"Sir, no offense, but I came down here to hunt O'Driscolls, not guard duty."

Sam was a bit annoyed. He reported to the police station for work, but instead, the sheriff wanted him to go to Gray's manor to guard the place from intruders.

"You're the law," said Sam. "Can't you keep intruders out yourself?"

"I'd love to, but we can't be using officers employed by the state of Lemoyne to guard personal property," said the sheriff.

Sam rolled his eyes. Is that why he wasn't deputized like Arthur, Bill and Dutch?

"I'll kindly pay you, or course," said the sheriff. "I've got Mr. Marrows and his friend investigating where them O'Driscolls could have gone in the meantime. I told him he could use more help, but he said something about having friends in more places than I thought. None of my business, I suppose, as long as these O'Driscolls are dealt with."

Sam thought about it. He wasn't really in the mood for simple guard duty, but it could give him an opportunity to snoop around the place. Whether there was "gold" like Trelawny mentioned or not, but he didn't mind a treasure hunt if money was at the end of it. Maybe if he was lucky, he'd get a cut himself, even if Dutch said he wanted to use it to "get out of here," whatever that means. America was a big country, so it made him wonder where he wanted to take the gang, but it made Sam wonder if he would follow… or be forced to.

He had to find his uncle's killer before that happened. He was sick of other people's wants and needs coming first, even if Dutch and his gang have strangely been kind to him… even if he was rightfully afraid of Dutch and the gang if they were to find out about those thoughts in his

Sam sighed. "Sure," he said. "Could use some money, I guess."

And so it was. With the sheriff busy at the office, he had his deputy, Archibald, escort Sam to the Gray's property. It was home to an estate with big fields of crops that were mostly tobacco. The main house was in the middle, and was three stories high, and there were smaller two story houses around it across brick paths, open areas, and hedges.

"It's beautiful," said Sam.

"Ain't it?" said Archibald. "Much more well kept than the awful Braithwaites place let me tell you."

Sam sighed, but held back how much he wanted to back chat for this fool kissing up to the Gray family so much. They slowed their horses to a trot and talked to the guards at the front gate.

"Deputy Archibald, here," Archibald said, showing off his badge. "I've brought some help for the security 'round these parts."

"The boss is inside," a guard at the entrance said. "The greenhorne should meet him there."

"Got it." The deputy turned to Sam. "This is where we part ways, I'm afraid. Just listen to what they say, and I'm sure you'll do fine."

Sam nodded. "Sure." And he watched the officer leave, before giving Aurora a gentle pat. He looked up at the estate ahead and went towards it.

Aurora was allowed to stay in the stables for the time being. Sam wasn't sure, seeing as Aurora has never been around these new horses before, but was sure she'd be fine as long as she stayed in her stall that was set up for her.

Tavish Gray seemed to be running things around the homefront. He was an older, finely dressed man, with neatly combed graying hair, but was the sheriff's brother. He was busy, but took the time to show Sam around.

"The help live here in those there houses," he said. They were lined up by the crop fields. That made sense. More in the back of the property was probably where they kept their animals and other supplies. He showed him into the main house, where Sam was able to see a large foyer, with pictures of old family members hanging on the walls, the solid wood floors and the chandelier hanging from the ceiling. He was shown the kitchen, the dining room, the living area, several other rooms, and only the hallway of where the bedrooms were.

"You may be required to spend the night on some days, but I do not want to hear you setting foot in any of the bedrooms, do you hear me?" Tavish asked, sternly. "Or you'll be the one I'm slaying, O'Driscoll Slayer."

"Yes, sir," Sam responded immediately.

Tavish hummed. "Good," he said, seeming to like Sam's behavior. "You know, you don't seem like much from the rumors."

"Heh. Your brother said the same thing," said Sam.

"Is that right? Well, I'll let you get to patrolling. It's day time, so just make sure there ain't no trespassers out on the perimeter. You shoot on sight if you see anything, especially if it's a damn Braithwaite."

Sam wasn't really sure what a Braithwaite looked like, but he just nodded in agreement. And walked away to begin his patrol. Passing by the bedrooms on his way back downstairs, he did lock eyes with a young man with medium locks of brown, but barely went past his ears, but stuck outwards on the ends. He wore a collared white shirt, and patterned brown vest, his pants were brown and his leathery brown boots still looked new. He was in his room, just writing away. Sam passed by him without a second thought, not thinking that he would see him often. Tavish went into his room, just after Sam turned the corner.

