Author's Note: I don't own Red Dead Redemption nor any of the characters. I only own the plot to the story and few characters which are my own.
Summary: Red Dead Redemption 2 Au. It was Sadie Arthur had been in love with not Mary Giles all those years ago. Arthur was prepared to leave it all behind for Sadie. Sadie's family intervened lying saying that Arthur was dead killed in a shootout with the law. Heartbroken Sadie marries Jake Adler. Eighteen years later. A snow storm brings both death, destruction and a ghost from the past to Sadie's doorstep.
AN: Double Chapter upload tonight.
Chapter 6
Horseshoe Overlook, The Heartlands New Hanover
June 1899
Arthur pulled his hat down over his face trying to sleep, help get rid of his hangover. Bandit lay beside his cot. Arthur reached down rubbing him behind the ears. Out of the corner of his eye Abigail walked passed his tent.
Arthur looked over his shoulder watching where she went.
John was brushing his horse Old Boy when Abigail approached him. Arthur knew he wouldn't get much sleep with them yelling up a storm at each other.
"John, Hey John" Abigail called to John.
"What do you want" John snapped.
"Is that how you speak to me" Abigail snarled at him.
"I guess it is. What is it you want now Abigail. Beside pestering me endless about a kid who let's face most likely isn't even mine. You was spreading your legs for every man in this camp wasn't you.
I'm just the poor bastard you named as father anit it" Arthur felt like slapping Marston the upside of the head for that comment.
"You fucking useless Scotch sack of shit. Can't even be a decent father or at least try to be a father to our son"
"How I do I know he's even mine. Just cause I got your word for it" John yelled back
Arthur tired to ignore the arguing going on between John and Abigail. Arthur pulled his hat down once again and tried to sleep. His attempt to sleep was interrupted again this time by someone sniffling.
Arthur pulled his hat up. Glancing down beside Jack was curled up with Bandit. He cried and he cried into Bandit's fur. The dog sensed the boy was upset began to lick the boys tears away.
"Jack come here" Arthur held his arms out to the boy.
"Why doesn't Pa not want me" The boy cried into Arthur's chest.
"Cause your Daddy's an idiot is what he is."Arthur rubbed Jack's back "Tilly can you can Jack for me" Arthur called to Tilly who was walking passed his tent.
"Sure Arthur come on Jack Pearson might have some candy or chocolate for you" Tilly took Jack over to the chuck wagon.
Arthur sighed sitting up pulling his boots on. He put his gun belt and bandoleers back on. He had to go and sort out Marston.
"The fucking pair you anit better then the other for fuck sake" Arthur roared at the pair.
"Stay out of this Arthur"
"I would if you two screaming at each other was making Jack think that you hated him Marston" Arthur turned his anger on John.
"Why do you care it anit like he's yours or is he"
"You goddamn bastard" Abigail reared back slapping John before storming off
"Nice tongue you got there lady"
"Just shut your fucking mouth for once Marston. Why can't you see what right in front of you. For some reason Abigail loves your worthless ass. And the boy thinks the world of you despite the fact you treat both he and Abigail like shit.
Your twenty six John. Grow the fuck up and take some responsibility be a half decent father to that boy. No one's saying you got to marry Abigail."Arthur shook his head.
"Like you was to Isaac. You preach to me about being a father to that boy. What about your own kid. You never gave him the time a day except for once month when you go for a visit and fuck most likely" John was cut off from saying another word as Arthur hit him.
"You shut your fucking mouth. You don't know a damn thing about Isaac and Eliza. I was there for them which is more then can said for you" Arthur snapped at him.
"Why the fuck you care so much about Abigail and Jack it anit as if he's your. You like other people's seconds. Like with that widow Mrs Adler, you doing the same thing you where no doubt doing with Abigail when I was away"
"What when your run off like a coward. What the fuck did you come back for Marston. You should have everyone a favour and stayed gone"Arthur walked away shaking his head.
Arthur walked over to check on Abigail who was sitting with Tilly and Hosea. Jack was playing with Bandit not far away.
"You alright Abigail" Arthur asked.
"I'm alright Arthur. Why can't he at least try to be a father to Jack"
"Cause Marston's an idiot. What you come to ask him anyway: Arthur placed a hand on Abigail's shoulder
"For some money to buy Jack some new clothes"
"Well how about we head into town the three of us and get some new clothes"Arthur offered.
"Thank you Arthur. You don't have to do that"
"It's no trouble Abigail. Me taking you to town gets me away from camp and possible murdering Marston. Dutch kind of frowns on that murder in camp."Arthur answered.
"Well if you going to town the girls and I'll come scope out a few leads"
"Susan can you spare Tilly and the girls this afternoon. We're heading into Valentine with Abigail and Jack" Arthur called to Susan.
"Sure it's not a problem Arthur" Susan agreed.
"Alright I'll go and sort the wagon out" Arthur headed back to his tent, grabbing his Litchfield Repeater incase he needed it.
"Careful not to work yourself there to death Uncle" Arthur kicked the sleeping man's boots.
"I was thinking."
"So while the rest of us are actually doing some damn work you get to sit around all day thinking" Arthur said sarcastically.
