Francis was almost certain he'd been shot in the face. Just a little.

"Well shit didn't think you'd wake up."

The Frenchman turned to find the man with dreadlocks putting out a cigar in an ashtray he was holding. The smell was cloying and made him feel like he desperately needed to come up for air, but of course that sounded preposterous even in his head, never mind out loud.

"How long have I been sleeping?" He mumbled, lapsing into French halfway without even noticing.

The man exhaled as if he'd still been taking drags of the cigar and sat forward to put the tray on a nightstand next to the bed. "No more than a day I assure you. If that's the question I'm answering?"

The blond didn't reply, and the darker man didn't ask anything else. He just sat there for a minute and watched Francis sit up and rub his head. He really needed to fix this shot in the face situation.

"So what brings you below the Southern Border, Mr...?" Alex trailed off, his voice upticking at the end.

"Bonnefoy. Francis Bonnefoy." The blond grumbled.

"Well hello then Francis. You can call me Alex."

This was the last thing Arthur wanted to do on his vacation, if that's what you could call it anyway. The train back toward the border felt nearly twice as long as it had the first time. Of course the trip back wouldn't be that much different. He'd planned to leave well before nightfall. As usual the train arrived at noon, and Arthur squinted against the light before hurrying under the shade of the platform overhang. The inside of the station was small and much cooler than outside. A few people stood around waiting for their train to pull in, heading God knows where. An old Starbucks counter was a mere shadow of what it used to be, now housing only a man in a tan suit selling a sparse collection of items to what looked like a nurse. That is if the red cross stitched onto her worn shoulder bag wasn't a coincidence.

At the other end of the station Arthur rented a horse from a different boy than before. The boy nodded politely when Arthur gave him money. As he rode away a feeling nagged at the back of his mind. The feeling had come upon him only once before, and it made him feel like this was the end of something. Like Arthur was near the edge of a cliff but he couldn't see it. And the cliff would inevitably stop, abruptly, and with a sickening emptiness he'd fall. Whether or not he'd find a way back was uncertain. Arthur didn't like uncertainties.

"Fuck. Tricky ass business you got yourself into there Mr. Bonnefoy." Alex said, eyebrow raised.

"I suppose. I am alive and that is what matters in the end." Francis huffed and sent a delicate line of smoke from his lips to vanish into the air. He'd never liked cigars but now was as good a time as any for one in celebration.

Alex got up from his chair and stretched. He walked over to a small fridge in the corner of the room and pulled out two bottles of water. The walk back was slow and deliberate, as if the man spent his entire life conserving energy for when he genuinely needed it. Francis took the bottle when it was offered and was surprised to find the seal on the cap snapped when he opened it.

"Surprised huh? Hard to find bottled water many places nowadays." Alex laughed and took a swig from his own bottle. "Found a small palette of twenty-four packs in the back storage. Still got half of 'em left."

Francis remained silent for a moment. Alex had said they were below the Southern Border, which meant he was still near the territories. He'd have to find a way to the New York Territory regardless. Though he doubted Toni and Belle would be of any use to him now. Their boss was the no-nonsense type and would more likely leave him abandoned than waste any more time and money looking for him. Especially since Francis had yet to pay him for his services. That part of their deals usually occurred at the end. The bigger question was how was he going to to get where he was going quickly?

The sound of another door closing caught his and Alex's attention. Alex got up without saying anything, leaving Francis in the room by himself. Francis threw the blanket covering him to the side and slowly swung his legs over the edge of the bed. He noted that his right ankle was wrapped in an ace bandage. After moving it slightly and finding it didn't hurt, he pushed off the bed and steadied himself upright.

"Burn cream?" Alex asked, lips quirking at the side in a smirk.

"Well it's Alfred so it's believable." Arthur sighed. While Alex dug around behind the counter Arthur kept conversation going. "Speaking of, Alfred told me something about looters in Florida? You heard anything about it?"

Alex rose and placed a round tin on the counter. "Ten coins. Yeah, actually. Some guy stumbled in here yesterday. Said he was on his way to the New York Territory when he was kidnapped. Whoever did it left him out in the desert. Walked all the way into town when he found us here."

The door to the back room opened and Francis stepped out. He looked up at the two of them without much interest.

"Speak of the devil!" Alex laughed. "I wrapped your ankle up is it feeling better?"

"Yes, very much so. Thank you." He replied and made his way closer to the counter.

Arthur watched him carefully. The man was obviously not from the Territories with that accent. France more than likely. His clothes were rumpled and looked slept in, but were obviously part of a suit. He looked like the type of man who didn't get dirty for a living, but had no problem dealing in dirty matters.