"These better some idiotic rumors, Beau Gray. Were you really seen talking to that wretched Penelope Braithwaite?"

Sam was grateful he brought his binoculars today. He thought he'd be using them to find O'Driscolls, but he figured that intruders wouldn't be too hard. With Aurora with him, he rode around the property, with his steed just trotting along, and his Lancaster Repeater in his hands. It was still hot and dry outside, but at least he filled his flask with water before he left camp this morning.

The tobacco fields looked dry, but he noticed it hadn't rained since he and the gang arrived in this region. At least it was quiet, and no one was bothering him that much as long as he looked like he was doing his job.

Once it was around noon, Sam reported to one of the houses to eat lunch. It wasn't the main house, but one of the smaller, two story ones. The first floor had a washroom, a room for the staff to relax, and a kitchen with tables arranged for the staff who didn't live on the compound to eat. They had very good small sandwiches that were cut into small triangles, succulent meats, and flavorful fruits and veggies. Other than the police and the head of the household, the staff didn't seem to know about what Sam had become in New Hanover.

"Well, welcome aboard," a fellow guard said, after he, Sam, and a few others were done with introductions. "Just don't get caught slacking off and you'll do fine."

"Yes, and don't even mention the name Braithwaite in front of a Gray around here," said a maid. "They go off on a whole rant if you do. Real sick of this shit."

"How long have they been fighting for?" Sam asked.

"Who knows?" the guard said. "Heard they was fighting even before the war."

"I heard the Braithwaites have a daughter," said a cook, "but no one's seen her in years."

"I thought it was about gold?"

"Who knows?"

"Long story short, best to stay out their feud," said the maid. "Only leads to trouble."

Sam sighed. He couldn't when money could be involved… even if he wanted to. Dutch's orders. He nodded along, though, and continued eating. "Sure…"

It was the late afternoon when Sam went back towards the stables for Aurora. She was happily munching away on some of the hay that had been left for her and some of the other horses. He brushed off any stray sticks of hay from her mane. Sam gave her some sugar cubes for her hard work.

Sam had a look around, but he hadn't seen anything that could lead him to a big clue.

Today just felt so simple. Growing up, he wished things could be more exciting, but now, he missed the simple boring days in Valentine. He would help out at the clinic, gather herbs from outside of town and take care of his precious horse, Aurora. Hell, he even missed spying on Lily pining over damn Archie. He knew he was a good person, but something inside him told him to protect her nonetheless.

"You treat her well," said a voice.

Sam turned around and saw the young man he passed by earlier entering the stable.

"Oh, Mr. Gray," said Sam. "My apologies. I was-"

"Please," said the young man. "Just call me Beau. It's nice to see someone here having a heart for once."

"Beau," Sam repeated. "I see. Is there, uh… something I can help you with?"

"You must be the man my uncle talked about. The O'Driscoll Slayer?"

Sam smiled a bit. "Just Sam is okay. What's going on?"

"Well, we don't get a lot of travelers around her, and then you and some group of strangely helpful Yankees show up."

"U-Um…"

"What are you doing here?"

"Well, I don't know about those other men," Sam then said, hands on his hips. "I'm just on the trail of the O'Driscolls. "The others are… Well, they're looking for work after their factory to the north shut down."

"Well, looking for something," Beau said, doubtfully. "No normal person would go on a dangerous mission to take down an entire gang. Not with some practice."

"I'm just… looking for someone in the gang," Sam pouted. "Haven't found them, but… I have confidence I will."

Beau chuckled. "Well, your secret is safe with me?"

"What secret?" Sam asked, cautiously.

The young man sighed. "Listen, I don't care if you or those men you're with kill everyone here and the Braithwaites."

"W-We're not here to kill anyone!" Sam balked. "What's going on? What do you want?"

Beau flinched, hearing Sam's tone hardening a bit. "N-No. It's just… I have a secret of my own, and… seeing as you're new here, I thought you could help me? The staff around here want nothing to do with it."

