It was getting late by the time they reached the Heartlands, so Arthur and Grace decided to set up camp for the night. She fell asleep quickly but he stayed awake for a while longer. He was feeling nervous about letting her go into the oil refinery. What if she got caught? How would he get her out? She could only go so far in talking her way out of things.

He looked down at her, brushed some her hair away from her face and across the scar on her temple before laying down and pulling her close. She nuzzled against him as he kissed her forehead and settled in. He didn't sleep for a while yet, still stressing about what could happen.

Grace showed no signs of worry as they woke the next morning and headed straight to Valentine.

"If I'm going to pretend to be the foreman's wife, I better look the part," she explained when Arthur had asked why they were going back to the small town. He just shrugged and waited outside the general store until she emerged wearing a plain brown skirt with matching jacket. She also carried a small basket with a bit of food. He helped her onto his horse and they rode out to Citadel Rock where Eagle Flies was already waiting and scouting the oil fields.

"You came," Eagle Flies said, lowering his binoculars.

"Of course we came," Arthur said, dismounting after Grace.

"Wasn't expecting both of you."

"Pfft, like I'd miss out on this," Grace said. Arthur shrugged at Eagle Flies.

"So the foreman, his name is Danbury, he has the files in his office above the refinery room," he passed his binoculars to Arthur, "It's the window with the blind drawn up."

"I see it," Arthur said, looking through the binoculars before passing them to Grace.

"If the files are as incriminating as we believe, Mr. Cornwall's men will destroy them if they know you're coming."

Arthur thought for a moment. "We'll send her in." He nodded to Grace who gave Eagle Flies back his binoculars.

"Her?" Eagle Flies pointed at Grace.

"Tell him."

Grace told Eagle Flies her plan of pretending to bring her alleged husband, the foreman, his lunch and then crying to make him leave so she can look for the files.. Eagle Flies looked sceptically over at Arthur.

"I don't know."

"What will the files say?" Arthur asked.

"There'll be a report from Leland Oil Development Company."

"You got money?" Arthur said before Grace smacked him in the arm.

"Don't worry about any money," Grace said to Eagle Flies, "Let's get this done." She mounted up on Arthur's horse and rode down the hill towards the oil refinery.

"You sure about this?" Eagle Flies asked.

"No," Arthur said quietly. It might sound easy, but he knew anything could go wrong. "Any ideas how I can get in?"

"Crawl under the fence, or hide in a wagon. They keep rolling in." He pointed down at a wagon heading down the road. "There, if you are quick, you could climb into the back of that wagon." Arthur nodded and ran down the hill to the back of the wagon. A train passing forced the wagon to stop so he could crawl into the back silently.

The wagon rolled up to the refinery's gate a few moments later.

"That you, Al?" the guard called out.

"Hey, Tom," the driver greeted him, "Who's the gal?"

"Danbury's wife, apparently."

"Huh. Didn't know he was married."

"Neither did I. Anyway, picking up?"

"Yep, supposed to meet the early train to Saint Denis."

"Okay, better get a move on, then."

The wagon continued on into the refinery. Arthur kept his head down and his ears open, trying to listen for Grace. The wagon stopped a short distance from the main building and the driver announced he was going to start loading it up. Arthur crept out and quickly hid behind a pyramid of pipes. He spotted his horse hitched next to the building, but he couldn't see her.

He slowly crept to the building where he then heard Grace speaking.

"He works so hard, I thought I'd surprise him!"

"Well that's very kind of you, ma'am."

Arthur looked and saw Grace following a guard across the main floor to a set of stairs. He quietly followed, sticking to the shadows so he wouldn't be easily noticed.

"It's nice to finally have some time to do this, I should've brought some extras for you fine gentlemen."

"Aw, that's alright, ma'am."

"Sorry, what's your name?"

"Belanger."

"Oh, lovely. Well, thank you for your assistance, Mr. Belanger, I'll make sure my husband puts in a good word for you."

