John feels your body is tense against his as you draw closer to camp, he watches your fingers fiddle nervously with the leather of Old Boy's reins. The poor horse shakes his head in protest as you tighten and release against his mouth, giving a brief snort in annoyance.

"It's going to be okay y'know?"

"Wha-? Oh yea... I know." Your mind is still trying to piece together the right way to tell Arthur you're pregnant. You don't doubt that Arthur would protect you and your child with his life, but the knowledge of his previous fatherhood complicates things. Arthur had already lost one child, could he handle the stress and worry of raising another child safely in this uncertain lifestyle?

"You worried about how the old man is gonna react?" John chuckles. Despite you and John being only ten years younger than Arthur, he loved riling him about his age. Often calling him 'Old man' or 'cradle snatcher' due to your and Arthur's age difference.

You elbow John in the side, biting your lip to hide your smirk. You appreciated that John could always make a joke, no matter how serious the atmosphere, you'd no doubt that that was part of the reason Abigail fell in love with him.

"Stop calling him that, and yes I don't exactly have experience in telling someone they're going to be a Father. How did Abigail tell you?"

John shuffles behind you in the saddle and clears his throat, remembering how he reacted when Abigail had told him about Jack. He'd gotten angry, accused her of sleeping around, and throwing her old profession back in her face, he'd denied the baby was his. "I don't think I'm the best example. Don't think too much about it, Morgan has twice the brains I do, just give it to him straight. Besides, I'd be more worried about telling him what you said to me earlier, you can't be serious about bringing Keiron with us can you?"

Now it's your turn to squirm in the saddle. "Well...I was kind of hoping you'd tell him."

"Oh no! You must be joking. Morgan'll string me up faster than the hangman. You tell him, but I suggest you tell him after you tell him you're pregnant, that way he's less likely to kill you."

Rolling your eyes, elbowing him again playfully in the ribs, a satisfying pained grunt leaving his mouth.

Drawing closer to camp you spy Abigail and Jack sitting by the road, Jack playing with a patch of daisies, and Abigail hugging a mug of steaming coffee. Seeing them, John springs from the back of Old Boy and rushes over to collect Abigail in a tight hug.

"What're you doing out here?" he releases her and scans her body, trying to gauge if somethings wrong.

"I couldn't wait in camp, not with Arthur being there. How'd it go, how're you feeling?" She asks and you dismount Old Boy. You pat his neck, thanking him for carrying you both safely home, he swings his head to you searching for a treat, when he finds none, he huffs and turns his attention to the grass.

"I didn't go through with it. John actually helped change my mind."

Her eyes widen in shock and relief as a wide smile spreads across her face. Rushing over she gathers you into a tight embrace, mouthing a 'thank you' to John over your shoulder.

"If you didn't go through with it, what took you both so long? Wait..." She looks around Old Boy and back at you and John. "Where's Caesar?"

"We uh ran into some trouble." John begins to explain to her what happened in town and how you lost your horse as you nod along and fill in any gaps.

"Jesus, they're that close to camp?" she asks as you both finish recounting the events.

"Yea, I gotta go tell Dutch and figure out what he wants to do." John takes Old Boy from you as you begin walking back into camp. You and Abigail exchange nervous glances, knowing Dutch is going to want to retaliate and after just getting your men back, and with Arthur more worse for wear than the others, neither of you are keen to see them ride out again to fight.

Crossing into camp you spot Arthur by the fire eating stew; your favorite blue union shirt of his loosely buttoned under his leather jacket. You were surprised to see him out of bed with his injuries, but the man's pain tolerance often amazed you. Sensing your gaze his eyes meet yours and a frown sets on his face as he notes your missing horse.

"Good luck," Abigail whispers as she and John lead Jack away to inform Dutch of your encounter.

"Where's Caesar?" Arthur asks as you sit beside him, his hand resting on your knee.

You wave your hand dismissing the conversation, "Long story. Look Arthur I need to tell you something."

Sensing something is wrong he sets his bowl down and turns to you. "Everything okay?" his hand squeezes your knee reassuringly.

You nod, not able to meet his face as you try to form the right words in your throat. "I erm... I didn't go into town for the Doctors, I went to do something."

His eyes stay on you as his mouth forms a hard line. A small nod encourages you to continue.

"I'm not sick, not really. Arthur, I'm..." you raise your eyes to meet his as you struggle with the words. His eyes are locked on you, penetrating your soul. You understood why Strauss used him for debt collection, the man could have you spilling your guts and paying double just from one look.