Aurora's head was behind Sam, nudging him playfully. The silver-eyed boy turned around and petted her mane again. "What is it?"

"Well, there's this girl," Beau whispered, "and I love her, you know?"

Sam raised a brow. "Okay… And?"

"She's a Braithwaite," Beau stated. "I'm Beau Gray, son of Tavish Gray… nephew of Leigh Gray the sheriff… grandson of old Murdo Gray. We Grays have been loyal to the state and murderers to the Braithwaites for so long now… no one can even quite explain why. Beyond blind loyalty… and stupidity."

Sam let go of Aurora leaned on the post of a stable. "Is that what Mr. Tavish Gray was talking about earlier?"

"Well, uh… yes."

"So you were talking with…"

"Penelope!" Beau almost exclaimed out loud. "She's amazing!" He reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. "So listen, I can't be seen leaving the house without telling someone where I'm going, but I just finished this letter I was inking and, well… Could you deliver this to her?"

Sam raised a brow. "So you want me to sneak this to a Braithwaite after my first day here?" he said. "At the Gray's property?"

"Please," Beau begged. "I don't have anyone I can turn to."

"But you said so, yourself. She's a Braithwaite."

"But she ain't like the others. She's kind, and brave, and… like tomorrow if tomorrow turns out fine. She and I don't care about some gold, or whatever started this feud in the first place. She makes everything feel so simple."

Sam sighed, and placed his hands behind his head. "If I were you, honestly, I'd just let this go."

"What?!" the Gray almost yelled, outraged.

The rookie outlaw placed a finger over his lips, chuckling to himself. Beau sighed.

"What do you mean?!" he whispered.

"It's dangerous," Sam said, his voice low. "They'll probably kill you if anyone finds out. Love will only get you hurt in the end, anyway."

"But-"

"And how do you know that her feelings are true? She could be playing you to stab you in the back."

"No, her feelings are true! I know it!"

"How?"

"It's just…" Beau averted his eyes from the boy looking around, his breath getting uneven. "Well, it's not like I have much to give. I'm kept out of the financial discussions, because of my… artistic temperament."

"Really?" Sam said, blowing a fly that had flown into his view away.

"And she knows this. She and I both know how dangerous this is, but we don't care. I don't know what happened to you, but I'm still a believer!"

And with that, Sam grabbed Aurora's reins. "I don't know. If you want to play a dangerous and stupid game, be my guest, but I don't want a part of it. Come on, Aurora." But just as he began to lead her out, Beau spoke up again.

"I'll pay!" he then declared. "I've got money. We Grays, we've always got money, no brains, mind, but money."

Well, if there was money for him, though…

"Fine. But I'll take half now and the other half when the job is done."

Beau smiled and handed Sam the envelope. "Oh, and bring her this bracelet," he said, placing a small box in his hand, as well. She likes to sit out on the gazebo on the edge of Braithwaite property. It's by the water, so you can't miss it."

Sam sighed as shoved the items into his satchel. "Sure." And he took the wad of money Beau was offering him, before walking out with Aurora to finish his patrol. "I'll see what I can do after I'm done here for today."

Sam was told he'd receive payment by the end of the week. That was great, but he wanted to start making headway on finding the Laslow brothers. His only source for information was from Kieran.

So, when he got back to camp, he said his hellos to whoever was on guard duty and met up with the warm lights of fires and lanterns in the camp, like a beacon in the night. Then, as he dismounted Aurora, Kieran came over to take care of Aurora after a long day.

"I'm gonna need your help in the coming days," Sam said, handing the former O'Driscoll the reins.

Kieran looked at him. "Wh-What do you mean?"

"I need you to help me," Sam summarized. "You'll have to talk to the local law about them. We might be able to track them down if you do."

Kieran shook his head. "I-I can't, mister," he stuttered. "If word got out, th-they could find me. Th-They…"

"Why are you scared?" Sam wasn't amused and then he raised a brow. "You don't want to harm your friends?"

"They ain't my friends! I promise you!" Kieran pleaded. "But you can't make me go out there. If the law doesn't tear me apart those O'Driscolls will if they find out who sold them out."

"You're lucky you're here at all," said Sam. "Like, standing on your own two feet right now."

"Come on. I've already proved myself!"

