#micah Balfour

[theonlyadawong]

Much Ado About Nothing

Royal Shakespeare Company, 2022

Dir. Roy Alexander Weise

Photos by Ikin Yum

[forensicated]

Conviction - Part 2 - To The Limit

Max and Stevie attend the scene the next morning when the fire is finally out. Sally reports a witness spotted a woman matching Abbie's description running away the time the fire started. The only one hurt in the fire was the barman, Pete, who lives above in one of the flats.

Men! Genuinely think Chris was about to laugh & had to hide his face 😂😂 (also she clearly hasn't done much in a pristine white top 😉)

Officer White Top tells them traces of accelerant were found on the stairs and in other places - most likely petrol. Whoever set it seemed intent on getting the flat and bar. Stevie jibes all three men for having their tongues out in the presence of Officer White Top.

Smithy and Callum attend the hospital and tell Pete that the fire was lit on purpose. He tells them that he doesn't know much about the big boss, Matthew Devlin, but his son has a history of rubbing people up the wrong way and is proud of the fact that no one likes him. Pete claims he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and that he knows of no reason why anyone would target him.

Matthew Devlin attends the station. Max tells him the bar is a crime scene and there'll be no entry until they finish. Devlin Snr says he was at home at the time of the fire and was entertaining guests, including a councillor if they need proof. Devlin Jnr was not present, he was at a party in Kent and is still travelling back. He'll help anyway he can because they are the victims and he expects to be treated as such. He walks into Smithy and Callum as he leaves. Callum doesn't move as the two men stare at each other, though Smithy steps to the side. "If looks could kill..." Stevie smirks. "Yeah... he doesn't like us does he..." Stevie's smirk grows. "I was talking about you!" She tells Callum.

Eddie is not impressed with the fire investigation crew pulling down the ceiling onto his 'nice clean crime scene!' but he changes his tune when he spots Officer White Top and flirts up a storm. (Stevie: "Is there a woman with a heartbeat Eddie hasn't cracked onto?" Max: "Actually... he's never hit on you, has he?") Both he and Officer White Top seem to now think the accelerant on the stairs could be a run off from what was poured outside the flat. Perhaps it was Pete and the flat that were the targets?

The bouncer who lives next door to Pete, Carl Fox, arrives at the cordon and tells them he'd stayed at his girlfriends the night before. Sally arrives with the CCTV that shows the blonde who matched Abbie's description running away from the bar was infact... Abbie!

Smithy reminds Callum the Devlin's are the victims until they get evidence to the contrary they have to treat them as such, as much as it pisses both of them off. They spot Abbie outside the hospital, she yelps when Smithy takes her arm and it's revealed that she has burns. Later they tell her they have her running away from the fire on CCTV and that the FME has confirmed she has second degree burns. She admits that she was there but denies starting it. She got the burns trying to get up the stairs to alert Pete. She admits that she and Pete are good friends and begs them not to tell Devlin. Smithy asks her how she's going to explain the burns and she says she'll tell Devlin that she went to the bar to look for him and that despite appearances Jason does look after her and pays the rent for her flat but she can't help her feelings for Pete and she admits being terrified of Jason.

Pete tells Smithy and Callum that he and Abbie have been seeing each other for a couple of months and that Jason treats her like a slave and knocks her around. He's saving up to get them both away somewhere safe. He says he didn't lie earlier, he's just taking every opportunity to stop Jason from finding out. Smithy floats the idea that he might already know given it seems the flat could have been the target and the rest accidental.

Callum and Max attend Devlin's flat now he's returned from Kent. "I can't wait to see the look on Devlin's face." Callum says. "You're an evil man!" Devlin is not happy to see them. "This is just about the fire, Mr Devlin." Max tells him. "I'm shocked you think it could be about anything else!" Callum adds, in a tone that suggests he is not at all shocked. Devlin says he was at a party miles away with many witnesses, he doesn't know who it was, he didn't start it and he has many enemies who could. Callum asks when he heard about it and he says that morning as his phone was switched off. He's heard Pete was hurt but his dad told him that he's alright and he hasn't spoken to Abbie. Max tells him that Abbie hurt herself trying to get into the bar looking for him. He admits he didn't tell her he'd be away all night. He attends the station to pick her up and calls her a 'silly cow' and to use the phone if she doesn't know where he is or to call his dad. How romantic and caring of him. His act is enough to prove that he doesn't know about her affair with Pete.

Eddie reports that he found coke on Pete's bedside table and that his bedroom door was almost kicked in before the fire brigade arrived. He's also found some forged European documents with an imperfection that matches other forgeries he's found floating around lately. It raises suspicions Abbie might not be an illegal immigrant.

Pete claims he knows nothing about the forged documents or the door. Callum threatens to tell Devlin but Pete can tell from Ben's reaction that Callum is bluffing. He tells him to nick him if he suspects him. Callum choses to place him under observation instead.

