It had only taken a couple days after the terrible incident in Valentine for the gang to pack up and move down to that location by Dewbury Creek which Dutch had had Arthur and Charles scout out. Part of her had hoped that it would have been she and Dutch to go and take a look themselves. She knew better than that though, knew better than to even suggest such a thing to be done by only the two of them after so much trouble near the area they had been calling home.

Things between herself and the charismatic leader were good to say the least, actually... he had offered to have her move into his tent with him upon making the move. She had declined, she wouldn't like sharing a bed with him which he had previously shared with Molly. She didn't want to imagine them... on it... together. Unfortunately, her imagination was pretty vivid.

She had even told Dutch that that bothered her, and to her surprise, he actually had expressed a caring attitude, stating that he would see to getting a new one as quickly as he could. It was weird, seeing Dutch practically bend over backwards to please her.

Part of it, she thought was because of everyone in the camp, he knew how she felt about Strauss' death... he knew how much she blamed herself and how much it tore her up on the inside. She had originally thought that she could keep her composure and not reveal the emotions that had made her want to stay in bed all day, passing it off as a cold. Dutch had seen right through the act.

...

"Miss Knoll," Dutch had approached her tent with concern evident in his voice and on his face, "You haven't had lunch or dinner that I've noticed, what's bothering you?"

Celina had shrugged, pulling her blanket up to her shoulders and rolling over on the cott so she wouldn't have to look at him. She hadn't wanted him to see the tears steaming down her face. It was the day after Strauss' death, and although she hadn't particularly cared for the older man, his death kept replaying over and over in her mind. She had caused him to die before his time all by trying to protect the gang, "Nothing, Dutch." She muttered, "Trying to keep the heartache from showing in her voice. I'm fine, just feel noxious."

She had felt him sit down beside her on the end of the cott, his voice was gentle, almost cautious, "Celina, I know you're not ok." She refused to say anything, hoping that he would give up and go away. Instead, he began to stroke his fingers through her hair, making her stomach tie into knots, "I can tell you're crying. I want you to roll back over and talk to me."

She sniffled, trying to get her silent tears under control, "I don't want to."

With gentle yet firm hands, Dutch forced her to rollover, freezing just for a moment when he saw the fresh tears streaking her face. After the slight pause, he reached out and slowly wiped her tears away, "Hey," he spoke gently in attempt to calm her, pulling her into his lap with slight hello from her to wrap his strong arms around her trembling frame. "It's going to be ok, you're going to be ok."

She snuggled as close to him as she possibly could, him pulling her tighter into his chest, "I killed him- Dutch. I- I-"

"You didn't kill him," He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead before thinking twice, "Some of Cornwall's men must have gotten into the bar when we were shooting... must have dragged him out before we noticed. There's no way that was you fault."

She nodded decisively, fresh tears running down her face, her voice broken between sobs. She was oblivious to the gang members looking over at the two of them in curiosity, in surprise to see Dutch being so... empathetic, truly empathetic almost right in the open for anyone to see. It was rare, but it did happen. He made eye contact with John as he passed by, almost walking directly into the wagon. Despite the opportunity to comment, he did not, simply held her and listened as she spoke, "I tried to keep us from getting noticed and it got him k-k- killed." She trembled violently, "Dutch, I'm so sorry!"

"Don't you be sorry," He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, it was hard enough, losing one of his dear friends but to see her like this over it? He had to fight from tearing up with the woman, "You didn't know, you didn't know."

"I- I- I can't, D-Dutch... what if next time I try to help, I get someone else killed? No one- none of us were supposed to die yesterday but he did because of me! Because me warning you guys changed things and something worse happened."

He continued holding her in his arms, a million thoughts swarming in his head. He needed to know what was going to happen, needed her to let him know about ambushes and set ups. He was sure that she would, should she feel the need to. He took a deep breath himself, he just had to trust the judgement of the person who had already seen almost everything happen..

...

Celina snapped out of her thoughts of yesterday's mental break down, finishing in arranging her tent just the way she had had it previously at the old camp. She walked away from it, seeing Dutch standing down by the lake, looking out over the beautiful scenery, she smiled. He really was a handsome man, and she was pretty sure he was all hers.