Taking a deep breath, you swallow and decide to just go for it. "Arthur I'm pr- "

"Arthur! We got a problem!" You curse under your breath as you both turn seeing Dutch marching towards you with Micah and John trailing behind.

A guilty look is plastered on John's face as he knows what Dutch is interrupting, 'I'm sorry." He mouths at you.

'Not now Dutch I'm busy." Arthur growls as his eyes flick back to your face, you look worried and he knows you're nervous about something, alarm bells are ringing in his head and he really isn't in the mood to deal with Dutch right now.

"The O'Driscolls are in Rhodes Arthur, they almost got John and Y/N, we gotta ride out and take 'em now, while we know where they are!"

Arthur's eyebrows shoot up to his forehead as he realizes why you're nervous, ignoring Dutch his hand squeezes your knee. "You and John ran into the O'Driscolls, is that what happened to Caesar?"

"Yes but-."

Arthur is on his feet before you can finish, a small wince escaping his lips as he straightens. "I can be ready in five." He turns to Dutch who nods with pride, a sickening smile creeping under his mustache.

"I knew I could count on you son."

"No! Arthur you can't! You're still hurt!" you tug at his hand pleading with him to stay. If he rides out in his current state, he'll surely be killed.

"Cowpoke's gotta carry his weight around here like the rest of us." Micah sneers and you begin to see red.

"Arthur carries more weight than you ever will, you filthy rat." You feel Arthurs's hand run soothingly up your back, his subtle way of telling you to stand down.

"Oh really? Seems he's always too busy, fucking you, rescuing you, and laying around injured."

Your next actions aren't your own, they're that act of an enraged woman. Lunging forward as Arthur tries to stop you, your fist connects to his nose with a satisfying crunch. He stumbles back immediately, as his eyes stream and blood runs down his face.

"My fucking nose, you bitch!" he splutters.

Seizing the opportunity, you tackle him to the ground, your fists flying as you pummel them into his face. His next words are lost as he tries to cover his face in an attempt to stop you from reigning blows down on him. Arthur's arm slides around your waist, dragging you up and holding you against his chest as you try to catch your breath. You can't see but a small smirk and look of pride plays across his face.

"Can't say you didn't deserve that one." John half rasps and half laughs.

Offering Micah a hand Dutch frowns at you before raising an eyebrow at Arthur. "We don't have time for this!" His words are gritted through his teeth.

"Won't happen again." Arthur nods and smiles still holding you firmly to his chest as he runs his hand runs over your arm soothingly. You're still breathing heavy against his chest, the anger still evident in your glare at Micah as he offers you an equally cold look while holding his freshly broken nose.

"Micah, go get Swanson to set your nose. Arthur, John, you're with me." Turning on his heel Dutch marches to the horses, squeezing your arm one last time Arthur follows as John casts you another apologetic look before turning to follow along.

Your mind is racing as you watch him start to leave, you can't let Arthur ride out in his condition. You don't know how to stop it, and without thinking, you blurt out...

"Arthur I'm pregnant!"

Time stands still. Arthur freezes with his back to you, his shoulders tensing as if you'd fired a bullet at him. Your hands clap over your mouth to stop any more words from escaping unwillingly. Everyone in camp is silent as they watch on, not even the chickens seem to make a sound.

John is the first to speak, his hand scratching the back of his neck nervously. "Well...that's one way to tell him." His raspy voice seemingly breaks the spell over the camp as whispers being to roll through the air.

"She's pregnant?"

"Another child in camp?"

"Arthur's going to be a dad?"

Arthur and Dutch turn at the same time to stare at you, both of their faces drained of color.

Ignoring the fact that all eyes are on you, you cross over to Arthur taking his hands in yours. His face is unreadable as he stares at you, and behind his eyes, you see war is waging. His jaw is tense, and you see the muscles tick.

"Arthur, please say something." You whisper as he continues to stare at you in silence.

"You're...pregnant." He repeats the words as you nod to confirm the statement. "I'm sorry." He continues as your brows knot in confusion, why is he apologizing? "I'm sorry, you deserve better than this." Pulling his hands from yours he turns and walks to his horse without another word.

"Arthur?" He mounts his horse not sparing you a glance.

"Arthur!" You yell after him as you watch him kick her on and out of camp.

You feel your world implode and you drop to your knees, he really had just left, his parting words 'You deserve better than this." Better than what? Him? You didn't want better than him, there was no better than him. Vaguely aware of John's arms around your shoulders you bury your face in his chest as you begin to sob, his arms slowly rocking you as your hands grab at his shirt.

"I'm going to kill him." You hear John whisper, but the words hold little comfort as you continue to sob against him.

You're alone. Pregnant and alone.