A printer admits that the Devlin's owe him over £1000 but insists he didn't set the fire as they've always paid up in the past. He tells them he knows they have dodgy businesses but won't be drawn into what they are. "You're the detectives... detect." Mickey finds out that they're landlords but there are no names of tenants on a list of creditors that Matthew Devlin handed over that morning so it's definitely something they don't want to advertise. He visits the nearest one with Smithy. It's not exactly high class living and the smell is horrendous. It's an illegal house of multiple occupancy and filled with most likely illegal immigrants who are terrified. There appear to be approximately 30 people living in the house if not more. Smithy reports it to the council. The house is a death trap with bare electrics, no working fire alarms and fire exits blocked up with stuff.

Ben and Callum follow Pete to Abi's and can tell from his body language that something isn't right. He enters and immediately runs out. They enter the house and find Abbie unconscious and beaten. Pete accuses him of telling Devlin and tells Rachel that he wants to make a formal complaint. Ben tells Rachel he heard nothing threatening said by Callum and she clearly doesn't believe him.

Smithy is furious when he hears and accuses Callum of trying to force the result or even telling Jason. He insists he's done nothing wrong, even when Smithy points out that Abbie and Pete were their best bets to getting information about the Devlin's and their empire. Stevie calms the men down and airs something that has been bothering her... what if it wasn't Jason who attacked Abbie? Stevie has found out there is no record of her entering the country legally.

Unfortunately despite the inhospitable conditions of the house, there's no law against renting to illegal immigrants so without one of them talking out against the Devlin's they can't prosecute them for it. Max suggests it could be one of the tenants who set the fire which opens up a huge amount of suspects. It does also add weight to the Devlin's being behind the forged documents however given they have their own captive market in at least one of their properties.

Smithy and Stevie attend Matthew's house and ask him where he was when Abbie was attacked. He tries to storm out but his father makes him stay and answer the questions. Devlin Snr tells his son that Abbie has been cheating with Pete and that is why they're asking all the questions. Jason is clearly shocked and growls to his dad that he'll kill her. Matthew tells him he'd told him she'd bring trouble to their door but he's now going to stay away from her. Smithy urges him to listen to his father. Stevie asks how Matthew knows and he tells them he saw them and to now focus on finding who set fire to the bar. Smithy tells him it was likely one of the tenants. Matthew claims he knew nothing about them being illegal and that it's them who 'imported half their village to live with them' and he knew nothing about it.

Max, Smithy and Stevie go to Abbie's flat to see if Eddie has found anymore information. He's found more than that - in the extra act of cruelty in pulling the phone line out the wall to stop Abbie calling for help after her beating, her attacker has left behind a partial print in her blood. Stevie offers to buy him a drink to congratulate him and he tells her he appreciates and loves her but she's 'not his type', much to the amusement of Max and Smithy.

Smithy apologises to Callum for accusing him of telling Jason. Rachel takes Callum into her office and tells him she's going to ask Pete to withdraw his complaint. She's disappointed that it happened in the first place. She allows him to work the case again but tells him to stay away from Pete and Abbie.

St Hugh's call and let the officers know that Abbie has regained consciousness and will be able to talk soon. Stevie's unsure if she'd want to but Max says she must if she wants her attacker caught now Jason is out of the frame but aware of her and Pete's relationship. Eddie has a match on the partial print from Gollum lookalike, Donny Blake. Mickey has history with him and says he's a nasty piece of work with a large amount of violent offences in his back catalogue as well as dealing. He has no known links to the Devlin's.

Abbie refuses to talk to Smithy and Stevie so they tell her what they know and suspect. They know she's there illegally, they know it was Donny Blake who did it, they know he's a violent drug dealer and the fact that she and Pete are trying to raise money to leave together suggests that they made some sort of deal with him that has fallen through. They think the forged documents they found are hers and that it was Blake who set the fire and tried to break into the flat. Smithy says without cooperation they'll have to arrest her and hand her over to immigration. Abbie finally talks, admitting that Donny did a deal with Pete to get drugs on credit. He would sell them through the bar, pay Donny back and keep the profit but the drugs were stolen. She suspects it's Donny trying to double cross them.

Pete tells Smithy and Max the same story in interview and offers to tell them where he got the forged paperwork from AND hand them the Devlin's in return for help. He got the paperwork from a Polish printer - the one Mickey spoke to earlier. Matthew Devlin got in touch with him that afternoon and offered 5K in cash to him and identity paperwork for Abbie to disappear. He said he'd get Donny off their backs too. Pete thinks they're finding her an embarrassment because she's an illegal immigrant. The call came before Donny got to Abbie so as far as Pete is aware the offer still stands.

Max and Smithy take it to Jack who calls a station briefing. He agrees to contact Matthew Devlin as part of a sting and agree to meet him at the print shop. At the same time, Callum will lead a search on Donny Blake's house with TSG and uniform. They've had a tip off that he's likely to try flush the drugs so they are not taking any chances. Donny does indeed try to flush them so they break the water pipe and are waiting with a black bag to catch the rest. Ben and Callum manage to overpower him and Sally arrests his girlfriend.

At the print shop carpark it's Jason who arrives instead of Matthew. Max thinks it's a bad sign but Smithy reckons it could work to their advantage as it's natural Pete would be nervous around him after sleeping with his girlfriend. They watch Jason push a package at Pete and pull his wallet out before charging over. The package is menu's and the money is £300. Jason claims he's paying him outstanding wages because he wants rid of him and that he knows nothing about any other deal. He literally laughs in a furious Smithy's face. At the station, Carl - the bouncer - is waiting with Matthew Devlin. It fits into place - Carl tipped them off as he was with Pete when he visited Abbie and found Smithy and Stevie there.

