"Raise your weapon with care. A direct hit isn't needed to save more than one life."

Sam was getting better physically day by day. The pain in his head was fading gradually. Unfortunately, the mark left by the blunt hit on his head looked like it was going to be a permanent scar. Since he didn't have a mirror, he had to use the one near Arthur's tent. Most of it would be covered up by the hair that covered his scalp, but he had a fresh line of skin on the upper side of his forehead that was forever scarred from the hit he received. At least it wasn't as bad as John's face.

Lily had met with him earlier. Seeing as she and Sam were now the official unofficial doctors of the camp, Miss Grimshaw had asked that Lily take a look at what the two guessed was now their first patient: John Marston. His hair was long and unkept, his eyes were brown, and he had small traces of a beard growing that almost wasn't noticeable. He was wearing a loose red shirt when he walked into their tent, but he put on a jacket sometimes when he went out. His pants were so long that there were tears in the bottoms where spurs on his boots would stick out, and bottoms of his pants were faded and covered in dirt.

The scar on John's face was something that made Sam's look like a paper cut. Apparently, he had been attacked by wolves while they were up in Colter. It was also where they met the O'Driscoll that was tied to the tree. The marks were across one side of his face.

The scar on his face was healing up, but still looked tender. Lily, with clean hands, was gently examining it.

"Does it still hurt if pressure is applied to it?" Lily asked. Her eyes were narrow and focused. In fact, it was during her work, when she was like that, with her voice almost emotionless. Sam wasn't really paying attention. Lily had him go pick herbs to make some medicines.

"Sometimes…" John answered.

"I see. Whoever stitched you up did a decent job. It's healing up just fine. Just keep on making sure it's clean until it's completely healed up. But, if the pain is too much, you can come back and I can give you something for it."

"Alright," said John. Since he was a part of the gang, he didn't have to pay them. Caring for their injured or sick was one of Sam and Lily's ways of earning their keep. Lily caught up with her cousin, and saw the red looking plants he had. He had started doing more work, but even with how much bed rest Lily made him have, he still looked tired, like he was struggling to sleep.

"Sam, what is that?" she said.

"Uh, Oleander?" said Sam.

"Then why is that here?!" Lily hissed. "You'll get us in trouble! If anyone eats that, they'll be dead before it even reaches their stomach."

"Uncle Cliff used it to keep vermin out of the clinic," her cousin grumbled. "And it takes more than a small bit of Oleander to kill a full grown person. I've seen a few rodents around who've been eying Pearson's wagon. They must be desperate, or something. Besides, there's only one kid here, and that woman who keeps saying she's John's wife, is always watching him." Lily was still glaring at him, with her hands on her hips, even as Sam turned back to his work. He could still feel her eyes on him and he sighed. "It'll be in a locked box. Just watch out for that Swanson guy. I think he's addicted to something. I'm gonna gather more stuff." Sam put on his hat and grabbed his satchel.

"Swanson?" said Lily. "Isn't he a reverend?"

Sam just shrugged as he walked off.

"Dr. Cliff Hawkeson."

Dutch went through the many papers and notes he now had on him, courtesy of his right hand man, Arthur Morgan. Strangely enough, Arthur seemed off when he got back from investigating. He was pale, and trying to hide the fact that he was shaking a little bit. Hosea had confronted him about it, but the news was kind of hard to believe.

"We've been where many people have died. Hell, sometimes we're the ones who killed them. But there it was different. Cold, and it's supposed to be spring. And… I felt like someone was there, watching me… just like how it looks like Cliff has been watching us. I dunno. Sounds kind of stupid, saying it out loud."

Nightfall had come upon the camp, and Dutch wasn't going to waste a second on finding out who this "fan" was so obsessed about. Most of the stuff Arthur had brought back with him were newspaper clippings that said anything about the Van der Linde Gang. There was even a heavily marked map of where they had been, even marking where they were, now: Horseshoe Overlook near Valentine. Before that, it was Colter. The exact location was still vague to Cliff it seemed, but the man was doing his reading up. And before Colter, of course, was Blackwater.

There was so much Dutch wished he could forget about Blackwater. Things were going so well for them back then… However, that was past… As much as he missed Jenny, and those Callender Boys, he had to keep moving for their sake and for everyone else's.

But the first thing he had to do was figure out if there was a potential threat among them.

Dutch had to see this madness for himself. Hosea was with him, too. They always handled personal things together. The bodies that were lying in the streets had been removed. Activity was slow, but there was a little life back in the saloon. There was music, at least. Stores were still closed, however, but the odd pair could see some of the owners restocking.

"Those poor fools…" said Hosea.

"Animals…" Dutch grumbled, venom in his voice at the thought of what the O'Driscoll's did. They turned Sadie into a widow, and left two people without a father, or Sam's case, a father figure.

"Think there's any point in staying? Don't think the pickings for money are any good with those O'Driscolls having been through here."

"Oh, there's bound to still be something we get out of all this. It's Sam. He's the key to our success. If anyone knows about the pockets of gold hidden in this town, it's him. O'Driscolls just take whatever they see. Arthur already told me about this shady business in the back of the other clinic in town."

