cares how I'm doing" Tucker growled as he walked away, towards the camp.

"Do you need something?" Doc Potter asked her

"I wanted to get my book. And something to put under my stomach and between the legs"

"I see. I'll get something for you" she gave a nod.

"You need help with something?" Ben asked her, turning around to her.

"No. I'm fine" she returned to Cherry to get her book when she felt a nudge in the middle of her back. Apparently, Ben's mare needed to be assured she was doing well "I'm okay" she told her, petting her between the ears "You did really well" she chuckled "I guess Tucker deserved it very much" putting the book between her arm and body to have two hands free, she stroked the mare on both sides of her face.

"You ready to go back?" she almost jumped at the sudden voice and turned to the doctor.

"Oh uh… yes." she quickly turned back to Cherry to bid her goodbye before following the doctor and settling down near the fire so that she had enough light to read.