In interview, Matthew Devlin reads a short statement he prepared with his solicitor. It reads that he found out about the affair and asked Carl to keep an eye on Pete. Carl reported back that Pete was planning a drug deal. The Devlin's did not want that on their premises. They asked Carl to report it to the police but he didn't as he couldn't verify the information. They realised that afternoon that the fire was likely linked to Pete's activities and came forward at the earliest of opportunities. He admits Jason is a loose cannon and that he went to the print shop to meet Pete to look him in the eye after he'd been lying to him and sleeping with his girlfriend. If Pete has told them that he was being bought off with offers of cash and documents then it is a vicious smear. They met at the print shop so he could pay the printer the outstanding invoice and collect the menus. Smithy calls him out for lying and that they used the printer for forged documents and wanted rid of Abbie for fear she might know something damaging to them. He simply shrugs and points out that Abbie is an illegal immigrant who has been dealing with hard drugs and is a known liar - making out that they'd lied about the 5K and documents. "Who's going to believe anything she has to say?"

Callum reports that Abbie was right, they found Pete's holdall in Donny's flat and they've brought him in. Max and Smithy don't have any good news. Matthew has an answer for everything even if it's rubbish. Max points out they have an ace up their sleeve - the printer.

The printer claims morally he's done nothing wrong. His grandfather created false documents during the war for the Resistance and refugees. He saved lives and so is he - he only produces paperwork for people who are desperate to get away from the likes of the Devlin's - he does NOT sell them to the Devlin's and that's why they stopped using him and did not pay the invoice because they'd found out. They don't want their illegal immigrants to get paperwork as it means they can move around freely and aren't' forced to pay top whack to stay in their slums.

Mickey feeds this back to the three Sergeants who are fuming they have nothing to prosecute the Devlin's for. At best they have a housing act violation and will be fined. Max takes Abbie to see Pete and they drop the allegation against Callum. Abbie tells them that she tried not to listen to what the Devlin's said as she didn't want to know how bad it really was for her.

Devlin tries to wind Smithy up by insisting on an apology when he sees him out of custody. "Dream on." He forces Devlin down the ramp and pushes him away at the bottom before growling 'I need to go wash my hands." Devlin smirks and nods at the camera, insinuating he's going to report him. Smithy isn't bothered in the slightest, squaring up to him at the bottom of the ramp with a low growl 'I'll be seeing you around.' as Callum watches from the top of the ramp. Devlin blows him a kiss and walks off.

Smithy turns and sees Callum. "Got a knack of getting under your skin, don't they." Callum smirks. "What's this? Your way of suggesting I'm no better than you?" Smithy glares. "Who knows what any of us are capable of given the right circumstances?" "I know what the line is, whatever the circumstances." "Do ya?" Callum ponders.

Me thinks it might be a rather prophetic conversation almost, boys...

[socialfilter]

Red Dead Redemption 2 Characters as ABBA songs

- a 7am thought come to fruition by me, a deluded little guy

Arthur Morgan - The Winner Takes It All

The gods may throw the dice, their minds as cold ice, and someone way down here, loses someone dear.

John Marston - Name of the Game

If I trust in you, would you let me down? Would you laugh at me, if I said I care for you? Could you feel the same way too?

Lenny Summers - Take A Chance on Me

Gonna do my very best and it ain’t no lie. If you put me to the test, if you let me try.

Susan Grimshaw - Fernando

If I had to do the same again, I would, my friend, Fernando.

Tilly Jackson - So Long

Tracy, Daisy, they might be crazy but I’ll never be your girl.

Mary-Beth Gaskill - Honey Honey

the way that you kiss goodnight, the way that you hold me tight.

Karen Jones - Chiquitita

you’ll be dancing once again, and the pain will end

Sean Maguire - Does Your Mother Know

Now you’re so cute, I like your style, and I know what you mean when you give me a flash of that smile.

Molly O’Shea - SOS

so when you’re near me darling, can’t you hear me? SOS

Dutch Van Der Linde - Angeleyes

and one day you’ll find he wears a disguise. don’t look too deep into those angel eyes.

Hosea Matthews - I Still Have Faith In You

do I have it in me? I believe it is in there.

Marion ‘Bill’ Williamson - Me and I

yes, I am to myself what jekyll must be to hyde

Micah Bell - On and On and On

keep on rockin’ baby till the night is gone

Javier Escuella - The Visitors

Voices growing louder, irritation building, and I’m close to faintin’- crackin’ up!

Charles Smith - When All Is Said And Done

It’s so strange, when you’re down and lying and on the floor. How you rise, shake your head, get up and ask for more.

Mary Linton - Knowing Me Knowing You

here is where the story ends, this is goodbye

Charlotte Balfour - Andante Andante

play me time and time again, make me strong

Jack Marston - I’ve Been Waiting For You

I love you, I adore you, I lay my life before you.

Abigail Roberts - Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!

Won’t somebody help me chase the shadows away?