Arthur couldn't help but smile to himself. She really knew how to play the part when she needs to. He followed them up the stairs, keeping himself out of sight as much as he could.

"This is his office, ma'am," the guard reached up to knock, but Grace stopped him.

"It's supposed to be a surprise, remember?" she smiled politely at him. The guard nodded and he walked away. Grace knocked quietly, then walked in and shut the door.

Arthur quickly made his way to the door, keeping an eye on the guard who had stopped to talk to another one at the end of the upper floor. He could hear Grace and the foreman inside the room.

"But- where is he? Where is my husband?" she cried.

"I'm- I'm sorry, ma'am, but I don't know anyone by the name of Arthur Callahan."

Arthur smirked to himself.

"But- THAT BASTARD." there was a sudden crash, presumably from Grace throwing the basket to the floor, "I KNEW IT. HE'S BEEN SEEING THAT HARLOT!" she wailed.

"Um, would you like to sit down?"

"ALL THIS TIME I THOUGHT HE WAS WORKING AN HONEST JOB, PROVIDING FOR OUR CHILDREN! I'M GOING TO KILL HIM!"

"Can.. Can I get you something to drink?"

"ARSENIC!"

"I'll.. I'll get you some water. Please, try to calm yourself."

Arthur flattened himself against the wall as he heard the footsteps of the foreman approaching the door. The foreman exited, closing the door carefully as if he was afraid of upsetting the poor woman having a breakdown in his office. He hurried away and Arthur quickly entered the office.

Grace quickly shut the drawer she had been looking through, glaring when she saw who it was. "What are you doing here?" she hissed at him.

"Making sure you were okay."

"For god's sake, I have it under control!" she opened the drawer again and rifled through the papers. "Ah, here it is." She took out the papers and read them. "Bastards."

"Good, let's get out of here," Arthur went to the door which opened as the foreman entered with a glass of water.

"Wha- who are you?" he asked loudly. Arthur quickly covered the foreman's mouth, shut the door, and pressed him against the wall.

"Listen, I'm very sorry, but we just needed some files from you," Grace apologised to the shocked foreman, "He wasn't supposed to be here, but apparently I can't cope on my own."

"Well how were you going to get out of here after you got the files?" Arthur asked her.

"Walk out the damn door! Jesus, I doubt they would've held me hostage for being upset by my so-called husband!"

"What if you got caught?"

"I wasn't going to get caught until YOU showed up!"

"I was worried!"

"Jesus christ, stop worrying and just trust me for once!"

They were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Everything alright in there?" the guard called from the other side.

Grace crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows at Arthur. He reluctantly pulled his hand away from the foreman's mouth, glaring at him pointedly. The foreman didn't say anything, just looked between Arthur and Grace, who seemed more annoyed than anything else.

"Um, it's okay, everything's fine, just- just taking a break," he stammered. "Stubbed my toe, it's fine."

"Okay, Mr. Danbury." There was silence as the guard left.

"Alright, genius, how are we getting out of this?" Grace asked Arthur.

"Window," he pointed.

Grace sighed, shook her head, and looked at the foreman. "Do you see what I have to deal with?" She gestured at Arthur. "Makes me wish sometimes I really did have a cheating husband."

"Uh-"

"Tell you what, Mr. Danbury, for the trouble and your silence, here," Grace reached into her satchel and took out some money, "We won't bother you again."

The foreman slowly took the money, still looking confused. Arthur opened the window and gestured for Grace.

"Oh no, I'm not climbing out there. I am going out the door as I originally planned." She headed for the door, "Have a good day, Mr. Danbury."

Arthur grumbled in frustration as Grace left the office, closing the door behind her. Mr. Danbury looked over at him, still confused.

"Not a word," Arthur threatened before climbing out the window to the roof. He slid off, landing on the train platform. He barely stood when a few guards ran up, their guns drawn.