"It's a strange world Arthur"
"Well you can make yourself useful for once and hitch up a team. Abigail, Jack, Tilly, Karen, Mary Beth and I are going into Valentine."Arthur instructed.
"How about the magic word"
"The magic word is I don't kill you so do as I ask Uncle" Arthur gave Uncle a hard stare.
"So how'd you twist old Grimshaw's arm to let us have the afternoon off" Karen asked.
"I just asked nicely. I had to go into town with Abigail and Jack to get Jack some new clothes."Arthur answer rolling himself a cigarette.
"The wagon's all hitched up. Anything you needed doing my lord"
"Nope you can ride in the back with girls if your coming with us" Arthur climbed up into the driver's seat of wagon. Bandit jumped up into the back of the wagon with the girls and Uncle.
Arthur helped Jack up to sit beside him, Abigail sat on the other end. "Going to Valentine be back later" Arthur called to Bill who was on guard.
The girls sung child friendly songs with Uncle. While Abigail and Jack rode up front with Arthur who drove the wagon to Valentine.
"Look at that stage. He's all over the place" Uncle pointed out a stage coach that roared past them on the road that went to Valentine.
Only a few minutes later.
"Oh damn the horses" The stage driver cursed as the horses got loose running in four different direction.
"Is one of you going to help him with those horses" Tilly asked as Arthur pulled the wagon up beside the stricken stage.
"Oh I can't help I got Lumbago"
"Lumbago my foot. You can help you lazy old lizard" Arthur shook his head as he climbed down from the wagon.
"You alright there friend" Arthur asked the stage driver.
"Oh hey you could get those two that ran off that direction while I get these two"
"Sure no problem. Uncle you help him get those two" Arthur went to get the other two horses that ran off.
Arthur grabbed a few sugar cubes. The two horses came over to investigate what Arthur had in his hand.
Giving the two horse the sugar cubes. Arthur lead them back over to the stage coach.
"Thank you kindly sirs. The two of you are gentlemen"
"Well I was glad to help to be honest I was trying to impress the ladies"Arthur nodded to the girls on the wagon.
"Thank you both for the help anyway."
"Who would have thought it. Old Arthur Morgan has a heart,"
"Well at least he has a heart, unlike you old lizard" Mary Beth cut in.
"Lizards have hearts" Uncle protested.
Arthur listened as the others talked amongst themselves as Arthur head right instead of left. Passing various building before swing a left into the main street. Arthur pulled the wagon up beside Worth's General Store.
"Well Abigail, Jack and I are going to the general store. Where are you lot going"Arthur asked applying the hand brake on the wagon.
"We'll start at the saloon"
"Might a good idea when your done to meet us here. We sort've got into a bar brawl at the saloon yesterday which Bill started I finished. What about you old man"Arthur turned to Uncle.
"I'll got some errands to run at the General Store so I'll come with you."
Tilly, Mary Beth and Karen headed for the Saloon, while Arthur, Uncle, Abigail and young Jack headed to Worth's General Store.
"What can I help you folks with" The man behind the counter asked.
"I'm after some clothes for my boy. He's outgrown these one" Abigail spoke with the man behind the counter.
"Certainly we can help with that. Gentlemen just get what you need and I'll be with you in a minute"
Uncle grabbed a few bottles of Whiskey and bars of chocolate.
"You mind grabbing some coffee, cigars and some more Whiskey" Uncle turned to Arthur.
Arthur grabbed the coffee, a box of cigars and another bottle of Whiskey.
Arthur paid for the lot including Jack's new clothes. Once they finished in the General Store. They took a seat out the front of the store.
"Mama I'm hungry"
"Sorry Jacky there anit a lot places to eat here beside the saloon. Here have this"Arthur handed him a chocolate bar.
"What do you say Jack"
"Thank you" Jack said as he took a big bite of the chocolate bar Arthur gave him.
"Your welcome Jacky" Arthur ruffled his hair.
"Arthur can I ask you a question"
"Sure what is it" Arthur turned to Abigail.
"I don't mean to pry. I was just wondering is there something between you and Mrs Adler. I saw, well most of the camp did you drunkenly tell her you loved her before kissing her"
"That's a long story. Sadie well Mrs Adler and I know each other, we met a long time before that night at her ranch. We was lovers years ago. I was going to leave the gang to start a new life with her."Arthur began
"But that didn't happen so what happened"
"There was one last job before I left the gang for good. It went wrong I got hurt pretty badly. We escaped over the border to Mexico. Time I healed up and went back to Armadillo for Sadie.
She thought I was dead. I was told she'd married Jake Adler. I followed after them. Sadie's brothers followed me warning me to leave Sadie alone. I didn't listen.
We where arguing when we where set upon by bounty hunters. One of Sadie's brother was killed out right, the other was gut shot. I killed him to put him out of his misery. I took their bodies back to Sadie's parents.
I met Eliza, nine months later Isaac came along" Arthur half answered.