Sadie Adler - Voulez-Vous

masters of the scene, we’ve done it all before and now we’re back to get some more

Josiah Trelawny - Eagle

And I dream I’m an eagle, I dream I can spread my wings and fly

Kieran Duffy - Suzy Hang-Around

Nobody wants you around here and that’s for sure. So get off our playground and stay away.

Rains Fall - Slipping Through My Fingers

Then when she’s gone, there’s that odd melancholy feeling and a sense of guilt I can’t deny.

Eagle Flies - Lay All Your Love On Me

Now everything is new, and all I’ve learned has overturned, I beg of you.

Reverend Swanson - I Have A Dream

I believe in angels, something good in everything I see

Bonus:

Arthur/Mary - My Love, My Life

you are still my love and my life, still my one and and only

Sadie/Abigail - One of Us

one of us is crying, one of us is lying in her lonely bed.

Arthur/Charles - Our Last Summer

living for the day, worries far away.

John/Abigail - Super Trouper

The sight of you will prove to me I’m still alive.

[whichstoodonrockyshores]

Arthur for the ask game?

Sexuality Headcanon:

Bisexual, with a slight lean towards men. He would never admit that to himself, however. Arthur is somewhat open about his sexuality with the Gang, but he avoids discussing it.

Gender Headcanon:

Cis Man

A ship I have with said character:

To be clear, this is going to be long. I ship Arthur with quite a few people.

Morbell. Refer to Micah’s answers.

Charthur. Refer to Charles’ answers.

Arthur/Charles/Sadie. Refer to Charles’ answers (again).

Arthur/Mary Linton. I know that the two of them would never work out, but I think they’re adorable. Especially when they meet up again in Saint Denis, it makes me both happy and sad that’s the last time Mary sees Arthur alive.

Arthur/Albert Mason. I adore the Arcadia for Amateurs missions, and seeing Arthur enjoying himself with Albert is always a good touch. I always enjoy seeing Arthur’s picture in the gallery when I visit it.

Arthur/Charlotte Balfour. Arthur recovers from tuberculosis and everything is fine. Canon isn’t real. That is this ship to me, the “better ending” AU.

Arthur/Charles Châtenay. French Charles is one of the few people to make Arthur laugh, through sheer ridiculousness no less, and they always have a good time together. Arthur and Châtenay run away to Tahiti the South Pacific together.

A BROTP I have with said character:

Arthur & John. There is nothing better for me, their friendship makes me so happy. Despite how much they get on each other’s nerves, Arthur and John are brothers for life. John thinks of Arthur often after his passing, and tries to remember the good times before the Gang fell apart and Arthur was sick.

Arthur & Hamish Sinclair. Red Dead Redemption II is a father figure collection game, and Hamish is definitely my favorite of them all. With everything happening with Dutch and Hosea’s passing, I think Arthur needed someone like Hamish.

A NOTP I have with said character:

Vandermorgan is a hard no from me. Dutch is particularly manipulative of Arthur and I just can’t imagine their relationship ever being nice, romantic or otherwise.

A random headcanon:

Arthur is a very quick learner, and can pick up on things easily. It only took about a month for Dutch and Hosea to teach him to read, and only a few more after that to write in full sentences. This is partially canon, too, because after Charles taught him, it didn’t take him long to use a bow effectively. This doesn’t mean he’s good at everything, however, because he’s fairly bad at fishing.

General Opinion over said character:

Despite Arthur being a bad man, and me knowing that, I still loved him from the moment I saw him on screen. I never stopped enjoying his character and growing with him through the story of RDR2. I just don’t think this series would be the same without Arthur Morgan, and I do think he achieved his redemption in the end.

[trappers-cloak]

I have a bunch of feelings and thoughts about how my fic should continue after ch 6 bc like:

-Arthur doesn’t have tuberculosis BUT he is in fact sick and injured

-he and Diana(OC) have planned to run away together earlier in ch 6

Immediately post ch 6, arthur escapes after mutilating Micah, and Dutch leaves him behind. Diana finds him wounded at the mouth of Beaver Hollow.

She can take him to a few places:

- Willard’s Rest, where they stay with Charlotte Balfour. The pair remind Charlotte of the love that still exists in the world. Perks are that Willard’s Rest is hidden and Arthur already helped Charlotte, plus the extra room!!

- Veterans Homestead, after Hamish dies. The homestead was abandoned, and is hidden due to its spot in Ambarino!

However, since Dutch ran north of Beaver Hollow, he might’ve run into either of those places! I always theorize that he first ran to the Loft, and moved on quickly after that.

AFTER Arthur recovers, Diana and Arthur move on from Roanoke Ridge to get away from the heat. There are some choices from here, too!

Diana and Arthur need to look for work, post VDL gang. Diana has connections from her stepdaughter, Miriam Wegner. Diana and Arthur also made off with some of the money in the Go For the Money Ending. This is what I have in mind, and suggestions are greatly appreciated and needed

-Diana and Arthur travel by boat to Thieves Landing, looking for work far away from Roanoke Ridge. There’s a hostel in Thieves Landing, where they stay until they find work at MacFarlanes Ranch! Plenty of place to stay and have a happy ending.