"I'm still waiting for you to prove yourself, or stab us all in the back. It's gonna happen eventually."

"Yeah, well, everyone's said the same thing…" Kieran stuttered, his voice shaky.

Sam scoffed. Did he just get sassed by an O'Driscoll? He snatched the reins back from him.

"If you were really on our side you'd help me!" he then hissed.

"I-I'm on the gang's s-side!" Kieran then yelled. He tried to sound brave, but his voice was quivering. "They want money, not blood."

Sam growled, would've thrown himself at him, if Charles hadn't shown up.

"Sam." Despite the increasingly tense situation, he kept his tone nice and calm and stood between them, almost blocking Sam's view of Kieran with his frame. "Come on. You've had a long day."

The young man's attempt to side step him, was met by Charles doing the same to block him. He exhaled deeply through his nose and then gave up. Once he was sure he was calm, Charles let Sam walk past Kieran to get to his tent.

"Coward…" Sam muttered, before brushing past him.

Charles waited until Sam was in his tent before leaving, as well. None of the three knew that Micah, who was on guard duty, saw the whole thing from the trees.

Lily had returned from hunting with Sadie. Pearson never thought he'd see a pair of women have a smile on their faces while skinning and butchering their latest hunt at the table, and being covered in blood. He made sure to get an apron for the both of them.

Once Lily was done for the day, he came back to the tent, and she saw Sam with an open letter and a bracelet in his hand. Arthur was there, too, but their voices were getting louder the more Lily got close.

"We need to stay in their good graces, like Hosea and Dutch want," Arthur argued.

"So, you want me to stick my neck out for some pointless love affair?"

"You agreed, didn't you?"

"And if I don't? What's he gonna do? Tell his dad that he couldn't get a love letter to a Braithwaite?"

"No, but he could rat you out as a thief for taking his money."

"What's going on here?" Lily said, poking her head in.

"Met one of the Grays," said Sam. "And, he wants me to give this letter to a girl she likes."

"Aw," Lily said, warmly. "Well, what's the harm in that?"

"She's a Braithwaite. I told him that stuff like that is gonna get him killed, but he wouldn't listen."

"Well, of course he'd ignore it!" said Lily. "he's in love!"

"How does he know this Penelope girl won't stab him in the back?" said Sam.

Lily shrugged. "I don't know, but that's not our business. He entrusted you with his heart. It's up to you to give it to his beloved."

Arthur rolled his eyes, hearing the "poetic" words tumbling out of Lily's mouth. "We need the money, Sam."

"Ain't you guys planning to take whatever gold they might have?" said Sam.

"That's only if it's real," said Arthur. "Come on. Get off your ass and make us some money. Sneaking around is your thing anyway."

"Why the hell do you even care about this?"

"I already said." The outlaw made a gesture with his hand, signaling one thing: Money.

"Then why don't you do it?"

"We need to stay in their good graces, and the last time I checked, this isn't a choice. In camp, you in the United States of Dutch van der Linde, and I say, as one of the longest serving gang members, to get your ass out there and get something done!"

Sam groaned, his eyes rolling back. "Fine. But, if I get shot by Braithwaites, it's your fault." And with that, he flopped onto his cot and grabbed a book he borrowed from Mary-Beth. "Now get out."

Arthur and Lily had nothing left to say and just left him be. They went to one of the nearby tables to settle down. Lily picked up some coffee and poured it into some tin mugs.

"I'm so sorry about him," said Lily. "I don't know what's gotten into him."

"Don't apologize for him," Arthur grumbled, sipping his drink. "It's that stupid little game of vengeance. I told him it was idiotic."

"Well, he wasn't entirely wrong…"

"Huh?"

"Well, I mean… I loved Archie, but… it only got me hurt in the end."

Arthur looked over at the young lady, seeing her grip her cup of coffee with both of her once delicate hands, hardened by labor.

"Well, I…" Arthur paused. He was unsure of what to say next, and was somewhat unsure if it would lead to him revealing too much. "I'm sorry… you had to go through that. I don't know what Sam's deal is, but… don't worry about it. You wouldn't be the first who had someone leave because of your choices."

"Still reading?" Kieran asked Mary-Beth the next morning.

