Due to Dutch's actions, Celina found herself staying away from camp as much as possible the next couple days. It was rediculous, she thought for him to treat her as he had and frankly, she didn't want to waste any time looking at him let alone talking to him. From the time she did spend in camp, she saw that Dutch was still just as happy to chat with Micah as ever. It was truly perplexing how she was ever going to get through his thick scull but like she had previously concluded, it seemed to her that she would have to remove Micah from the picture for any success.

She had a plan in mind that she hoped would be able to be successfully executed sooner than later. She just needed more people on her side. So far she knew she had Arthur, that was a no-brainer..

Sadie, it seemed John would help, and Hosea likely would as well. She needed more though because if that group invited Micah out of camp, it would scream a trap. Micah would have to well and truly be an idiot to willingly go off with them thinking that they didn't intend him harm. Despite how much she didn't like it, she had to admit that Micah didn't seem like that much of a fool.

She needed some people who the rat would be more likely to trust... Bill or Javier would be a good choice to get on the team... a real good choice. They were so loyal to Dutch though so she doubted that they would even really be a true option.

She watched the camp activities from the tree stump she sat on, eyeing Dutch where he stood talking to Hosea about God knows what. If they could just get more people on board with their plan then they could lure Micah out and ambush him. They could pass it off as the doing of the law or bounty hunters. Really though, they could have him strung up in a barn somewhere, begging for his life. She smiled a bit at the thought of that, make the pig squeal.

She watched carefully when none other than Molly O'Shea made her way up to Dutch and Hosea and began running her greatly annoying mouth. Dutch nodded at whatever she had said with a small smile making Celina's blood boil with hatred. What was Molly doing talking to Dutch and why on God's green earth was he smiling at her?

Celina stood up from the stump, ready to interveine if Molly so much as made one single move on the leader. It was true that she couldn't stand Dutch too much at the moment but that didn't mean that made him any less taken by her. He was fully taken, fully Celina's as she herself and Dutch had agreed to define their relationship in such a manner almost two months ago.

She began to walk in their direction calmly, pretending as if her motive was not to eaves drop but rather to go into the house for one reason or another. As she passed them though, Dutch stopped her, "Have you decided whether or not you're going to attend the ball with us, Miss Knoll?"

Celina thought for a moment and glanced over to Molly who seemed to have tensed of the thought of her attending. It took nearly all she had to refrain from reaching out and attempting to slap the red-head across the face for the challenging look she was fixing her with. It didn't take a rocket scientist to know that the other woman was hoping she wouldn't go as well. It was clear that she wished her to be absent, probably to try to score with Dutch once more based on the way she had been openly eyeing him for the last few days.

Celina bit the inside of her jaw, she still didn't much feel like being around Dutch at the moment but she figured that she would have to get over being mad at him eventually and the ball may be a good place to start. If anything, she could keep Molly away from him. So, she took the only option that seemed plausable to her and nodded, "I'll come along."

Dutch smiled at her then, seeming truly happy that she had given in, "Alright, let's round up Arthur and Bill and let's get out of here."

Celina laughed, "You're telling me that Bill Williamson is going to a ball?"

Dutch laughed and Hosea held an amused smile on his face. It was Dutch who answered the question though, "Indeed he is. We're going to look great, us four boys and you two ladies. No one will suspect a thing."

"Arthur, Bill," Dutch called out to the men as he began the walk out to the horses with Hosea, Celina and Molly in tow, "We need to get going if we're ever going to make it to the party in time."

Arthur looked over at Dutch from where he sat writing in his journal, "So we're really doing this thing?"

Hosea chuckled, "I'm afraid so. It seems our old friend Dutch Van Der Linde is finally showing his true colors, social climbing."

Arthur rolled his eyes as Dutch spoke, "Ol Senior Bronte has invited us to the ball, Cinderella. So my suggestion is that we go and get you a gown."

...

The stagecoach was cramped on the way to the mayor's mansion but Dutch had insisted that they take it anyway. Something about not wanting to go riding into the place like the outlaws they all were. It made since, for once, Celina supposed. She was just grateful to be crammed between Dutch and Arthur, ensuring that Molly didn't get to sit beside the leader during the ride. It may have been petty for her to care so much and be so happy that Molly was the one sitting furthest away from Dutch on the other side of the stagecoach in the corner opposite of the side he sat.