"Let's leave the horses at the stable," said Hosea. "Don't want to draw attention to where exactly we're heading." Dutch thought it was a good idea, and so they did just that. With the law busy investigating other things, hanging around the saloon, and of course, protecting the bank, surely they wouldn't see two random people slipping into the ruins of a clinic.

"You don't think the poor bastard was with the Pinkertons, do you?" Hosea said, as they briefly searched the store area, and the examination room.

"I don't know," said Dutch. "We've had our 'fans' before, but nothing like what Arthur described. At least not from a civilian, let alone, a doctor."

Suddenly, as the two stepped into the back room, Hosea couldn't help but recall Arthur's words from earlier…

Because the temperature began to drop as they walked in.

When the officers were still investigating, Arthur tried not to tamper with anything, as well as only take things he assumed wouldn't be missed. However, from Sam's grim mood, the authorities weren't getting close to finding out who killed his poor uncle. Neither Sam or Lily could afford to keep the place, let alone rebuild, so it would only be a matter of time before everything was emptied out and the property would be put up for sale.

Arthur had told them what he saw, but Dutch was still both amazed and disturbed when they were in there. With the law laying off the place, he helped himself to find more clues.

"Big fan?" said Hosea.

"Oh, big time," said Dutch.

Hosea searched the draws at the desk and found an old, faded journal. He opened and looked through the pages, while Dutch was trying to make sense of the walls.

"This guy was obsessed. If he wasn't going to turn us in, then what was he doing?"

"He seems to know a lot about us, too, Dutch," said Hosea. "This journal has stuff about you, me, Arthur, even John and the boys." He covered his mouth and started coughing. "Shit, it's cold in here."

"So, you're not the only one, huh?" The two suddenly stared at the ceiling. They heard the sound of floorboards creaking… "Who else is here?"

"Don't know. Sam said the sheriff would be asleep right now."

The two made it up the stairs, but only found an empty home. Nothing had been touched, except for Cliff's body, which was now at the morgue. Other than that, there was not a soul in the house except for them.

"Other than that room, Dutch, I don't think we're ever going to find a connection between that man, and us," said Hosea.

"What about Lily and Sam? They could be lying."

"Or they're just as oblivious as us."

Dutch walked up and picked up the old photo on the mantle. His sights fell on Cliff's late wife.

"What about his wife?"

It was the next morning. Lily's next patient was the little kid she had seen playing around the camp. His name was Jack. He had a full head of hair, a collared shirt, and suspenders holding up his shorts. He didn't have any shoes, but the kid didn't seem to mind, and enjoyed playing. He looked no older than five-years-old.

"Here you go," Lily said, bandaging the boy's arms. "It's just a scrape. Just be more careful, okay?"

"I will, miss," the kid said, gently. His face lit up when Lily handed him a chocolate bar. And Lily helped him off the cot he was sitting on and onto the floor. His mother, Abigail, was with him.

"Now, what do we say?" she said.

"Thank-you!" said Jack.

"Good job," said Abigail. "Now, go play. Carefully…"

"Yes, Momma…" And happy the boy ran off to play near the chickens. Abigail walked up to Lily as she was sorting out her tools.

"Thank-you again, by the way," Abigail said. "I feel so much more comfortable knowing we have someone who knows at least something about medicine."

"It's nothing Ms. Roberts," said Lily. "I'm just doing what my father would do…"

Abigail saw how slowly the girl's work slowed down after she said that. "How are you holding up?"

"Just… Ever since the other night, I can't bear to let Sam go far away. When I ran into that room and saw him on the floor… I thought he was dead, too." Lily swallowed hard. "And in that moment… I wished they had killed me, too."

"I know…" said Abigail.

Lily shook her head. She leaned against the table as tears streamed down from her eyes. "No, you don't."

"I…" Abigail looked outside briefly. She closed the tent flaps, before turning back to her.

"I miss him every single day…" said Lily. "And we're h-here…"

"When we were stuck in Colter, we lost John during a snowstorm, and most of us we're freezing. We were all trying to get warm, and we lost Davey and Jenny, but… I could only think about…" Abigail lowered her voice to almost a whisper, "was that… John might be dead. And, John's still an idiot, even after all this, but…"

Lily turned to Abigail. The tears in her eyes were still fresh. "Ms. Roberts…?"

"Folk here ain't so bad. Arthur… he's… He's a good friend of mine, and he's always been there for me. Sam saved him, so… I thought talking to you is the least I can do."

"Ms. Hawkeson?"

Lily quickly wiped her eyes. Dutch carefully opened the tent doors just in time to see Lily race to her table to finish cleaning up her things.

"I… hope I'm not interrupting."

Abigail shook. "No. I was just… thanking her for helping out with Jack."

Dutch nodded. "Well, good. If you don't mind, I need to have a chat with Lily, here."

"Well-"

"It's okay, Ms. Roberts," said Lily. "Thank-you."

