Song is "An Irish Lullaby", by James Royce Shannon. I know it wasn't writte ln until 1913 but the song is a classic Irish tune. My mom would sing it to me when I was little so it is very significant to me since I am half Irish myself. Anyways, enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 18: A Clean Slate

Lilly approached John with Arthur and the boys in tow. "Mr. Marston," Lilly said. "I heard you are goin' to rob a train."

"Yep. Uncle told me somethin' about a train."

"Go on."

"Mary-Beth overheard somethin' about a train full of wealthy folk rollin' down through Scarlett Meadows just south of the state border."

"Yes, Mary-Beth did mention it," Arthur said. "But I ain't even sure about doin' it."

"Wait, this is your lead?" Lilly asked. "I thought it was Mr. Marston's."

"You don't have to call me that, Lilly. John will do," John said.

"Okay...John. Lilly is fine."

John laughed. "Hey. How come John gets to call you that but I don't?" Arthur asked.

Lilly grinned at Arthur. "Because you are still on my shite list." That wasn't the only reason, though. He was on her shite list but Lilly found she liked riling Arthur up for some reason. Last night was heated but a part of her found his anger to thrill her. He made her heart race when he got angry, but not in a bad way, so Lilly assumed this was why she called Arthur 'mo chuisle' before her death.

"Your shit list?" he snapped.

"Oh, don't be offended. Take pride in it, Mr. Morgan. You're the only one on it."

John snorted then wheezed a laugh out. Arthur scowled. "You little shit."

"If you're going to insult me, at least address me properly to balance it out so I am not forced to hurt you. Repeatedly," Lilly said with a playful smirk. Oh, she was enjoying this. "And you know I can hurt you."

Arthur sighed. "You are a little shit, m'lady."

"Good boy." Lilly winked at him, but Arthur smiled affectionately instead of getting mad. That smile. Oh dear. Lilly looked back at John and cleared her throat. "So, you were saying, Mr. Morgan?" She couldn't look at him. Not with that smile on his face.

"Stoppin' a train is a pain in the ass," he said.

"Sure, but what if we could force a train to stop?" John asked.

Lilly smirked and put her hands behind her. "I am intrigued. Aren't you, Mr. Morgan?"

Arthur laughed. "Of course."

"We get a wagon, full of somethin' flammable. Oil. Put it on the tracks. They see it, they know they either have to stop, or die. Ain't no train driver wants to be cooked alive," John explained.

Lilly watched Arthur grin. "That is...kinda brilliant," her 'false husband' said. "Uh, for you. That is a real idea," Arthur laughed. "I think that's the first time you ever had one of them!"

Lilly looked at Arthur with disgust. "Why do you have to be such an asshole to everyone?"

Arthur glared at her. "Excuse me?"

"The fact that he came up with this plan and you didn't when it was your lead in the first place suggests he is more brilliant than you are. Yet you choose to insult him. Are you threatened by his intelligence?"

Arthur gaped at her, as did John. "Thank you, Lilly," John said.

"You're welcome," Lilly grinned and giggled at John. "However, we should have a contingency plan in case we can't aquire an oil wagon."

"Alright, what do you suggest, m'lady?" Arthur asked bitterly.

Lilly grinned, walked over to the tree John was originally at and sighed. "I could probably stop it."

"You?" both the men chuckled. "How?"

Lilly, with a mischevious smirk directed at them, shoved the tree. It creaked loudly and went tumbling down the cliff. "Ahem, any other questions?"

Arthur and John stared at each other then stared back at her with their jaws dropped. "What in the god damn hell?" Arthur said in a high pitched voice.

Lilly laughed. "Not sure I can stop a train, but I found out how much strength I can use this morning."

"How did you find that out?"

Lilly clasped her hands behind her and twisted her upper body to and fro. She smiled. "The bear I killed this morning. Didn't even need my knives or my bow."

Arthur grasped his gun belt. "You is somethin' else, m'lady."

Lilly smiled more. The fact that Arthur was not the least bit bothered by her newly found strength gave her encouragement that she was not some freak of nature. That is how she felt since returning from the grave. Amplified powers as well as new ones she had no previous knowledge of. "Mr. Morgan, did your wife have any other abilities?

"Yes, she had a very diverse and large skillset. Warrior, hunter, pickpocket, expert climber, stealthy little shit, master negotiator, knife wielder, outlaw, con artist, and a few other things. What a woman," he said with a tone of nostalgia.