The pair get married in similar fashion to the Marstons which is very cute and I am going to enjoy writing THOROUGHLY, and then they move in with the Marstons at Beechers Hope and nothing bad ever happens again

[highaver]

"Miss Weber," came a simple but nonetheless warm greeting, as Balfour stepped up to the counter and nodded his head in acknowledgement. It had been a long time since Balfour had seen the likes of Miri Weber. Indeed, the last time had been in Van Horn, when Micah Bell had all but killed him. Better, he thought, to meet her here in Blackwater and more or less in one piece to boot. He removed his hat and set it atop the counter.

"I do try my best not to get shot anymore," he smiled. Easier said than done, of course. That old life had a way of sticking to a man, no matter how badly he wanted to get away from it. He was hoping Blackwater was his chance at that. "I trust you ain't had to stitch any more idiot young men back together since that last time?"

@highaver

❝ mornin', welcome to-- ❞ miri looks up, and cuts herself off. she doesn't particularly like manning the shop, prefers to be upstairs at her sewing machine, but she's powerless to say no. she's been able to get on with some hand sewing, at least, and she's halfway through knitting a pair of socks, should she run out of other things to do. on this occasion, though, miri is glad she's here, glad she looked up and saw who'd come through the door. ❝ balfour! you're looking less dead than when i last saw you. ❞

[robotscrapbook]

Micah Balfour as Don John in Much Ado About Nothing (2022) dir. Roy Alexander Weise

[willstafford]

Well?

ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Wednesday 7th August, 2022 Everyone knows the title of Shakespeare’s late comedy (characters even say it as part of their dialogue) but fewer people are familiar with the story it tells.  The play isn’t performed as often as Much Ado, Twelfth Night and As You Like It, so every new production has a head start in delivering something…

[general-du-vallon]

The Pepins. Monsieur Pierre Pepin came home and they lived happily ever after. I tried to find clips of other stuff Micah Balfour and Sandra Reid were in and gif them and make like a fancy happy ever after smiling and hugging thing to end it, but I couldn’t find :( I do not have the talent. I did make a super crappy gif of an interview with Micah Balfour from an Emmerdale interview where they zooming in and filming the expressions of the OTHER INTERVIEWEE and they asked him like one question. Rude. but here, imagine him happily greeting his wife with this big grin. and then scooping up their lil cute daughter. 

[vanderlindemangofarm]

Random RDR2 Future Headcanons for No Reason

Javier suffered from panic attacks which only got worse after the gang fell apart.

Tilly named her son Hosea.

Abigail found Dutch's mother's grave in the Blackwater cemetery and lays flowers there at Christmas.

Mary-Beth became a Quaker.

Captain Monroe did go to Tahiti, marrying a lovely girl and living out his days less than a mile from the ocean. He remained in touch with Rains Fall for many years.

Charlotte Balfour wrote a book about her experiences living in the wilderness dedicated it "to Cal, who dreamt of our path, and Arthur, who kept me on it."

Jack attended university in his 50's, majoring in American Literature and History.

Pearson passed away in the early 1920s. The running of the general store passed to his daughter, who kept his beloved photograph of the gang hanging up.

Hercule Fontaine died at the ripe old age of 90. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren delighted in tales of his adventures.

Edith and Archie Downes got their fresh start, eventually moving to California.

Amos Bell never learned what happened to his brother, Micah. His name was never mentioned amongst his family.

[forensicated]

A Stiffy (*snigger*) recap for the sextet of Conviction episodes. Sadly no longer Smiffina related as Rachel (boo!) is Inspector for now but still useful for fic background further down the line as they really are quite Callum/Smithy heavy and it feeds a lot of their story.

Conviction aired between the 1st to the 16th July 2009. Gina left October 2nd 2008 so we are 9 months on from An Honour To Serve Part 2. A quick scan back through the wiki episode guides tells us that in the last few months, Smithy mentored Mel a little bit during her first NYE attached to the MET that had her brother down from 'Oop North' to get caught up in a crime, Smithy and Leanne Samuels (Witness 1-8 and others before that) got back in touch during a case that involved a single mother and her sister who happened to attend a community hub that Leanne runs. He learnt Brooke is thriving and that Leanne had met someone and was getting married. Callum got close to another victim of domestic abuse who trusted him enough to tell him about criminal matters her husband was involved with (A cash in transit job). The case was further complicated when Max trampled over it. During Nate's Extra Special School Season, Smithy was stabbed by a school boy during an arrest and his lung collapsed but luckily all was OK in the end. Diane returned for one night before she transferred to another station as a Sgt. She and Smithy ended up undercover in a club with uniform to catch the dealer of mis-identified drugs and Arun, Beth, and Sam all left.

Conviction - Part 1 - Cover Up (1/6)

Ben and Sally find a burglar still on the premises, unfortunately he runs into the allotments behind the houses and Sally loses him. Callum and Roger arrive to give support.

Smithy is called to a disturbance outside the E1 club/pub. He breaks up a fight and threatens a bloke peeing in public with arrest, only to find an assault victim next to him. He asks the rather unhelpful group watching who heard or saw anything - noone helps out!