Abigail nodded, but before she walked out of the tent she turned her head back to the girl. "I'm always here, if you need someone to talk to… girl to girl." And with that, she left to check on Jack.

"Dutch…" Lily folded her hands neatly. "Is something wrong? Is it Sam?"

"No, he's fine," Dutch said, gently. "Listen. Do you mind if we head out for a bit?"

"Herr Morgan, Herr Morgan."

With the morning still getting started, the camp was starting to calm down from Colter and the trouble in Valentine. People were getting back to regular jobs, even with the new people they had picked up.

Arthur had his own jobs, and Dutch had told him about a certain man named Leopold Strauss who came into camp with a smile on his face. He was near the camp's cliff, enjoying the view of the countryside, with that book in hands.

"Mr. Strauss," said Arthur.

"Busy, my friend?"

"Why?"

"I'll cut you in."

"Loaning? Already?"

"You know how it is… people is happy to borrow off someone like me, but… more enthusiastic paying back to someone like you."

Arthur sighed. "Of course." He leaned in on the book Strauss had in hands. "Who are they?"

"Let me see… a Chick Matthews, works at Guthrie Farm. He's a hand, I believe. Mr. Wróbel… the small holder at Painted Sky… runs the operations there.. Badly. Miss Lilly Millet is a ranch maid up at Emerald Ranch."

Arthur stepped back as Strauss wrote down the names. "And here was me believing Dutch's bluster about us helping folk."

"It's legal work, Mr. Morgan." Strauss held the small list out to him. "Debtors belong in prison… we are doing them a favor."

"Aye, and I'll make sure they see it in them terms." He took the note and walked off.

"Put the debts in the deed box and try not to kill them… it's very bad for business."

Sam had been seeing the same sights of the camp for about a week now. He felt like he was going crazy.

Tired of laying around in a tent all day, he tried to get up and do something. Hell, Miss Grimshaw saw how much better he was looking and told him that if he wasn't going out getting money, then he had better make himself useful around the camp.

It was during then, that he realized how little he had done around the cattle town of Valentine. He tried to move the bags of supplies to Pearson's wagon, and he never realized how heavy they were. Miss Grimshaw walked by briefly as he tried to pick it up.

"Remember: Lift with the knees."

"Yes, Miss Grimshaw," Sam grunted, and with all his might, he hoisted the bag over his shoulder. Now he just had to walk it over. It actually wasn't as heavy now that he had it on his shoulder. Unfortunately, it tore a bit when he dropped it near the wagon. So, he set it upright, and hoped Pearson wouldn't notice… or care. There was still another bag of the stuff, so he sucked it up and went to go get the other one, and tried to do the same, giving hay to the horses. He went out briefly to get fresh water, and used the camp's ax to chop firewood.

Sam hoped he was doing enough for the camp, because by the time he was done, he was sitting at his tent, rubbing his sore arms. Sure, he was still new to this, but he could see some of the looks he was getting from some of the other camp members. Once he was done, he grabbed a rag and wiped the sweat off his face. Then, he began to notice that Lily wasn't around. Maybe she was out gathering?

"Hawkeson! You in there?"

Sam sighed into the rag he was using before tossing it aside.

"Yes, Arthur?"

Arthur walked into the tent, and found Sam just sitting there. "You know where any of these places are?"

"What kind?" said Sam.

"We're still getting to know the area, and Strauss needs me to collect these debts from people. You know where a place called uh… what was it? Painted… Sky? Emerald Ranch and uh… Guthrie Farm?"

"Painted Sky? That's not too far from here. There's several houses just across the nearby river up the hill. The farms are out the other way in open fields."

"Alright." Arthur nodded. "Thank-you." He turned to leave, but then Sam stood up.

"Hey, wait. Uh… Can I… go with you?"

The outlaw just stared at him in disbelief before sighing. "Kid, I don't think-"

"Please?" Sam said with a sigh. "I'm going crazy being cooped up in camp all day."

"I'm on a job. This ain't just a morning ride."

"Then, tell me how I can help," said Sam, "and maybe Miss Grimshaw will get off my ass?"

Arthur shrugged. He did have a point. "Fine. But don't get in my way, you understand?"

"Yes, sir." But his word didn't mean much coming from a spineless thief.

"Thank-you for coming out with me, Dutch," Lily said, as she gathered the herbs. "Though, your company isn't really necessary." Lily had hopped on with Dutch on the Count and ridden out into the open fields of the Heartlands. The skies were clear today, and grassy fields were green, but also a bit dry. Despite that, there were plenty of good pickings for herbs. "I'm sure you have more to do than to follow a simple girl around."

"I don't mind, at all, Ms. Hawkeson," said Dutch. He observed her, smoking his cigar. "After the trouble we had in the mountains, I've been cooped in the camp myself for far too long and you looked like you could use some fresh air yourself."

Lily nodded as she crammed Yarrow and Burdock Root into her basket. "I see." She gasped and then quickly scrambled to some tall looking plants. "This one here is Indian Tobacco."

"Is that so?" He smiled upon seeing her picking it. She hadn't seen her smoke, but there were plenty in the camp who did. She was doing a favor picking it. "You know your herbs, Lily?"