Not many people were awake yet, but Mary-Beth wanted to get up and get some last minute reading in before Miss Grimshaw was up yelling at all of them to get to work. While she was reading at her bed roll, Kieran, shy as he was, took a seat on a crate near her.

"I've taken a break," the girl answered. "But yes, I plan to keep reading."

"Is it, uh… fun?"

"It's amazing," Mary-Beth answered almost immediately. A smile grew onto her face. "It's a reason worth living, it's… it's the only thing that makes me happy…"

"So, the only thing that makes you happy, is being in your own head somewhere else."

Mary-Beth laughed, and it was the first time Kieran swore he was able to smile, making someone else laugh. And, they weren't laughing at him, this time.

"I suppose I never thought of it quite like that," said Mary-Beth. "You never read?"

"Nah. Never fancied it."

"But you can?"

"Well, I could. If… I chose to. I've… just… never chose to."

The girl just smiled, her fingers intertwining on her hands. "Well, maybe one of us will teach you."

Sam growled and stabbed his fork into a piece of meat that was in his stew harshly. If Dutch wanted to buy some land, he hoped they would build a big house that let everyone have their own rooms, or something, so he wouldn't have to listen to all of that nonsense.

An O'Driscoll and a bookworm pickpocket. Sam could almost laugh at thought, and yet, here he was about to sneak around an estate filled with armed guards… for love of all things!

Maybe he could eat a bit slower this morning… and finish that book Mary-Beth let him borrow.

He was deliberately slow this morning, knowing the looks he was getting from Lily and Arthur. And they knew that he knew that they were looking. And they knew that he knew they were seeing shit-eating grin he was giving back at him.

But, like many good things, it came to an end, he was all ready to go out and risk his head… for a romance that had no chance of working out. Shame on them for putting Aurora in danger, as well. So, for one last hurrah, he took his time returning that book to Mary-Beth.

Surprisingly, the Braithwaite manor wasn't far from camp, but Sam still took the road to get there, to make sure he wasn't lost. He cut around Rhodes, hoping no Grays saw him going near the Braithwaite house.

He got by the pathway to the front of the Braithwaite property. It was a long stretch of road covered by very tall trees that led all the way to the front. It was a three story estate with balconies on all sides, supported by white columns and dark gray shingles on the roof. Sam only went halfway up the path before cutting to the right and getting as close to the water as Aurora would allow without being frightened about slipping in. There, he slowed her to a mere trot, before stopping completely.

"Stay right here, girl," Sam said, before dismounting. With that, he crouched down and continued the rest of the journey on foot.

Usually, he liked to get a layout of a place, before sneaking around. He got close to the fence and saw a gazebo, but it sat empty. It wasn't near the water, so Sam had to assume there were multiple ones. It was really quiet, so remaining as such, was imperative, with the guards walking around. Luckily, there were tons of bushes to hide behind and white brick fencing.

Sam was sweating bullets. These men were armed. It wasn't as different as the armed men guarding some of the livestock in Valentine, but there sure were a lot more of them. When the coast was clear, Sam came out of hiding and sped walked through the small courtyard, so he could get out of sight.

Up ahead, he saw a fishing shed set up on a dock with a boat, and beyond that, was another gazebo. Unfortunately, a guard was on the path patrolling back and forth. While they were heading towards the gazebo, Sam walked up to the house, deciding to go around the building, following the lake side of it. The boards were old and creaked as he walked on it.

"Someone there?" It sounded like a man. Sam knew the front door would be opened so he had to think fast.

The door swung open, but the guard didn't see anyone in there. He checked around, and then let out a sigh. He left, without knowing that Sam was hiding under the dock, the water up to the upper part of his torso, while gripping the letter to Penelope in one hand and out of the water.

But the only thing on his mind was the fact that he was getting his damn clothes wet.

He stepped out of the water, once he was sure the coast was clear, forced to hold back his grumbling as his boots became muddy.

"This is so dumb…" Sam mumbled, irritably. Luckily, the gazebo was just up ahead. He nearly tripped over his slippery boots as he went up the steps into the gazebo.

There, he saw a young lady with blonde curly hair, tied back with a teal colored bow in a ponytail. She had on a white dress with matching bows on her torso and shoulders, with lace on the sleeves.

Sam was just in a rush to get out of here. He was out of breath from running and hiding, and he didn't get any damn loot.