"Hey hey hey! Weapons on the ground and hands in the air!" one of them yelled.

"Easy now, fellers," Arthur said, slowly raising his hands. Where was Grace? Did she get out okay?

"Now! We won't tell you again!"

They were then interrupted by one of the oil derricks exploding nearby. Arthur took cover by some barrels as the guards started shooting. He groaned, realising he was now going to have to shoot his way out.

As he did, he noticed gunfire near the flaming oil derrick. It wasn't Grace, but he was worried. Was she actually able to get out? Dammit, where was she?

"Arthur, come on!" Eagle Flies yelled from somewhere near the oil derrick. Arthur ran towards his voice, shooting more guards on the way. Through the smoke, he spotted Eagle Flies's paint horse and hurried to it.

Grace galloped up on his own horse to his relief and he jumped up behind her.

"Did you get the documents?" Eagle Flies shouted.

"Yeah, but we need to get the hell out of here!" Arthur yelled back, hanging on to Grace's waist while shooting the guards chasing them. Eagle Flies shot some guards with his bow as they fled through the Heartlands.

After some time, they finally lost their pursuers and slowed near a dried up creek.

"That explosion came just in time," said Arthur.

"I was happy to watch some of that oil burn," Eagle Flies replied.

"I thought you wasn't getting involved?" Arthur asked, sliding off his horse followed by Grace.

"I thought you were going to enter and leave silently?"

"I had it under control!" Grace said angrily, handing Eagle Flies the papers. "It was going just fine until YOU showed up!" She poked Arthur hard in the chest.

"We weren't sure-" Eagle Flies started.

"If I could do it? If I'd be fine? Why? Because I'm a woman?" She scowled at them both and threw her hands in the air. "Whatever, I'm going back to town." She turned and stalked off in the direction of Valentine.

"Well, thank you," Arthur said to Eagle Flies, "You saved my life."

"I hope, well, I don't know what I hope," Eagle Flies looked down at the papers in his hand, "but who knows, maybe these will be of some use." He put them in his saddlebag and rode away.

Arthur mounted his horse and rode to catch up with Grace who was walking quickly across the grassland.

"Get on," he said when he caught up.

"Why couldn't you have let me do it on my own?" she turned to him angrily. "I was fine until you showed up. I would've had those papers out in no time, with no trouble, if you hadn't interfered."

Arthur sighed. "Yeah, you're probably right."

"I know I'm right," she crossed her arms, "And now that they've seen Eagle Flies in the area, they'll assume the Indians are involved."

"Oh."

"You need to trust me more, Arthur."

"I do."

"If you did, you'd have left me alone to the task."

"Sorry."

"Yeah, you usually are." Grace turned and continued to walk towards Valentine. Arthur followed.

"You don't need to walk."

"I want to walk."

"Would you stop being so stubborn?"

"No."

Arthur grumbled, dismounted, and caught up to her. He picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. She screamed and started hitting his back.

"PUT ME DOWN!"

"Nope." He carried her to his horse and lifted her on. She glared at him as he mounted in front of her. "Now, you gonna stop being so damn stubborn and behave?"

"Pfft."

"Good," he reached back to pat her on the leg, but she grabbed his hand.

"I hate you."

"Oh, I know," he kissed her hand with a smile and he could hear her smirk a bit, "You're impossible. So we still going to Valentine?"

"Or we could find somewhere else to go," she shrugged.

"I thought you might have something to do in Valentine."

"Yeah, I was going to take a train back to Saint Denis and go back to the farm."

"Why?"

"Because I hate you," she didn't sound as angry as she hugged him tight.

"Hah, well you're stuck with me now. How 'bout we go to your cabin? It ain't too far."

"It'll still take a few hours."

"That's fine, we can rest a bit on the way."

"You seem determined to go back to my place."