"Huh." Her former self was quite the accomplished woman, it seemed. No wonder Arthur was so smitten by her. Or who she used to be. Lilly's head lowered as she gazed at the ground. Her arms relaxed and she let out a disgruntled sigh. Lilly could never compare to the other one. The thought made her sad. "I see." Lilly realized how she must have looked. Weak. "Please excuse me, gentlemen." Lilly walked off towards her tent. The boys followed.

Arthur watched her go. Did he hurt Lilly's feelings? He must have. He hadn't intended it. "Arthur, you're an idiot," Karen said behind him.

Arthur jerked around. "Why?"

"Women hate bein' compared to other women."

"Well," Arthur sighed. "That girl ain't my wife! Why should I care about what she-"

Karen smacked Arthur in the arm. "She is your wife! She is in there! And you're treatin' her like some sort of imposter! Lilly died! We all mourned! And yes, you were the happiest one at first, but then you treated her like crap because she's a little different!"

"A little different?! Karen, she just knocked over a tree! I tried talkin' to her like my wife!"

"That was your first mistake! What kind of woman were you expectin' when you realized she didn't remember anythin'?"

"I didn't know what to expect, Karen! I just know her not knowin' her own god damn husband...was...ah, the hell with it!" Arthur snapped. "John, where am I takin' this god damn oil wagon?!"

"There's an old rundown shack just over the border north of a place called Dewberry Creek. Leave it hidden somewhere there."

"Alright. You headin' into town? We're gonna meed ammo, guns, dyna-...wait a second, we don't need dynamite! Ha! We'll just get Lilly to open the damn thing."

"Perhaps you should ask her first before you go assumin' things...again?!" Karen snapped.

"...Fiiine." Arthur grumbled as he marched over to Lilly's tent. "Woman! I got a question!"

"What the fuck do ya want, Mr. Morgan?!" Lilly snapped. "And it's My Lady or-"

Arthur rolled his eyes. "For chrissake. M'lady! Do you think you can pull a locked metal door open?!"

"Yes!" Lilly spat furiously. "Ya dunno need tah ask me! I heard plenty enough with ya and...and..."

"Karen," Arthur answered. "Her name is Karen."

"Thank ya! I heard plenty enough with ya and Karen shouting! But dunna worry about me trying tah take yer wife's place. I damn well know I am not yer precious little Lilly!"

"Wouldn't dream of it, Countess O'Callaghan!"

"Uuugh! You horrible brute! I hate ya and I hope ya rot in the gutter, ya prick!"

"Snob!"

"Wanker!"

"Bluenosed bitch!"

"May ya choke on yer own breath and go straight down tah hell!"

"May the Devil make a ladder out of your spine and use it to pick apples in the fuckin' pits of hell!!!" Arthur screamed as he went red in the face.

"That's it!" Lilly opened the flaps and Arthur's jaw dropped as she came marching out with her gun pointed at him and tears streaming down her face. "Say somethin' else, Mr. Morgan, and I will splatter yer brains all over the god damn ground!" she screeched.

Dutch came running in between them and faced Lilly. "Lilly, sweetheart, put the gun down."

"She ain't gonna shoot me, Dutch! She's too much of a coward!"

Lilly knocked Dutch out of the way and shot at Arthur's feet. "Insult me again, Arthur! This is yer final warning!"

Arthur stood where he was. "Oh really? You're gonna shoot me? Your husband?"

"Ya made it very clear that we are not husband and wife!"

Arthur took a step forward and Lilly pulled back the hammer. "You think I'm scared of you?!"

"Enough!" Hosea got between them. "Both of you stop it right now!" Hosea grabbed the gun from Lilly and tossed it. "You both need to keep away from each other or fight somewhere else because you're upsetting the whole camp!"

Arthur looked around and saw everyone was staring. He lowered his head in shame, as did Lilly.

"...Sorry, Athair..."

"Damn right you're-what did you say?" Hosea asked Lilly.

"...Athair." Lilly looked over at Dutch and frowned. "And Da. I'm sorry I...I..." Lilly ran back into the tent sobbing.

Hosea chuckled. "What do you know, Dutch. I think she remembers us now."

Dutch got up and brushed himself off. "No kidding."

Arthur was furious. Lilly could remember her previous family, Sean, and now her adoptive fathers, but only snippets of her own husband? "This is unbelievable horseshit!" Arthur snapped.