Sally speaks to their informant, she's in her 70's and can't see very well so can't give a description other than 'male'. The owner returns rather worse the wear and doesn't seem too surprised to see the police. He claims nothing appears to be missing other than an expensive watch. Callum points out the man has a rip in his trousers and some cuts and bruises on his hand. He asks if it was a good night, and the man says he fell over after one too many. Callum just nods and tells him CID will be in touch with a crime reference number in the morning when asked about making an insurance claim.

The assault victim, Andrew Brennan, has 100 pounds and his own bank cards. It doesn't seem like a mugging. Stevie tactfully explains what happened to the mans wife when she calls. Evie rushes to the hospital and explains that her husband told her he was going to speak to someone 'about work' - he's an odd job man/painter decorator. She doesn't know who he met or who might want to hurt him. Roger finds an expensive watch engraved with OR - Oliver Robinson - the owner of the burgled home that Callum was dealing with - at the scene. Brennan could be the burglar.

In the morning, Callum and Ben head to the Brewery where Robinson works to ask if he knows Brennan. Robinson asks if he's the person who took it and Callum explains the man is still unconscious. Robinson claims not to recognise him and says he's had no work done on the house recently. He seems evasive and excuses himself for a meeting, telling them he doesn't want to take it further as he's gotten the watch back - even if the police are holding into it for the time being as evidence. Ben and Callum are in agreement - he's lying. He definitely recognised Brennan from the picture.

Smithy and Stevie return to the E1 bar where Brennan had been drinking the night before. Pete, the head barman gets them a copy of the CCTV whilst Smithy asks a woman at a table if she'd been in the night before. She says she doesn't work there and is just waiting for her boyfriend. As they leave, Jason Devlin, the manager appears and introduces himself and says he recognises Brennan and that he was with another man who was wearing a suit and they appeared to be having a 'heavy discussion'. Watching the CCTV back, Roger recognises Oliver Robinson as the man meeting Brennan.

Callum wonders if the watch was even stolen in the first place, it's possible that the 'heated discussion' turned violent outside and that the watch fell off in the fight. He wonders if Robinson faked the burglary given that - despite his inebriated condition - one of his first questions was about insurance. Noone has come forward to admit to seeing Brennan in the alley, however one witness did describe a man in a suit getting into the back of a gold coloured car at approx 9.20pm. There's no CCTV on the required street so Rachel tasks Sally and Roger with trawling through the CCTV of the surrounding area.

Rachel tasks Smithy and Stevie with returning to the hospital to speak to Brennan's wife to see if she knows if he'd worked on Robinson's house or to at least give them access to his paperwork for them to check. Things get a whole lot murkier when Evie tells them that Robinson is Andy's real surname. Brennan is his mum's maiden name that he took after he was released from a young offenders institute because he was finding it hard to get work. Stevie asks if Oliver Robinson could be a family member and his wife shakes her head. "I doubt it. His family are dead."

Smithy looks him up and finds that Brennan has convictions dated in the 1980's for drugs, theft and arson. Oliver Robinson is listed as his brother. Difficult to explain why he lied to Callum about not knowing or recognising the picture of his brother! He tells Callum that he didn't want to get him in trouble for taking his watch. Callum tells him that it's bigger than the supposed theft of his watch and that they're suspicious he infact attacked Brennan himself. Robinson insists he didn't and says that Brennan has gotten himself caught up in something that he wants nothing to do with. He's apparently hassling Robinson for money but won't tell him what it's for.

Brennan insists he doesn't know who hurt him, he was out for a few drinks after work, left the bar approximately 10 past 9 and was attacked and left laying down so didn't see who did it. Smithy asks if he left the bar with his brother. Evie is confused and asks if it's a joke and Stevie clarifies that it's the man who they spoke about earlier. She is horrified Brennan never told her about him, even if he hadn't seen him in years. She refuses to leave the room and wants to know what's going on. Smithy tells them that Robinson is being questioned and that he's told them Brennan wanted to borrow money. Brennan insists that it's money owed to him and that his brother owes him and gave him the watch. "You think it's my brother who beat me up?"

Robinson tells Callum he hadn't seen his brother since the late 80's and they were never close but he gave him 'some money' because he's his brother. Callum says that doesn't make sense. Robinson says he only met him the night before to tell him he'd give him no more before they went their separate ways. He says he left E1 before his brother and stopped for a kebab before he walked home. Callum asks what Brennan did. "Obviously he went round to my house and stole the watch, didn't he!?" "I don't know. I'm asking you."

Brennan tells Evie he's always been straight with her but doesn't say why his brother owes him several thousands of pounds. Evie storms out, followed by Stevie. Evie tells Stevie that her husband is a good man, there'll be a reason why he's lied and that they're trying for a baby but the 'trying' is proving difficult as nothing seems to be happening and they've just finished a second round of IVF.

Rachel asks Callum if it's feasible for Brennan to have gotten to his brothers and back in the time suggested. It's possible but doesn't make sense as he lives the other side of Canley so why return to the club? Robinson's kebab stop is confirmed by the CCTV from the shop and there's no way he could have returned in time to assault Brennan. Rachel suggests that if his brother didn't assault him then he definitely knows something given the fact he's lied so consistently. FIU look into Brennan's accounts and find he's paid a private fertility clinic for tests. Stevie and Smithy return to the hospital to talk to him about it but he's done an illadvised runner after getting dressed.