They were all currently experiencing a fit of laughter at the situation they were in. Dutch was the one currently leading the jokes, "We are rediculous."

Arthur struggled to speak through his laughter, "I've never been to a ball in my life."

Dutch glanced over at him, amusement dancing in his dark eyes, "I haven't either, son. If I'm being honest."

Celina shook her head at the boys, her heart feeling full with the positive atmosphere around them even with Molly's presence. Honestly, Celina found two things hilarious above any joke that could be told... the fact that Dutch had curled the corners of his moustache upwards was utterly rediculous, right beside the fact that Bill Williamson was right across from her in a suit that looked to fit just a little too tight. Of course, they probably all thought she was laughing at their jokes and not so much at their current attire... and facial hair.

Hosea was quiet for a moment before speaking with a tone of fondness of the past, "I used to attend balls quite often actually.. there were always fine pickings."

Dutch looked at his old friend, "No, no, no, no pickpocketing. We are here to make contacts, not money. Not now."

Arthur looked rather surprised as if he thought maybe Dutch was aspiring to be a successful social climber, "What kind of contacts?"

The leader shrugged, "I'm not sure yet, we'll just have to see what we or who we can find there. All I know for sure is that we are going to a party at the mayor's house and the guest of honor is the worst crook in town." That of course, caused the laughter to ensue even stronger.

...

They had arrived finally, the surprisingly pleasant ride there coming to an end. Celina was satisfied that she could finally check off riding a stagecoach from the 1800's off her bucket list. The experience had not at all disappointed her in the slightest.

Although she was still mad enough at Dutch to make her blood boil should he bring up their fight from the other day or say anything at all in reference to it, or look at her wrong, use the wrong tone of voice or possibly breathe wrong, she hooked her arm around his when he offered it to her upon exiting the stagecoach.

She caught Molly starring at her for a moment in obvious jealousy and smiled tightly at her. Message sent, Dutch was hers. They walked up to the gate like that, Molly latching onto Bills arm to the surprise of Bill who looked down at her with a rather uncomfortable expression upon his face. Molly O'Shae was desperate to the point it was hilarious.

Hosea and Arthur stared at Molly from the corner of their eyes with smirks of amusement. Dutch raised his brows in interest as t what was happening and Celina did her best to stifle her laugh. None of them could wipe the smirks fully off their faces even as one of the guards spoke to them upon Dutch handing him his invitation, "Mr. Bronte will be pleased to see you. I believe he is expecting you. You do need to leave the guns here though I'm afraid, we no longer allow them past the gates after the incident last year."

Another man walked up to them and the guard gestured to him, "Luca here will take you to Senor Bronte, do enjoy the party gentlemen, and ladies."

Celina remained at Dutch's side, her arm stroll entwined with his, Arthur and Hosea wallked behind them with Bill and Molly bringing up the rear as they were led by Luca into the extravagant mansion which was the home of the mayor. Luca glanced over guys shoulder at the well dressed group, "This seems to have the makings for a fine night. Now, Bronte and the mayor are every good friends... at least when the mayor behaves himself that is... Bronte is serious about a thing called respect."

Dutch nodded, keeping his free arm behind his back as

Dutch nodded, immediately complying, "Of course." He disarmed himself, the rest of the group following his lead, all sitting their weapons into the create provided for the purpose."

Dutch and Celina followed Luca into the mansion which served as the home of none other than the mayor, their arms still enterwtined with one another's. Hosea and Arthur followed behind them and Bill and Molly behind the two of them, Molly still latched onto Bill's arm like a leach.

Luca looked over his shoulder at the well-dressed group, "This night seems to have the makings of a fine one. Now Bronte and the mayor are very good friends, most of the time anyway... when the mayor is behaving. You see, Bronte has a thing called respect and he expects the same from others... the mayor, sometimes."

