Pronunciation of Aoífe: EE-fa or EE-va

Chapter 39: The Set-up

Lilly and Arthur walked side by side to Rose and Liath.

"Just be careful with that woman, Lilly. I don't trust her and she ain't as dumb as the rest of this town," Arthur warned. "You still didn't tell me what she said to you that day."

Lilly's mouth went sideways, creating a big dimple. She was indecisive. "And I will tell you the whole conversation, but not just now." Lilly kissed his cheek and lingered. "I will say, however, that it had to do with Papa."

"Ah shit. Does she know about the price on your head?" Arthur asked with concern.

"Unfortunately, yes, but she has no desire to collect...I suppose she's got enough money, though. It would only be pocket change to her," Lilly assured him.

"A hundred fifty thousand dollars is pocket change?"

"Apparently so. Hell, it's pocket change to our estate."

Arthur laughed. "That's true. God, we're gonna be so rich."

"Don't get greedy," Lilly smirked.

Arthur leaned in close to his wife. "The only thing I'm greedy about is your pussy cat."

Lilly squinted her mouth in amusement and smacked his shoulder lightly. "God damn bithiúnach!"

Arthur laughed again and rubbed his shoulder. "Ow!" he said mockingly. "Bean teasaí..." [Feisty woman...]

"Ya bet yer arse I'm feisty. Now c'mere," Lilly said, grabbing his shirt and kissing him with vigor. "You be careful, too. I'm not takin' my wolves. Wouldn't want to be forced to go after yas when you steal the horses, mo ghrá." [my love.]

Arthur slapped her bottom and she squealed. "Take 'em with you, please. I would feel better if you did. Besides, I got a plan for that."

Lilly looked at him suspiciously. "What plan?"

"You ready to go, deirfiúr?" Sean asked.

Arthur gave his wife a knowing smirk. "You'll see."

"Hmph. "Yes, deartháir, I'm ready." Lilly gave one last kiss to her husband before calling the wolves over and mounting up. Sean, Lilly, Arthur, John, and Javier all left at the same time but the two groups parted ways shortly before Rhodes. Lilly and Sean, along with the boys, engaged in comversation.

"Have ya thought about names yet?" Sean asked.

"Arthur Jr. for a boy, Cahira or Aoífe if it's a girl, although we have a few other names to go on."

"Ah. Good names. But Arthur Jr.? Really?"

"Why not? He should be named after his father. Oh..." Lilly stopped riding and put a hand to her belly. "Little one is hungry, I think." She reached into her pouch and grabbed a carrot and a candy bar. "Just give me a second, sorry."

"Take yer time, deirfiúr. Babies need eatin'." Lilly gripped the candy bar firmly to melt it before opening it and covering her carrot with the chocolate. As she took a bite, Sean gaped at her. "What in the bloody hell are ya doin'?"

"Mmm. Arthur showed me this. Try it." Lilly handed Sean the carrot.

He shrugged and munched. His eyes sparkled. "Wow, that is good."

Lilly snatched the carrot and gobbled it up before reaching for another and putting the remaining chocolate on. "Yes. Such goodness. I wonder if chocolate can go with every food."

Sean laughed. "Perhaps."

They resumed their gait as they neared the Braithwaite property. Lilly finished her carrot and approached the guards with a smile. "Hello, boys. We're here for some cribbage," Lilly spoke pleasantly. "I believe my father is already here?"

"Yes, yes, head on in," one of the guards said, eyeing the wolves. "Are those two supposed to be that big?"

Lilly looked at Brian and James. They both were still growing, but they still weren't more than four and a half feet at the shoulder and eight feet in length. "I guess so. They're, uh, Canadian Timberwolves. Everythin' is bigger in Canada, or so I've been told."

"Huh. Alright then. Go on."

Sean, Lilly and the pups wandered into the property and headed to the door on foot. The doorman met them both, eyeballing the wolves. "Oh, don't let their size fool you, sir. They're both just big ole' sweethearts."

