I am so glad that y'all are enjoying this story! I will make sure to update weekly, sometimes twice a week on this. :)

The morning came quicker than she wanted it to. As usual, her eyes opened the moment the sky was light enough. Khan had laid beside her at some point in the night, so she found herself extremely warm. So warm that she didn't really want to move. Shifting onto her side, Nora pressed her head against the shoulder of her stallion, glad she wasn't in any pain. He nickered softly, leaning toward her and greeting her with an affectionate nudge. Nora felt dirty, even though she'd bathed yesterday morning. Sitting up finally, she noticed that Arthur wasn't on his bedroll. She wasn't the only early riser.

Looking toward the river, she found him standing knee deep in the river. The water was moving fairly quickly, which meant it was safe from critters that would otherwise find themselves stuck to someone. He was cleaning up, running a cloth over his chest and arms. His back was to them. For a moment she found herself drawn to the movement of muscles on his back. There wasn't an ounce of fat on that man, he was pure muscle. Feeling the blood rush to her cheeks, Nora hastily turned her head away from him. She grabbed her brush from her saddle bags, and got to work on combing her long dark hair back so that she could braid it.

"Well, well, look who's awake."

His voice drew her attention, so she turned toward him. He walked over, a small towel over his shoulder. She gave him a smile in greeting, and pulled her boots over the pants.

"You're moving much better than yesterday," he observed, watching her get to her feet.

"Yeah about that," Nora answered slowly, watching Khan shove himself to his feet.

Heading toward the river, Nora brushed her teeth and cleaned her face. She needed to change her shirt. It was covered in old blood. When she came back to camp, she grabbed the shirt out of her pack and tried to think things over. Nora had no idea how he was going to react. Staring at her shirt for several minutes, she glanced back at the river. She should have thrown herself in. Grunting, she rose to her feet again, aware that Arthur was watching her with growing suspicion.

"Can you…promise not to shoot me? Or well…hurt me?" she asked, her voice weak.

"Why would I?" he drawled, arching his brow.

Looking back toward Khan, Nora watched him prick his ears forward. Sighing loudly, Nora unbuttoned her shirt enough to pull out her wounded shoulder. Gesturing Arthur forward, she couldn't meet his gaze as he unwrapped the wound. When the patch fell away, he was staring at completely healed skin. Khan took one step forward when Arthur inhaled sharply. Her whole body tensed.

"That…how…" he trailed off, and reached out to run two fingers over where the wound had been.

His hand was warm where he touched her suddenly cold skin. They stood that way for a few minutes, her stomach clenching uncomfortably. When Arthur finally stepped back, he ran a hand over his beard and met her gaze.

"So then," he rumbled, his hands relaxed at his sides. "What are you?"

"Well," Nora began, and then trailed off. "I wasn't expecting this to go well."

"I live with a man who talks about things," he answered, heading toward his things. "He's part Indian. I've also seen things. Things that shouldn't be real, but here we are. A lot can be discovered in the wild."

"Let's just say I'm mostly human," Nora offered, and he gave her a narrowed look. "I'll show you one day."

"All right," he rumbled, after a moment of considering that answer.

When he gave her his back, she was able to change her shirt and clean up at the river. Once she was clean enough, she began to pack up camp. Khan stood quietly as she saddled him up. Nora took her time, making sure everything was on right. As she adjusted his bridle, he breathed softly in her face. He was relaxed, which was nice.

"So, are you ready to get moving?" Arthur asked, and she turned toward him.

"I'm still waiting for you to run away screaming," she answered dryly, and he chuckled.

"You'll find that not much bothers me these days," he shrugged. "At least, not this sort of thing."

"Well, fine then. I'm ready," she nodded, and swung into the saddle.

Arthur led the way up the trail, finding the safest way up. Once they were on the main trail, he slowed down to a walk. Cueing Khan, Nora rode up alongside him. Reaching into her pack, she grabbed some jerky and offered him a few pieces.

"Thanks," he rumbled, offering a smile.