"Where are Eliza and Isaac now"
"Dead. They where robbed and killed for ten measly dollars when Isaac was five. The goodness in me died that day" Arthur would always be haunted by the sight of finding both Eliza and Isaac dead bodies
"Arthur Uncle I think I have something good. I snuck into this fancy house posing as a serving girl. Someone was saying their sister is going to from New York or some place. Heading by train to Saint Denis heading for Brazil I think it was."
"So" Arthur questioned.
"So it's train full of rich people. Ripe for the picking it's passing through Scarlett Meadows I think the name was out near New Hanover/ Lemoyne border."
"It fairly isolated out there"
"Sounds good keep looking into it. Where Tilly and Karen"Arthur looked around for them.
"They might be at the hotel possible. They where picking up drunken men to rob"\
"Right" Arthur got his feet
"Wait a minute there's Tilly over there. That don't look good"
"I'll go sort this out and then look for Karen" Arthur marched across the street.
"You thought I wouldn't find you Tilly Jackson" A coloured man had Tilly up against the wall
"You can kiss a snake for all I care"
"Get your fucking hands off you son a bitch" Arthur roared Tilly and the other girls where like younger sisters to him.
"Who are you"
"A friend of mine" Tilly spat at him
"Get the hell off her you son a bitch" Arthur drew his Navy Revolver pointing it at the man's head.
"Alright take it easy. There's no problem here"
"There will be if you don't fuck off right now" Arthur cocked the hammer back on his Navy Revolver.
"Your making a big mistake Tilly Jackson"
"Just get lost" Tilly relaxed a little when the man left.
"I anit doing this with you right now" Arthur uncocked the hammer on his Navy Revolver putting it back in his holster.
"Go wait with Uncle, Mary Beth, Abigail and Jack. Their across the street at the general store" Arthur nodded over his shoulder.
"Thank you Arthur" Tilly thanked headed across the street.
Arthur headed towards the Saints Hotel.
"Can I help you sir" The man behind the front desk of the hotel asked.
"Sure I'm looking for a young woman who came in here earlier a drunk fella. Mid twenties, blonde you would probably remember her"
"Sure they came in here. There in room 2b upstairs. You anit her husband or something like that" He nervously asked.
"No just a friend of hers" Arthur answered head up the stairs.
"No trouble now please" Arthur ignored his plea as he walked along the hallway finding room 2B it was locked great.
"Get off of me" Karen cried clearly in distress
"I'm getting what I paid for"
"No get off me" Karen cried again
Arthur had heard enough he kicked the door in. Karen was on the floor with a black eye.
"Hey" Arthur yelled.
"Who are you" The drunk man sized Arthur up.
"A friend of hers, you like smacking women around do you"
"Get out of here buddy I paid" He slurred
"Anit paying her to be smacked around by you is she. You fucking son of a bitch"
The man stumbled towards Arthur. Arthur dodged his first punch. Throwing a right hook. It didn't seem to fase the man none.
He kept coming at Arthur. He had a good jaw on him. That was till Arthur headbutted him and knocked him out cold with a teeth rattling uppercut.
"What the hell was all that about" Arthur turned to Karen helping her to her feet.
"Trying to play him. Didn't work real well though"
"You Ok" Arthur asked
"Fine"
"You sure" Arthur double checked.
"Yeah nothing….nothing to worry about. Just men, but stupid bastard was boasting about the bank."
"What about the bank" Arthur asked as they walked down the hallway to stairs.
"Small Town banks we don't bother with them at all. But this being a livestock town and there's auction every month would mean there's plenty of money going through that bank ever Auction day"
"Alright keep investigating and get back to me" Arthur was interested.
"I will"
"Is everything alright up there. I heard yelling and what sounded like a fight"
"Nothing to worry about. The fella needed be taught some manner not to smack a lady around" Arthur answered as they left the hotel.
"Thank you Arthur. I don't much like being save but when I have to be"
"I understand" Arthur said as they walked across the street to the others
"Karen you ok" Tilly asked.
"Sure he only punched me. Arthur hit him a lot harder then he hit me"
"Alright let's get back to camp" Arthur started walking back to the wagon.
"Arthur who's that guy over there looking at us" Mary Beth pointed to the man looking at him.
"Weren't you in Blackwater about a mouth ago"
"Me No sir. I anit from there" Arthur deflected the question.
"Oh yes you where. I definitely saw you with a bunch of fellas"
"Me no Impossible" Arthur lied as he started to walk towards the man "Listen friend come here for a minute I want to talk to you"
"I saw you"He spurred his horse into a galloped
"I don't like this
"Me neither. Get the girls and Jack home"Arthur looked around for a horse to borrow. He spotted a Buckskin American Standardbred hitched beside the saloon.
"Sorry fella. I need to borrow your horse" Arthur called to the owner as he mounted the Standardbred.
"Come on girl" Arthur urged the mare on as he went after the man who had recognised him from Blackwater.
Arthur soon caught up with him. After he'd been thrown from his horse clinging to the edge of the cliff.
"Help Someone"
Arthur dismounted the mare walking over to the edge of the cliff.
"You have to help me."
"Why are you telling lies about me" Arthur questioned.
"No no, I…..I got it wrong partner. I got it very wrong. Now please help me up"
"I was never in Blackwater right" Arthur asked.