Evie is as confused as the officers for why her husband has left and tells them she has his keys so he can't have gone home. They ask if she has any idea where he might have gone, especially as he still thinks his brother was the one who attacked him and that he's in the frame for stealing the watch. Smithy and Stevie arrive to double check on Robinson and they find Brennan collapsing at the brewery.

Sally spots a gold Volvo on CCTV and they go to speak to the owner. He's cagey as he has been mini-cabbing without a licence but Callum just says they'll 'assume for now he's in the process of getting one'. He admits being in the area and that he picked up a man in a suit the night before. His voice sounded familiar to the driver who thinks he's spoken to him previously but can't say where or how. Callum suggests to Ben that he's a 'regular' of the drivers which could potentially lead to him being a member of staff. They take him in and run him through an ID parade of staff members from the CCTV and he identifies the owner, Devlin.

Rachel suggests that they concentrate their efforts on Devlin as the man who attacked Brennan. She shows them CCTV of Brennan and Devlin talking over the bar which seemed innocent. She suggests they have history but Devlin said he'd never met Brennan before in his life - though he would if he'd gone on to attack him. Smithy and Callum can't agree who should go speak to Devlin so Rachel says they can both go and sends Ben with them to 'keep them in line'.

At the E1 the Sgt's meet Matthew Devlin, Jason's father who asks if it's something serious. Devlin appears down the stairs with his girlfriend. He insists he was at the club all night doing the books in the back - as he'd said earlier - and that he didn't leave at 9.20pm. His father says he can vouch for him and Devlin adds that the barman, Pete and his girlfriend can too. Devlin Senior suggests they have the wrong man. "Who did you say the cab driver was?" Devlin asks. "... I didn't." Callum replies. The suit he wore is at the dry cleaners and his girlfriend covers that she spilt a drink over him approx 9pm in the smoking area - an area covered by CCTV. Callum asks for a copy and they spot Brennan talking to Devlin's girlfriend but no Devlin until they hug and the girl kisses Brennan's cheek - and Devlin appears from a doorway at 8.40pm.

Stevie tells them that she has done some digging on the earlier convictions of Brennan. Two separate witnesses spotted two boys at the scene of the arson. The officers investigating thought that it might be Oliver but their parents gave him an alibi. Oliver was older so perhaps the parents thought he'd get a rougher deal being 18 with two drug possession charges so Andrew took the rap alone and that perhaps that is why Oliver has been giving his brother money. Callum wants to nail Oliver on top of the assault but faking the burglary would only get a caution. All three say they should speak to Brennan and offer to listen should he want to clear the air.

Brennan says that he talked to the girl, Abbie, for the first time that night and that she was really nice and sweet and that the hug and kiss on the cheek meant nothing and that 'even the tall guy behind the bar was joking about it.' He says that he warned him off and to keep his hands to himself and that Brennan laughed and said she was out of his league. Stevie asks why she hugged him. Brennan explains he'd told Abbie he was about to be a dad - she asks if that was because his brother was going to pay for him to get private treatment. "You know about that?" he asks and Stevie nods and says she reckons she knows why. Brennan clams up and tells Stevie she doesn't know what she's talking about and that he served the time and will stick to his original statement if she starts digging.

Smithy suggests that Devlin is really dangerous if he can kick a man half to death for a friendly hug and kiss on the cheek. The level of violence he used is far too much for a first offence and so Devlin should be someone they know about. Rachel gives permission to bring him in for an interview.

Devlin claims he doesn't remember the conversation with Brennan and that Abbie is a very pretty girl so he's used to people hitting on her but he trusts her implicitly so has no worries. He claims the angry expression on his face is 'his thinking face' and laughs off any inference that he was the one who attacked Brennan. He claims he doesn't know which dry cleaners his suit is at because Abbie deals with it all and she has lost the ticket and mocks them for having only the word of an illegal cabby for evidence. The Sgt's are aware Abbie won't inform on her boyfriend and Smithy suggests getting forensics to go over the taxi and see if they can get some DNA. Unfortunately before they can get to the car, Sally is called to an arson attack on the cab drivers car and everyone claims they saw nothing. "If someone's trying to intimidate you-" Callum starts saying to the driver who responds. "It's worked." and he withdraws his statement. Callum tells him that with his help Devlin will go down for a long time. "Where is he now?" he asks with Callum telling him he's at the station. "Exactly..." he says, gesturing to his burning car. Callum threatens to nick him for illegal minicabbing and he tells him to arrest him and that he'd rather be sent down than have his family at risk.

Abbie can't help with the dry cleaners name and so Smithy and Callum turn to go with a warning they're going to search Devlin's house for 'the ticket' but there might be a clean up job required after. Abbie suggests there is a place on Gasson Street that they might have used. Pete is clearly listening in and then asks the men if he has been charged when Abbie goes to answer a call. He tells them that Devlin has a temper but is very wary of the CCTV camera watching them and insists he can't help them any further.