"Oh shut up, Arthur!" Hosea yelled. "Go cool off! You've done enough to upset my daughter! I'll tell you one thing, I never treated Bessie like this! Not once!"

"That's different! Lilly died!"

"If Bessie came back to life, I wouldn't care if she remembered me or not! I would still be there for her! Lilly is the love of your life and we all know it! But she doesn't know that anymore, does she?! All because you been treatin' her like some imposter, and you're the only one treatin' her that way! So stop bein' so god damn pig-headed and take a look at what you're doin to her!"

"Hosea," Dutch said while putting a hand on his friend's shoulder. "I get what you're sayin' and I'm sure Arthur does too, but Arthur has every right to be upset. Now I ain't sayin' he's in the right, but are you sayin' it hasn't upset you that Lilly didn't know you or me? It sure as hell upset me."

"...Yes, it upset me."

Arthur knew Hosea was right. Arthur had been treating Lilly unfairly, and he knew it was horrible of him. But his damn pride. Lilly not recognizing her own husband hurt his pride. Maybe he hadn't meant as much to her as he thought. Had Lilly been

lying to him this whole time? Arthur felt duped. Like he'd been tricked, and it wasn't that far fetched. Lilly was a trickster, after all, but...there's no way she'd be so cruel. Arthur tried to come to terms with all of this but he realized his confidence in their relationship was either gone or hiding from him.

"...Just tell her the place is north of Dewberry Cre-"

"I know where it is!" Lilly shouted from the tent. "Just don't expect me tah talk tah ya very much!"

Arthur was such an asshole and he knew it. He walked away towards the horses. He needed to focus on the job, not his marital problems.

Lilly had changed into a blue buttoned shirt nearly collared and sleeves perfectly buttoned, brown pants, and black boots. For some reason, the girl had no dresses in her wardrobe. That was odd. When she asked Susan why, she only said Lilly hated dresses. Hmm. A countess who hated dresses. Interesting. Lilly had her hair done up in tiny infinity knot braids. Her mother had been fond of the hairstyle, as outdated as it was, but Lilly loved it. She braided eight of them, and then two bigger sized braids resting lazily under the tiny braids. Her bangs were long enough to be pushed back, thank God. Her auburn hair was a long length that reached just to her lower back. Maybe her hair was too impractical for a train robbery.

Lilly was riding with her wolves in the early evening when she stopped at Dewberry Creek and started undoing her braids. Ugh, stupid braids. Good going, Countess O'Callaghan! Lilly eventually decided on one big braid but kept the little braids with. It was still practical. Just a bit flashy.

"M'lady," she heard Arthur say as he approached on Rose.

Lilly didn't even bother to look at him. "Mr. Morgan." When he was silent, Lilly jerked around. "Wha-"

He was in his summer gunslinger outfit with his collar undone and his sleeves rolled up. Some of the hair on his chest was showing and it made Lilly blush. "Kinda hot to have your sleeves down and your collar done up, ain't it?" Arthur asked.

Now that he mentioned it, yes. It was hot. Lilly rolled up her sleeves, secured them, then unbuttoned her collar. She undid two more buttons and looked up at Arthur. "There. Satisfied?"

"No. You need to undo all the buttons for that to happen."

Lilly made an 'ick' sound. "I don't know who is worse, you or Micah."

Arthur groaned. "Don't tell me. He was throwin' himself at you after you got him out?"

"...Is that a normal thing?"

"Well, yes. You...Lilly was a flirt. And most of the men were quite, uh, fond of her. In the biblical sense."

Lilly blinked. "Oh good grief. Is she a...floozie?"

Arthur laughed. "No. Just a flirt. I'm the only one she's been with."

"Oh."

"Wanna tell me about what went down with Micah?"

"Another time. We have a train to rob, sir. Let us go." Lilly couldn't meet his eyes because if she did, her heart might race and she would know Arthur was her chuisle.

"'Course, m'lady," Arthur said stiffly. "Up at the uh, hill there, okay?" Arthur clicked his tongue and went trotting off.

Lilly went to Liath and mounted up. Her and the wolves galloped to the abandoned, rundown shack just outside some stables. Lilly wanted to go take a look but she noticed Sean was by the old shack shooting bottles. He was always a horrible shot.

"Sean, I don't know why ya even bother practicing. Ya have the worst shitty shot I've ever seen!" Lilly exclaimed jokingly.

"Oh, well not all of us could get trained to shoot by Dutch, Hosea, and Arthur. And if I recall correctly, you were horrible at first," Sean said.

