#'jack? why jack what does jack even have besides probably syphilis'

[a-nybodys]

thinking about them <3 (anne and mary ofmd)

[outlawnurse]

He Insists - Chapter I

A RDR2 Modern AU Written by: @ninja-nurse, Inspired by: @heart-of-gold-outlaw, and with special thanks to @ceruleanchillin

Warning: Language, Violence, Spoilers

Introduction | Chapter I | Chapter II | Chapter III | Chapter IV | Chapter V

Hosea hopped down from the wagon, helping the two girl's down. "Thank you, Mr. Matthews."  Caitlin said. "Of course."  He put his arm out, "This way." "Where are we?" "It's called Horseshoe Overlook."  Hosea said. "Are we still in West Elizabeth?"  Sophia asked. "They call this The Heartlands.  You're in New Hanover, Ladies." "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Toto."  Caitlin looked around. Sophia shook her head, slowly, not sure what to make of the place. "Well, well, well."  The man walked over, "What do we have here?" Dutch cleared his throat, "They're going to be staying with us for a while.  This is Caitlin and her sister Sophia.  Ladies, this is Micah Bell." "It's always a pleasure to meet beautiful women."  He grabbed the woman's hand, bringing it to his lips. The woman jerked her arm back, stepping back suddenly, bumping into the man behind her, gasping, turning to face him. Arthur caught her, putting his hands on her shoulders, moving her to stand beside him, "You're alright, girl.  This one's bark is worse than his bite." "You say that now."  She mumbled under her breath. "She's a bit high strung, that one, isn't she?"  Micah laughed. "It seems to me like hatred for you transcends generations, Micah."  Arthur scoffed. "What's that supposed to mean?" "It means if I'd been here, you'd still be sitting in that jail in Strawberry."  Caitlin snapped, standing just behind Arthur, as if he were a shield. They all looked at her. "I think I'm gonna like this one."  Arthur snickered, turning to look at her. "How did you know about that?"  Micah snarled. Sophia shot a look of discontent at Caitlin, who mouthed, 'I'm sorry.' "Who are these girls?"  Micah asked, glaring at the woman. "We'll get to introductions shortly."  Dutch ushered them to his tent, "Miss Grimshaw, can I have a moment of your time?" "Of course, Dutch."  She walked over. "Mr. Morgan, can you fetch Mr. Marston?" "With pleasure."  He nodded. To say that the members of the Van der Linde crew were bewildered after being introduced to the two women was an understatement.  John seemed almost distraught by the girl's presence, while Abigail wanted nothing more than to get to know the woman.  To her, they were a symbol of hope.  They were a sign that everything would work out for them.  John, while struggling to comprehend what was happening, decided that family was family, and accepted the girls.  

A tent was put up that the two would share.  They were given clothes and basic supplies.  In an effort to make the two of you comfortable, Dutch planned a welcome party for that night.  Charles and Bill had brought back two deer from their hunting trip.  Sadie helped Pearson prepare food for everyone, and there was plenty of alcohol to go around.