Smithy hits a dead end with the Gasson St Dry Cleaners and is not happy to have to bail Devlin because of the lack of evidence. Callum is pissed off at having to give Robinson his watch back whilst he only gets a slap on the wrist for faking a burglary. Neither are very happy boys!

Stevie and Callum tell Robinson they know exactly what happened. Robinson reluctantly hands the watch back and tells them to give it to Brennan. At the hospital Evie tells them they don't want the watch and that all she wants is their life back. She thinks that the watch would be blood money and taint whatever it bought. Brennan gives them the watch back.

Ben spots at fire engine approaching them and tells Roger that he used to beg his dad to follow them so he could see them in action. Roger chuckles and humours him and turns the car to follow the engine. "Don't say I don't treat you nice!" In the meantime Smithy is tracked down by Callum who tells him the E1 bar is on fire and both men hurry to the scene. Callum suggests Devlin has upset someone further up the food chain. "Nothing like a bit of poetic justice, hey?"

[sorenkingsley]

[hawleywilby]

It's Jermaine Bailey on Holby. And he is gay!

[pauseliveaction]

#HolbyCity (19/33) review (via Holby City: We'll always have Radiohead)

[foreverrhapsody]

Micah Balfour is hot...

And also was wasted on Emmerdale. Mmmm.

[amorgansgal]

Thank you! I was thinking, what about those who died (Sean, Hosea, Lenny, etc.) surviving amd comforting Arthur's S/O?

So this is a request from @myybebe and after a little digging over chat, this is where Chapter 6 happens but Sean, Hosea and Lenny are still alive during it. Arthur will still have TB, he’ll still fight Micah, get John to safety, but die in the attempt. Are we all sitting comfortably and ready to cry?

***

Arthur receives a lot of support from Sean, Lenny and especially Hosea while the proverbial shit is hitting the fan. But not even Hosea can stop Dutch from sinking into madness and becoming obsessed with money and all manner of hairbrained schemes.

Hosea is especially distraught when he finds out about Arthur’s diagnosis of TB, but that makes him more determined than ever to ensure the women, children and elderly folk can leave.

Unbeknownst to you, Arthur talks to Hosea about a plan of their own. He asks Hosea to get you and John to safety, because he knows both of you will insist on staying.

As things progress, Sean agrees with getting the other gang members to safety, Arthur encourages him to think about whether he will make a commitment to staying with Karen or giving her the best life possible and leaving her be. Lenny agrees to help Charles with the Wapiti tribe.

Arthur is aware of what Micah is saying to Dutch about how you’ve made him soft and how you’re slowing them down. He knows that as he is unlikely to survive and can’t protect you, he needs to get you somewhere safe. That way they can’t use you against him.

He’s hard-pressed to persuade you, but eventually he begs you to stay with his friend Charlotte Balfour, because he can’t bear the thought of losing you too.

‘Let me have this, darlin’. Let me at least have you safe, I know you want to be with me but I can’ lose you too. I can’ do this knowing you’re hurt or worse.’

He promises that once everything is done, he’ll send Hosea to you and you can meet somewhere that’s safe. You can both go west, set up a ranch, be safe and happy there. You know he’s lying, you know Dutch and Micah won’t let him lead a happy, peaceful life and nor will the TB that’s destroying his lungs. And yet you cling to what little hope is left.

You stay with Charlotte Balfour during the last month and it’s honestly torturous for you. After the Sean gets everyone out, he’s the only one who visits you, in order to give you news. In some ways you’re glad, he always tries to cheer you up and tells terrible jokes to make you smile. But you also come to dread his visits because the news he brings is never good.

Finally, on a cold September morning, the ground drenched with the rainfall that fell in the night, you see Hosea ride up the hill with Sean and Lenny. You gasp with excitement and race over to them, only to come to a halt as you see the grim expression on Hosea’s face.

He looks up at you and without words you already know what’s happened. You fall to your knees, gasping for air, howling like a wounded animal, tears blinding you, so you don’t see Hosea race over to you and hold you in his arms, rocking you back and forth as though you were a child.

‘He was so brave, Y/N. So brave and a good man right to the last moment. The man I always knew he could be.’

They tell you what happened, or what they had heard from John during moments when they weren’t there. Sean and Hosea had both been getting the others to safety, when everything at camp went to shit. Arthur and John had accused Micah of betraying everyone, then the Pinkertons turned up.

Sean and Lenny managed to get John to safety and with his family, but even when Hosea reached Arthur it was too late. Dutch had abandoned Arthur, Micah was still taunting Arthur in his dying moments, but Hosea made swift work of that bastard.

Arthur was relieved that Hosea had arrived and that he would die knowing everyone was safe, and that he would not be alone during his final moments. Hosea held Arthur in his arms and did his best not to cry while his son asked him to look after you, to make sure you would never want for anything and for both of you to keep each other safe.

They both watched the sunrise, until Hosea felt Arthur fall silent and still in his arms, at which point he openly wept. He had wanted to take Arthur’s body back with him, so you could bury him, but he didn’t have the strength to put Arthur over his horse.

Instead, Charles and Hosea buried Arthur on the mountainside, so he could always see the sun rising in the West and look towards home. Lenny offers to take you to his grave, so you can mourn properly and say goodbye to the man you had loved so much, and who had adored you in return.