"At first. The second time, I was more than likely brilliant!"

"Uh huh. Now stop distractin' me, lass! I got bottles tah shoot!"

Lilly laughed. "I'd say that ya couldna hit the broad side of a barn, but that would only insult people who canna hit the broad side of a barn!"

Arthur cackled at her joke. "That's a good one."

Lilly crossed her arms. "I'm going to go look at horses." Lilly trotted over to the stables and waved to the stable owner. "Hello, sir. I am interested in looking at a horse to purchase." As much as she loved Liath, she needed a spare horse so her Ardennes could rest from time to time.

"Sure!" the stable owner said. "Come and take a look."

Lilly saw some of the horses in the stables but she wasn't sure she wanted them. They were very nice horses, including the Bay Roan Ardennes, but she already had an Ardennes. Lilly sighed. "I like the Ardennes, but do you have any other big horse breeds? I prefer big horses. I am rather tall for a woman, so," she said with a pause.

"Hmm. I do have some Shires, if you're interested in those. I have one in particular that I'm lookin' to sell, but he is a nasty, mean one. Not sure he'd suit you."

"Well, I'd like to take a look, at least."

The man laughed. "Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you." Lilly followed him outside to the horse pen. She saw all sorts of horses of different breeds and colors. The man began to point them out. "Got some Kentucky Saddlers, Morgans, Tennessee Walkers, a few Belgians for drafting, and the Shires. I got two light grays, Gertrude and Bonnie."

"Such pretty ladies," Lilly said with genuine smile. "And the other one?"

"That would be Scorn. I got him from the stables in Valentine. Wanted him as a work horse but he's a pain in the ass."

Lilly laughed. "Hmm, perhaps he just doesn't like to work."

"Haha, maybe. Hmm, where...oh, there he is."

Lilly squinted her eyes. The horse was hiding in one of the wooden shelters. "May I get a closer look?"

"Sure. Your funeral."

Lilly wanted to laugh. She got up and over the fence and made her way towards the black horse. "Hey there, sweetheart," she cooed. "Come out, don't be shy." The horse neighed angrily. Lilly took a step back. Oh shit. He was rather ornery. "Easy, boy, easy. I'm not here to bother you, I just want to take a look at you."

The horse hoofed the ground and walked out. Oh wow. The horse was beautiful. Very beautiful. "Well, look at you. Such a handsome fellow."

The horse snorted angrily and charged at her. "Oh balls!" Lilly jumped out of the way just in time but the male turned around and ran at her again. Lilly groaned. "STOP!" she shouted with a loud boom.

The horse stopped and backed away. Oh, she didn't mean to frighten the poor darling. "I'm sorry, boy. I didn't mean to-"

The horse galloped around her and back into the shelter. It hoofed and bayed loudly and she sighed.

"Told you he was a nasty beast!"

Lilly sighed. She needed to try something else, and then it came to her. Lilly held up her hands, bent at the knees, and shut her eyes. And it was quiet at first, but when Lilly began to gain confidence, she sang louder, and it echoed through the trees and the trails like a sweet, gentle breeze.

"Ah, you're a real fuckin' funny shit, Arthur Morgan, huh?" Sean said while reloading his gun. "Real fuckin' funny."

"Calm down," Arthur said.

"Ya better sleep with yer eyes open!"

"Well, you're gonna sleep with your chest op-" Arthur paused when he heard singing.

Over in Killarney

Many years ago,

Me mother sang a song to me

In tones so sweet and low...

Was that Lilly singing? Arthur looked at Sean who was relaxed and his eyes were severely dialated. That was something Lilly said happened when she sang. But why wasn't it happening to him?

Just a simple little ditty,

In her good ould Irish way...

Arthur went jogging towards the stables. There were some deer who were completely stuck in their stances as well as some squirrels and rabbits.

And I'd give the world if she could sing

That song to me this day...

Arthur saw the stablehand. His eyes were big and round too. The wolves were docile and all the horses were laying down and relaxed, save for one. Arthur watched Lilly approach a raven black Shire...one that looked familiar. But then he heard Lilly singing again and he was enthralled by it.

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, too ra-loo-ra-li

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo ral, hush, now don't you cry...

Arthur smiled as he stared at Lilly calming the beast. She pat his nose and let him take in her scent.

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, too-ra-loo-ra-li,

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, that's an Irish lullaby...