"Penelope… Braithwaite?"

"U-Uh, yes," the girl said. "That's me."

Sam placed the letter on the table. "That's for you. Oh, and uh…" He reached into his satchel and pulled out the tiny box the bracelet was in. A gift. It's from, uh…"

Penelope gasped. "It's from Beau!" She reached out to the letter, and noticed that the box was a bit soggy, but judging from her messenger's condition, she could only guess why. Before she opened it, she held the envelope close to her chest as Sam decided to take in the view, catching his breath by placing his hands on one of the white posts. "Oh, he is so…"

"A Gray?" Sam answered.

"Well, yes of course," said Penelope.

"And you're a Braithwaite?"

"Well, that doesn't matter to us. He's so human. It's been so long, I don't think our families know what they're even fighting about in the first place. They're all stuck in the Dark Ages, or… well, I don't know… cave people, perhaps. Beau's different, but if they find out… they'll kill him and send me to live someplace awful like… Ohio. You've ever been to Ohio, mister…"

"It's Sam," Sam said, turning back to her. "And no, I haven't."

"Well, neither have I, but my uncle has a factory there. He was sort of the black sheep, on account of having left… but now they tolerate him, because he's a vicious snob. Families are… well, they're something else? You got a family?"

"Not much of one left, I'm afraid," said Sam. "But… why risk your neck out knowing what they could do to you or Beau?"

"Well, it's… he brings me more happiness than anyone else in my family," said Penelope. "That's how I put it. They tolerate my uncle because of his money, but me, with ideas above my station, they can't stand."

"Aren't you afraid? Of… getting hurt." said Sam. "How do you know… Beau isn't just… playing you?"

"Well, of course I am, but you can't expect things to go your way without at least a little bit of danger. If not, our founding fathers wouldn't have founded this country. And, I trust Beau. I trust him more than my family around here. Besides, if you didn't, why did you bring his letter here?"

"Well, he paid me," Sam responded, sheepishly. "Oh, right. Well, I guess I should… go now, before the guards see me."

"W-Wait!" Penelope spoke up. She stood up from her seat and presented another envelope. "If you see Beau again, can you give him this?"

Sam looked at the girl, she seemed so hopeful. He saw it in her eyes, a smile growing on her face. She was brave. Very brave. Or foolish and naive.

That pleading look only reminded him of Lily.

"Sure." Sam conceded to his feelings and took the envelope gently. With that, he bidded Penelope a good day. Now, all he had to do was sneak out the way he came.

Once he reunited with Aurora, he cleaned off his muddy boots the best he could and rode away from the Braithwaite manor as fast as he could, heading towards Caliga Hall before he was late for his shift on guard duty. It was during his break that Beau met up with Sam again in the same place: At the stables.

"So…" Beau began. Sam turned to him, but it seemed like his mere presence was making him nervous. Sam didn't see why. He only killed a couple… a few… a lot of people in recent weeks… and it looked like the local law knew about it. "How… How did it go?"

"I found her where you said she'd be," said Sam.

Beau was happy, the sigh that came from his mouth even said as much. He was relieved. He reached into his back, and held out a stack of dollars for him. "Thank-you!" he exclaimed. "Thank-you, Sam."

Sam smirked and took the cash. "Sure." He reached into his satchel and pulled out Penelope's letter. "This is for you."

Beau gasped and took the letter without a second thought. "Thank-you!" He tore into it almost immediately. "My god…" he said, almost breathless. "What a woman…"

Sam crossed his arms and leaned against one of the posts in the stable. "So… about earlier."

"What about it?" Beau looked up from his letter. "Do you still have doubts?"

The young dark-haired man sighed. "I suppose… It's none of my business, but… I asked Penelope the same thing."

"What?"

"Well, aren't you… scared? Of this? If word got out…"

Beau tucked his letter away in his pocket. "Well, of course I am! They'll send us away to try to 'fix' us, when they're the ones who need fixing. Or they'll kill me, or her, or both of us. When they're the ones who…"

Sam's mouth almost dropped. Did he just imply what he thought he was implying?

"She's… the only one who makes me happy," said Beau. "But… apparently there's something wrong with being happy in this family. In both our families, but apparently, there's nothing wrong with incest."