Dutch held his free arm behind his back, trying to seem as proper as possible which Celina found downright hilarious. She glanced back at Arthur and Hosea to see amused looks on their faces as well, "Everyone should show and be shown respect. Can't blame him at all for not wanting to keep company with someone who won't show it."

Celina just barely stopped herself from laughing, Dutch was so well and truly full of it. Rubbish, absolute rubbish in the moment at hand. She had to hand it to him though, he was a very convincing man and an even better actor even if the gang could see right through him.

Luca led them up some steps and out to the door that led to the balcony, "If any of you would like to join the party now, please be my guest."

Dutch looked over the group, "All of you get out there and enjoy yourselves, but meet me on the balcony. I'm going to go and thank Mr. Bronte for the invite to this wonderful occasion."

Celina rolled her eyes at his rediculousness but listened nonetheless, letting go of his arm and following the other four out the balcony doors. She finally allowed herself to laugh once they were out of earshot of Luca, "Can you guys believe how full of it he is?"

Hosea laughed with her and shook his head, "I told you, social climbing."

Indeed that seemed to be the truth. She laughed despite herself when Molly finally let go of Bill's arm, earning a glare from the woman a bit older than herself. Celina brushed the look off easily and nodded when Molly announced that she was going to go see if she could find anyone to talk to. Celina's eyes didn't stop boring into the rather uptight woman until she was out of sight. She couldn't help herself not to crack a joke, turning her attention back to the boys with her eyes wide in urgency, "Someone spray Bill down with disinfectant, quick!"

The four of them laughed at the joke, Bill pretending to dust off his arm from where she had ahold of it. Arthur gestured to Celina's dress which she was wearing with a small smile, "Can't say I thought I'd ever see you in one of those."

She rolled her eyes with a smile, "Can't say I ever thought I'd see any of you in a suit... I guess I could have pictured Hosea in one but not you, Bill and Dutch." She laughed.

Arthur shook his head with a bemused smile, "Are we going to go and mingle or just wait for Dutch?"

Celina shrugged, "I'm just going to stay up here. I'm not really much for big crowds and meeting people."

Bill walked to the edge of the balcony and looked around the area, "I don't see Molly down there."

Celina laughed and walked to the railing as well, peering down in search of the red-head herself, "What, are you missing her that quick?"

He shot her a glare, "Shut up."

She laughed, "Are you guys going down there or are you staying up here with me? We can all see that we apparently aren't good enough company for the high and mighty miss O'Shea."

"Well," Arthur laughed, "If I was Molly, I don't think I'd want to stay in the same area as you either. After that beating you gave her months ago that is."

Celina laughed and nodded, "I suppose that's fair."

Hosea just stood there and shook his head, it was weird how quickly the older man had become a father figure to her... She hadn't had a dad before, not really. She loved Hosea as a father, she really did, "I don't think greeting Bronte should take long. No need to go out there only to turn around and come right back."

Celina smiled at him, she couldn't let him die, she didn't know how she would cope in his absence. She had felt an attachment to him in 2018 which was only stronger now. Micah had to go. Micah really, really had to go.

As Hosea suggested, Dutch was back within five minutes and it would have been truly silly to run off to mingle. He looked surprised though to see everyone standing around on the balcony instead of out enjoying the party, "You guys didn't want to start making some friends?"

"We were just waiting on you, Dutch." Hosea answered him, "We were going to meet back up with you here anyway."

Dutch nodded, "That is true." His brow furrowed slightly as he looked at all of them, "Where is miss O'Shea?"

Celina answered in practically a second flat, "I killed her."

Dutch's eyes widened in shock at what she had just said but the other three men laughed, "Celina." She could tell he was trying to hold back laughter himself, "We don't joke about killing our gang members."

Dutch's disapproval sent her into a fit of laughter herself, tears pricking at her eyes as she thought of the initial look on his face, "S-she's down at the party, Dutch. Unfortunately not dead." She looked hopeful, "At least not that I know of."

Dutch shook his head and looked over the balcony in attempt to locate the woman himself before turning back to the group, his voice quiet, "Ok, here's the deal, Bill, Celina, you go and make us some friends. Arthur, you see what you can find out about the mayor. Hosea, start trying to find us a place to rob... as for me, I have some business to attend with Bronte."