To emphasize this, both the boys sat and whined. The doorman gave a nervous smile before letting them all in and motioning to the first room on the left. "This way, madam, sir and...wolves." He opened the doors to reveal Hosea, Mrs. Braithwaite and one of her sons drinking tea and playing cribbage. "A gentleman and lady to see you, madam."

"Ah. So nice to see you again, Mrs. Morgan. And this is?" she motioned to Sean.

"Mr. Sean MacGuire, at your service," Sean said before removing his hat and bowing.

Lilly almost snorted as she removed her own hat. "Please sit," Catherine said. "Tea?"

"Yes, thank you," Sean said.

"Yes, please," Lilly said. The doorman found a chair for her and put it behind her. "Oh, thank you kindly," Lilly said with a smile, sitting herself down and crossing her ankles. Brian and James laid down at her feet, despite how much room they took up. The doorman left, presumably to bring more tea.

"So, Mrs. Morgan, that husband of yours...is he-"

The doorman opened the doors again. "Ahem, another gentleman to see you, madam," he said.

Lilly arched a brow as Arthur walked in. What in the hell was he doing here? Did he already steal the horses? "I'm sorry I'm late, Hosea, I uh, had some personal business to attend to," Arthur said. He went and kissed his wife on the cheek. "Hello darlin'."

Lilly smiled with a squinting of her sapphire eyes. "Mo chuisle."

"Arthur, welcome,"Hosea said. "We were just playing cribbage. Arthur Morgan, Mrs. Catherine Braithwaite."

The doorman, who was apparently the butler as well, brought in more tea with sugar and cream. Lilly took one with two sugar cubes and a dash of cream before swirling a small spoon in the liquid and drinking it. "Nice to see you again," Arthur said to Catherine with a wave.

"Apparently. So this one," she said to Hosea. "Is he as big and as dumb as he looks?"

Lilly's eye twitched as Catherine glanced at her. The god damn bitch just insulted her husband. Lilly went to defend Arthur, but Hosea raised a palm with a laugh. "Well, he's surely big, but his intelligence is a matter of some conjecture. Some say he is as dumb as he looks... but, I think, well, he's not quite that dumb."

Catherine chuckled as she dealt some cards. "And you, Mrs. Morgan. What is your conjecture?"

Lilly raised a brow with a smile. "I would have to say there is more to him than meets the eye," she said with a smile. "But as size goes? He most certainly lives up to that aspect, in more ways than one," Lilly spoke suggestively.

Sean almost choked on his tea and Hosea tried not to laugh. Arthur looked abashed but amused, but Catherine kept a straight face. "Hmm. Blunt, aren't you?"

Lilly leaned forward with a predatory smile of her white teeth. "Very."

"Hmm." Catherine directed her attention back to Hosea. "So these are the boys goin' to Caliga Hall?"

"Yes, we could take care of that for you, but one hates to be coarse...there is the question of money," Hosea said.

Mrs. Braithwaite chuckled. "Oh, we've got money, Mr. Matthews."

"Paper? Bonds? Metal?"

Catherine's son laughed. "She ain't gonna pay you with a certified check, you Yankee numbskull."

Hosea motioned for the boys to leave. "Ain't childbirth just the most beautiful miracle?"

"Well Arthur..." Sean said, getting up to leave with Arthur.

"Seems a lady can birth monkeys after all."

"Speakin' of birth, I hear congratulations are in order for Mrs. Morgan here," Catherine said with a deviant smile. "Even in light of your fertility problems, life does work miracles, hmm?"

Lilly swallowed more tea than she intended and cleared her throat. Hosea looked surprised. So she knew as well. Arthur had stopped and turned to look at Catherine. "Excuse me?"

"Oh, I'd heard the poor girl became barren at the tender age of seven, is that not true?"

Shit. She averted her eyes to everyone except Catherine, giving her a warning glare. "That isn't true. Not sure where you got that information, but I fell out of a tree some years ago. That was the cause of my infertility."

"Really? Huh. I suppose I must have been misinformed."

