Dutch groaned, buttoning up his vest again, "I reckon we should get back to camp before we're missed."

Ceilina sighed, pulling on her own shirt, "Molly's going to kill me."

Dutch chuckled, "Like I said-"

"I know, I know, you're not 'exclusive'." She couldn't help it, the guilt that immediately started consuming her mind. It wasn't right, in 2018, whether exclusive or not, she would have been hurt to find out someone she loved was with another woman. Now, she went and made herself that woman. "Are you going to tell her?"

Dutch gave her a look as if she were crazy, he laughed and shook his head, "I'm not going to fuel the fire between the two of you. We have enough problems to have her worrying about who I'm with."

Celina bit down on her bottom lip thoughtfully, she didn't want to ruin the enchanted atmosphere between the two of them but she felt like she needed to say what was on her mind and just hope that he would understand. She was silent for a moment, thinking about how to word what she needed to make known. He had picked up on her tension, "What is it that's on your mind?"

She sucked in a deep breath and held it for a moment before exhaling slowly and pointing to the tree which Dutch had had her pinned against, "That, back there, was great... but," she shook her head, "I'm not going to share you, Dutch and I'm surely not going to fight over you. Exclusive or not with Molly, I can't go behind her back like this... it's not right. I got caught up in the moment but that- that wasn't how I, I shouldn't have."

Dutch offered her a small smile, "If that's what you want." She could tell the response was forced, he was trying so hard to do the right thing, say the right thing.

"I won't tell Molly either. I know it was only once, and out of lust... not- not anything else. I won't ask you to choose... that's, that's not right either. But I'm just saying."

Dutch set his jaw, staring ahead intently, trying to keep himself from saying or doing something stupid. He felt as if he couldn't even look at the young woman, "How old are you miss?"

Celina's brows furrowed in confusion, "Twenty-three, why are you asking?" Sure, there was quite the age difference between them, 19 years in reality but on paper, about 138 years.

He was silent for a moment longer, the girl had only been with them for a few weeks but yet he already felt as if she had some hold on him that he couldn't explain. It sounded entirely stupid that he was drawn to her possibly more than he had been drawn to anyone in quite a while. He tried to tell himself no, tried to keep from doing it but he went against himself anyway with the words that followed, "We don't have much money. Right now." He turned around to face her, taking in her small, petite form, "You are so young, you haven't done anything." He scoffed, "You're not on the radar of the law. I can give you enough money to go out, get yourself a life and leave all this behind you. You don't have to live this life, on the run, fighting for your freedom. You can find someone to give you a good honest life- someone who's not a no good killer." Celina attempted to speak but he cut her off, "Or, you can find a way to get back to your life... in 2018."

Celina shook her head, tears threatening to fall down her face, Dutch looked almost panicked at the building tears, "I'm not going to leave you guys. Y- you I haven't been with you guys long but is it stupid that you're becoming like family to be? W-well, my feelings for you are different of course," She chuckled despite herself, "But the rest of the gang, are like family. No-" She shook her head again, "I'm not leaving you, Dutch. I've seen how things could get for all of you and- no. Just no." She wiped away the tears that had fallen, "As long as I'm stuck here, this gang is my freedom."

Dutch's eyes widened at her words, feeling choked up. If anyone had ever told him the honest truth, it was her, "Miss Knoll, I-"

Celina sniffled, "And you're not a no-good killer Dutch..." Her mind flashed forwards to events which could still lead him to his downfall. Reaching out, she took his hand in hers, studying the rings on the fingers of his right hand, "Not yet."

...

It was later in the day, Celina having helped the women with the chores around the camp, speaking with Sadie as they went about their tasks, "No, John's clothes are over there." She pointed to where she had hung his dirty clothes up to dry.

Abigail nodded thanks as she set her sights on the clothes which Celina had pointed to, "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Celina smiled at the dark-haired woman.

From where Celina was working, scrubbing clothes clean in the big, sudsy wash bucket, she was close enough to Dutch and Molly's tent to overhear the conversation between he and Arthur. Her heart felt as if it were constricting at the sound of Dutch's voice, she was almost afraid to look at the handsome leader, thinking back to what took place hours earlier and knowing that Molly was probably right inside the tent. Her mind wandered back also to what he had told her, what he had offered her before they had made their trip back.

It had surprised her, his offer to help her get out of their lifestyle before she was stuck in it. That conversation alone had opened up so much more of Dutch than what she would have assumed was there. He had been gentle, caring. Of course, she knew he could be both of those things, he had proven that to everyone several times. But to that extent? That was something. The game had made Dutch seem like he wouldn't acknowledge being a so called 'no-good killer' but he had acknowledged it, well before he reached his worst... and to her. Just that interaction strengthened her hope that he could be saved, even if she wasn't the one who could keep him in the end.

From the corner of her eye, Celina could make out Dutch sitting on the crate he kept right outside his tent, Arthur standing next to him, "When are we heading west?"

Dutch responded, Celina thinking she saw him shrug, "Soon, I don't know."

Arthur sighed, "Feels like things have changed, they don't want folks like us no more, we're being hunted."

Dutch sounded confident, "We are smarter than them, only the feeblist of men take jobs with the government."

Arthur laughed, "I hope so."

The next voice Celina heard was one that made her heart sink, Molly O'Shea's, "Believe it, Mr. Morgan, you have to." Her voice came from inside Dutch's tent, Celina closed her eyes for a moment. It was too much.

"Hey, look, Lenny's back." Sadie pointed at the colored man as he rode in in a hurry. Sadie watched him for another moment, "He looks like something's wrong."