"No. Then why are you chasing me."
"I got an unfortunate face" Arthur answered.
"Yes….Yes me too. Now please pull me up please"
"Alright come on" Arthur helped the man onto the clifftop.
"You ok there partner."Arthur asked after a few minutes silence.
"No… No I'm not ok" He said out of breath before getting to his feet "I'm a mess"
"Well you anit dead"
"There is that" He drawled as he turned to face Arthur holding his hand out "Jimmy Brooks"
"I think it's best for both of us. If we pretend this never happened. Me and you don't know each other."
"Oh I agree. You saved my life, you're a good man and I want you have this pen as a thank you. It's one of those steel ones" Jimmy handed the pen to Arthur.
"Oh that's very kind of you. But I'm not a good man Jimmy Brooks far from it. You see I was in Blackwater. I kill people, and maybe just maybe I should have killed you. Should I have killed you Jimmy Brooks"
"Me. I never saw you. Not not now, not then not ever. I think we have an understanding" Jimmy nervously asked.
"Of course we do" Arthur placed his hand on Jimmy's shoulder. "Jimmy Brooks. I will remember that name. I got a good memory for names and places."
"I haven't I haven't. Not one lick. Not one sense in this here mind" Jimmy's face paled as he all but sprinted for his horse. "You have a nice day now sir"
Arthur placed the pen in his satchel. Grabbing the reins to mare he'd borrowed. "Come on girl let's get you back to your owner"
Arthur rode back into Valentine. He stopped beside the gallows. The Standardbred mare owner was standing there when Arthur rode up.
"Hey my horse. Am I glad to see you"
"Here's your horse back. Friend" Arthur dismounted handing the reins back to the owner.
"Thank you for bringing her back" The owner said as he mounted his horse and rode off.
Now Arthur had figure how he was getting back to camp. As he had no horse. It looked like he'd be walking back to camp.
If he started walking now, he be back at camp by dawn if he was lucky.
"Hey cowboy you need a ride" Arthur turned at the sound of Sadie's voice.
"Could do. What are you doing in Valentine" Arthur asked.
"Went to the gunsmith get the sights fixed on my Carbine and getting some gun oil and ammo. What are you doing here. Though you'd be sleeping off your hangover"
"Came into town with Uncle the girls and Jack."Arthur answered.
"Where are they now"
"Probably back at camp. Had a fella recognised me from Blackwater. So I had a little chat with him and return a horse I borrowed."Arthur explained.
"Did you want a ride or you walking back to camp"
"A ride would be good" Arthur hoisted himself up onto Bob's back behind Sadie.
"Don't get any funny ideas Arthur Morgan"
"I can behave myself if you can" Arthur flirted without realising it.
Arthur had his arms loosely around Sadie's waist as they rode back to camp. Arthur swore under his breath as his cock started to harden as his groin was smack bang up against Sadie's ass.
Their bodies moved with the movement of Bob as he walked along back to camp. Arthur tried desperately to think of something to make his hard cock go down. Even thinking Pearson in drag did nothing to get rid of his uncomfortable hard cock.
"You alright back there" Sadie asked noticing Arthur had gone quite and something hard was digging into her lower back.
"Fine" Arthur asked tensely as they rode along
"You going to need some help with that 'problem' you got back there"
"No I'll deal with it. You're enjoying this anit yea" Arthur's cock was becoming more and more uncomfortable the further they rode.
"Just a bit. Speaking of that. Are we going to talk about that kiss last night"
"We was drunk. It was stupid and it" Arthur began to say.
"Don't you say it meant nothing Arthur Morgan or I'll kick you off this horse" Sadie slowed Bob to a stop.
"Sadie I…. we shouldn't have. You just lost your husband. I should have taken advantage like that"
"Taken advantage. I was more then willing."Sadie turned to look at Arthur.
"Still it wasn't right what I did. I took advantage of the situation"
"Arthur just shut up for a minute and let me speak alright" Sadie began. Arthur stayed silent and let Sadie talk.
"You didn't take advantage of me last night. I'm a grown woman. I'm not some little girl that needs protecting. You didn't force yourself on me alright. Stop letting your pride or honor or whatever the fuck the problem is get in the way of something we clearly both want."Sadie paused.
"But"
"Right that's it get off" Sadie snapped at him.
Arthur got off Bob. He wasn't sure wither Sadie was going to leave him here, hit him or kill him.
"Did you mean what you said last night, or was that the whiskey talking" Sadie asked.
"That I was still in love with you. Yes I meant it but it don't matter"
"For fucksake Arthur stop listen to your head saying it's wrong. Cause I only lost my husband a month ago. Yes I'll still love Jake and am grieving losing him. He was my husband of eighteen years yes. But I loved him more as friend then lover. I was never in love with him.
Cause I was still in love and still in love with someone else. Who'd do think that might be" Sadie challenged.
"Me. I anit no good for your or Lex"
"What was I just saying. Arthur why do you tear yourself down like this. You say no one would want an ugly old bastard like you. Is that how you see yourself" Arthur nodded.
"But I don't see that. I see the man I fell in love with all those years ago. He's still there, he always has been. You are a handsome man Arthur. Don't say shit like that how you some ugly old bastard who no one wants.