"Lilly?" Arthur snapped. "A word?"

Lilly set her tea cup on the table and stood. "Excuse me. Boys, stay."

Lilly exited the house with Arthur and Sean, Arthur pulling her to the side. "What the hell was that about?"

Lilly fiddled with her fingers. "I...well..."

"Sean, did you know about this?!"

"No, I didn't," Sean said, looking as surprised as ever. "Lilly, is it true?"

Lilly bowed her head. "Yes."

Arthur let out a breathless chuckle. "You lied. Why did you lie? Wait, did you have the doctor lie?"

"Yes?"

Arthur almost went to tear his hair out but stopped himself. "Why? Did you fake your accident too?!"

Lilly's jaw dropped. "Are ya kiddin' me?"

"No! I want to know!"

"Arthur!" Sean barked. "Why would she fake somethin' like that?"

"To cover up whatever really made her barren!"

Lilly's eyes narrowed. "So, ya think I fell from the top of a tree and got stabbed in the gut on purpose?! Tah cover up a god damn lie!? Fuck you, Arthur!" Lilly shoved Arthur. "Ya can go straight tah hell, ya piece of shite!" Lilly stormed back into the house. "BRIAN! JAMES! LET'S GO!"

The boys came running out and Lilly marched away from Sean and Arthur. Arthur ran after her and stopped her. "You're right, you're right! I'm sorry! That was a dumb thing for me to say!"

"Oh shut up! Ya really are as dumb as ya look!"

"Oh, I am now, huh? I suppose my size is the only thing goin' for me now, isn't it?!"

"Yes!"

Arthur narrowed his eyes. "Why do you have to be such a god damn bitch sometimes?!"

"And why do ya have to be a big dumb brute all the time?"

"Stupid trollop!"

"Arsed faced mule!"

"God damn cunt!"

"Dumb fuckin' beast!"

Sean got in between them. "Hey hey, guys. Look, you both-"

"Oh shut up!" the couple shouted at Sean.

Sean backed away with a clearing of his throat. "Okaaaaaaay..."

"Why would you lie about how you became barren?!" Arthur demanded.

"It happened before I met ya!" Lilly snapped.

"Well you still should've told me!"

"I was goin' tah! Eventually! But that god damn woman let the cat out of the bag! It was not her secret tah tell!"

"Well what is the secret?!"

"Not a secret for ya tah know! It is my secret!"

"But I'm your husband!"

"That does not mean I'm obligated tah tell ya a god damn thing!"

Gunshots sounded in the distance on the property. "Shit!" Arthur shouted. "Na capaill!" [The horses!]

"Sin ag tarlú anois?!" Lilly shouted back. [That's happening now?!]

"Shea!" [Yes!]

"An é seo do phlean!?" [Is this your plan!?] Lilly asked. More gunshots sounded in the distance. Lilly saw two riders in bandanas making off with three horses.

"Níl!" [No!]

"My horses!" Mrs. Braithwaite shouted. "Stop them!" she shouted at Arthur and Sean. "You!" she pointed at Lilly. "Get your wolves and go after them!"

"Oh no, you ain't makin' me go after 'em, ya god damn hag! Ya let me secret out and ya know it!" Lilly stormed away towards Liath.

"You get back here, you witch!" Mrs. Braithwaite went marching after Lilly.

Lilly turned around. "BACK OFF, YOU OLD, PATHETIC BITCH!" her voice boomed.

The old woman took a few steps back and stared at Lilly in horror. "You! You really are a witch!"

Lilly scoffed. "Yeah yeah yeah, that's what people keep tellin' me! C'mon, boys!" James and Brian chased after Lilly as she mounted up.

"Lillian! Our conversation ain't finished!" Arthur snapped.

"Don'tcha have some bandits tah catch, Morgan?!"

Sean mounted on Ennis and went charging down the boulevard. Arthur got on Rose. "Leanfaimid ar aghaidh leis an bplé seo níos déanaí, bean!" he yelled as he went charging off. [We will continue this discussion later, woman!]

