Well, it certainly wasn't an auspicious start to how Charlotte expected her Christmas Eve to begin.

Instead of dodging uncomfortable questions with her extended family, they'd had to dodge bullets. In lieu of the inevitable quarrel she'd expected with her father, she'd sparred with a lawman—two even. And rather than wrapping gifts, she'd unexpectedly had to wrap a wound.

When the shots had started and Arthur drew back inside the jailhouse dragging Officer Pitts, Charlotte had felt terror strike through her, freezing her in place. But at the sight of Officer Pitts' blood, her true call to action emerged. She was able to smother the fear and shift to a clinical mindset. It was hardly a thought for her to withdraw the handkerchief on her person and examine the wound. Arthur spared a moment to ask her if it was fatal, before returning to the window and defending the jailhouse with Karen.

"I'm dying," Officer Pitts had gasped in desperation.

As Charlotte dressed his wound as best she could, she told him, "You're not dying. It's painful, but it won't prove fatal."

She forced herself to ignore the gunshots above her. The wood cracking, the splinters flying and the glass shattering became a muted background noise. As long as Arthur and Karen continued their confident firing, she could concentrate on keeping Officer Pitts conscious.

Arthur had once told her he got through dangerous and frightening situations by not thinking on them over much. Charlotte hadn't fully understood the sentiment until she'd been put under duress again and actually knew what to do with herself.

Eventually, the gunshots had stopped. When she looked up again, Arthur was headed for her and Karen was brazenly scaring off the remaining Raiders on her own.

Arthur asked how she was, but he avoided eye contact even when she stood with him against Officer Pitts and then still when they faced off with Sheriff Thomas. The outcome of which, raised her usual dormant temper as she recalled his words.

"Don't be coming 'round these parts again," he'd told Arthur stonily before leering at her and then Karen. "None of you."

He dared say that after all the...the insanity they'd been through? Sheriff Thomas was expelling them out of town as if they were the ones in the wrong.

"Banishment? Really!" Charlotte exclaimed in outrage as Arthur led her by the elbow down the dirt lane, Karen beside her. "After all you two accomplished by defending that jailhouse and pushing back those horrible men? That's how he repays you? Banishment!"

"We shot up his town," Arthur said. "Don't matter which side we was on."

Charlotte glowered at the road ahead. "What a terribly ungrateful man."

"He had every right to take us in, if he was so inclined." Under his breath, Arthur added, "Poster you stole wasn't the only one in their possession."

Her brows furrowed. "Another one?"

"I told you before, I ain't a good man and I've been worse," Arthur said, still not meeting her eyes. "The sheriff let us off easy. He coulda made life real difficult if he wanted."

"He had no right—"

"You don't got to get worked up over it, alright?" Some impatience was creeping into his tone. "I ain't mad about it and you shouldn't be neither. It is what it is."

Before she could argue, Karen broke in, "Arthur's right, sister. We're getting out of here without havin' to run for our lives. That's another win in my book."

It was strange to Charlotte that they felt no offense over the situation. They both brushed it off as if it were an every day occurrence to be jilted by the law. Although, in hindsight, with their sort of background it likely was a common experience.

Karen added, "And it was fun besides, wasn't it, Arthur?"

"No."

She scrunched up her face at him. "What's happened to you?"

"I guess I seen too many people I cared about get killed to see this nonsense as fun any more."

"Come on," she wheedled. "You used to like causin' mayhem everywhere we went."

"You ain't rememberin' right."

Karen bumped her shoulder against Charlotte. "Even Char here had fun with it."

Charlotte observed, "It was an interesting exercise to engage in."

"Admit it, you liked playin' the whore and you know it," Karen teased. "That accent you threw in really sold it. Coulda pulled the whole thing off if you hadn't had that tizzy."

Yes, that was true. As well as she'd performed, Charlotte had failed anyway with the arrival her fainting spell. Sensitive nerves, an empty stomach and a panicked state of mind could do that to a person. Charlotte was disappointed in herself all the same.

The trio reached the train station and the clerk was the same gentleman from last night, but he didn't show any recognition of Charlotte.

In fact, when they approached him, the clerk surprised her by greeting Arthur warmly, "Mr. Morgan."

Charlotte and Karen hung back as Arthur leaned against the counter. "Hey, Alden."

"It's good to see you, sir. I'd heard..." He glanced at her and Karen, as if they were the suspicious ones. "...some real nasty rumors about you."

"Likely all true, I'm afraid."

Alden nodded with sympathy. "That's the way it goes for us discouraged men, don't it, sir?"

"I s'pose."

"How's Josiah? I ain't seen him come around in awhile."

"Reckon he's moved on to greener pastures."

Alden nodded again sagely. "Good for him."

"Can we get three train tickets out of town?"

"Of course." As the clerk took the money, he leaned in. "I know I ain't had any leads for you in awhile, but I got something now, if you're interested."

Arthur tensed. "Nah, that ain't necessary, Alden."