That exactly, the pretty sure part, of course had to be clarified at soonest appropriate time. She had to know for sure he was hers and no one elses.

In thought of no one else's, Celina looked over her shoulder to see Molly staring daggers into her. She was getting a lot of that from the Red-head. Needless to say, she didn't care so much as she continued to make her way down to Dutch. In her opinion, Molly would be doing right to try to return to her previous home, no one there could truly find joy in her company.

"Dutch," she called out to him as she neared him.

He turned around with a genuine smile, "Ah, miss Knoll, how are you feeling?"

She took a deep breath and shrugged, "A little better I guess, I don't feel like staying in bed all day."

"Good," he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and lowered his voice, "Because that's only something you're permitted to do with me." He winked down at her and a blush lit up her cheeks. He was truly the first man in a few years who had that effect on her.

There was the sound of approaching footsteps and both of them turned in the direction of the sound to see Arthur approaching, "Arthur, my boy! Just the man I wanted to speak with."

Arthur looked at Dutch with worry in his blue eyes, "Are you ok, Dutch?"

Dutch's brows furrowed together, "Am I ok? I'm great, we're getting somewhere, Arthur. I can feel it. Everything is going to be just fine, wait and see."

Arthur shook his head, "We lost people, Dutch. Hell, we just lost Strauss a few days ago and you're acting like nothing happened."

Dutch looked down at the muddy ground, taking a moment for himself before meeting Arthur's gaze again, "My boy, I sorrow over our losses greatly but we must not allow them to hold us back. We can't risk mourning make us weak and unaware of what's going on around us. We need to stay on our toes to fight our fight." He held Arthur's gaze for moment as if darting him to argue.

Arthur shook his head and shifted his weight uncomfortably, "I don't know, Dutch."

"I do, son." His tone had softened, "I do." Suddenly, he perked up again, "Now, what I wanted to say to you is that Hosea and I are fixing on going out on a fishing trip. He says he knows just the spot to make some good catches. Are you in?"

Arthur nodded, looking vaguely irritated at Dutch's lack of concern over what he had tried to address with him, "Yea, I'll come."

Dutch nodded once and then looked back to Celina whom he still had not moved his arm from the shoulders of, "What about you, are you coming along on that nice paint you snatched up?"

She looked up at him in surprise, not having expected him to invite her, "Are you sure you don't want it to just be the three of you? I can stay behind."

Dutch shook his head, "I want you to come, and I'm sure Hosea and Arthur would just love for you to tag along as well. What do you say?"

She tried not too seem too excited, getting invited out with the three of them. She needed something to do to keep her mind off of... Everything, and going out and having fun was just the way to do that. "Sure," she nodded with a brilliant smile which made her blue eyes twinkle a bit more than usual, secretly making Dutch's heart feel as if it were going to break through his chest.

He smiled back at her and just as she went to move away from him, he caught her arm and spun her back around to stand directly in front of his before crashing his lips into hers in a breath-taking kiss.

Celina kissed him back, somewhat self-conscious that she knew anyone in camp could look over and see the two of them standing down by the river, lip-locked in a way that didn't leave any room for question regarding what was on either of their minds. Celina was the one to finally break the kiss although reluctantly by pushing him away.

Dutch looked at her with a wild, captivating look in his brown eyes, he wanted more, that much was obvious, as did she, "We can't be putting on a show for everyone. Anyway, Arthur and Hosea are waiting."

Dutch chuckled, running his hands over his hair to ensure it was slicked back properly, "Ever the observant one, aren't you?"

She laughed back at him, "Yep, pretty much always." Her eyes scanned over the camp to see everyone going about their business as usual. Maybe no one had watched them, but she would almost put her money on the bet that they were all pretending, "Let's get ready and go catch some fish."

...

Celina rode behind Dutch who rode behind Hosea, Arthur bringing up the rear as the eldest of them led them through the forest trail in the direction of the fishing spot which he valued to be so great. Arthur, apparently didn't think where they fished mattered, "Why are we going out of our way when we can fish back at camp?"