Arthur couldn't believe it. She really did have a beautiful, magical singing voice. And from seeing how every living thing was reacting, he didn't blame her for never using it. But she kept going anyway, and he loved every second of it. He knuckled his chin and leaned along the wooden fence as he listened to the voice of an angel.

Oft in dreams I wander

To that cot again,

I feel her arms a-huggin' me

As when she held me then.

And I hear her voice a-hummin',

To me as in days of yore

When she used to rock me fast asleep

Outside the cabin door

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, too-ra-loo-ra-li

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, hush now, don't you cry.

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, too-ra-loo-ra-li

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, that's an Irish lullaby.

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, too-ra-loo-ra-li...

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, that's a Irish luuuuuuuulllllaaabyyyyyyyyyyy...

Lilly grinned as all the other animals resumed their stances and walked over by her. Oh. Now she was surrounded by horses. "Ha! I'll be damned."

"That was beautiful, miss!" The stable owner said. "You got him to calm down, too! That's wonderful. Do you still want him?"

"Of course!" Lilly turned to see the stable owner when she also saw Arthur. He looked enchanted. Lilly blushed. Oh boy. "How much for this fine steed?"

"Sixty dollars."

Uh oh. She didn't have that much. Just when she was about to announce her predicament, Arthur stepped in to save the day. "I got it, Lilly. You can pay me back whenever." Arthur handed the man the money and Lilly sighed.

"Thank you, Mr. Morgan. I will pay you back!"

Arthur beamed at her. "I know you're good for it." Lilly smiled at him warmly. A moment passed between the two of them as they made eye contact. Arthur had such handsome blue eyes. Lilly felt as if she could be lost forever if she kept looking, but she kept eye contact with the man all the same. "So, that's what happens, huh?"

"Yes. I'm sorry that it rendered-"

"No, it did not. Apparently I'm immune to its effects too."

With a cock of her head, Lilly approached him. "Really?" Arthur was still knuckling his chin and looking at her as if he was lovestruck. "I think it affected you, just not as much. You do look rather...amazed by it."

"Why? Because you got the voice of an angel?" Arthur asked with a wide smile. "Lilly, if I'd known how beautiful your singin' was, I'd fallen for you a lot sooner."

"...Don't you mean your wife?" Lilly corrected before breaking eye contact. "If you'd known your wife had-"

Lilly felt Arthur grab her hand and pull her closer. "Lillian, you keep doin' things my wife does, so I'm thinkin' my original assessment of the situation was...incorrect." A few memories hit Lilly just then.

A circle of pine trees. Arthur and Lilly making love for the first time. Lilly calling him 'mo chuisle'. Kissing. Arthur touching her wetness and making Lilly come. The train. Lilly shooting guards down while Arthur pleasured her. Lilly pressing her forehead to his.

"Forgiven," she said.

Lilly leaning to Arthur's ear and saying something in Gaeilge. "Learn my language and I will be yours forever," said in Gaeilge. The scent of pine trees.

Lilly blinked a few times and backed up. "What's wrong, Lilly?" he asked. "Another memory?"

Lilly blushed and broke eye contact when Sean came walking up. "Lilly, were you singin' just now?!"

"Yes. Had to calm the horse down," Lilly said while backing away further from Arthur back to the Shire horse.

"Arthur, you were with me just now, how did you get up here so quickly?"

"I guess it doesn't affect me the same way it does everyone else." He looked at Lilly suspiciously but she turned away and pat the horse's neck.

Those memories and the emotions behind them shook her to the core. Lilly, the former one, loved Arthur to an incredibly high degree. It unnerved her and she couldn't even look at Arthur after that. Once the horse was purchased, Lilly decided on a name. Dubh Sainglenn. Doc for short. So now she had two horses named after great war horses. Liath Macha and Dubh Sainglenn. Lilly had Liath stabled for now as she saddled Doc. She'd be back for Liath later. Lilly walked with Doc and the others and raised a brow when the wolves didn't attack any animals that walked by. This was the strangest thing ever. As Lilly approached the oil wagon, Sean began talking.

"Are ya lettin' me on the raid with yas, then?" Sean asked the two of them.

"Raid?" Arthur asked.

"Don't be playin' coy with me, son. It's unbecomin'. That bloody train you and him has set up. What you're doin' out here, you're goin' to need guns, you're goin' to need men."

"Oh, that." Arthur was inspecting the wagon went on flapping his tongue. "So Marston told you? It ain't a big show. I need calmness, and I already got one hot-headed Irish person on the job. I take another on, I might as well bring Micah along."