They rode for the better part of the morning without interruption. When Khan had run yesterday, he had turned completely away from the way she'd been traveling. They were back up near Cumberland Falls. Nora made a face, because she was further from her goal than yesterday. Sensing her disapproval, Khan snorted loudly and kicked his back foot out.

"Shush," she chided. "You should have run the other way."

Arthur chuckled when Khan made an irritated noise. She rolled her eyes and shifted the reins to one hand. Beside her, Arthur ran a hand over the back of his neck.

"We'll stay off the trail we left yesterday," he rumbled. "Follow the river instead, and cut into the Heartlands at Flatneck Station. From there I think we can part ways."

"Sounds like good middle ground," Nora agreed. "I appreciate you looking out for me."

"Not that it's too much of a bother," he mused, and she snorted.

"I'll have you know it still hurts to be shot, and I value my life and Khan's thank you," she grunted. "I can't recover from a bullet to the head you know."

The man beside her laughed, ducking his head in apology. "Sorry ma'am!"

"Right," she snorted. "You're having fun teasing me."

"Possibly," he laughed, cueing his gelding to trot. "So, how did you get this beast?"

Khan easily kept pace with the other horse, and flicked an ear toward the man. Nora smiled at the memory his question brought. Leaning forward, she ran her fingers through his mane, and gave it a slight tug. Sighing softly, she sat back up in the saddle.

"Believe it or not, I found him," she laughed. "Or well…he found me. He was 4, and he'd been driven out of his band. The lead stallion, I'm assuming his father didn't like him there anymore. I was getting ready to sleep, and here comes this lumbering giant. He was so exhausted that he slept in my camp for the night. The next morning wasn't so peaceful."

"Can you understand them?" he asked, and Nora glanced at the road.

"They speak to me, yes," she said quietly. "It helps."

"Christ," he muttered, adjusting his hat. "So, how long you have you had him?"

"Just over two years," she smiled, and tilted her head. "He's a really good companion. And a good stallion."

"I can tell," Arthur chuckled. "I found his boy up in the mountains, when we were crossing them. We came upon a ranch that the O'Driscoll's had taken. Killed the husband and almost killed the woman. I'd lost my mare back in Blackwater. Shot while we fled..I'd had her for almost eight years. She was amazing. But this boy…he'll do. He's becoming loyal. I think he belonged to the gang. He'd been scared of me…more than he should have been."

"Poor boy. But he looks good. His eye is soft," Nora replied. "Sounds like you really appreciate them."

"I do," he rumbled, leading them along the trail that would take us south with the Dakota River. "Most reliable animals once you earn their friendship."

"Something we agree on," Nora smiled, as Arthur patted the neck of his gelding.

After a few more minutes, she cued Khan to trot letting him pick the pace. Which, as usual was quick. By lunch time they made it to the mouth of the river. It had taken them several hours to get here, but there hadn't been anyone on the road. He stopped them for a break, so she managed to catch some trout and cooked them over a fire. It gave the horses a chance to cool off.

"You ain't pullin my leg are ya?" Arthur asked, looking at her.

Nora looked up from the asparagus she had thrown into a pan to cook with the fish. She had been able to find some just off the trail. She smirked a little, and grabbed her canteen.

"Do you need to see my shoulder again?" she asked, and he grunted. "I only told you because…well it was awkward enough. And yes, I will show you what I am. Only you're not around your guns."

"Fair enough," he drawled.

"Here," she chuckled, putting lunch on his plate. "I'm a pretty good cook if I do say so myself."

"I can't believe you managed to find asparagus," he rumbled. "Thank you."

They ate in comfortable silence, and since he didn't stop eating, Nora figured she did a good job. By the time they were able to get back on the road, it was just after two. It was nice to have a full stomach, which was rare on the road. Nora didn't usually have to worry about that, but she hadn't always been a good hunter or fisher. As they headed through Flatneck Station, they followed the road and track. There was a spot that would take them up through to the Heartlands. As they got close to where the roads and train tracks would meet, Arthur pulled them to an abrupt stop. Holding out a hand in warning, he grabbed his binoculars.