"Yes. My daddy had to raise me and Sam alone. So he would bring us with him when he gathered herbs… and made sure we didn't eat any of them. It was cheaper to make our own medicines than purchasing them."

"Oh, uh…" Dutch finished his cigar and was careful to put it out before walking over to her. "I'm very sorry. I hope I didn't upset you." He knelt down next to her.

"Don't worry… It's okay…" Lily stuttered, her voice going soft.

"If you don't mind… You spoke to me about your father, but… what about your mother?"

"She died when I was really little…" Her hand rested on her neck, where her pendant hung. "Daddy said, this pendant belonged to her, so I wear it or at least have it on me every day. He said… Unlike him, she grew up in Valentine as a hand. She was a hard worker, and could be hard on others, but they said my father was the only one who could get her to soften up, and was sweet to Sam and myself, when I was born. But then… she died of pneumonia. My father said it was so sudden. He got so torn up every time he talked about it."

"You think there was anyone who could have known your mother. And wanted to hurt her?"

"No. Valentine had its fair share of bandits and killers, but… no offense."

Dutch chuckled. "None taken."

"Nobody I knew would ever want to hurt her… or my father… and I barely knew my aunt."

"Your aunt?"

"She left Sam with my father and that was that. After that, she only visited once a year until Sam was twelve."

"What happened to her?"

Lily shrugged. "She died. That was all Daddy would tell me and Sam." She huffed as she threw some stray pieces of Yarrow into the basket. "And Sam… well, he wasn't the same."

Sam wasn't sure about what exactly they were doing, but he was just happy to be out of that camp. Up ahead they made it to Painted Sky. It looked like a small ranch, but it looked rundown. Roofs were rusting, paint was faded off the walls, the fenced areas didn't have a single crop and there were no animals to be seen.

"So why are we here again?" said Sam.

"Wróbel," said Arthur. "Owes money to Strauss."

"Wróbel?" They rode past the barn, but saw it was empty. "Maybe he's in his house?"

"Probably… When we get in, just make sure he doesn't try and bolt."

Sam felt shivers go down his spine. As long as no one died, hopefully, it would be okay. He nodded in agreement.

The two brought their horses to a stop and explored the rest of the property on foot. It was quiet, so either the debtor wasn't home or they were alone. So they went up to the front door, and Arthur didn't even bother knocking. Well, he didn't say the sound out loud. Someone was inside the house, surprised to see two strangers walk in of course.

"Knock, knock, Mr. Wróbel," Arthur said, striding in. Sam followed, but kept his distance and just awkwardly waved. The man in the house just looked at both of them confused.

"Przepraszam. Cokolwiek robisz w moim domu?"

"What?" said Sam.

Arthur sighed. "Goddamn it… English? You speak English?"

"Me… Silesia. Upper Silesia."

"Yeah, good for you. I'm here for money… that you borrowed from a German man." As Arthur wandered into the house, Sam closed the front door slowly and stood in front of it.

"Aha, a German. Guter Herr, wir werden uns in der Sprache des Imperiums unterhalten."

"Nah. I don't speak German neither," Arthur's tone grew stern, but Sam gulped and held his tongue. "I'm here for money. Money. That you borrowed from Leopold Strauss."

The man looked at him all nervous. "Aha… aha… err… Leopold Strauss." Finally something Arthur could understand.

"Aha… yeah. So, it's time to pay. Where is it?"

"Well no, have nothing," Wróbel stuttered. "It's very bad winter." Sam just stared as Arthur approached the foreigner. He knew what was going to happen, and he still asked himself why he was shocked when it did.

"We've all had a bad winter, pal," said Arthur. He grabbed Wróbel by his shirt and threw him to the floor. "Now, where is it?" He heard Sam gasp, but one look was all the outlaw needed for the thief to back off.

Sam looked away when he heard a punch.

"Now, you remember where you're keeping that silver?"

"Daj mi czas, zdobędę pieniądze."

Another hit.

"No, still don't understand you. Where is the money? Gold? Dollars?"

Sam turned back briefly, to see Arthur holding Mr. Wróbel by the shirt. The poor man's face was already bruised, and Arthur was raising his fist for another punch.

"Ah, no, no, no, no… please no…" Wróbel then pleaded. "No have money… but… but I have this…" Arthur let him go and let the man stand up. When he stood he just gestured to the rest of his house. "It's good… it's good… valuable. It's… it's Warszawa, yes."

"I have your things?" said Arthur. "Okay? I have… anything in here, or out there?"

"Yes…" Wrobel said, sadly.

"Uh, did you have to hit him?" said Sam.

"Too many debtors always trying to weasel their way out," said Arthur. "Strauss said this is legal."

Sam sighed. "People tend to keep more valuable things in their bedrooms, where they'll be close to them…"

"Fine. Stay here, and make sure he doesn't move."

The young man nodded. "Sure." Sam certainly could do that, since he had his gun back. Arthur stormed into the bedroom.

"No, no, no, no…" Wróbel said, softly.