Lilly scowled at him but then turned her attention to the sunset. "Compare me to that oily turd again and you're a dead man!" Sean yelled.

"Fair enough," Arthur chuckled deeply.

"Anyway Arthur, what's your problem with me? In fact, don't tell me. I already know! You're threatened by me."

Lilly snorted with laughter. "If you believe anyone could intimidate Morgan, you're delusional!" Lilly turned around. "I'm way scarier than you but even I don't intimidate him!"

Arthur smirked at her. "A compliment? From you? Impossible!"

Lilly laughed. "Oh please. Big dumb brutes don't get intimidated by anyone. You're no exception."

Sean let out his signature giggle. "Big dumb brute. Hahaha! I love it!"

"I may be a big dumb brute, but you're a snobby high and mighty little shit!" Arthur snapped.

"Hey, ya started the fight this time, ya eejit! Not me! So shut yer god damn trap before I shut it fer yas!"

"God damn prude!"

"Piece of shite arse faced gorilla!"

"Witch!"

"Lowlife!"

"Are you two at it again?!" John asked as he walked up with Charles. "You two need to make up or somethin'! Jesus Christ! You're worse than an old married couple and you are a married couple!"

Lilly held up her left hand. "Not anymore. It's been annulled."

"Really?" Charles said with a raised brow of interest. "So you're fair game again?"

"No, we are not annulled, and don't you even start that shit, Charles!" Arthur shouted.

Lilly blinked at Arthur. "We're not annulled? I kicked you out of the marital bed and gave you back the ring. You called me 'false wife'. I'm certain that constitutes divorce."

"No it doesn't because I didn't agree to an annullment."

"That doesn't matter!"

Arthur smirked, stood in front of her, and crossed his arms over his chest. "Accordin' to Strauss, it does."

Lilly remembered the name. Vaguely. "Who is Strauss?"

"Our loan shark and bookkeeper. Thing is, Lillian, both of us have to agree to the annullment. So you are, in fact, my wife, and if you go around actin' like you're fair game, you will see a side of me that will put even your anger to shame," he said with a very serious look.

"I fail to see how your anger could be scarier than mine."

Arthur laughed and towered over her. Barely, but it did make Lilly feel smaller. "You think you've seen me angry? Think again, cupcake!"

"I can attest to this, Lilly," Charles said. "He nearly beat a man to death in Valentine. Man can't form words now."

Lilly looked at Charles then back at Arthur. The seriousness in Arthur's face confirmed the validity of Charles' statement. "...Why did you do that?"

"We was fightin' with a bunch of people anyway, but he called me 'pretty boy'," Arthur explained.

The look on Lilly's face expressed her puzzlement. "Why would that make you mad? You are pretty." Lilly smacked her hands over her mouth.

The men laughed and Lilly cheeks went red, but a sparkle in Arthur's eyes made her feel hot in an area that was not her face. "You think I'm pretty, huh?" Arthur cooed with a smirk, then he gently pressed his mouth to her ear. "If I'm pretty, then you are breathtakingly beautiful in every way..." he whispered almost inaudibly.

Lilly's heart spasmed. "Really?"

"...Aside from your current personality, yes."

Lilly scowled. "Yer such an asshole!"

Arthur laughed and put his knuckles to his mouth as he backed up. "I really had you goin'. Ah, shit. Anyway, let's go earn some money."

The men just left her standing there. She hated all of them. And when she was done robbing this train, Lilly was going to do her own robberies from now on. She would still give a slice to the gang, seeing as she was still part of it, but Lilly was done playing around with boys. Lilly mounted Doc and followed behind the oil wagon with Brian, James, and the other horses in tow.

"Hey, isn't that the horse you and Hosea sold in Valentine?" John asked.

Arthur looked back at Lilly who refused to acknowledge that he even existed. "Huh. I thought he looked familiar."

"I thought he was bad tempered."

"He is, but apparently he found a kindred spirit." The men laughed and Lilly frowned. She didn't like being made fun of. "You find a good spot, Wolf Man?"

"Yeah, follow the trail south west. There's a spot that's...remote, but should still give 'em enough time to spot the oil wagon."

"They see this blockin' the tracks, they'll stop soon enough."

"Apparently, it picks up a new team of guards at the state line, so shouldn't be too much in the way of guns to deal with."

"See, this is what I mean!" Sean interrupted. "I disappear for a couple weeks and you cut me out of all the action."