"Hang on," he murmured, glancing through the lenses.

There was a group of four men sitting just off the road, by the bridge that would take them to Rhodes, if they went that way. Nora tensed a little, and Arthur grunted.

"Shit," he muttered. "I knew I shoulda taken us right instead of following the lake."

"O'Driscoll's?" she asked, and he shook his head.

"Lemoyne Raiders," he rumbled. "They haven't spotted us yet. Sun is in their way. Let's cut up the hill here, and get onto the road up there. Come on."

Khan needed no encouragement after Arthur cued his gelding. They cut through the small woods and under the train tracks. By the time anyone saw them, they were far enough away to be safe. Khan cantered up the rest of the hill and onto the main road with a snort.

"We're camped not too far away, about a twenty minute ride, but I'm gonna ride with you a bit further," Arthur rumbled. "Maybe camp with you for another night."

"If you need to part from me now, that's all right," Nora said, smiling. "You've done more than enough."

"Well, I did tell you I'd stick with you," he rumbled. "Make sure you're safe."

"Well, I wanted to head toward Emerald Ranch, and the overflow there," she offered, and Arthur nodded. "You're too kind. Thank you."

It took them the rest of the day to get to where Nora wanted to be. She loved this area. Rolling hills, and a small area that always had fresh water. There was a small groove of trees near the water, on a nice hill. It provided good views and protection. Nora had camped here before. She'd decided on the way here that she'd stick around here for awhile.

"Well, we can camp here for the night," Arthur rumbled, following her lead. "And I'll part ways from you in the morning."

"Sounds good to me," she hummed, glancing back at him.

There was plenty of grazing for the horses, and they were positioned far enough away from the tracks that nothing would cause them trouble. Plenty of options for dinner as well. Nora quickly took Khan's saddle off, because the stallion had been eyeing the water. The moment he was free, he was trotting down the hill and to the knee deep water. She chuckled as he dropped down to roll, and water went flying. The moment he was free, Arthur's gelding followed. She chuckled, and got to work on setting up camp. She decided to put a tent up, using the thick branches of the trees to do so. She'd made it big enough for the both of them, if Arthur had decided to join her.

By the time she was finished, Khan was walking back up the hill, no longer dripping wet. She grabbed a bucket from her pack and poured some oats into it. He let out an excited nicker, and came over to eat what she had given him. She smiled, and patted him on the chest. Moving back, she helped Arthur set up a pit for the fire, and grabbed some sticks and other things to get it started.

"I can get us dinner," she offered, and he scoffed.

"Naw. You got us lunch," he rumbled. "I'll get dinner. There are plenty of huckleberries around though. You still have bread left?"

"I do, we can use that," she nodded. "I'll fill a plate with some."

While he went off to hunt, she got to work on getting the fire going and gathering the berries from nearby bushes. They'd been lucky, being able to eat so good today. When she got back to camp, she glanced around the area and reached out with her senses. Safe. The sun was slowly beginning to set, giving off an array of beautiful colors. Grabbing their canteens, Nora walked over to the flowing creek that spilled out into the overflow and filled them both. She took her time walking back to camp. Khan walked over to her as she approached, lowering his head with a soft noise. Nora ran her hand up from his muzzle to his forehead, and kissed his face. The stallion rumbled.

"Can we trust him?" the stallion asked, speaking for the first time in days.

"I think so," Nora murmured softly. "Trust me, it'll be all right."

Pricking his ears forward, Khan walked with her back to camp. She brushed him while they waited. It didn't take Arthur too much longer, and he came back into view holding another rabbit. Out here, they took what they could.

"I thought about squirrel, but they were too flighty," he mused, as Nora straightened up.

"And anything bigger would be a waste," she agreed, making him nod. "I grabbed the berries, and was about to warm up the bread."