"I heard it's an easy mark, another one down in Scarlett Meadows—"

"No." Arthur lifted his hands. "I ain't doin' that shit no more."

"Oh." Alden blinked with uncertainty. "Okay, then."

Charlotte glanced at Karen for context and she shrugged. "Tip for a stage coach robbery."

As Alden slid the tickets across the counter, Charlotte commented quietly to Karen, "Arthur seems to know everyone."

"More like, everyone seems to know him." Karen shook her head. "That ain't a good trait for an outlaw."

Charlotte turned to face her. "He isn't an outlaw anymore."

"Yeah, right." Karen snorted. "Today really proves that."

Charlotte frowned with concern, but she didn't want to argue since Arthur was making his way over to them. Arthur handed out the tickets and they walked to the train, Karen entering first followed by Charlotte and then Arthur.

Karen took a seat halfway down the aisle. Charlotte moved further down, to the next available seat, which ended up being at the back of the car. She slid in first, next to the window and Arthur sat beside her.

As the train whistle blew and it started forward, Charlotte watched the moving scenery and all her held back emotions began to rise.

She felt silly tears coming up, but she swallowed and squeezed her eyes shut, willing them down. There was no reason to cry, no purpose to it. Arthur was beside her, they were safe and they'd helped his friend. She took in calming breath and released it, gaining control again.

"You alright?" Arthur asked.

"Yes," she said.

"I know that weren't the best of situations back there, but I only shot those fellers 'cause I had to. I wish we hadn't gotten caught up in all that."

Charlotte opened her eyes and finally Arthur was meeting her gaze again. Now that she had his attention, she straightened and confronted him, "Actually, I think it's time we had a discussion."

"Okay..." he said reluctantly, likely hearing her unyielding tone.

She wove her fingers between his and lifted their clasped hands. She asked quietly, "Arthur, what does this mean to you?"

He seemed surprised by the question. "What?"

She squeezed his hand. "Being troubled, keeping secrets, and hiding feelings is one thing, but actively pushing me away during a time when cooperation is key is not an acceptable solution."

"I know that." He looked away. "Now."

She placed her other hand over his and continued softly, "I'm not trying to scold you. You're not a child, but you are my partner in all things. I am committed to that, to you."

He swallowed. "I only done it to keep you safe."

"I know, Arthur." She raised a hand to his face, wanting to see his eyes again. "But, moving forward, whatever future conflicts arise, whether they generate from your past or mine—"

"You ain't never gonna have nothin' compared to my past."

"Whether they generate from yours or mine," she continued patiently, "we must work together to solve them. Does that sound agreeable?"

He rubbed his thumb over her hand. "Yeah."

"Can you promise that we have a discussion next time, before I end up plotting out how to trick an officer of the law on my own?"

"Yeah." He blew out a breath. "I didn't think you'd do all that."

Believing he was sincere in his promise, she couldn't resist some mischief. "After all, if I must commit crimes, I'd rather do them with you rather than a stranger."

"Charlotte!" He stared at her, scandalized at her admission.

She laughed a little. "I have to admit, there is a certain thrilling quality to being banished from an entire town."

He said warningly, "Don't you start."

After today, it wasn't difficult in the slightest to imagine the ease in which someone slid into a life of crime. One wrong mistake, one desperate act, or even being in the wrong place could change the course of one's future.

Thinking of the woman sharing a train with them, at what she'd risked, Charlotte asked with concern, "Will Karen be alright?"

"I doubt it."

"Arthur," she asked, "is there anything we can do for her?"

"She's got bigger problems than I know how to deal with."

"What do you mean?"

"If you ain't noticed, she's a little too familiar with the whiskey bottle."

Charlotte had observed the empty glass bottles scattered in the caravan, but she'd been sober enough during the jailbreak and shootout.

"That ain't the only thing." Arthur ran a hand down his beard. "I reckon she came down here to Rhodes because it's where an old flame of hers was killed."

Charlotte covered her mouth. "The poor dear. That's awful."

"Don't look at her like that," he warned. "She ain't gonna want your pity."

"It isn't pity, but compassion."

"That ain't how she's gonna read it."

Charlotte still didn't know what to make of Karen. The woman was somewhat brash, but not in the same form of bluntness as Sadie. And she certainly had her own woes. However, in the end, she'd been a great help and Charlotte owed her.

"What can we do for her?"

"I don't know..." Arthur hesitated and added, "I guess, if you ain't opposed to it, she could stay with us 'til she gets on her feet."

Charlotte smiled and kissed his cheek. "I think that's a fine idea and you're generous for suggesting it."

"It weren't nothing you wouldn't offered yourself."

"Hmm. Perhaps."

"I'll tell her." Arthur made to get up, but she clutched his arm to stop him.

"Hold on a moment."

He raised a brow in question and she leaned against him, breathing deeply, smelling gun smoke and leather. For the first time since Arthur had been arrested, Charlotte felt her tension easing.

"Let me have you to myself for awhile longer."

Arthur settled back and kissed the top of her head, murmuring, "As the lady wishes."