I call that bullshit Arthur. I love you for who you are warts and all" Sadie placed both her hands on Arthur's face.
Something in Arthur snapped, pulling Sadie towards him. He pressed his lips to her. Pushing her up against the tree. Both their hats going knocked to ground in the process.
Sadie and Arthur where unaware they had company. Lex watched angrily from a hill on Hera. Her mama was throwing herself at a man she barely knew. Didn't she care about Pa.
Her daddy wasn't even cold in his grave. And her mama was already moving on with a man she'd know a few weeks. Had all those years together meant nothing. Lex always thought her parents loved each other.
Was that not the case. Had her mama never loved Daddy. Where did that leave Lex. If her ma didn't love her pa. Did she not love Lex. Had they only got married cause they had to.
Lex turned Hera around had headed back to camp. Not sure what to make of what she'd seen. She was anger more anything. Anger for her mama betraying her pa's memory he was barely cold in the ground she was already moving on with another man. A man who was only half the man her pa had been.
Horseshoe Overlook, The Heartlands New Hanover
June 1899
Arthur whistled a tune to himself as he poured himself a cup of coffee. Abigail and Susan where already there.
"What are you so happy about Arthur" Abigail noticed Arthur was whistling to himself which he never did. He was never this chipper first thing in the morning.
"What I need a reason to be happy now Abigail" Arthur smiled as drank his coffee.
"I'll take one guess why your so chipper this morning"
"Oh what would that be" Arthur took another sip of his coffee.
"A certain widow who rides with the gang" Abigail gave him a pointed look.
"Maybe" Arthur answered cryptically.
"Morning Abigail, Miss Grimshaw Arthur."Tilly came over to pour herself a cup of coffee.
"Morning" Arthur turned his attention to where Sadie was cutting wood. His smile grew as he watched her.
"What you so happy about this morning Arthur" Tilly this time asked.
"One guess" Abigail teased.
"What is it crime for me to be happy and smiling today. Hey Dutch there some new camp rule I don't know about says it's a crime to be happy and smile of a morning" Arthur called over to Dutch who sitting beside his tent with his Evelyn Miller book in hand.
"Not that I know of son. Just for record why do you look like that cat that ate the canary" Dutch joined in on teasing Arthur.
"I don't kiss and tell Dutch" Arthur answered.
"Who you been kissing" Uncle chimed in.
"None of your business you old lizard" Arthur downed the last of his coffee.
"Old Lizard I'll have you know I was a might handsome fella back in my day. I had all the ladies swooning over me."
"When was that when dinosaurs where roaming the earth" Arthur ribbed.
"I anit that old. Well your no prince charming"
"I was only joking Uncle relax."Arthur slapped the older man on the back.
"What's with him he's full of jokes and smiling. Normally he's the grumpiest one of us all."
"Nothing for you to worry your pretty little head about Uncle" Arthur walked off whistling as he headed to his tent.
"Morning Arthur" Hosea approached with Ben beside him.
"Morning Hosea Ben" Arthur looked up from packing stuff into his saddle bags.
"Where are you off to"
"Going to meet up with Javier and Charles in Blackwater. See if we can get Sean back, and maybe try and find Swanson. Susan said he anit been see for a while here at camp. Might run into Lenny and Micah over that way.
See what's keeping them they should have been back by now" Arthur closed his saddle bags.
"You need an extra gun" Ben offered.
"Sure but you better pack quick. I'm leaving camp soon" Arthur pulled on his coat and placing his saddle bags over his shoulder.
"I'll be quick" Ben went off to pack and get ready to head over to meet up with Javier and Charles near Blackwater.
Arthur went over to hitching rail near where the girls slept. He hung his saddlebags on the rail. He whistled for Mars. The big Chestnut came trotting over when he was called. Arthur lead him over to hitching rail.
Arthur brush Mars down and cleaned his hoofs. The Stallion was half asleep like every other time Arthur saddled him.
Arthur checking Mars's bridal when he got a nice view. Sadie was picking up a hay bail for the horse.
Arthur couldn't resist wolf whistling
"That's enough out of you Arthur Morgan"
"What I didn't do anything" Arthur acted innocently
"Where you off to now"
"Going to Blackwater to meet up with Javier and Charles. See if we can get Sean back. See where Lenny and Micah have disappeared to. And find the missing Reverend" Arthur answered moving around the hitching rail.
"You need an extra gun"
"Ben coming with me. You going to miss while I'm gone" Arthur asked as they move around to the back of the wagon out of the prying eyes of the camp.
"Maybe"
"Maybe just Maybe" Arthur faked hurt.
Before they could go any further.
"I hate to interrupt. Arthur you said you where in a hurry" Ben interrupted them.
"Ah right"
"I'll just go saddle Cisco you two carry on" Ben left smirking at how flustered the pair where at being caught.
"So I get that goodbye kiss now" Sadie sassed.
"Well I suppose we could" Arthur pulled her back to him.
The kiss was brief. Someone threw a bucket on the ground loudly making the reunited lovers pull apart. Their daughter Lex was glaring daggers at her father, not realising or knowing that Arthur was her real father.