Orchids on trees. Swamps. Saint Denis. A boat in a storm, sinking into the sea. A giant alligator. Jack screaming. Arthur being dragged across the ground. Colm O'Driscoll standing in front of Dutch with Micah behind him. A stake burning. A house burning. Sean shot in the head lying on the red dirt.

Lilly finds herself on the riverbank from before. She sees Janet, her mother, and her father off in the distance playing happily. Lilly hears her father's laugh.

"Don't worry, child. You'll speak to them soon." Lilly hears the old washer woman behind her. She shifts around and sees The Morrigan washing clothes in the river. "Are ya here to help me with the clothes, Lillian?"

Lilly scoffs. "That depends. Am I washing my husband's clothes again?"

The Morrigan laughs. "No, not just now, my dear. Come come, help me."

Lilly throws up her hands and kneels down next to the woman. "Okay, whose clothes are next?"

"Oh, I think you know. One of them, anyway."

Lilly blinks. "Sean."

"Yes, good, smart child."

Lilly smiles and grabs clothes from the basket. "Thank you, Morrigan."

"You're welcome. Now," The Morrigan rubs soap on a black vest. "That Papa fellow...you'll see him again. And Lillian, you will have your revenge. I can promise you that. And so will Brian."

"Brian?" Lilly looks over at her family. It occurs to her that James and Brian aren't there. Ever. "Morrigan, why don't I ever see Brian and James here?"

"Because they're not here. They're with you."

Lilly looks at her. "With me? I don't understand."

"Wash, child!"

"Sorry," Lilly washes the gray jacket she's holding. "This is Sean's. Can I save him? He's...he's like a brother to me."

The Morrigan stops what she's doing and hugs the girl. "Of course you can save him. Ain't nothin' or nobody that can tell ya different. But...before you worry about that, there's a thing with your husband." She lets go of Lilly and rinses clothes.

"Arthur? What about him?".

"He's in danger, my dear. Now he's already left with Dutch and Micah for that meeting, but you need to go!"

"What meeting?" Lilly washes again then her head pops up. "With Colm O'Driscoll?!"

"Yes! Oh, you bright child! Now you're gettin' the hang of it!" she laughs. "But ya need to hurry, my child!" Lilly blinks and the old woman smacks Lilly's arm. "Go go go! While there's still time! And write it down after, not before!"

Lilly woke up and immediately jumped out of bed. It was morning. Lilly looked around as she dashed from the tent. Dutch, Arthur, and Micah's horses weren't around. Lilly ran over to Hosea who was sitting with a book. "Athair!" she yelled.

Hosea looked up. "Hi Lilly. Woa, where's the fire?"

Lilly leans on the table and breathes. "Was Arthur here? Where's Dutch and Micah?"

"Oh, hello Lilly," Mr. Pearson said as he ambled over. "What's wrong?"

Lilly took in a deep breath. "Where is me husband?!" she growled.

"Oh, Arthur. He went with Dutch and Micah to do a 'parley' I set up with the O'Driscoll's. They're meetin' with Colm."

"What?!" she shouted. Just great. "Well, where in the god damn hell are they meetin'? When did they leave?"

"They left about twenty minutes ago. Where the meeting is, I dunno, but-"

"Ya let 'em go without knowin' where the fuck they were goin'?! Fuck!" she shouted. "Brian! James!" she ran over to the tent. Lilly dug around for anything of Arthur's. She grabbed one of his bandanas and raced out of the tent.

"Lilly!" Mr. Pearson shouted. "They're gonna be fine!"

"I did tell them it was a trap!" Hosea said as Lilly passed by. "Where are you goin'?"

"To find me husband! It's mother fuckin' Colm O'Driscoll! Of course it's a god damn trap!" she screeched, jogging over to Liath. Brian and James raced up to her and Lilly gave them a whiff of the bandana. "Get a good sniff, boys. Now, track!"