"Yes, yes, yes, yes…" Arthur mocked from the next room.

Legal work? Sam thought. More like legal robbery…

Mr. Wróbel was just standing there shaken up. Sam raised hand and opened his mouth to say something, but he wasn't sure what to say… or if he would understand. Arthur was back after a few minutes.

"Well, I found these," he said. "That should about cover things." He showed Sam, what he was holding. There were some silver earrings, a gold wedding ring, and some other jewelry.

"Mój pierścionek, nie!" Mr. Wróbel cried.

"Just keep quiet!" Arthur snapped. "We're done here. Have a nice day!" Arthur was the first one out.

"Uh… bye!" said Sam.

Sam was shaking off the jitters he had as he ran over to Aurora. With a familiar face, he felt at ease, and mounted her.

"Legal…" Sam mumbled as they rode off.

"What's wrong with that?" said Arthur.

"It felt like we were just robbing a man who barely had anything."

"And you have a problem with stealing?"

"I only steal from people who deserve it!" Sam pouted. "I don't think Mr. Wróbel did."

"Uh-huh. So, where's Guthrie Farm?"

Sam sighed and turned his head away from the outlaw. "Near Emerald Ranch. To the east. Just follow me. Let's go, Aurora!" And they rode off towards the open fields.

Dutch admired how organized the girl was, piling the plants in different places in her basket. Her father taught her well. Still, he needed more information.

"And, uh… What about your aunt?"

Lily shrugged. "What about her? I never understood how Sam could ever love that woman, let alone call her 'Momma' over the woman who was around more in the brief eight years of his life, than she was until in his twelve. She left him for my daddy to raise and only visited once a year."

Dutch just looked at her as she stood up with a full basket.

"I've heard of fathers who leave their wife and children, but I've never heard of women doing just that. But… I guess it's possible if it happened to Sam. I… I have to… I'm the only one who can be there for Sam, now. I…" When she felt Dutch's hand on her back, it was like all rage was suddenly drained from her, and she teared up instead. "I'm sorry. I think we have enough for now. Are you ready to head back?"

Suddenly, there were horses whining in the distance. The Count was still near them, but when they turned, Lily gasped, and Dutch pulled her behind him.

Guthrie Farm was near Emerald Ranch, just as Sam said. The grass was a lot green out east, and the farm they headed to looked much better than Painted Sky. For starters, there was tons of wheat growing in the fields, and a few houses set up, meaning there were other workers.

"Here we are," Sam said, with a gesture. Arthur followed up from behind him.

"Yeah. Seems like the place. Better ask around."

"Sure," said Sam. "Emerald Ranch is nearby. Find this Chick Matthews feller and we can go find Lilly Millet."

They saw a dog growling at them. It probably didn't like strangers. Sam slid off his horse.

"Just leave it to me." He picked up a stick and suddenly the dog was eying it with his tail wagging. "See boy? Go get it!" And he threw and the dog ran and chased it. While it was distracted, Arthur started searching. He found a man sitting down near the main house.

"You Chick Matthews?" the stranger sat up suddenly and raised his hands.

"No, no, not me, sir. That's the greenhorn over there." He pointed towards the stables, where another man was mounting his horse and riding off. "And there he goes."

"So long, loanshark! Hee-ya!"

"Damn it!" Arthur raced to his horse and chased after him. "Hey! Get back here! You owe us money!"

Sam walked up to the bystander, whistling, as Arthur ran off. "Sorry, he's with me," Sam said, after he saw the man staring at him. At least he didn't have to get involved with this one.

Next thing Lily knew, she was hiding behind a rock, while Dutch was handling the O'Driscoll riff raff. It was unbelievable! He killed three of them by just drawing his gun like it was nothing! In the heat of the fight, Lily ran for cover finding it, despite the dead around her. To her it was fine. They were among those who killed her father.

Suddenly arms wrapped around her from behind and Lily was yanked back screaming.

"Didn't know Dutch found himself another bitch!" the O'Driscoll said, as she struggled. Lily whimpered, disgusted that this thug would even think such a thought. She found herself pinned, hands stuck above head. Her mind remembered the dead around her hand and her started reaching around, squirming under the weight of her attacker's hands on her. "Oh, Colm is gonna love you, woman!" He grinned, gazing at her form, her chest, and her golden locks of hair. "Maybe let us have some fun with you first…"

Just as Lily's finger grazed against something metal, she grabbed it, managed to wiggle her arm free and hit in the face hard with a pistol. She quickly sat up, and just as the O'Driscoll tried to get up, she didn't hesitate, and fired several shots into his torso.

"Lily!" Dutch ran towards her after he dealt the O'Driscolls, and found her sitting in the grass holding a smoking gun with freshly dead O'Driscoll, lying in a puddle of blood near her. Blood was on her clothes and her face. "Oh, Lily… Are you alright?" The older outlaw knelt down by her side. She hadn't moved. The outlaw gently put his hands on her shoulders. "Come on, say something."