"You were kidnapped?" Arthur asked.

Francis looked at him coolly, "Yes, unfortunately."

"Well I'm sorry to hear that. Do you know why?" The short blond knew his sorry didn't sound sorry at all. If anything it sounded antagonistic. Not that he minded much. This man was obviously not from the same background he or Alex was, and would more than likely point his nose up at them in any other circumstance.

The french man sighed and raked his hands through his long hair. "No, I do not. I had nothing much of value on me. Now it seems I am on a mission to New York."

Alex crossed his arms and looked contemplative, which Arthur knew meant one or both of them was going to be subjected to some hair-brained scheme. The older man's eyes lit up and he turned quickly to the taller blond.

"Y'know, Arthur's a Bounty Hunter! He travels everywhere from Hell and back. Maybe he can escort you." It sounded more like a proposition than a question to Arthur. "That way you won't get your ass kidnapped again. And I doubt you'd live more than a week out there by yourself."

Francis seemed mildly offended, but glanced at Arthur expectantly, "Do you think that would be possible?"

Arthur didn't like the look he was given. Like this man thought he had a right to the safety in escort. People like him were exactly the kind Arthur was sent after nine times out of ten, and if given the chance would probably shoot him in the leg halfway through the journey.

"No way in hell. This is your problem, and I have plenty of my own. Nice to see you Alex." He grumbled and set the coins he owed on the counter before turning away.

Francis scowled. This Arthur was rude, and obviously didn't know what was at stake by turning him down. "I have money!" He commanded, stepping forward.

Arthur turned and glowered back at him. It almost made Francis drop his faćade of bravado. The smaller man turned around fully and almost seemed to growl at him. "Yeah, and so does my boss! You think I'm going to waste my time on some pathetic snob during one of the few weeks a year I get to not worry about being shot? I've got other shit to do."

Before Arthur turned to leave again, Francis panicked. He knew he wouldn't survive alone as much as his pride insisted he could. He had no idea how to get to New York and no means to do so.

"I don't think you understand. Name a price and you'll have it! I have more money than you can imagine and I assure you you will be paid for your services." He bargained.

Now that made Arthur stop. He desperately wanted to put the other man in his place. He wanted to refuse so badly it almost hurt. But if what he was saying is true, one little week could earn him enough money to buy his own home somewhere where he wouldn't be under anyone's thumb. He and his cousins could live out their lives in relative peace. He hated being wrangled into this mess...but it might be worth it. He didn't say anything right away.

"Fuck it. Fine. Follow me." Arthur barked as he pushed the store's door open, letting in a faint breeze. He still wasn't entirely sure this was an exceptionable idea.

Francis followed closely behind after saying his goodbye to Alex. They walked in silence and stopped at a small telephone booth. Francis didn't know that telephones still worked here. They had them back home but it was usually in the homes of the wealthy, and a place as abandoned as this town didn't seem to be wealthy enough to afford luxuries such as power. Arthur dropped some of his coins into a slot, then dialed a number.

Arthur knew around this time of day the boys would normally be at work. And the only person there he could call would be the old man. The phone rang five times before it was picked up.

"Hello?" A gruff voice questioned.

"Hello Mr. Bardsley, this is Arthur Kirkland. I was wondering if I could get Matthew on the phone?" Arthur shifted the phone from one ear to another while he waited for a reply. The old man was moody at best and it wouldn't be too surprising if he hung up on him right now.

When the man replied Arthur almost sighed gratefully.

"I think I can do that. Just wait while I get him."

The silence on the line lasted no more than a minute or so before the faint sounds of a door opening and closing echoed on one end.

"Arthur?" Matthew asked.

"Yeah it's me. I have to go to Michigan to pick up some more rounds and maybe a new gun." Arthur explained.

"Michigan? Why though? Did something happen?" Matthew sounded worried as always.

"No everything's fine. I just need to restock is all. I'll be back with the burn cream in a day or so." Arthur knew on the other side Matthew was fidgeting, wanting to ask a question he'd asked a million times before.

"Arthur I know I ask a lot," He started. "But, do you think I could go this once?"

The older man sighed. He knew Matthew hasn't seen Gilbert in forever and technically now of all times would be the best opportunity. But if Arthur wanted to get this repulsive Frenchman off his back he'd have to do everything as soon as possible.

Matthew panicked, afraid he'd upset his cousin. "I understand if you don't want to take the extra trip though! I just thought that now would be a good time because you're not on a mission and it would be safer! That's why I asked." The poor kid sounded completely defeated.

"Hey don't worry I'm sure you'll get to see him soon. If you want I can pass a message along." Arthur could at least offer him that.