Sophia whispered to Caitlin, as they changed in their tent, "Can you please try to turn back on your filter?" "What?" "You can't just go shooting off your mouth with these guys."  Sophia snapped, "Did you see the look on Micah's face when you threatened him?  He looked like he was going to shoot you in the face." "First of all, I didn't threaten him.  Second of all, he wouldn't dare."  Caitlin pulled the skirt on, "Arthur Morgan is looking for a reason to end him.  I'd be happy to give him one." "This isn't a joke."  Sophia seemed genuinely worried, "You romanticize our family's history, but they're criminals.  Their jobs are literally to rob and kill people.  You know what Micah did to the people he supposedly cared about.  Do you think he'll hesitate to kill you?" "I don't romanticize anything.  I know, probably better than you, who I'm dealing with." "You can't save them." "I'm not trying to." "You are.  It's what you do, Cait.  You try to save people.  It's why to became a nurse.  You know the fate of almost every person out there, and you want to save them.  You need to let history happen.  There are just some things you can't fix.  You can't interfere." "We already have, Soph." She looked at her. "As incredibly detailed as Arthur journal is, never once did he mention two time traveling great great granddaughters of John Marston.  I'd say that's journal worthy wouldn't you?" Sophia sighed, "Just... be cool, ok?" "Fine." "...and here... take this."  She handed her a handkerchief. "What's this for?" "Because you drool every time you mention his name." "Shut up." "It's unhealthy." "When in Rome, bitch."  She tucked the piece of cloth into her dress pocket. "Don't..." "What?" "You have a crush on a man because of his diary, which, I should add, was written a hundred and some years before you were even born." "Don't you judge me!"  She squint her eyes at the woman, "You see what he looks like." "He's fucking terrifying."  She said, "He literally drew a gun on you not even six hours ago!" "Well," she waved her off, "he didn't know who we were." Sophia shook her head, "That dress looks nice on you by the way." "Thank you."  She posed, "You look nice too." "Thanks!"  She twirled in the skirt. Cait smirked, "I bet old Artie's amazing in..." "Don't say it!"  Sophia covered her ears, quickly, "For the love of God, don't say it!" Caitlin laughed. "You're not going to sleep with the one hundred and fifty five year old outlaw." "I'm pretty sure he's like thirty-six." Sophia just made a face, "You're going to end up with syphilis." "That's a risk I'm willing to take." "You're such a whore."  Sophia laughed. Caitlin shrugged her off, "That's what antibiotics are for." "...and when were antibiotics created, Nurse Cait?" "Nineteen twenty four?" "...and what year is it now?" "Eighteen ninety... Oooooh." She nodded, "Syphilis." Caitlin laughed. "Are you ready?"  Sophia asked. "Yeah." "Remember ... be normal until we can figure out how to get home." "Normal.  Got it." "No threatening Micah." "No threatening Micah."  Cait repeated. "No getting syphilis from Arthur." Cait just laughed. "Say it." "He doesn't have syphilis." Sophia put her hands on her hips. "Fine.  No getting syphilis from Arthur."  She made a face. "Be. Normal." She put her hands up, in defeat, "I'll be on my best behavior, Mom." "Good."  Sophia pointed at her, leaving the tent. Many of the group sat around the camp fire, chatting and laughing, while Javier played his guitar.  Some of the men sat at the table playing poker, drinking and smoking.  Caitlin was silent, taking everything in, as she was far more socially awkward than she let on, despite her earlier interactions.  Sophia chat with a few of the girls as she sat at the fire.

"Are you ok?"  John sat beside the woman. She nodded, "I'm just, umm, overwhelmed, ya know?" "I imagine this is a lot for you." "I might also ... still be a little hung over from last night." He chuckled, lifting a bottle of whiskey, "I can help with that!" She took a drink from the bottle. He raised his eyebrows, "Oh..." She lowered the bottle, touching her fingers to her lips, wiping off the excess, as she swallowed, "I'm sorry." He laughed, "You must be my blood." She chuckled, as he took a drink, handing it back to her, "You know, whenever the family gets together, they tell stories of you and the Van der Linde Gang, and Jack ... The family talks about it often." "Yeah?" "Yeah."  She smiled, taking another drink of the whiskey, "I feel like I know everyone here, but I also... I don't." He looked at her. "The stories made you all so real, but I never imagined being here... with you... being able to touch you.  I get a real chance to get to know you.  It's so surreal." He smiled at her. "As overwhelming as this is for us, though, I can't imagine how weird it must be for you guys." He scratched his head, "It's... something alright." She took another drink from the bottle, before handing it to John. "Did you ever get to meet Jack?" She shook her head, seeing the boy sleeping, in Abigail's lap, "He passed before I was born." He looked sad, "I know you can't tell us anything, but...  Does it all work out?" She looked at him for a minute, not sure what to say.  She looked at the fresh scarring on his face.  She realized for the first time how much her own father looked like him, "Well, I mean, you have a direct bloodline a hundred years from now, so I mean...  It couldn't have been all bad, right?" "I'll take that."  He nodded.

Caitlin looked up to see Sophia laughing with Abigail and the girls.  She knew that at any moment, all of this would be ripped from her.  She looked toward the table, where Arthur played poker with Dutch, Hosea, and Sean.  The man held his cigarette loosely between his lips, as he placed his bet.  His gaze shifted toward the fire, making eye contact with the woman.  She smiled, nodding to him.  He removed the cigarette, nodding back to her.

"Hello?"  John waved his hand in front of the woman's face. She startled, looking back at him, "What?" "I asked if you missed home." "Honestly, I want to stay here as long as I can." He nodded, finishing the whiskey, "Well, we're happy to have you for as long as we can." She smiled.

To Be Continued............