AN: Really short chapter today plus writer's block did not help at all. Next chapter I plan on it being a little larger than normal.

June 1st

I blinked my eyes open and immediately regretted it, I let out a groan as I tried to turn to get the brightness of the sun away from me.

"Where are we," I heard Lenny ask from close by.

I groaned at how loud he was, "Why are you yelling?"

"Why are you," I heard Lenny ask, in a quieter voice, as he let out a groan.

A chuckle interrupted our mutual pain, I turned my head and peaked one eye open to see cell bars and behind that a man sitting with his feet propped up and badge on his chest.

I groaned and laid back as I laid an arm over my eyes.

"You boys musta had a lot of fun last night," the man said with a grin.

"At the time, sure," I answered, rubbing my eyes.

"Well you two were lucky nobody got hurt, otherwise you'd be staying here," the deputy, or whatever he was, said standing up.

"How much to get out," Lenny asked as I swung my legs off the cot.

"Thirty dollars, each. That's for all the damage you two caused."

Lenny started to rummage around in his pockets while I reached into my satchel.

"Here," Lenny said, holding out the money.

"Shit," I cursed once I saw how little money I had left.

"What is it," Lenny asked as the deputy unlocked his cell.

"I must have paid for a lot of drinks or dropped some money but I don't have enough," I said, letting the satchel close and rubbing my forehead as the head pounding started to worsen.

"I don't have enough to get you out either," Lenny said as he pulled his gun belt back on.

"Sorry friend but rules are rules," the deputy said as he took a seat once more.

"I'll head to camp and get some money," Lenny said before hurrying out the door while holding a hand to his mouth.

I sighed and stood up to stretch as I prepared to wait.

"So what was it that we did to get arrested," I asked as I sat back down.

"Tried to drown someone. Better thank God you weren't successful," the deputy said shaking his head.

"Who was it," I asked wondering who exactly it could have been to push me to the point of drowning them.

"Jeb Long and Clay Marshall, two fellers who pass by every now and then," the deputy answered.

"Don't recognize the names, musta really pissed me off then," I muttered as I swung my legs onto the cot and leaned against the wall.

I closed my eyes right before I heard the door open.

"Well, well, well. I heard you was only supposed to have a few drinks," said a familiar voice.

I opened my eyes to see Arthur grinning down at me, I rolled my eyes.

"Decided to come gloat or somethin'," I asked.

Arthur shook his head, "Nah you ain't pissed me off like Bill or Micah. Plus I'm pretty sure your regretting it enough. How much," he asked, turning to the deputy.

"Thirty dollars."

Arthur shook his head and pulled out the money before handing it over.

"Here you go," the deputy said, walking over and unlocking the cell.

I stood up albeit a little too fast as a wave of nausea hit me. I groaned and shuffled over to the desk where my gun belt and hat sat. I pulled them on, the gun belt took me a few tries, and started to follow Arthur outside.

As soon as I stepped outside and the morning sun hit me I felt a wave of nausea too strong to contain. I stumbled over to the edge of the porch and puked. It went on longer than I care to admit and by the time I was done I felt ready to collapse and sleep the day away.

"Oh God," I muttered as I plopped down on the porch with my back to one of the posts.

"I'll go get your horse," Arthur said before walking towards the saloon.

I leaned my head back and tried to calm my stomach as I waited. Before I knew it I heard footsteps stop behind me.

I slowly climbed to my feet, stumbling once I was on my feet.

"Need help," Arthur asked as I walked over to Quinton who put his head over to me and took a sniff before snorting and recoiling.

"I think I got it," I said as I lifted one leg and put a foot into the stirrup before losing my balance and falling backwards.

Luckily Arthur saved me from hitting the ground as he caught me by my arms.

"You alright," Arthur asked as he helped me stand up and unhook my boot from the stirrup.

"Yeah I think so," I said as I was hit by a wave of dizziness.

"Here. I'll help you up and we can get you back to camp right after I do something," Arthur said, helping me stay up as I put my boot in the stirrup once more.

I grabbed the horn and started pulling myself up with Arthur pushing me on while making sure I didn't fall off.

I panted slightly once I was fully on and tried to keep down my nausea.

"Where are we going," I asked pushing my hat further down my head to block more of the sun.

"Um somebody I know here in town," Arthur answered as he climbed onto his horse.

"Hold onto the horn," Arthur said as he started towards his friend's place, leading Quinton after him.

I watched the ground as we continued to the place while simultaneously trying not to throw up despite us only going at a walking pace.

Eventually we got out of the town and just on the road.

"So where are we going again," I asked as the nausea had simmered down.