Celina rolled her eyes, "Of course, Bronte, Bronte, Bronte."

Dutch shot her a stern look but he was in too good of a mood to actually be intimidating. His eyes held the sparke they got whenever he was excited about something, "Get on out there. Use that charm and less off that sass."

Celina laughed and made her way down the steps behind Bill, maybe the night would be enjoyable after all. She was actually happy she had decided to go, her annoyance with her man fading a little more.

"Ok," Bill looked over at her once they reached the ground, "You go mingle with them over there." He pointed towards the right side of the crowd, "I'll take the area over here."

Celina nodded, "Sounds good." She then parted ways with the brute of an outlaw and made her way over to the right side of the party. She accepted a glass of champagne from a waiter, sipping on it as she walked about the area, scoping for someone she thought she could easily make conversation with.

...

The night had been going smoothly up to the point that it was at at the moment. She hadn't really picked conversation with anyone important unfortunately and she would have much rather been enjoying the evening with the boys. Still, she wasn't exactly complaining, it had been nice to get out for a bit. That was the key word, had been nice... She had been enjoying herself..

Until she looked over at Dutch, the sight before her making her heart sink. She don't know how her eyes landed on him amongst everyone else in the crowd he was a distance away. Still, the man she was looking at was unmistakably Dutch. She felt sick, why did she have to have her gaze gravitate towards him in that very moment?

He stood there, talking to Angelo Bronte up on the balcony with Molly O'Shea. It looked as if she were hanging onto his arm but she couldn't be sure considering the distance. She was sure of what she saw though when Angelo turned his back on them for a moment, a kiss shared between Dutch and Molly. It wasn't Molly spontaneously laying one on him, but a shared kiss. From the fact that she had successfully locked her gaze on them, she could tell. It was a moment before they pulled away from one another and Angelo seemed to turn his attention back to them.

She felt as if she couldn't move, it was hard to breathe... almost hard for her legs to support her. She felt as if the weight of the world was falling onto her shoulders and the walls were closing in on her. She couldn't break her gaze away from Dutch and finally it looked like he noticed her starring at him.

He confirmed this when he looked to be dismissing himself from Angelo Bronte and she watched as he headed for the stairs, not paying attention to Molly who was now starting her down. Celina swallowed, Dutch was coming to talk to her, of course he was coming to talk to her. She had to get out of there and fast. Quickly, she looked around for a means of escape. She needed to leave now and then.

She began excusing her way through the crowd in the direction of the way out, pausing at the sound of Bill's voice, "Are you ok?" He must have picked up on the fact that she obviously wasn't, everything in her body felt as it it were throbbing from the stress and heartache which had just been laid on her. He sounded confused, but just as concerned.

She mustered the courage to turn around and face him, the floodgates trying to break, a few tears forcing their way down her cheek, "No," she could barely talk in her current state, "I'm not ok, Bill." She swallowed, her hands shaking, "D-Dutch... Dutch just-"

He placed a large hand on her back and helped to guide her away from the crowd of the party, "Dutch did something? What did he do?"

She shook her head, trying to find the voice to tell him, "I- I just saw h-h- him kissing M- molly."

The outlaws eyes widened at her words, "Oh, shit."

If the woman wouldn't have been in such a distraught state, Bill's reaction would have been funny. No, the look on his face would have been downright hilarious, funny didn't even cut it. She was distraught though, thinking back over their entire but admittedly so far short relationship. He hadn't been using her for information, had he? No... surely he hadn't been. He just, obviously didn't know what he wanted. She wasn't the elegant uptight city girl that the wonderful miss O'Shea was and she wouldn't ever try to be.

Dutch didn't know what he wanted.. and, or, he didn't care about how she felt. She sniffled, what went around sure did come around. She was an idiot thinking it was a good idea to take Dutch from Molly and now she was paying for it. He preached loyalty and apparently his loyalty did not lie with her. He apparently didn't think she was good enough for him... well maybe it was he who wasn't good enough for her.

Bill remained quiet for a moment, "Is there... something I can do?"