"Wh-What?"

"I don't wanna marry my cousin Matilda. I wanna marry Penelope!"

"Okay, okay," Sam had his hands raised slightly, urging Beau to calm down. "But… even if… people won't like it."

"I don't care what people think. I'm tired of hiding, and cowering to make other people happy. What's important to me are my feelings, and Penelope's, of course. You've never had anyone make you feel that way?"

"Uh…" Sam paused. His eyes darted to the side, as he ran his hands up and down his crossed arms. "N-Not exactly, but… what if something happens?"

Beau shook his head. "I won't let that happen, but if it does, it's better than spending the rest of my life wondering what could've been…" He shook his head. "It's better than marrying my cousin."

Sam shrugged. "Well, I guess that's true." He grabbed Aurora by the reins. "I should get going. If anyone asks, this conversation never happened."

"Good plan. Say, do you think I could you're, uh… use your services again sometime? We still got more money."

"Sure. If you need something, just send a letter to a 'Tacitus Kilgore'." And with that, Sam went out on his patrol.

Sam had spent the rest of the day thinking about Beau and Penelope. He saw Beau a few time during the rest of his shift, exchanging words here and there, but they had to act like their little deal didn't happen, to prevent the help or any of the family catching wind.

There was strength in Beau and Penelope's conviction. Strength or foolishness, but Sam couldn't deny where it was coming from. He once shared a similar need… in a sense.

He wanted to protect the family, who took him, and raised him as if he were their own. No, they were his family, and was one of their own.

But, like everything, it didn't last forever. He couldn't save his aunt, his mother, and was near his uncle when he was shot. The only thing he had, was being thankful that Lily was around an entire gang to protect her, if need be. She had loved, once and true, and it blew up in her face. Maybe that was why he avoided it.

No. It was better this way. The type of romance that Lily had… the type that Beau and Penelope want, just wasn't for him. He had long accepted that. It just wouldn't work out if he tried. Just because he could never have anything quite as special as that, doesn't mean that he couldn't be happy when others were.

It was dark, by the time Sam made it back to camp. He was likely to get Lily telling him "I told you so," or "That wasn't so bad," and he was not looking forward to that.

Instead, when he started up the trail into Clemen's Point, he heard singing. It was a bit off-key and sloppy, but he knew those voices and went towards the source, able to pinpoint where to go once he saw a wagon and a lantern.

He saw a cart filled with moonshine, and Arthur and Lily were laughing really hard, sitting in the back. They reeked of the stuff, and their faces were flushed, both of them were each holding a bottle of moonshine in their hand.

"This is strong shit," said Lily. "I'm not even through this one bottle, and I think it's messing with me already."

"My father loved it," said Arthur. "Whenever he got his hands on some shine, he'd drink it like water."

Lily just started laughing even harder. Then, she looked up and saw Sam approaching.

"Oh, hey, Sam," she said, a smile on her face. "Me and Arthur were just-"

Sam put his hands on his hips. "Getting drunk?"

"Well, we talking, and I told him about Archie and he told me about-"

"Hey, shhhhh!" Arthur then quieted the girl, placing a finger on her lips. "Remember? That's a secret." Sam could only assume he was talking about that Mary girl.

"Oh, right," Lily said, trying to stifle a giggle. "We pinky swore."

"Uh-huh," said Sam. "I think it's time for bed for the both of you. Come on, Lily. You're first."

"Okay…" Lily was still smiling as Sam helped her onto her feet. Normal Lily probably would have thrown a fit about being treated like a child, but drunk Lily did not get the memo. In fact, it was probably the first time the shoe was on the other foot when it came to who got drunk, but considering what they were doing now, it was only a matter of time before things changed.

"Oh, finally," Lily slurred, as Sam laid her down in her cot. "Everything stopped dancing around me." She stayed still and sighed as her cousin took off her boots and placed her gunbelt on the nearby table, and was fast asleep before the blanket was over her body.

Then, Sam closed the flaps on their tent and ventured forth to retrieve the other drunkard. Arthur hadn't moved from where he was, but was struggling to stand. That's when Sam was there to save the day.

"Come on," the young man said, nonchalantly. He grabbed Arthur's arm and put it around his shoulders, before guiding him towards camp.