"I… This is why he wanted me to know how to use one, even though he dedicated his life to healing the sick." Lily stared at the gun and then herself, and then the dead man before him. "When he pinned me down, all I could think about was what would happen if I died. I couldn't stand the thought of Sam being all alone." She shook, remembering the sight of her cousin lying cold and alone in the rain… calling for his mother who wouldn't respond.

"Hey, you did what you had to Lily," said Dutch. "To survive."

"But when I shot him…" Her grip tightened on the gun. "It felt… good." Two were still in that moment, staring at each other. Dutch didn't know what to say about that, but knew that just like Sam, she was still mourning. He patted Lily on the shoulders and helped her to feet. Not knowing what to do, Lily just tossed the gun aside.

"Let's get back to camp," said Dutch. "We'll take a detour and make sure we ain't followed."

Lily nodded. "S-Sure. L-Let me pick up my basket."

"Here we are," said Sam as they rode up on the huge ranch ahead. "Emerald Ranch."

Emerald Ranch was the biggest farming area they had seen so far. They had a bunch of every animal, all separated into their own spaces. The grass was very green there. Crops were growing, people were working, but despite that, there was an odd mood going around. People were quiet, like they were constantly looking over their shoulder.

"Over there is the owner's house," said Sam. "Don't go over there, unless you wanna get shot at. That's the saloon, but no one really runs it. The workers tend to stay in the houses over there, when they're not busy."

"How do you know so much about this place?" said Arthur.

"Uh…" Sam lowered his voice. "There's someone here… He runs a fence. That's where I usually sell things I take for money…"

"I'll keep that in mind." They did some asking around and eventually found the debtor at a small house near the edge of the ranch. She was bickering with a man she was sitting next to.

"You have any idea of the hole I'm in?"

"Oh, come on! Why's it always gotta be such a goddamn performance with you? Now I told you I'd get you the money next week. And I'll get it."

"If you didn't make it this week, who's to say you make it next week?"

Arthur gestured for Sam to wait for him while he got off his horse. The argument only continued.

"Don't you take that tone with me. I thought you said you love me."

"I do. I do! But, what I get paid ain't enough for one person, let alone two. Your money's gotta be your problem now."

"The only problem I got is this bleating going on in this ear. Now lay off it, Lilly. Goddammit!"

Arthur sighed. Yup. That was the girl.

"Lilly! Where's our money?"

The woman stood up from the bench she was sitting at. "What?"

"That loan you took, it's payday."

"I'm sorry. I don't have it right now…" Lilly said, awkwardly.

"Well then… I guess we got a big problem, don't we?"

"Cooper…" The woman turned to the man next to her, "give him what you've got."

"I ain't giving him nothing. Except a lesson in… damn manners!" And Arthur barely managed to dodge getting dirt thrown in his eyes. Lilly backed away and the two started fighting.

"Don't hurt him!" Lilly yelled.

Sam wasn't sure what to do, but he feared there'd be a repeat to that day outside of the saloon.

"Stop it, both of you!"

Luckily, one uppercut to the jaw was all Arthur needed to knock out his assailant. Lilly, the debtor, just yelled in terror, but held her hands out, like she just wanted it to stop.

"Alright! Alright. He has all my money. I gave it all to him. Just take everything you find on him and let's be done with this. Please."

Arthur checked his pockets and found an entire clip of money.

"Okay? We're done right?" She turned towards the house behind her and walked away. As she did, though, she shot Sam, the bystander, a look.

For some reason, that alone, was something he wouldn't forget.

Sam had never been more relieved to be back at camp. He didn't even say a word to Arthur before he hitched Aurora and walked as fast as he could back to his tent. There, Lily was wiping her face with a rag, and her shirt was stained with blood.

"Lily!" Sam almost shrieked. "Are you alright?!"

"S-Sam, I-I…" Before she could say anything, Sam was already at her cousin's side, checking for injuries. "It's okay. The blood's not mine!"

"It's not…" The young man was holding her by her shoulders. She seemed shaken, but at the same time calm. There were tears in the corner of her eye, and Sam sank down and sat down beside her.

"Lily…"

"He… an O'Driscoll had me pinned down. Dutch was fighting them, but one got me… I had no choice."

Sam didn't turn to her, but he was listening. The horrible night came back to him, his head hurting, blood dripping down his face… his uncle dead on the couch nearby. He didn't realize how nervous he suddenly was, until Lily's warm hand was on top of his clammy one.

"Are you okay?" he said.

"Yes."

For Lily's sake, Sam forced a small smile. "I'm glad. Why were you out with Dutch?"

Lily shrugged. "I don't know. I was going to pick herbs, and he wanted to come with me. We talked a bit, and after we were done with the O'Driscolls, we came back. He's a really good listener, and he apologized after we got back. That gang really has it out for him."

Sam sighed. Lily just killed someone and she's handling it better than he did. They sat there in silence.

"I'm okay, Sam," she said again. "Now you're not alone. We both have blood on our hands, and we'll walk this together." She leaned her head into her cousin's shoulder.