"Because," Dutch spoke loudly, "I needed to get out of camp and so did miss Knoll. The original guard, and the girl who came to save them."

Celina smiled, "Like the sound of that, but you make it seem like I came on purpose."

Dutch glanced back at her, "I can't say I see you leaving."

She shook her head, the smile still remaining on her face, "I can't say I will."

As they came out of the woods and rode onto the open road, Hosea looked around appreciatively at their surrounding, "I was once in this country with Bessie, it feels like a lifetime ago."

Dutch laughed, "It was a lifetime ago but what a beautiful life we have lived, and what a beautiful life we will continue living until the moment of our last breaths."

Celina remained silent, admiring their surroundings as well. Everything was so... Everything was, well, so beautiful. How pure and miraculous the earth appeared until civilization grew and destroyed the beauty of the world. 1899, she never thought she would truly see it in color, never thought it were possible but there she was, living in it and admiring the lush green grass and trees, and the clear, smokeless blue sky all around. This was, this was perfect.

She tuned back into the conversation to hear Dutch going on about having a plan and not wanting to have anyone doubting him. She figured that that was partially what contributed to his downfall too, one of his newest abilities to doubt that those who trusted and followed him didn't secretly doubt him. Well, she thought with humor, at least no one who had seen their kiss would ever doubt that he was one heck of a good kisser. The thought of it made her feel weak in the knees.

"Dutch, we have got to play it cool," Hosea cut him off, "It seems there are some law up ahead."

At a slow trot, the four of them went to make their way past the law, only to ride up to the wagon against their own nature at the sound of a familiar voice which has greeted them, "I seem to have gotten myself into rather a predicament." In the caged back of the wagon sat Josiah Trelawny amongst a group of other men who had been arrested.

Dutch spoke lowly to him, "Why don't we see if we can't sort this out." He urged his horse forward to the front of the wagon, giving a friendly wave to the men sitting in the driver's seat, "How are you boys? This is quite a fine country you have here."

The sheriff nodded, "We like it fine."

Dutch gestured to himself, "Hoagy Macintosh, at your service." Hearing the name he had made up for himself, Celina about choked on her spit, fighting with herself not to laugh no matter how bad she wanted to.

"Leigh Gray," The sheriff nodded before gesturing to his deputy, "And this is Archibald McGreggor, my deputy."

Dutch dipped his head in feigned respect, "My pleasure to meet the two of you... Now tell me sir, what did the silly, fancy fop back there do?" Celina watched with concern as everyone but Trelawny attempted to undo the lock on the cage, trying to take the opportunity to escape, "Nothing too terrible I wouldn't think."

The sheriff spoke with conviction, "He was accused of running a gold mining investment scam."

Dutch shook his head in denial, proving to not be so bad of an actor, "Oh no, you've got to be kidding me. He wouldn't do something like that. He's a magician, and a fool, I know him personally... He ain't a bad feller. Can we-"

Dutch was interrupted by the Anderson boys escaping the cage and running off to board the passing train as Trelawny watched from the cage with concern. She sheriff's panic was evident in his voice, "Oh no! The Anderson boys, they're out! I can't have another thing go wrong, not like this."

Dutch glanced in the direction of the train before looking to Arthur, "Arthur, you go get those boys, and don't shoot them but by no means to you let them get away. We need to provide some assistance to our friends here."

Arthur nodded, not hesitating in the slightest to play along. Archibald joined Arthur on his horse under the sheriff's orders, Celina, Dutch, Trelawny, Hosea and the Sheriff watching as Arthur's horse bolted after the wagon. Dutch was doing exactly as Celina knew him to do, trying to get in the good graces of the law to benefit himself and the gang. He looked back up at the Sheriff after sharing a glance with Trelawny, "Why don't we talk about that foolish magician?"

...

"Oh yes," Dutch nodded from where he, Celina and Hosea sat across from the sheriff's desk as they waited for Arthur to return with results, "I agree, we must work to clean up America. Those scum we've got robbing folk, standing against everything we're working for, they've most certainly got to be done away with." Dutch looked over at Celina and squeezed her hand affectionately, "This poor lass, Celina, she had been terrorized, her home broken into one night, her gentleman friend killed. We've got to put a stop to this- immediately."