"To Chadwick Farm, there's an old...friend of mine who's staying there temporarily," Arthur answered as he led us off the main road and onto a road leading to a farm.

"This it," I asked.

"Believe so," Arthur answered as we came to a stop.

"You stay up there just in case this isn't the place," Arthur said as he climbed off his horse.

Has he even named the horse yet? I ain't heard him call it anything.

I looked from the horse to Arthur who stood at the door knocking. A few seconds later a lady opened the door with a gun pointed at him. He held his hands up as the two talked for a few seconds before the woman stepped back into the house.

Arthur waved me over before turning towards the door as it reopened with a more...refined woman exiting.

I climbed off of Quinton somehow managing not to throw up or fall.

"You didn't tell me you have a son," the lady said as I got closer to the porch.

"I don't," Arthur said curtly before turning towards me, "Andrew Booker. Mary Linton."

"Pleasure to meet you," the lady said, holding her hand out.

"Same here," I said, giving her a practiced smile as I shook her hand.

I stepped back beside Arthur and looked between the two and sensed some tension. I turned towards the horses and massaged my head.

"So what was the reason you asked for me, Mary," Arthur asked in a clipped tone.

"I...my family...I need your help Arthur."

Arthur scoffed and looked out towards the road, "The same family that said I wasn't good enough for you? That family," he asked, putting one hand on his hip and the other on one of the posts. I took a few steps away from the two, stumbling as my headache flared. I walked over and sat down in a chair beside a small table.

Mary stepped forward, "Arthur, please…"

Arthur glanced from the road to Mary and sighed before dropping his hands, "Fine. What is it," he asked, seemingly regretting his choice.

"It's Jamie. He's run off and broken daddy's heart," Mary answered leaning on the porch fence.

Arthur scoffed, "Oh poor daddy."

"Arthur…"

"My money wasn't good enough for you. My life wasn't good enough for you. I wasn't good enough for you," Arthur said, turning and looking at her.

"That's not true," Mary whispered just loud enough for me to hear.

"But you're still asking me for help," Arthur said, shaking his head and turning towards the road.

"I am Arthur. Don't do it for my family, do it for Jamie," Mary argued, "Do it for me," she said softly.

Arthur turned and looked at her for several seconds before nodding, "Where is he?"

"He's run off and joined the Chelonians! I heard that they've been around Carmody Dell recently. Meet me at the train station," Mary offered.

Arthur nodded, "Alright. I'll go get'em."

"I'm coming too," I said, pushing myself up and nearly falling back down.

"Actually here's something you could do for me for a change," Arthur said looking back up at Mary, "Take care of the kid till I get back."

I blinked in shock, "Wait, Arthur what? I can help you find the guy!"

Arthur shook his head, "Kid I don't trust you in a saddle right now especially not at a gallop."

"But I-"

"You're staying, kid. End of discussion," Arthur said gruffly before walking over to his horse and climbing on.

"Motherfucker," I muttered to myself as I watched Arthur turn and gallop of down the road before turning to Mary who had an equally shocked look.

However she recovered faster than I did, probably from how she was raised, and turned to me, "Would you like to come in?"

I shook my head, "I'd rather not have a gun in my face, thanks."

"Oh my apologies! There have been a few robberies lately and the owners can't be too cautious," Mary replied quickly.

I turned and sat back in the chair and put a hand to my pounding head. I cleared my throat as I began to realize how dry it was.

"Is there anything I can get you," Mary asked.

I nodded, "Do you have anything to drink?"

Mary nodded as she turned to head inside, "We have some tea."

I nodded once more, "I just want something to drink."

Mary walked into the house, I sighed and turned to look towards the road as I sat my hat down in my lap and watched Quinton chow on some grass.

A few minutes later Mary walked back out carrying a tray holding a kettle and two porcelain cups.

"So how did you and Arthur meet anyway? You two seem like you had something in the past," I asked as I took one of the cups and brought it to my lips.

Mary slowly put the tray down as her eyes searched the adjacent yard seemingly for answers. Finally she turned to me and took a seat, "Whatever gave you that idea?"

"The way Arthur acted, not to mention some of the things you two said gave it away," I answered looking from the cup to her.

Mary sighed and looked down at her cup of tea, "We were...together at one point in our lives. Many years ago we were together happily. But my family disapproved of it and well…we fell apart."

I nodded slowly, "Sounds like your family is just assholes," I retorted as I took another drink of the tea.

Mary started to sputter, seemingly flabbergasted at what I said. She eventually got herself under control though.

"Yes, well, my father is not the most liked man," she consented before taking a sip of her tea.