"Okay," said Sam. Despite today, at least they could still come back to each other. In many ways, Lily was stronger than him. He wished he could be like that, maybe protect that woman from Arthur's wrath… or Mr. Wróbel… or Chick Matthews, which he heard Arthur chased down and tied up, refusing to let him go, until he gave him a map of where he stored some money.

But how could he stand up to such a scary man?

The next morning was a new day for Sam. He didn't know what he'd do today, but hopefully it would be better than yesterday.

His arms were still sore from yesterday, but he still wanted to be useful to the camp. So, once he tried again with some of the camp chores, hoping to not accidentally tear a bag of supplies as he brought it to Pearson's wagon. He walked back to get the other one and said his good mornings to the people he passed. From what he had seen, everyone seemed okay, except for maybe Bill Williamson who seemed to be quite hot-headed. Despite that, Sam thought he was passable, because he tormented their captive O'Driscoll. Last he heard, however, there were two people who had yet to come back to camp. There was a young man named Lenny and another who was named Micah.

Sam saw Arthur near that box where the campers would store their money. He had given a few things himself, but Dutch or Arthur always seemed to be around when he made a deposit, watching him like a pair of hawks, but just because Sam had sticky fingers, didn't mean he was stupid. Even if he did make off with the money successfully, where would he go? And an entire dangerous gang would be after him.

No. This would just have to be it for now… until he could figure something out.

"How did you get on, Herr Morgan?"

Sam saw the man known as Leopold Strauss approaching Arthur. He mostly wore gray. His jacket was made of fancy fabric, along with his hat. He wore a white collared shirt, a small circular pair of glasses. His pants and boots were black, and he looked to be in his fifties, at least.

"Fine," Arthur said, closing the book he had. It held records of all their earnings, accounts and other money business, "our accounts are up to date." Just as he turned towards Struass, Sam sat down, cross legged, on the grass at the side of Dutch's tent, listening, but trying to look like he wasn't. "Sad sacks the lot of 'em."

"Good. Very good," said Strauss.

"My pleasure," Arthur said, walking over to the stew pot near Pearson's wagon.

"Well, if it's pleasure you're after… there is one other… this farmer, preacher, feller who I met in Valentine… Mr. Downes."

Sam suddenly gasped, but covered his mouth.

"The opinionated little do-gooder…" said Arthur, "yeah, I know the one… I certainly know the type."

"Thank-you, Herr Morgan," said Strauss.

"There's no need to thank me… Like you said… it's pleasure I'm after."

"He's more slippery than he seems. I've tried being polite… don't take any nonsense."

"Nonsense, me?"

"If he doesn't have the money, beat him."

"Well, I usually do…"

"I know, I know…"

Sam had been holding his pocket watch. His fingers were running over the words engraved on it, and his blood ran cold at the words Strauss and Arthur exchanged. No. Absolutely not! Why would Mr. Downes take out a loan? There's no way he could handle Arthur, and it wasn't just because he wasn't a fighter. He ran his hands through his hair. Archie could be there, too. If he let something happen to him, there was no way Lily would ever forgive him.

"Never leave love aside…" Sam mumbled. He had read the engraving on his pocket watch to himself so many times in moments of loneliness, like it had quickly become something as mundane as chores.

Then again, it wasn't like he knew where he lived. So, there was a plus.

"Sam, you here?"

Sam stared up, snapping out of his thoughts, and saw Arthur standing near him. He quickly hid his pocket watch and adjusted his hat.

"Y-Yes, Mr. Morgan?" said Sam. "Sorry. I was just taking a break. I'll get back to work."

"No, you're fine," Arthur said, as Sam stood onto his feet. "You have any idea where the Downes' Ranch is?"

God damn it… Sam thought.

The ride to the ranch was silent. Of course, Sam knew the way there. He visited that place all the time with Lily, ever since they were kids. The young man couldn't even bring himself to tell Lily where he was going. It was a small mercy that she was smashing herbs that morning to make some medicines.

"You sure seem to know your way around," said Arthur.

"Well, in my line of 'work,' one needs to know the lay of the land well. Places with good pickings and escape routes. You know…"

"You seem off… Is everything okay, kid?"

"Yes, just… the debtor… Mr. Downes."

"He knows the terms, kid." That didn't make Sam feel any better for what he was about to let unfold. "This the place?"

The two approached a small ranch. To the side of the house was a barn where they kept the animals, with a field for them to graze. On the other side was a small field where there were crops growing.

Sam got off his horse first and started walking around. The ranch was only run by the family, with Sam and Lily helping out sometimes.

"Mr. Downes?" said Sam. "Are you there?"

For a moment, Arthur was going to call for him, but seeing Sam call out for him in a more gentle tone, might be what he needed to find him.

"Sam, is that you?" said a voice.

Sam immediately raced towards the crop field. He found Thomas working the fields with a rake.

"Hello, sir," said Sam.

"Sam! You're alive!" Thomas exclaimed. "When we heard what happened in town, we feared the worst! And Cliff? Lily? Are they-"

Sam began to smile, relieved to see a familiar face. As he heard the sound of grass being crushed behind him, it quickly faded. Arthur was right behind him. All Sam could do was look to the ground.