Lilly got onto her horse as her wolves went running. She kicked Liath's sides and the horse went racing down the trail. Lilly made Liath run as fast as she could and the pups were surprisingly able to keep up. They headed north a ways and eventually crossed over Dewberry Creek. Lilly spotted Dutch and Micah on the way and she whistled for the wolves to return. Brian and James trotted back to her and she slowed down.

"Ah, Mrs. Morgan!" Micah shouted. "You're lookin' well! How are ya?"

Lilly narrowed her eyes at both the men. "Where's Arthur?!"

"I don't know," Dutch said. "He was supposed to meet us by the fork in the road when we were done, but he wasn't there. I'm sure he's just fine."

Lilly shut her eyes and took in a deep breath. "If he didn't meet where ya was supposed tah meet after havin' a meetin' with that schemin' piece of shite Colm, then what makes ya think he's "just fine"?!"

"Well," Dutch said, turned in the saddle to look back. "When you put it that way..."

"Have ya gone daft in yer old fuckin' age, Da?! What the fuck were ya three thinkin'?" Lilly shouted.

"Well, Arthur wasn't exactly for this plan, Lilly," Micah interjected. "He had his doubts."

"Then why didn't ya listen tah him?! Ugh, nevermind. Where did ya last see him?!"

"Just over that hill on the otherside. He was at the cliff with a sharpshooter."

"As ucht Dé! Brian, James! Come!" Lilly went racing up the hill with the wolves close behind her. Lilly spotted a cliff overlooking a small valley and she urged Liath towards it. When she got close, she jumped off the horse and stormed over. Lilly knelt down and dipped her fingers in a small red puddle. Blood. "Oh, Jesus Christ!"

Brian and James barked at her. Lilly looked over at them and saw Micah and Dutch ride up. She stood up and looked around for tracks. Multiple boot prints and a big drag mark. Arthur'd been taken, alright. "What did you find?" Dutch asked.

"Those O'Driscoll fucks took him, Dutch! There's blood and drag marks and a lot of boot prints!" Lilly examined where the prints and marks went to. They went west. Lilly looked at the boys. "Track!" They sniffed around a bit then sped off towards the west. Lilly got on Liath.

"I'm sorry, Lilly," Dutch said. "I-"

"Ya can apologize after we get Arthur back!" Lilly snapped. "Let's go!"

Lilly raced after Brian and James with Micah and Dutch chasing behind her.

Lilly, her wolves, and the two men tracked Arthur for hours until Lilly spotted campfire smoke off in the distance. Lilly pulled out her binoculars and looked through them. She didn't see much, a lot of trees were in the way, but she did spot Rose. "I see his horse!" Lilly put the binoculars away. "He's definitely there."

"How many men are there, you think?" Micah asked. "Think Brian and James can take some out without gettin' seen?"

"Maybe," she said. "I couldn't see how many there are, but I can tell the camp ain't that big."

"How you wanna go in, Lilly?" Dutch asked. "It's your call."

Suddenly there was a gunshot and Lilly felt all the blood drain out of her face. "Brian! James! Kill!"

The boys charged off towards the camp and the three gang members followed in pursuit. Lilly pulled out her shotgun and as they got close, Lilly heard another gunshot...and a distinctive shout from Arthur. Was she too late? God, please don't let it be too late!

Brian and James leaped through the trees and attacked. Men screamed from being torn apart as Lilly, Micah, and Dutch came around on their horses and started shooting. Lilly jumped off Liath and shot men down one by one. Luckily there weren't that many. But one of them was going for Arthur.

"Shoot the bastard!" another man shouted.

The man aimed at Arthur's head and she ran. "ARTHUR!!!" James jumped up and tackled the man on the ground before he could get a shot. He screamed and cried as James bit and tore at his flesh. Lilly still ran and as another man went to shoot Arthur, Lilly got to him and aimed her gun at his head. "Put yer god damn gun down, ya cocksucker! Now!"

The man dropped his gun and put his hands up. "Now lady, it wasn't personal."