Celina sighed, she wanted to confirm it but knew if she did, she would give away knowing the future. Sometimes keeping it a secret got downright irritating. "Yep, looks like it."

Sadie shook her head, "Why don't you go see what's going on? I can finish up here."

Celina nodded slowly, feeling her heart drop to her stomach, she really wished Sadie would go, or anyone but her to check out what was happening. She considered insisting so but decided against it, no matter how much she didn't want to be around Dutch right now, acting weird would definately tip everyone else off that something was up. She also considered pointing out that they would all find out eventually but bit that thought back too. Looked like she had herself between a rock and hard place in a way.

Feeling as if her body was made of iron, both heavy and hard to move, she made her way quickly over to Lenny once he jumped down from his horse and stopped him before he was quite to his destination of Dutch's tent, she tried to sound as worried as possible, "What's wrong? What's going on?"

"They-" he took a deep breath, gasping for air, "They got Micah." He continued in the direction of Dutch's tent only to be met half-way by the leader, being concerned himself about the condition Lenny had returned in. Arthur followed, concern etched across his own face.

"It's ok, son," Dutch placed his hands comfortingly on his shoulders, "Breathe."

Lenny took another deep breath, "They nearly lynched me. They got Micah in the sheriff's in Strawberry. There's talk of hanging him for murder."

Arthur scoffed, "Here's hoping." Celina laughed and they both earned a look of disapproval from Dutch.

"Arthur." Dutch's tone was one of warning. Making Celina laugh again despite herself and earn another look from Dutch although she swore she could see humor in his eyes.

Arthur shrugged, "What? The fool brought this on himself. You know my feelings about him, Dutch."

Dutch almost sounded offended, "You can't see past his bluster to the heart inside? He's a fine man."

Celina took a deep breath, she couldn't do this. She couldn't stand there and listen to Dutch side with Micah, unaware as to the true colors of the rat. She just couldn't watch him take up for him, doing so broke her heart in more ways than she had imagined. The rat had him blinded, and he was going to slowly start poisoning his mind if he didn't open his eyes to the truth. She would have to tell him and just hope, just pray that she wouldn't be getting anyone killed in the process. But when would she tell him? Surely she had to get him alone... maybe with Arthur and Hosea... should she tell Arthur and Hosea? She took a deep breath, for now, she would have to let them rescue the man she wanted to shoot more than anyone in the world. She decided to drop a hint now, hoping maybe Dutch would pick up on it, "I don't know Dutch, I haven't been with you guys long but I don't exactly trust Micah myself." She shrugged under his assessing eyes, "He just rubs me the wrong way."

Arthur shook his head, "I'm not saving that fool."

Dutch seemed to disregard her hint, "I can't go. My face will be all over West Elizabeth. Please, Arthur, he would do it for you."

Arthur sighed in irritation gesturing in disbelief to the sky, "I don't think he would, but fine. Alright."

Dutch let out a breath of relief, "Arthur, thank you."

Arthur disregarded his thanks and instead turned his attention to Lenny, "Are you ok, Lenny?"

Lenny nodded from where he sat on a log, clearly not seeming ok, "Yea," he assured, "Of course I'm ok."

Arthur cocked his head slightly, "You don't seem ok."

Dutch slicked his hair back, "Obviously the boy's not ok. Take him into town- Valentine, not Strawberry. Get him drunk." When Arthur nodded and Lenny stood up to leave, Dutch cut in again, "And Arthur- no crazy business."

At that, Arthur nodded again. Celina hesitated for a moment, she knew what she wanted to do, she wanted to go with Arthur and Lenny, get really drunk and just forget about Dutch, Micah... Molly... the entire gang for a bit. Even if it meant regret and a killer headache in the morning. She looked over at Dutch, and motioned to the two men, "I think I'm going to head out with them. I need to get my mind off some things."

Dutch hesitated for a moment but nodded, "That's fine with me, they probably should have you go along to keep them out of trouble."

Celina took a deep breath and her eyes darted over to Molly as she made her way out of Dutch's tent. Looking at Dutch and thinking of him having Molly's company in his tent almost made her heart hurt if that were even possible. She shrugged and when she spoke her voice was barely above a whisper, "Have a nice night with Molly."

Dutch studied her for a moment, trying to determine if that was hurt behind her expressionless blue eyes. He felt bad, to say the least. He hated to feel bad but at her comment, he couldn't help it. Finally he just had to defend himself, he wasn't going to open up to a woman and give her his heart, not again. Not after the one woman he had truly loved had been killed before his very eyes by the man he hated most. His heart, Dutch feared, was what he felt Celina may very well be after. He did his best to return her expressionless stare, "I certainly will. Have fun with Arthur."

That was precisely when the facade dropped from the woman's face and he clearly saw hurt. Dutch drew in a deep breath and shook his head, he felt as if he had hurt himself with the comment he had made. He reached out to grab her arm only for her to jerk away from his grasp and mount her horse, refusing to look back at him despite him saying her name twice. He knew she heard him.

Sighing in irritation and feeling truly worthless, Dutch turned on his heel and walked past Molly, jerking away from her just as Celina had from him.

...

A/N: Slightly shorter chapter but at least one's out for today! Hope you guys enjoyed it :) I know a little tension, not a happy chapter but I felt this was needed. They both have to deal with the aftermath and face it, there is going to be some!

Questions, Comments, let me have them please!

Happy Hollidays everyone :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Red Dead Redemption 1 or 2 or anything associated with it.