"Ah daddy didn't approve, I see what you mean," I said with a nod.

Mary shot me a dark look before taking a sip of tea, "How did you come to meet Arthur? Are you in his gang? And aren't you a little young to be running with that gang?"

I rubbed my head at the sudden boat load of questions, "Well Arthur and his gang saved me from freezing to death up in the West Grizzlies. And you could say I'm in the gang and I'm seventeen, I can make my own decisions."

"Seventeen? I thought you were young but not that young," Mary said with a shocked face before recoiling at her outburst, "Forgive me."

I waved my hand dismissively, "It's fine. I've been told before that I look older than I am."

The two of us fell into a silence as time passed and I found myself rather tired so I decided to take a nap.

I felt a hand gently shake my shoulder, "-ooker? Mister Booker?"

I opened my eyes slowly to see Mary standing over me, "We need to head to the train station. I believe Arthur and Jamie should be back soon."

I nodded and leaned forward, a small blanket fell into my lap. I looked at it confused before realizing that Mary must have thrown it on me while I was asleep. It looked to be late afternoon now which meant I had slept for quite a while.

"Are you well enough to ride your horse," Mary asked holding a small...duffel bag? I didn't know the name and if it was the same thing or not.

"I believe so," I answered, setting the blanket in the chair and picking my hat off of the table. I didn't feel as dizzy as earlier and my headache was just a bad but dull throb.

I clicked my tongue to call Quinton over and patted his nose before hauling myself onto his back.

"Would you mind giving me a ride," Mary asked politely.

I nodded, Arthur probably wanted to meet up with me anyway, "Sure."

I grabbed her bag and set it in front of me before turning and extending my arm out to help pick Mary up.

"You good," I asked once she was on Quinton's back.

"I'm fine thank you," she replied, putting her hands on my sides.

"Alright then," I muttered before nudging Quinton into a decent canter. My nausea was not completely gone but nothing terrible either.

Valentine was less active than it was this morning but I did see that the saloon was bustling once more. I vowed that I would not get that hammered any time soon as I saw a man stumble out of the saloon and fall face first into the mud.

"Whoa bud," I said, pulling back on the reins as we came to a stop in front of the train station.

I turned and held out an arm for Mary to grab onto as she climbed off of Quinton. I climbed down after her, "Here. I'll wait out here for them," I said, handing her bag to her.

I walked up the ramp to the station and leaned against the railing overlooking the main road into Valentine. I looked into my satchel and pulled out a carton of cigarettes and a box of matches before lighting one and taking a huff.

I stood there for only a few more minutes before a familiar hat appeared over the edge of the hill followed by an equally familiar face. I took one last drag off of the cigarette before throwing it down and grinding my boot on it.

"Hey kid. You feelin' better? You don't look like death now," Arthur said, pulling to a stop beside Quinton.

"I'm fine. Don't feel a hundred percent though," I answered as the man or really boy around my age climbed off of Arthur's horse.

"Kid this is Jamie Gillis. Jamie, Andrew Booker," Arthur said, gesturing between the two of us.

"Hello," I said, holding a hand out.

"You never said you had a son," Jamie accused as he shook my hand.

Arthur sighed, "I don't. He's somebody in my gang, now come on. Your sister is waiting for you."

"She was buying some tickets earlier I think," I added as we walked into the train station.

Mary sat near the door reading a newspaper, she looked up as we got closer and jumped up before hugging Jamie.

"Oh Jamie. Thank God you're okay. Daddy's been so worried," Mary said happily.

Jamie backed off, "Father probably is too drunk to even realize I was gone."

"That's not true! Please Jamie come back," Mary pleaded, holding onto Jamie's hand.

Jamie sighed, "Okay. But I'll do it for you, not for him."

I heard the train screech as it braked to a stop outside.

Mary hesitated before nodding, "I understand."

She reached down and grabbed her bag before turning to Arthur, "Arthur I-," Arthur grabbed her bag and gestured for her to walk outside.

I followed behind the trio as we walked to the train and Arthur held Mary's hand as she walked up the stairs before turning and grabbing her bag.

She looked at Arthur with a small smile before bending down slightly and pressing a kiss to his forehead, "Thank you Arthur."

She stood back up before following after Jamie who had already found a seat in the car. The train started forward as everything was done being loaded. Arthur watched it go until it was around the bend and out of sight.

"Come on Arthur. Let's go home," I said, clapping him on his shoulder.

"Yeah sure thing kid," he said as he turned to walk with me but I noticed a small smile creeping at the corners of his mouth as we climbed onto our horses and started for camp.

AN:Next chapter will have two missions so it will be a little longer.