"Just the action that requires a brain."

"Ha ha ha. Yer a funny feller, John Marston. From what folk say, ya had your feet up the whole time playin' sick and fondlin' that new scar like you're gonna buy it breakfast in the mornin'. Hey, Arthur, you saw Lilly's scars, right? Are they worse than John's?"

The wagon halted and Lilly raised her head. Arthur turned his head slowly and stared at Sean. "What did you just say?"

"I-I didn't mean nothin' by it, Arthur. I was only makin' conversation," Sean said as he tried to back pedal.

Arthur shifted in his seat and stared at Sean hard in the face. "Do not ask me about her scars again. Are we clear?"

Lilly trotted up and when she saw the look on Arthur's face, it sent a chill down her spine. He was mad. It was a rude question, but this was Sean. "Arthur, it's fine. They're just scars."

Arthur glanced at her with the same bone chilling look. "Just scars?"

"Yes. And they are my scars, so why are you so upset? I was tortured, but I managed to get out and back to yo-er, back to camp on my own." Lilly cocked her head to one side. "Hmm, you boys want to see what a hundred lashes with a barbed whip looks like?"

Lilly had her back to them as she unbuttoned her shirt. As she was about to pull the shirt down, Arthur put a hand on her knee. "Lillian, you don't have to show them a damn thing."

Lilly sighed as she untucked her white undershirt. "I know. But it doesn't bother me. As I said, they're just scars."

Arthur frowned then lowered his head and backed away. Lilly lifted her undershirt and exposed her back to everyone. Arthur didn't look, though. Apparently one look was enough for him.

"Holy shit," John said. "That's a hundred lashings?"

"Ninety seven, as far as I know. I passed out at that point."

"Lilly, I'm sorry I asked," Sean choked. "I shouldn't have pried."

"Why?" Lilly tucked her shirt back in and redressed herself. "I didn't show my scars for pity. I showed my scars to make a point. Do not mock John's scars or mine. It's irrefutable proof of what hell we went through to get them in the first place. And scars make us stronger. Do you not agree, John?"

John laughed with a wheeze. "I do now. That's an interestin' perspective on the subject, Lilly."

Lilly looked at Arthur. "The next time I hear about any of you talkin' poorly about my scars or John's, you will answer to me." Lilly trotted up to Arthur. "You think you've seen me angry, Mr. Morgan? You don't even know the meaning of the word." Her eyes were narrowed and Arthur only stared up at her with his mouth slightly open. Lilly sat up straight. "Now, let's go make some money, boys." Lilly trotted on ahead.

The continued on in silence for the rest of the way until Arthur gave directions to the men on which roles they had in the heist. When they got to the tracks, Lilly got off Doc and sent him off. Armed with her bow, her revolvers, her knives, her repeater, and her wolves, Lilly helped Charles release the horses from the wagon.

"Mr. Marston. Mr. Smith. Mr. MacGuire. Mrs...erm, m'lady. Get over there," Arthur said while pointing towards the grove of trees. "When she slows, board her." Arthur went walking to the wagon.

Lilly blinked. "What are you doing?"

"I'm gonna make sure she slows," Arthur said as he put his foot on the tracks.

"I thought that's what the wagon was for!"

"Sean, please get Countess O'Callaghan out of sight."

"Come on, deirfiúr," Sean said as he directed Lilly along. "He's gonna be fine."

Lilly watched as Arthur climbed up on to the wagon and Lilly's heart stopped. "What is he doing?! He's gonna get killed if the train doesn't stop!"

"Lilly, he's gonna be fine, trust me, love." Sean and her ducked behind trees along with John and Charles.

"But-"

"Lilly, get your bandana on, get a gun out, and just trust Arthur. He's got this."

With a puff of annoyance, Lilly did as she was told and watched with painful suspense as the train came racing down the tracks. And when she saw Arthur standing on the wagon, confident and brave as ever, with the train slowing and stopping as he cocked his gun, Lilly knew who her heart really belonged to. But would she ever admit it to him? Hell fucking no.

Lilly walked out of the tree line with the others and she ambled to Arthur as he gave orders. "What do you want me to do?" she asked.

"Take Brian and James, scout around for law or anyone else nosin' about. You know what to do?"

"Kill or persuade?"

"Whatever you see as fit, darlin'."

"Shut up. Come on, boys," Lilly said as she went walking the perimeter. "Search."