Lex shook her head in disgust at them. Muttering something under neither her breath. But Arthur had heard what she said.
"Don't talk about your mother like that" Arthur yelled at her.
"Your not my father. So don't try acting like."Lex yelled back at him before turning her anger on Sadie. "Didn't daddy mean anything to you. He's not cold in his grave and your whoring your self out to him"
"Don't you talk to mother like that girl" Arthur roared.
"Your not my father" Lex spat at Arthur.
"Oh but I am little girl. Jake Adler was your daddy only in name. I'm your father Alexandra. Don't you dare speak like that or talk to your like that again you hear me" Arthur let the cat out of the bag in the heat of moment.
"What. Him he's my father. Where you ever going to tell me" Lex looked shocked and more anger at the news.
"Ah Mrs Adler why don't you and Lex come with us. That way you can talk this through" Ben offered.
"Sure" Sadie answered, Lex only nodded in reply still anger at the revelation that Arthur was her father not the man for the last seventeen and bit years who had raised her and loved her like she had been his own daughter.
"Going out to get Sean back be back in a few days" Arthur called to Karen who was on guard.
The four of them rode in silence as they headed towards the New Hanover and West Elizabeth border that was the Dakota River.
"You alright Miss Adler" Ben asked as Lex rode beside him. Arthur and Sadie brought up the rear.
"It anit Adler anymore it's Morgan I guess. How I can call a man I barely know father. I fell like I betraying the memories of the man who raised me"
"In Arthur's defence he didn't know about you till your mama told him when we where at Colter. They hadn't seen each other in eighteen years. Far as I know your mama thought that Arthur was dead all these years.
Jake Adler was the man who man you raised all these years. You don't have to forget about now you know the truth about Arthur being your father. It anit easy for him either finding out he has a daughter all these years later" Ben tried to reason.
"You ok" Arthur asked Sadie as they rode a bit behind Ben and Lex.
"Are you" Sadie asked.
"I'm alright I didn't think I'd be telling her this soon or like that I guess that was just the way the card fell"
"I just hope she forgives me for lying to her whole life" Sadie wondered as they crossed the Dakota river heading into West Elizabeth.
"She will just give her time. She got to come to terms with the fact the man who loved, clothed and raised her isn't her real father. The news that I'm her father probably hit her for six. She just needs times"
"When you get so wise" Sadie looked at him.
"I always was wise. I guess Hosea's been rubbing off on me. We better be on guard now we're in West Elizabeth. There will be lawmen and Pinkertons every way across the state looking for us. As well as bounty hunters" Arthur cautioned as they rode
They reached Lone Mule Stead around midday.
"Might worth crossing the river here. No doubt the law will be watching the other crossing" Ben advised.
They turned off the main trail heading towards the Lower Montana River. They swam their horses across to the other side.
Arthur didn't relax till they found Javier and Charles's camp. Both men where looking down at Blackwater when they rode up.
Arthur and Ben went to join the other two members of the Van Der Linde Gang looking down at Blackwater.
"You see Sean" Javier asked Charles as Arthur and Ben approached.
"No I don't think so"
"Damn it where is Trawlawny" Javier cursed as Arthur and Ben joined them
"Hey" Arthur and Ben greeted Charles and Javier
"Hey" They said back
"Where is that little Irish bastard" Arthur asked.
"I'm not quite sure. Trawlawny gone to find out"
"Has anyone been into Blackwater to see how things are" Ben asked.
"Place is crawling with Pinkerton, not as many as we thought there be along with lawmen and bounty hunters. Lots of bounty hunters" Javier answered.
"Fuck we got a lot money down in that town" Arthur sighed.
"And that's where it's going to stay for now. It be suicide for us to show our faces just for the money. We might as well put nooses around our neck ourselves. Save the hangmen the job"
"Why haven't they hanged Sean I wonder" Arthur wondered aloud as Trawlawny approached the four of them.
"Gentlemen I have good and bad news"
"What's the good news" Ben asked.
"Sean's alive he's being moved up the Upper Montana in the morning, then to a federal prison out west. The bad is that they caught Mac. But he died of his wounds a few days later" Trelawny gave them the news
"Damn. We can't be rescuing people from a Federal Prison. We either rescue him or we let him go"
"No. We rescue him."Ben cut in
"We're not cutting anyone loose" Charles added.
"Course not we just got to come up with a plan."
"Ike Skelding's boys are moving him to a nearby camp before moving out tomorrow" Trawlawny explained
"Charles why don't you take Ben and Lex and head up the North side. Me, Javier and Sadie will take this side. That way we have them pinned in for either side" Charles handed Arthur the binoculars.
"Sure. Ben let's go" Charles and Ben headed for their horses.
"You know Arthur. It seems you pissed off the Government or people whom the Government likes"
"Sure well. Let's rescue Sean, get some money together then we'll disappear" Arthur replied taking Mars's reins from Sadie.
"Let see if we can find this boat" The four of them headed along the cliff tops that over looked the Upper Montana River.
"Best we be careful. The law and Pinkertons have patrols out" Javier cautioned.