"Shut up!" Lilly yelled. "Get the feck away from me husband!"

The man backed up but Lilly pursued him. Her gaze was intense, fiery, and angry. Her eyes were narrowed, her lips were tight, and her nostrils flared from the heaviness of her breath. Brian and James went to each side of her, their teeth bared and drooling saliva and blood.

"Oh no, please don't let them eat me!" the man cried out.

"I won't! If ya deliver a message!" Lilly snarled.

"Okay? What's the message?"

"Ya tell that piece of shite Colm that if he ever, EVER, goes after me husband or any of us Dutch van der Lindes again, I will track him down and feed him alive to me wolves! Slowly! Got it?!"

The man nodded. "Lilly," Dutch said. "He's alive."

"How bad is he?" she asked.

"I think he'll live."

"Good. Yer lucky, O'Driscoll," Lilly growled. "If he had died, I definitely woulda fed ya to me wolves! Now git the feck outta here, ya twat!"

The man turned and ran. Brian and James took a step forward but Lilly ordered them to stay. They relaxed. Lilly lowered the shotgun and sighed deeply. She turned and looked down at Arthur. He was in his red long johns. He was beaten, bloody, and had a gunshot wound to the shoulder. Micah and Dutch were looking him over. "Lilly," Micah laughed. "You really are scary, you know that?"

Lilly couldn't help but laugh. Dutch did too. She nodded in agreement then knelt down next to Arthur. He was breathing, but he was unconscious. His gunshot wound was bleeding still. "We gotta stop the bleedin'. Lilly, give me a shell, would ya?" Dutch asked.

Lilly cocked out a shell from her gun and gave it to Dutch. He broke it open and poured gunpowder into the wound. Lilly gave Dutch some matches. "Micah," Lilly said. "Help me hold Arthur down. This might wake him up."

Micah pushed down on Arthur and so did Lilly. Dutch lit a match and held it to Arthur's wound. "Here we go," Dutch said. He lit the powder.

It made a fizzle and a hiss and Arthur yelled out. Yep, he was awake. Micah and Lilly kept him pinned as he struggled but then he calmed down and started coughing. "Jesus Christ," Arthur hissed out. "That hurt."

Lilly chuckled. "Of course it did, ya shite! Ya got shot!"

Micah and Dutch both wheezed out a laugh. "Can you sit, Arthur?" Dutch asked.

"Maybe," Arthur groaned weakly. "I can try."

Lilly, Dutch, and Micah helped Arthur sit up. He wobbled a bit but he managed to keep himself stable. Lilly trotted over to Rose and brought him back over as Dutch and Micah collected Arthur's weapons and clothes. Dutch and Micah helped Arthur on his horse and Lilly patted his leg. "Let's get you home now, so you can get well enough that I won't feel bad about chewin' your ass out."

Arthur chuckled. "You haven't done that."

"No, but I will. I'm gonna curse out these two knuckleheads first."

"I thought you already did?" Micah asked.

Dutch laughed. "Nope. That wasn't even the half of it."

"Well, you helped me get my husband back. I suppose you two get a reprieve. For now," Lilly explained.

The rest of them got on their horses and headed home with the wolves. Lilly silently thanked The Morrigan for helping save her husband's life, even if she was still mad at him.

"What the hell were ya thinkin', Arthur?!" Lilly said as she began to clean his wound.

"It wasn't my idea. Dutch wanted to."

"Okay. Who had this dumbass idea?"

"Micah." Lilly flicked Arthur's forehead. "Ow!"

"Never listen tah that eejit again, ya hear me?!" Lilly started stitching and Arthur hissed. "Yeah, that'll teach ya! Now lie still or else I'll poke ya in other places, ya dumb fuck!"

All of a sudden, Arthur smiled and laughed. "I've never seen you so maternal and angry at the same time. I love it."

"Shut up and let me concentrate."

"Yes, mo stór."

Lilly smirked a little. "You ain't outta the dog house yet, ya sod!"

"I know, but I am sorry I said all that stupid shit to you."