"I guess I am," he squeezed her hand and urged Smokey into a trot towards Moonstone Pond. Even though he knew he would have to return to camp, he much preferred to go to Grace's cabin. It was quiet and hidden and comfortable. Like he could feel at home there.

They arrived in the early evening and Grace headed straight into the cabin to start up the fire while Arthur untacked his horse. He spread out some hay and pumped some water into a trough before bringing in their saddlebags. She was chopping up some vegetables on the table.

"You still mad at me?" he asked as he set the saddlebags off to the side.

"You really asking that question when I have a sharp knife in my hand?" she smirked, "No, I'm not mad at you."

"Okay. Just... you been quiet all the way here."

"I was just thinking about things." Before he could say anything further, she pointed to the large pot on the stove. "Can you fill that with water, please?"

"Sure," he nodded and took the pot outside to the water pump. As he filled it, his mind began to race over what he should do.

It was getting more and more difficult. Of course he'd stand by Dutch and the gang, there was no question on that. But now with Grace in his life... He couldn't give her up. He'd only known her for a few months but it felt like a lifetime. It was hard to imagine his life without her now. But maybe... Maybe with her help, they could all escape up to Canada, get lost up there as she had suggested. He could stay with her, travel with her wherever she wanted to go, and they could always meet up with the gang when they could.

Maybe they could even get married. Have a family, the family neither of them were able to have yet. That was possible, wasn't it?

"Arthur!"

"Hm?" he looked up to see Grace standing in the doorway.

"Pretty sure it's full now," she grinned. He looked down to see the pot overflowing with water.

"Oh shit, sorry." He poured out some of the water and brought it back to the cabin.

"Have a lot on your mind?" she asked as she unwrapped a slab of meat from some butcher paper.

"Where'd you get that?" he placed the pot of water on the stove.

"From the general store, the proprietor said he was given an extra portion and offered it to me," she started cutting up the meat, "So what's bothering you?"

"I don't know," he sat down across from her, "Just... with the Pinkertons and everyone after us, and now Dutch wants to go after Bronte."

"So leave with the money I've already given you."

"It's gone."

"What do you mean it's gone?" she frowned at him.

"I left it in my trunk, but it's missing." He leaned back in his chair. "I don't know who took it."

"And no one has suddenly come across a bunch of money?" she set down her knife and carried the cutting board of meat pieces over to the stove to dump them into the pot.

"No, I don't think so. Well, no one's said anything when I was there."

"Hm. Well, if you need more to escape, I can get you more." She turned back to him.

Arthur didn't say anything, but looked around the cabin.

"I don't keep it all here," she laughed, "It's mostly in the bank."

"Oh."

"And not all in the Saint Denis bank, in case you're wondering that too. It's in multiple banks across the States and Canada. Never know what might happen."

"Bad time to mention they're planning on robbing the Saint Denis bank, huh?"

"Seeing as you've already robbed the bank in Valentine, I'm not surprised," she stirred the stew, "I won't actually lose the money if it gets stolen out of the bank because they have insurance, but it ends up being a whole big mess while the bank and the insurance company sort things out. But you won't need to rob the bank if you take my money."

Arthur thought for a moment. "Okay."

"You actually going to take it this time?"

"Yes," he stood up, "But on one condition."

Grace sighed and turned to him. "Arthur, I can't come with you."

"Then I'll stay with you."

He expected her to be surprised or even happy. He certainly didn't expect her to burst into tears. He quickly embraced her. She cried into his shoulder for a moment before pulling away.

"Why would you give up people you've known your entire life for someone you just met?"

He kissed her intensely before she gently pushed him away. She bit her lip as tears continued to drip down her cheeks. He wiped them away with his thumbs. "Why don't you want me to stay?"

"I do, it's just..." she sighed deeply, "Even if you do stay, you will leave me."

"I won't leave you." He pressed a kiss to her forehead and held her tightly, frowning. Why did she keep saying he was going to leave him? Was she afraid he was going to leave her in favour of the gang? He had to admit that the thought of leaving the gang troubled him, but so did the possibility of giving her up. There had to be a compromise.