"Yes south of the river West Elizabeth is a welcoming place right now"
"It's as a bad as we feared Arthur" Javier added.
"Yes I keep hearing about this woman Heidi McCourt. Some young mother that Dutch's murder on the boat"
"Micah. Micah was the one who shot her not Dutch."Arthur corrected.
"My mistake" Trawlawny apologised.
"Down there. That most be our boys" Sadie cut in speaking for the first time since leaving the camp.
"Alright gentlemen and sorry Mrs Adler follow me" Trawlawny took the lead as they rode along the cliff tops. "It may advisably to keep your guns holster till we know it's Sean"
"You think they can see us"
"If they can we're just four people out on the trail" Trawlawny answered.
"So you've been gone a while" Arthur asked.
"As much as I love dodging the law with you gentlemen. I do have other business I need to tend to from time to time" Trawlawny all but dodged the question.
"What happened to New York"
"You know how life is. Never a straight road" He dodged the question again.
"Especially with you.
"It's nice to know I'm missed though. Have you run out of people to rob" Trawlawny mussed.
"Oh we'll never run out of people to rob"
"Well without me, you would have the calibre of victim that I find. Perhaps we should keep it down" They continued to follow the cliff tops.
"You alright back there Javier. You barely said a word" Arthur turned to Javier.
"He hasn't stopped talking since we left you in Valentine a few days ago" Javier groaned.
"Cute very cute dear boy"
"Come let's push up" They pushed the horses to a faster pace.
"Apparently there's a camp around here where the bounty hunters meet. Before continuing out west. That's where they most be taking Sean."
They rode on in silence for a few more minutes.
"Look they've stopped. Get your binoculars out" Arthur grabbed his binoculars from his saddle bags.
"So what's with these bounty hunters that have Sean."
"I don't know to much about Ike Skelding and his boys. They're a big crew and wild, built a bit of a reputation over the last few years" Arthur answered as he looked through his binoculars.
"That looks like Sean to me.
"Yep certainly is by the fuss their kicking up it have to be him" Arthur mussed.
"Their giving him a decent hiding"
"You can only imagine the shit he's been giving them the passed month" Sean could be annoying son of a bitch most of the time.
"Oh yes" Javier agreed.
"Their taking him up the canyon"
"There's Ben, Charles and Lex" Arthur noticed them waving their way from the other side of the river.
"Alright let's go"
"What about the other two down there" Sadie asked.
"I've got an idea follow me" Trawlawny lead the way again.
They rode following Trawlawny off the cliff tops to the river banks.
"We need to do this quietly"
"Leave that to me. I have an idea" Trawlawny said before riding off. "The three of you sneak across. I'll create a distraction and the you take them out"
"Alright get your knives and follow me."
The three of them snuck across the river waiting behind some rocks for Trawlawny to distract the two men.
"Gentlemen, Gentlemen. Excuse me dear god. My beloved wife has taken ill. Gravely ill" Trawlawny put on a sob story
"What's the problem."
"It's dear Bessie" Trawlawny had them distracted enough for Javier and Arthur to get closer.
"I'll take the one on the right you take the one on the left"
Trawlawny faked a seizure. Arthur plunged his knife his victim's back while Javier slit his man's throat.
"Come on you two let's get up there"
"A pleasure as always" Trawlawny took his leave galloping off on his Appaloosa
Javier, Sadie and Arthur made their way into the canyon.
"We got two half way up the canyon" Javier took cover behind a rock. Sadie and Arthur moved up a few hundred yards.
Both lined up the two men in their sights and fired at the same time. That's when all hell broke loose.
They fought their way up the hill. Dropping bounty hunters left and right. Arthur levered his last round from his Litchfield.
"How many you got left in your Carbine" Arthur asked as he reloaded his Litchfield from his twin bandoleers.
"I'm out."
"Here take this while I reload. Watch it's got a hell of a kick" Arthur handed Sadie his freshly reloaded Litchfield.
Arthur quickly reloaded Sadie's Carbine.
"You can have this back. It got a hell of kick like you said. I think I'll stick with my Carbine."Sadie took her Carbine back from Arthur handing him his Litchfield back.
"Two fuckers on horseback" Javier called as two bounty hunters came riding down the hill.
Arthur fired a few rounds off. Hitting one in the next. He somersaulted backwards out of the saddle. Javier dropped the other.
They fraught further up the hill. Sadie dropped one who had Arthur in his sights. He dropped from the cliff with yelp.
Coming to the top of the hill. Javier and Arthur where almost ambushed. Arthur drew his Navy Revolver with deadly quick and lethally accuracy dropped one while, Sadie dropped the other before Javier could react.
"I owe you a drink for that Senora Adler" Javier thanked Sadie for saving his life.
"We'll talk about that drink later. Right now we got people to kill"
"Here's Charles, Ben and Lex was it"
"All good" Charles asked.
"Wouldn't go that far we still have to clear that camp and get Sean out of here alive."
"Camp's this way" Ben lead the way.
"Charles you guys take the left, we'll take the right. Let's kill these putas" Javier relayed his orders.
"Got a fucking Army. How much is this Sean's bounty anyway" Sadie drawled as she, Arthur and Javier took cover behind a stack of logs.