She raised her hand and wiped at her eyes, "I don't think so, Bill. Thank you but I'm just going to get out of here."

"Well," he drawed, standing there rather awkwardly, "You can't be going alone with it getting dark out. I'll walk to you a motel or something."

She sniffled again, truly trying not to fully break down in front of him, she wasn't sure how long she could hold in her urge to cry herself to sleep, "You don't have to do that, I don't want to ruin the party for you."

Bill scoffed and led her towards the exit. Luckily, it seemed Dutch must have lost them in the crowd, "Do I really seem like the kind of man who would enjoy something like this?"

She shook her head with a small smile, "I suppose not."

"Ok then, let's get you out of here."

They left the party without incident, heading down the streets of Saint Denis as the sky was gradually getting darker and darker. Every once in a while Celina would look over at Bill who walked alongside her in silence. She had never thought him to be one to act so caring but there he was, afraid to let her leave alone.

Most of the walk had been silent, almost awkward silence but neither one of them really knew what to say to the other. Even if she had something to talk about, Celina was sure she wouldn't feel like it... not with what she had just witnessed. She did ask him one thing though as the motel came into sight, "Did you know about them?"

Bill looked confused for a second but then shook his head, "Dutch and Molly? No, I thought they was done."

Celina nodded and licked her lips quickly, "I can walk from here, I'll be fine."

He shook his head, "I'm not taking any risks, a man see a woman out here alone like you- I'll see you checked in and to your room."

She laughed lightly, touched by his behavior, "Well, Bill Williamson, you do have a heart."

He rolled his eyes and scoffed, "Shut up."

The two of them finally made their way into the motel and up to the front desk, Bill taking the lead, "This young woman needs a room for one please."

The man behind the counter nodded, "Of course, sir." He then addressed Celina, "What is your name, miss?"

"Celina." Celina looked up at him, "Celina Knoll."

"Ok," He made some notes for himself after looking over the paper on his clipboard, "That will be ten dollars and room 1C."

Celina nodded and took out the money she owed before handing it to him and seeing her name written on the chart of occupants, "Thank you sir." She turned away from the man and back to Bill, "You really think it's necessary to escort me to my room?"

Bill nodded, "I sure do." He gestured to the steps which Celina walked up at his cue and he followed close behind to the door which she would be sleeping behind for the night, "How long are you going to stay?"

Celina shrugged, "I don't know, until I'm ready to sleep back at camp again, I guess." She took a deep breath, "I'm not leaving the gang, Bill. Just Dutch. I'll be around, I promise."

He nodded with a deep breath of his own, "I'm sure Dutch wasn't thinking.."

She shrugged again, "I really don't care if he was thinking or not. I'm done, Bill. Micah's done gotten into his head."

Bill looked surprised, "Micah?"

Celina nodded, "Yes, just watch the two of them. Dutch's changes? They all started after Micah became a part of the gang. Did they not?"

Bill nodded, "I suppose they did."

She took a deep breath, "You think about it and tell me how you feel. For right now, please let Arthur and Hosea know where I am. I don't want them worrying about me."

"Ok," He shifted his weight from one leg to the other, "I'll tell them, look out for yourself."

She offered a small, sad smile, "You too." Then, with nothing more to say, she went into her room, locking the door behind her.

...

A/N: This chapter absolutely takes the cake for being the longest at about 4.4k words. A lot of writing on my part today, that's for sure but I really wanted to cover the whole party in one chapter. So, Celina has finally left Dutch and I really practically broke my own heart writing this chapter lol. It sucked, hope all of you liked it though for what it is.

I just had to include that sweet moment with Bill, I really do think the guy has a good heart and wanted everyone to see that.

So, what did everyone think about this chapter? I feel like there will be quite a few comments and I'm excited to read them. What do you think will come next/ what would you like to see come next?

She's kinda told Bill to be careful about trusting Micah but didn't truly reveal anything to him about the potential future. She can't go around telling everyone about it. However, I do feel like she needs to get either Bill or Javier on her side to be able to carry out her plan for Micah.

Who do you think will come around for her, or will both of them?

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