"Thank you Arthur. Just tell him I miss him. And that I..." Matthew trailed off, sounding as red as he more than likely was. "That I love him?"

"I can do that." Arthur laughed. "Take care of your brother. I'll be back soon."

"Okay! Bye."

"Bye." He hung up.

Francis didn't ask any questions when Arthur turned around and headed off in another direction. There was quiet between the two again, which Francis was suspecting would become a constant.

Their walk ended at a horse. Arthur slipped his rucksack into a bigger bag that was tethered to the worn saddle before untying the large animal. Moving swiftly and with practiced grace, Arthur was swinging his leg over the other side of the giant. Francis stared at the horse with trepidation. He had grown up around horses most of his life but he'd never once had to handle one.

"What are you waiting for? An invitation?" Arthur peered at Francis from above, smug.

"Why, of course not my dear, just contemplating what an enjoyable person you are to be around. I am very lucky to have you as my guide." He sneered back.

He held out his hand expecting a supportive grip but got only a rough yank by the elbow to help him up into the saddle behind Arthur. Francis' heart beat viciously against his ribcage as he teetered above the ground. With his arms wound around Arthur's waist he prayed the smaller man couldn't feel it. He would not admit anything to this man, much less petty fear. Though, once they started moving it took all Francis' pride not to tighten his grip on his guide.

At the station they returned the horse to it's stall, and made their way through the emptiness of the station to the platform. The train pulled in shortly and it's bulky form halted for what seemed would be only a moment, as if it were a living being with it's own schedule to manage in spite of the tiny humans who drove it's movement. The seating inside was worn but on the edge of acceptable for Francis. It's cars cut into smaller boxes of glass and worn trim. There was no talking. Arthur stared out the window with a blank expression and Francis didn't attempt any conversation. Not even after the train started moving and the scenery flew past in a blur.

Francis wasn't fool enough to think Arthur didn't notice his staring after so many minutes. And it wasn't that Francis meant much of anything by it either. His guide was rigid in more ways than one and entirely made up of mystery. But there was something to him. Something so very conflicting. It might have been the softness of his features compared to the rough callouses on his hands. Arthur was fairly attractive, and it seemed such a waste for his time to be devoted to bounty hunting.

Night fell soon enough, and Arthur's voice almost startled Francis out of his skin.

"Your seat pulls out a little for a bed. If you're lucky there's a pillow in your overhead." He explained as he got up and dug around for his own pillow.

For once Francis didn't say anything back. He was suddenly aware of how tired he was, and followed Arthur's lead. The shuffling of other passengers filled the empty space between the two men as they laid down and prepared for the night. Arthur laid with his back to Francis and seemed to sleep almost instantly. But the Frenchman couldn't seem to get comfortable enough. After rolling around as much as his limited space allowed for some time, he laid awake in silence. He peered out the window and watched the tops of trees scrape the dark sky. The moon and stars shone immoveable in the sky, filtering dull light into the space around him.

For some reason he felt overwhelmed. It seemed like now that stillness had finally forced itself upon him everything that had been held above him suddenly crashed down. Francis didn't know why, but he teared up. Everything about this situation was wrong. He didn't belong in the dingy sleeper car of this train, next to a man that had been and would continue to be nothing but rude to him.

Homesickness hit him unexpectedly and he wanted nothing more than to hear his Mother's voice and to feel her fingers comb through his hair. He pressed the insides of his palms tightly against his eyelids and tried to will away the darkness creeping into him. He could only be grateful the sounds of the train rattling and other people speaking in softened tones did not leave him as alone as he might have felt without them. They were constants. Reminders he wasn't completely alone. Francis was just grateful Arthur was asleep and didn't hear him breathe in and out shakily. He couldn't discern when exactly, but sleep took him at some point in the night.

Note: Woo! After what I'm sure was a month I finally have chapter 3 up! I was trying to stick to my usual writeing/posting schedule but chapter 5 gave me so much trouble. If you look closely in this chapter you can find a small nod to Cherie Preist's Clockwork Century series. Her books are what really made me want to write this story again, sans the zombies of course. Though I'm not ashamed to admit the Shia Lebouf movie Lawless came first on the inspiration train.

Also! If anyone wants to know when a new chapter might be coming out/is posted before they decide to check their email, I post on my tumblr (tokyodrools) immediately after I post a chapter. I also use the tag AIFATF when I tag most of my posts related to the story but not always. I appreciate everyone who's been following the story! I've gotten more than almost 200 hits on both AO3 and . I'd love to hear any comments or critiques, and look forward to chapter 4 just as much as all of you guys!