Celina nodded, doing her best to appear as if she were fighting back tears, "My Justin, h-he."

The sheriff offered a small smile of sympathy, "I am sorry for your loss miss." He leaned forward in his chair and looked her in the eyes, clearly sincere in his words, "I assure you, we will not stop our hunt for these men until the streets are clean."

She nodded with a sniffle and looked over to Dutch, searching for a source of comfort. It was then that they heard a voice outside, "Alright, here you go," The voice was unmistakably Arthur's.

Dutch and Celina stood up with Sheriff Gray and made their way outside to see Arthur and Archibald with one of the Anderson boys hogtied and at Arthur's feet. Dutch was the first one to say anything, "See? I told you boys Arthur would deliver!" He sounded proud, truly proud.

Sheriff Gray observed the scene before him with approval, "Excellent, I couldn't have done this without you." His gaze locked on Arthur, "Thank you so much."

Arthur nodded at him once, "My honor."

Dutch butted in, "So what do you say about our friend?" He gestured over to Trelawny who remained in the back of the wagon.

Sheriff Gray sighed, "As long as they're be no more trouble, he's free to go." Making good on his word, he took out his keys and unlocked they cell, holding open the door for Trelawny as he climbed out.

Celina wanted to roll her eyes at the magician as he spoke, knowing that his act with the Sheriff was just that- an act, "Oh thank you sheriff, I promise you that this was all just a big misunderstanding. Sincerely, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, however."

The sheriff, after ignoring Trelawny's thanks, turned back to Dutch, appreciation on his face, "And Mr. Macintosh, I thank you for your assistance as well. The good citizens of Rhodes all thank you and we welcome you with open hearts."

Celina had to turn turn away to keep her uncontrollable humorous smile from being seen by the Sheriff or his deputy. She listened though, as this was perhaps her second most amusing experience since she had been found by the gang.

Dutch laid on the charm thick, "We're truly honored to be here."

"Keep your friend out of trouble, we don't need any more trouble. Got some old timers who have just... lost their dignity."

Dutch tried to sound empathetic, "How terrible."

In her strain to keep from bursting out laughing at his tone, she did actually choke and ended up in a coughing fit, Trelawny eyeing her with humor sparkling in his green eyes, "Are you ok, miss?" His voice also held amusement, he wasn't fooled on what had made her start coughing, he had seen how hard she had struggled to keep from laughing at Dutch. Out of the corner of her eye, she thought she could see Arthur smirk a bit at her, Hosea looking as if he were intentionally trying not to look her way.

"Yes," she nodded, trying to play it off in the case the law was paying her any attention, "I just- I think a bug flew down my throat. Or I inhaled it... something- something happened." Somehow, her trying to explain herself made the situation even funnier and holding in a laugh, she returned around to see that the Sheriff and his deputy had gone inside. Unable to contain it a moment longer, she was forced to let it out, humorous tears streaking down her face.

The boys all looked at her in amusement themselves, letting lose considering they no longer had to act so serious. Dutch chuckled with the rest of them, "I see you found amusement in that, miss Knoll."

She took a deep breath to try to collect herself, and let out another short laugh as the five of them began to walk away from the sheriffs office, "Oh, you have no idea. You guys are- you're golden."

There was another shared laugh amongst them and then Trelawny spoke up, studying her with interest, "In speaking of no idea, I don't believe we've met, my dear."

Celina shook her head, turning her attention to the formal-dressed man, "No, we haven't, I'm Celina, Celina Knoll."

Trelawny smiled charmingly and took her gloved hand in his before dropping to his knee before her and placing a kiss on it. He looked up at her from that angle, eyes sparkling mischeviously, "Josiah Trelawny at your service."

...

A/N: Longest chapter yet guys! Just couldn't find a stopping point for this one until... you know... I did ? but anyway, what do you guys think?

Always happy to read and respond to questions/comments. They do inspire me to write! I just loved this chapter you guys, writing Dutch being a sweetheart with Celina, them putting on a total front, Trelawny being charming... I love writing this stuff lol.

Hope you guys enjoyed as much as I did!

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