"You're being a terrible influence on LIly," Sam informed him.

"Well, what did you expect," said Arthur. "This is me we're talking about."

"Shut up. You're not that bad," said Sam." The pair arrived at Arthur's tent, and he sat the outlaw down on his cot. It was funny that he said that about an outlaw. He was a robber and killer, but he really just regarded him as "not that bad."

"Do you hate love? Is that it?" Arthur asked, honestly. He was looking up at him, like he was genuinely curious. His eyebrows raised, jaw dropped slightly, and eyes looking up at Sam like he was a curious child.

Sam rolled his eyes. It didn't look like Arthur would remember what he'd answer anyway in his state.

"It's not that… Of course I love Lily. I loved my family, but they're gone now. It just hurts now you know…? To love something and now it hurts."

"You ever been… in love?"

"I mean… I've… There's been kissing, touching, all that stuff… W-With a girl, of course, but… Just… I just can't… I didn't feel…" He shook his head. "Nevermind." Arthur was swaying in his seat, a little, so Sam sat down and let the outlaw lean on him. He hummed when Sam wrapped his arm around him and rubbed circles in his hair.

"I managed to deliver that letter, by the way. I guess… They're in love, and… I'm not sure that one isn't planning to cross the other, but… I see what they want to fight for. They're scared, but they still want it. And, I know I should be more focused on that hidden gold they families might have, but… I want to believe in them." Sam was glad that mostly everyone was either asleep or hanging out by the main campfire. "You, this gang, and even those young lovers are more brave than me, is all I'm saying. They're willing to fight for something even if other people say it's wrong, or it shouldn't happen. I… I guess I'm jealous. I can kill people, and yet, I'm too scared to-"

Sam shut himself up, upon feeling Arthur's weight on him. He was snoring, his body limp in his arms. For a moment, Sam was still, feeling the outlaw's warmth against him. He seemed to be even more relaxed against him, or maybe it was just the moonshine relaxing him. Yeah, that had to be it.

Sam snapped out of his daze, making quick but gentle work to wriggle out of Arthur's grasp and lay him down on his cot. He took care to get his boots and gun belt off, leaving them by his bedside. The young man looked down at him and smiled, but then looked away, hiding his face in the dark, while knowing that his face was redder than a tomato. He made some distance between Arthur and himself, and ended up wandering into the woods once more.

No, he thought. This can't be happening, but at the same time he wasn't surprised. It had happened before. It had been happening, and he was struggling to deny it.

"Arthur, will you dance with me?"

He still remembered that night when the gang celebrated Sean's return, and Mary-Beth had asked Arthur to dance with her. Why did he remember it so vividly? Sure, he knew they were friends, but his heart pounded at what he was thinking at the moment. Arthur said he wasn't much of a dancer, but he liked to watch him, counting himself lucky that he wasn't caught, his hands holding her hands… He thought… he wanted…

He wished he could've been Mary-Beth in that moment.

Sam shivered. Why? And why out of all people, it was an outlaw. He smacked himself across the face and stormed off towards the hidden cart of moonshine.

The lantern was still lit where it was, which was fine. It provided him that safety, if just for a little while. Instead of sitting in the back of the cart, he sat on the ground, a jug of moonshine near him, and Lily was right. It was strong, which he expected nothing less.

Who was kidding? He couldn't deny himself any longer. This was why he couldn't be in love. He had no choice but to just let other people be happy when it came to that. He wasn't allowed as such. It wasn't fair, but to him it was less… of an inconvenience. Maybe he was always like this, or maybe it was just his curse, being born and raised in Valentine. Maybe it was why he lost his aunt, his mother, and his uncle. Maybe it was the reason he could never truly love someone who would love him back just as true.

He felt like a moody child, tearing up over something like this, but there was no way he could express this to anyone. Well, there was his uncle, but he was gone, now.

Why couldn't he have had a normal family? Why couldn't he have had a normal life? Why couldn't he love normally?

Why wasn't he normal?

Because the only time he ever felt the type of love Lily once had, what Arthur once had, what Dutch and Hosea once had, where he could feel his heartbeat speed up, his palms getting sweaty, his face burning, and the butterflies in his stomach, it was… in the eyes of everyone, at least…

…Wrong.