"Well we could just turn himself ourselves" Ben joked.
"Still time" Arthur added firing off a few shots. He had to reload again.
Javier and Charles pushed forward as Sadie, Arthur, Ben and Lex provided covering fire.
Arthur dropped the one on the water tower. The four of them pushed up helping Charles and Javier clean up the remaining bounty hunters.
Soon the camp fell quite, the smell of blood and burnt gunpowder hung heavily in the air. Sean's yelling was muffled by the gag he had on. Arthur shot the rope that he was hanging upside down from.
Arthur pulled the gag down before cutting the ropes off Sean's feet.
"You know your a lot less ugly from the other angle Arthur" Sean every the loud mouth said.
"Come one" Arthur helped the annoying Irishmen to his feet.
"Why hello there. Who's these lovely lasses" Sean flirted with Sadie and Lex.
"Keep your eyes and hands to yourself. Any part of your body that touches them will be removed. Understood Sean" Arthur threateningly lowly regarding the way Sean was looking at Lex more then Sadie
"I was only being friendly"
"Keep it that way. Or you'll lose something you may need later on" Arthur threatened again being an over protective father already.
"Do I get a hug Arthur. For a lost brother now found."
"You know nothing means more to me then this gang. I would happily kill and die for it. But I would have left you hear to rot if Charles hadn't stopped me."Arthur and Charles shared an amused look
"I don't believe a word of that Arthur"
"Get him out of here" Arthur shoved Sean towards Javier.
"You're a great man Arthur Morgan, the kind a young whippersnapper can look up to"
"Oh shut up" Fucking hell did Sean love to talk. "Right we should split up. Charles you and Javier make sure Sean gets back to camp. Ben you take Lex back to camp with. Sadie and I will ride together."
"He always talk that much" Sadie asked referring to Sean.
"Yep he's like annoying kid brother that one" Arthur answered mounting Mars.
Sean's welcome back party was just staring when Arthur and Sadie rode in. They hitched their horses and head over to where the rest of the gang stood.
Arthur grabbed to whiskey bottles handing one to Sadie and keeping the other for himself.
Uncle, Karen and Javier sat at the makeshift poker table. Javier was strumming on his guitar. The other members of the gang where standing around with bottles of whiskey or beer in hand.
Sean pulled a box out to stand onto to give some impromptu speech.
That was the last thing Arthur remember before he woke up with a splitting hangover the next morning. He was lying in his cot. Which was a good thing. But he wasn't alone. A familiar head of blond hair was asleep on his chest.
Both naked as a jay bird. Well there was one thing they done last night. Arthur could vaguely remember. They had sex last night or had they. The details of last night where a bit hazy.
After Sean's speech. Dutch had fired up his grammar phone. Dancing with Molly, Mary Beth and Susan. Arthur remember dancing with Tilly, Karen for a few minutes before Sean dragged her off to John's tent, Abigail for a short while before she and Jack went to bed.
He and Sadie danced for a while. After that it was bit of blur till he'd woken up this morning. Looking over towards the edge of camp. Arthur laughed at the sight he saw before him.
Bill was passed out asleep naked on Brown Jack's back. Uncle was asleep on table in front of Arthur's tent snoring.
"What so funny" Sadie croaked looking at Arthur.
"Bill's passed out naked on his horse" Arthur chuckled.
"Good for him. I'm going back to sleep"
Arthur retrieved his journal and pencil.
June 1899
Been a weird few days. I took the girls, Jack and Uncle to town. Saved Tilly and Karen. Then got recognised by some fella who saw me in Blackwater. Chased after him. Saved his life.
He promised not to breathe a word about seeing me in Blackwater. Jimmy Brooks. Should have I killed him or just let him live like I did. Ain't to sure which was the right decision to make regarding him.
Drawing of Jimmy Brooks.
I returned the horse I'd borrowed. Was walking back to camp when Sadie gave me a ride back to camp. We started arguing one thing lead o another ad well we're back together I guess.
Few days later Ben and I where heading to Blackwater to meet up with Javier and Charles to get Sean back. I told Lex that she was my daughter. That went down well. Especially since it was said in the heat of the moment.
She anit spoke much to me and Sadie since she learned the truth about her parentage. She just needs some time I sure she'll come around sooner or later.
We rescued Sean. Mac unfortunately died of his injuries a few days after the robbery
RIP MAC CALLAHAN Drawing of Mac Callahan
Had a big welcome party for him. What I can remember that is. Woke up with Sadie in bed with me. Guess it wasn't bad party after all.
Some people will be like the walking dead for most of the day. Bill's passed out naked on Brown Jack, Uncle asleep on one of the tables with a bottle of whiskey in hand snoring.
I still got work to do even though Sean's back. Still got to find old Reverend Swanson who's been missing for a while. Maybe see where Lenny and Micah have disappeared to.
I won't shed a tear if Micah meets some unfortunate accident maybe a gun going off accidental. Can always tell Dutch it was an accident. Ain't no one missing that son a bitch . Camps thankfully quite without him.
I got a good feeling that things are going to improve for the gang soon.