Lilly sighed and continued stitching. "I'm sorry too, mo grá. But god dammit if ya ain't a pain in me arse. If our kids are anythin' like ya, I will have me hands so bloody full!"

Arthur laughed again. "As will I if they're anythin' like you."

Lilly cut the thread and patched up her husband's wound. "This is true. Anois sosa." [Now rest.]

Arthur grabbed Lilly with his good arm and kissed her. "I really am sorry, Lilly."

Lilly kissed him back. "Me too."

They pressed their foreheads together. "Forgiven," they both said.

Lilly tended to her husband for three weeks after his abduction and shooting. Arthur's shoulder healed nicely, but during that time, she avoided strenuous activities with him so he could rest and recuperate, much to his chagrin. And hers. When Lilly wasn't taking care of him, she was trailing Sean like a hawk. And one day after the three week period, Lilly got wind about a job offer in Rhodes. Micah, Sean, and Bill were the ones that told her and asked about Arthur's health in case he wanted in. Lilly said she'd pass the information along. When she got to the tent, she passed by the newly placed vanity mirror and paused, taking a step back to check out her belly. She lifted her shirts and smiled as she caressed her larger baby bump. She was twelve weeks along now, and Lilly had strange sensations going on in her stomach for the last few days. She could only describe it as a flutter, or gas. She wasn't sure which.

"Hey," Arthur said with a stretch, waking from his nap. "Your baby bump is gettin' bigger. Can't hide that anymore, can you?"

"Not really," Lilly said with a giggle.

She walked over to Arthur who sat up and began to coo at her belly. "Hey there, baby."

Lilly put her hands on her chest and groaned. "Ugh, heart burn."

"Then stop eating candy. You heard what the doctor said. You need more fruits, vegetables, and meat. And milk."

"I know, I know," Lilly mocked and stuck out her tongue. "How's your shoulder?"

"Better. I think I'm good to go on jobs again."

"Good, because we got one in Rhodes. Let's go."

"No no, wait a minute, woman." Arthur stood up and kissed her. "You owe me some lovin', girl."

Lilly wrapped her arms around him and pecked his lips. "Oh, do I now, Mr. Morgan? Tough." Lilly smacked his chest with a chuckle. "We can resume our relations after the job."

Arthur tossed her on the bed and plopped his weight on her. "Nope. I'm not acceptin' that," he said, kissing and biting her neck.

Lilly grunted. "Oof, you heavy bastard! Ya...oooh, oh my, Mr. Morgan. You make a very good argument."

"Yeah, I do, because you miss me just as much as I miss you."

Lilly squinted one eye and lifted one side of her mouth. "Mmm, nope, not really."

Arthur looked at her. "Excuse me?"

Lilly laughed at him. "No, I haven't," she sighed. "You're very much mistaken." Lilly gave him a mischevious smile.

Arthur shifted his lower jaw to one side and squinted his eyes at her. "Is that so?"

Lilly grinned and inclined her head against the bed. "Mmhmm."

Arthur leaned down and whispered into her ear. "Ní chreidim tusa, grá do mo shaol. Tá a fhios agam cé mhéad a chailleann tú mé. Caithfidh mé a bheith ar do shon." [I do not believe you, love of my life. I know how much you miss me. I have to be in you.]

Lilly shuddered and leaned her head back with a giggle. "Oh, that's just low."

"Not if it gets me what I want," Arthur said with a husky voice.

Lilly laughed and smacked his arm. "That's exactly why it's so low, ya shite! Because it gets ya what ya want! But darlin', we gotta-"

"Ó, níl, is é mo chúis le cónaí. Lig dom go bhfuil tú. Gheobhaidh mé bás mura bhfuil tú agamsa. [Oh no, my reason for living. Let me have you. I will die if you do not have me.]

Lilly shut her eyes and made a low sound. She couldn't resist Arthur when he spoke to her like that. "Fear céile. Grá mo shaol. Mo chroí agus m'anam." [Husband. Love of my life. My heart and soul.]