"You," said Mr. Downes. "Uh. Whatever do you want?"

"Mr. Thomas Downes… you owe me money," said Arthur.

"Oh, no-no, I'm… I'm…"

"We ain't a charity, Mr. Downes."

"We've got nothing, sir. But when we have something, it will be yours."

Arthur just sighed in annoyance. Sam's heart jumped once he walked past him. "Come here, you maggot."

The young man's breath hitched, as Arthur swung the gate into the field open. With every step, Sam's mind began to run even slower. He felt so ashamed for letting what happened yesterday pass by him, and that woman looked at him with disgust, and he didn't even know her. He knew why. It was because he just sat there on his horse, and did nothing.

Just like that day at the Saloon... Lily was terrified Arthur would kill that man. And just like then and at Emerald Ranch...

He didn't run.

He didn't call for someone.

He didn't try to stop it.

He was a coward.

Lily had more spine than he ever did.

With every step Arthur took towards him, Sam recalled the fearful looks on those debtors' faces. They were scared for their lives, desperate, and just wanted to protect themselves. His fingers shook. The one on his right hand. Near his holster.

Mr. Downes tried to swing his rake at Arthur, but he blocked it with his arm, and the rake hit Thomas in the face and he fell on the ground.

"Really? Threaten me, would you?" Arthur growled at him.

Then Sam remembered that stormy night...

"STOP!"

Before Arthur could even lay a hand on Mr. Downes, he turned to the source of that voice. It was Sam. He hadn't moved from where he was standing, but now he was holding a gun. And it was pointed right at Arthur Morgan.

"What are you-"

"Don't you fucking hurt him!" said Sam. "I want you to step away from Mr. Downes, right now!"

"Thomas!"

Archie was running out following his mother. She was around Mr. Downes' age, with her hair tied back, wore a gray long-sleeved shirt, a dark gray long skirt and a white apron. They stopped just a few feet away from Sam, who was standing there, coattails flowing with the wind and a gun in his grip.

"Sam! You're alive?!" said Archie.

"Archie! Mrs. Downes, stay back!" said Sam.

"Sam, he owes us money!" said Arthur.

"And he ain't well! I'm not gonna let you beat up people who don't deserve it! He was my uncle's friend!"

"Was?" said Archie.

"Put the gun down, Sam," Arthur said, slowly. He could already see the younger man shaking with it in his hands. "He owes us money, and I don't care that they know you, or his family." Sam sucked in a breath and growled. "You ain't gonna shoot-"

BANG!

Mrs. Downes' scream echoed throughout the ranch. Arthur had flinched. He had shut his eyes, thought that Sam went ahead and shot him in the face… like that night in Valentine with that O'Driscoll, but when he opened his eyes, he saw he wasn't dead and he had no wounds, but Sam was still standing there, holding his gun, the barrel smoking.

"You… didn't even hit me," Arthur stuttered. At that moment, Sam cracked a smile. It was shaky and small, but he felt on top of the world. Despite trying to cover it up, Sam knew that at least in that moment… he scared him.

"Did I miss?" said Sam.

The outlaw turned around and saw that Sam had hit one of the fence poles right down the middle. Mr. Downes, who was still lying in the dirt, hadn't moved a muscle. He was covering his mouth and coughing.

"Still think I'm just a 'lucky' shot?" Sam hissed. He suddenly remembered Mrs. Downes and Archie nearby. "Mr. and Mrs. Downes, we strongly urge you to get the money as soon as possible."

"S-Sam," said Mrs. Downes. "Y-You're-"

"I'm sorry, but we're not a charity, as he said." He lowered his voice to a whisper. "And I can't promise I'll be able to protect you again…" Then he glared at Arthur. "We're leaving!"

The two men were staring at each other. Sam was showing no sign of backing down. Besides, it wasn't worth getting shot over someone who owed them money, and didn't have it. Arthur walked out of the crop field, and after that was when Sam finally lowered his gun. Archie and Sam exchanged glances before Archie followed his mother to her husband's side.

"You trying to kill me?" said Arthur. Sam took one step back when he got near him, but no more. "Have you lost your damn mind?!"

Sam crossed his arms. He tried to hide his flinching from his voice. He looked him in the eye, despite how much his hands were shaking.

"No! But maybe you have if you thought I was just going to stand there and assault a sick man!" Sam hissed.

"You think it's easy? You think I like doing this?"

"You still chose to do it to those other debtors! Like you said, 'It's pleasure you're after.'" He walked past him, blood pumping quickly, but damn, Sam felt good. He felt alive for the first time in days!

"And you think you're better for not stopping me until now? Running around, taking things as you please? We ain't exactly saints, Sam!"

"Guess not…" And Sam put his gun back in his holster. He turned to the outlaw briefly, looking him in the eyes. "But I'm still leagues better than you." And with that, he stormed over to Aurora.

Sam had no idea what he did, or if it was stupid. All that mattered was that Mr. Downes, his wife, and his friend Archie were safe and he stopped Arthur from being an idiot.

He just hoped Dutch thought the same thing.