Lilly pulled out her bow and chased after Brian and James. They didn't turn up much for people until some time after she heard gunshots from the train. Lilly sent her boys after the two lawmen and they died instantly. Their horses went running and Lilly dragged both the dead bodies through the trees. Some more lawmen came riding up but Lilly and the wolves took them down swiftly and silently. However, she heard more gunshots in the direction of the train. "Brian, James, kill!"

The boys went running and Lilly got on one of the deputies' horses. She came racing down the trail and loaded three bows up as she came into the clearing by the train. The men were surrounded by law enforcement. Brian and James were taking down enemies quicker than she thought possible but Lilly came running through, making headshots and neckshots to anyone who dared hurt her men or her wolves. An officer shot her horse in the neck and it went down. Lilly jumped off and rolled her landing as she took out two knives. She was in the middle of a circle of enemies who all had guns aimed at her.

"Alright, enough miss! Put your hands above your head and get on your knees!"

Lilly chuckled. "Oh, I'm afraid I wilna be doing that." Lilly whistled and her boys came running. They tackled some of the men and Lilly went off on a killing spree of slicing and dicing while the rest were distracted. Lilly was fast, lethal, and showed no mercy. When the remaining men went running, Lilly barked with laughter. "Where ya boys going? I'm not done playing with ya yet!"

She heard Arthur laughing as he walked up to her. "Jesus Christ, Miss O, you are still a ruthless warrior!"

"I'll take that as a compliment, Mr. M.

All of them whistled for their mounts. Doc showed up along with the other horses and the gang saddled up on their horses. Arthur ordered them to ride and they all cleared out. Once they were out of harm's way, they slowed to a stop.

"Woaa," laughed Sean. "That was fun, boys. Real fun. I can see why they call you the professionals of the outfit!"

Lilly smiled as she pulled her bandana down. That was fun. The thrill of it was still pumping through her veins.

Arthur tossed everyone their share of the spoils. "Shut up, Sean," Arthur grunted.

"At least we made some easy money, and what did I get? Gotta be eighty dollars here, very nice!" Sean exclaimed.

"And you weren't even invited," said Arthur.

"What now?" John asked.

"We still need a real big take," Arthur explained. "Enough for us to get out of here."

"Was that a set up? Law turned up real fast."

"I don't know. I don't think so. I'm startin' to get nervous."

"Think they followed us from Blackwater?" Charles asked.

"Maybe," Arthur replied. "But I think this law was just locals."

"I hope so. I'm gonna head into Valentine," John said. "See if I can get something started there."

"Good idea," Arthur replied. "Either way, we should all go it alone right now. You know the deal. Don't be followed."

"Oh, of course not, boss." Sean said.

They all went their separate ways, but Arthur stopped Lilly. "You did good. Real good."

Lilly smirked. "Thanks. It felt...hmm, what's the expression? Just like old times?"

Arthur chuckled. "That familiar, huh?"

"Very." Both of them laughed and Lilly pocketed her money into her brand new satchel.

Arthur cleared his throat. "So, any word on the Ireland trip?"

"I think I have enough for tickets. Sean is ecstatic about going home for a visit. Said he and Karen might head to Donegal for part of the trip."

"So you and I will be near Galway?"

"Yes. But...now I'm thinking we'll need new clothes. I can't very well show up on Darach an ar gCnoc's doorstep in clothes like this. I need dresses."

Arthur's eyes looked like they were about to fall from his head. "You? In dresses?" he said with a smile. "Oh my God."

"Susan told me I hated dresses but I don't know why."

"You always thought them impractical, and...well, they were a bad subject for you."

"I see..." Lilly bit her lip. This was getting too close for comfort, but still, she had to say it. "Nice job stopping the train. That took guts."

"Heh heh heh, I suppose it did."

"Yes, well...anyway, I suppose we better-"

"Would you like to go fishin' with me and Jack tomorrow?" Arthur asked.

"I...um, do I even like fishing?"

"No," he laughed. "But Jack missed you an awful lot and I figured we could get to know each other better without fightin'. Wouldn't want to fight in front of him."

"This is true," she said. "Alright. Just let me know when we're going."

"Sure."

Lilly smiled. "Okay, well...bye."

Arthur sighed and smiled at her. "Bye."

That smile. That fucking smile was killing her. Lilly blinked a few times, clicked her tongue, and the wolves and Lilly rode off into the distance.

So, things are a little less tense between them. What did you all think? Review, fav, and follow! And thanks for reading!