Arthur kissed her passionately. Lilly put her arms around him and moaned into his mouth.

"Lilly, Arthur," Micah said outside their tent. "Are you two doin' it again?"

Arthur lifted his head up. "I haven't had her in three weeks, Micah!" he snapped. "What is it with you fellers always interruptin' us?!"

Lilly laughed. "They don't interrupt us all the time. We ignore them, mostly."

Arthur and Lilly laughed. "Alright, folks," Micah said. "You can play fiddle the pussy cat later because we're goin' with or without you!"

Lilly blew a raspberry and kissed Arthur. "Okay, we're comin'," she groaned. "Arthur, we have to go now," Lilly whispered. "You know about Sean. What will happen to him. I can't let him go without me."

Arthur groaned and let his head fall upon her chest. "Fiiine. But afterwards, I'm makin' up for lost time, Mrs. Morgan."

Bill, Micah, Sean, Arthur, Lilly, and the boys got to Rhodes quickly. The men and Mrs. Morgan tethered their horses and started walking through town along with the wolves.

"So what's the plan?" Arthur asked.

"We're meetin' a couple of the Grays at the saloon," explained Micah. "They spoke to Bill about a job...needin' security."

"After the farce of stealin' the horses for them, why we doin' this?"

"Cause we need to stay in with them. And they're payin'."

"So what kinda security they want?"

"We're about to find out. Now come on."

"This seem legit to you, Bill?"

"Sure," Bill replied.

"Dutch said we was to keep on dealin' with them until we find this gold," Micah explained.

"Can we trust them?" Sean asked.

"Can we trust anyone?" Arthur added.

"Yeah."

"Let's just see what they have to say," Micah groaned.

Lilly shook her head in amusement. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you was married to my husband, Micah," Lilly laughed. "Ya two always bickerin' and arguin'."

Sean laughed. "Lilly, yous and Arthur bicker and argue harder than I ever seen anyone bicker and argue. No, you two are definitely married."

Lilly laughed as they kept strolling along the road. Lilly looked up just as a crow landed on one of the buildings. It cawed at her. Lilly eyeballed it. Something didn't feel right all of a sudden. She felt a pit deep inside her stomach. Brian and James' hackles raised and they started growling, their ears laying flat on the sides of their heads. She remembered The Morrigan saying something about her crows. Another crow flew by and cawed at her. "The crows," she uttered.

"What's that?" Micah said. They all turned around to look at her. "What about crows?"

Lilly glanced at Arthur. "Arthur. The crows." Arthur looked around and saw what Lilly was looking at. Another crow landed on a building and cawed. Lilly remembered the vision of Sean's death. "...laying on the red dirt." She looked down at the road...the red dirt.

"What are you on about, Lilly?" Bill asked. "Can we just get goin'?"

Lilly looked up at one of the buildings and saw a flicker of light. Sharpshooter. Lilly looked at Sean. He was about to get shot. "Everyone get down!" Lilly yelled. She ran to Sean and tackled him to the ground just as the bullet grazed past them both. Multiple shots were fired. "Go get 'em, boys!"

The boys howled and started going after every lawman and Gray on the ground that was shooting at them all. Lilly dragged Sean behind a wagon and checked him. He was fine. No bullet holes. Lilly sighed in relief and rested her head on his chest.

"You alright, lass?" He asked. "How did ya know what was up?"

Lilly smiled at him and drew out her revolvers. "Just a hunch."

Lilly stood up and started shooting. Sean did as well with his rifle. Lilly saw Bill get shot in the leg. "Ah, shit!" he shouted.

"I'll get him!" Sean yelled. "Cover me, deirfiúr!"

Lilly shot men down as Sean went running to help Bill. Once they were safely behind something, Lilly knelt down to reload her guns. She had no idea where Micah and Arthur were. Lilly heard her wolves yelp behind her and she turned around. They'd gotten caught in traps. "What the fuck?!"

Lilly felt pain in the back of her head and everything when dark.