He'd already skinned and gutted the rabbit, so it was easy for him to get it cooking. It didn't take long for it to cook, and they ate everything they'd found. Nora sighed softly, and began to clean the plates they had used.

"So," she said, coming back to camp. "How the hell did that fight start in the saloon anyway?"

"Shit," he laughed, and pulled out a small bottle of whiskey, waving it toward her. "A friend of mine. Bill. It was his fault. That man is nothing but a loud mouth. Loyal. But he'd fight anything and everything. We were all just enjoying a drink, and that asshole came in swinging. I had to clean up after them."

"Oh damn, I'm so sorry," she laughed, taking a swig from the bottle when he handed it to her.

"It was horrible. I was so angry," he muttered. "But it took me two baths to get clean after that. should have just drowned myself under a damn waterfall."

There was amusement in his gaze as he took another drink of whiskey. Nora grinned, unable to help it.

"Have you ever been up to the hot springs?" she asked, taking the bottle back.

"I've heard of them," he grunted, staring at the fire. "Haven't managed to make it up that way."

"Well, if we ever run into each other again, I'll have to take you up that way," she said, giving him back the whiskey.

"Sure, why not," he drawled, and she ignored how much she enjoyed his voice.

"I assume your few days of vacation are over once we part," she teased, and he snorted.

"Back to doing whatever the hell it is we're supposed to be doin," he sighed, and she noted the frustration had returned, but he smirked. "Maybe we'll figure it out."

They both snorted with laughter. Nora wasn't about to challenge him on what he did. They all did what they thought was right, or accepted that what they did wasn't. He knew what he did wasn't, so there was no point in arguing, but being an outlaw certainly was a way of life. Out here, one had to choose how they were going to do things. Sometimes, they didn't get the choice. Nora found herself feeling sorry for him. It was clear he was at a crossroads, and he didn't know which way to go. She could only pray for him.

The morning came too quickly, and with a hangover. They had spent most of the night talking and laughing. It had been clear that both of them had needed it. The hangover however, wasn't something she was happy about. Sitting up slowly, she took a drink from her canteen and made some coffee. Arthur and his horse were not in camp, but his things were still here. She decided not to worry, and made sure she'd made enough coffee. Khan greeted her softly.

Hooves caught her attention half way through her cup, and Arthur was riding back with a bag of some sort.

"I can't believe you made me drink all that," he groaned, the moment his feet hit the ground. "Bought I brought back eggs and bread. The ranch had some."

"You started it," Nora complained, but gestured to the pot. "Coffee is hot though."

He chuckled and handed her the bag when she gestured for it. She cooked up the six eggs he'd brought back, and warmed the bread. They ate silently, both of them still tired.

"I'm happy to start the day with a hangover," she chuckled, and he grinned.

"Whoops," he laughed.

Once breakfast was done, they began to pack up camp. Nora wanted to move to a different spot, one closer to the riverbed that ran through here. There was also a stable nearby, so she'd be able to go help there.

"Well it was a pleasure, Mr. Morgan," she smiled, once Khan was all tacked up. "But as you said, it's time we part."

"I believe it is," he answered, his voice a lazy drawl. "The pleasure was mine, Miss Nora."

"Nora is fine," she smiled, and he grunted.

"Nora," he mused, wrinkling his nose at saying her name.

"You take care of yourself," she answered slowly. "And stay away from that ranch. The money can't be worth your life."

"I'll keep that in mind," he rumbled, tipping his hat.

They had been standing beside Khan, so it was easy to reach out and lay her hand on his chest. Nora patted it gently, and Arthur's hard expression eased just a fraction. He reached up and squeezed her hand, before gesturing to help her into the saddle. She allowed it, thanking him as he did. Reaching up, he squeezed her knee.

"You stay out of trouble," he rumbled with a smile, and then patted Khan. "Keep her safe boy."

The stallion snorted softly, and leaned toward the man just a little. Nodding, Arthur stepped back and got onto his own horse. With a tip of his hat, he turned and rode off. Nora watched him for a moment, before turning Khan and heading in the opposite direction.