"Sorry," she sniffled and pulled away, turning back to the stew pot. She stirred it then placed a lid on the pot. "I'm going to lie down, it'll still be a while before it's ready." Grace lay down on the bed and was soon asleep.

Arthur let her be and looked around the cabin for something to do. He stoked the fire then started to peruse her books. Many of them seemed very old with the titles worn off their spines. He picked out one at random and sat down at the table with it. The cover read Virgina - A Tale of Love and Marriage. Arthur wrinkled his nose slightly, but thought he'd give it a read anyway. He opened it and smiled to himself as he read the title page. The Castle of Wolfenbach. Below it was a faded handwritten inscription.

A horrid book for a horrid girl.

x

Wm.

He carefully started to close it when he noticed one of the pages was falling out. He was about to push it back in but realised it wasn't one of the book's pages. Pulling it out, he found it to be a very worn and folded sheet of paper. He looked over at the bed, seeing that Grace was still asleep, and he very carefully unfolded the fragile letter. The writing was very faded with a few splotches so he carried it over to the window and squinted to read it better.

November 2- -9

My dearest Grace,

I have made the most terrible mistake. I am so sorry that ... Our families are just ...

I do not know where you are, but ... find you.

Peter Moorhouse will take care ... has all you need.

I love you with ... and I hope you and our ... safe. I cannot wait until we are all together again and ...

... on the river.

... everything. I only hope that you have it in your heart to forgive me and ...

All my love,

William

Arthur carefully folded the letter and replaced it in the book before returning it to the shelf. He felt guilty for reading something so personal. But perhaps that's why she was so reluctant. Perhaps she was so afraid of having her heart broken again that she convinced herself he would leave her.

He lay next to her on the bed, not intending to sleep but to just be close to her. There had to be a reasonable compromise so he wouldn't have to leave the gang, nor would he have to leave her. She rolled over to face him and opened her eyes slightly.

"Hi," she smiled.

"Hi. I didn't leave you."

"So I see." Grace sat up and stretched her arms over her head. "I don't think I slept very long."

"Less than half an hour, I reckon." Arthur remained lying down.

"Oh well, I'll get some proper sleep later." She moved to crawl over him, but he pulled her in to embrace her.

"I... I..." he stammered, but he couldn't get the words out properly, like they were stuck in the back of his throat.

She waited a moment then kissed him. "It's okay, you don't have to say anything," she whispered, reaching up to gently brush a strand of hair off his forehead. Before she could say anything further, he kissed her eagerly.

If he couldn't tell her he loved her, he could certainly show her.


Later that night, after they had eaten, Grace and Arthur sat at the open door to watch a storm roll in. Smokey was comfortably in the shelter, but slightly agitated without Tuula around. Arthur lit up a couple of cigarettes, handing one to Grace.

"Thanks," she said, "So what's the plan for tomorrow? I imagine you need to get back."

"Yeah, but no rush," he took a drag and watched the dark clouds light up.

"Heh, I'm sure Dutch is practically foaming at the mouth right now, wanting to get moving with things."

Arthur nodded.

"Well, he has other people to help, or is it just you doing all the work out here?"

"Hah, no, we all do our share. As far as they're concerned, we're just following a lead out here."

"Yes, look at us, so hard at work right now."

He put his arm around her and flicked away his cigarette butt. "Yep. We should get in before we get rained on."

"Afraid of a little rain?" she put out her cigarette on the doorstep, "Or just want to get me back inside again?"

"I suppose more the latter," he squeezed her tightly, "So tomorrow, we'll head back but let's go north a bit first."

"Any particular reason why?"

"Dunno, like I said, no rush."

"Sounds like a good enough reason," she smiled as Arthur stood and pulled her up as well, "We better head out early then."

"So we better get to bed early," he pulled her in and closed the door.