No Time To Die- ARTHURMORGAN x O/C

part 41- John Marston

The sun beats down on the abandoned dock near copperhead landing, casting a warm glow over the small gathering of Claudia, Sadie, and Abigail. The trio stands at the edge of the water, their eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of Arthur's arrival. The air is heavy with anticipation, and the silence between them is palpable.
Sadie brakes the silence, her voice lacing with curiosity, "So, what's going on between you and Arthur? You two seem...close."
Claudia's expression remains neutral, but a hint of warmth crept into her eyes, It's nothing," she says softly, her voice barely audible over the gentle lapping of the water against the dock.
Sadie raises an eyebrow, "Come on, Claudia, you're not going to tell me? Fine. I'll just have to ask Arthur then."
Claudia's shakes her head firm in response, "Just know that we love each other very much," she says, her voice a little stronger now.
Sadie's expression turns thoughtful, "I see. Well, I suppose that's nice. But I have to ask, do you know about Arthur's diagnosis?"
Claudia's gaze drops, her eyes clouding over, "Yes, I do," she admits quietly.
Abigail, who has been quietly observing the exchange, suddenly speaks up, "Oh, Claudia, you're going to save John, aren't you? You're going to get him out of there?"
Claudia's eyes flicker back up to meet Sadie's as the nagging woman speaks, "We are going to try," she says honestly, "But we have to be careful. Dutch will be furious if he finds out we're doing this behind his back."
Sadie shrugs her shoulders, "We're not a family if we're leaving people behind," she says simply giving a small smile to Claudia.
Abigail's eyes light up with hope, "Can I come with you? Please? I want to help save my husband."
"No, Abigail, you can't come with us. This is something Arthur and Claudia need to do together" Sadie says her stone stern.
Arthur appears behind them, his bloodshot eyes scanning the group before coming to rest on Abigail, "Sorry, Abigail," he says gently, "This isn't something we can involve anyone else in. It's too risky."
Abigail's face falls, but she nods understandingly, "I know. I just want to help."
"Alright," Claudia says finally, breaking the silence, "Let's get moving."
With that, they climb aboard a small boat mooring at the dock and Arthur picks up the oars, and begins to row towards the prison on the opposite side of the water. Sadie goes over the plan once more as Claudia stares out into the water watching the ripples go past.
Arthur and Sadie push the boat up to the shoe of the island making sure it is stuck into the ground, Claudia stays in front watching the area of the prison, sisika, and the guard in the watch tower.
"We good?" Sadie asks as her and Arthur go over to Claudia.
"Yes" Claudia states bringing her rifle to her hands.
"Let's head for the watchtower" Sadie orders leading the way, keeping her head low. Arthur and Claudia follow close behind, Arthur staying behind his girl just in case anything happens.
"There's a guard up there, I will deal with him" Claudia mentions quickening her speed to get to the tower. She goes ahead reaching the ladder, she starts to climb. As she gets to the top, she sees the guard resting his arms on the rusted railing leaning his body over, watching the surrounding area. Her feet moves quietly, tiptoeing towards the man. She takes out her knife and raises it, jabbing it into the man's neck.
"Goodnight, sweetheart" Claudia smiles grabbing the body by his jacket, she goes through his pockets taking anything that looks valuable. Arthur and Sadie meet Claudia up the top, "see over there, it looks like John. There's two guards one on a horse, and one standing near the prisoners."
"Take them down from here" Sadie says pointing towards the rifle in Claudia's hands. Claudia raises her rifle and aims towards the guard on the horse, she pulls the trigger sending a bullet through the poor man's head. She quickly sends another to the guard standing trying to keep the prisoners in line.
"Alright, where's John?" Sadie questions pulling out her binoculars, to search for the man, "wait, shit, I don't think that was him!"
"Let's get over there and see" Arthur pipes up already climbing down the ladder, the two women follow his lead into the prison working fields. They run over to the two guards that Claudia shot, one still alive.
"You mister, you know John Marston?" Sadie asks pointing her revolver at the guards head as he lies on the floor in pain from his first wound.
"He ain't working today" The guard stutters lifting his hands up to her in surrender.
"Put the gun down, lady"
Sadie turns her head slightly seeing another guard in blue uniform aiming his gun at her, she raises her hands slowly.
"No, you put the gun down. Now!" Arthur sternly speaks as he presses his gun on the  guards back. The man drops the gun, and lifts his hands up not wanting to get shot at.
"Where's John Marston?" Claudia asks as she stands beside Arthur, Arthur grips his arm around the man's head tighter.
"He ain't in the work detail today"
Arthur sights still keeping his gun pointing at the man's head, "okay, well I guess we'll go and get him together. Try anything and I'll blow your damn head off, you clear on that?"
"Yes very clear" the man squeals. Another guard comes around the corner pointing his gun at the three of them.
"Oh no, you don't!" Sadie yells hitting the gun out of the man's hands and hitting him with the butt of her gun knocking him out.
"Why don't you apologise to the lady for pointing a gun at her?" Arthur spits, pushing the man forward towards the prison.
"Excuse me?" The guard's voice trembles as they get closer, his knees getting forced to walk.
"I said apologise."
The guard sighs knowing that he has to do it, "I'm sorry ma'am."
"Ain't no harm done" Sadie says calmly, she strolls next to Claudia as Arthur takes the lead.
"So, where do we go?" Arthur questions him, some other guards watching them go past not wanting their friend to die.
"Towards the entrance I guess."
"And who's in charge of this fine establishment?" Arthur asks as Sadie goes over to the other guards and knock their guns out of their hands.
"Jameson, sir.."
"Jameson who?" Claudia queries, the name ringing a bell in her mind.
"No, Mr. Jameson, Hester Jameson" The guard in gun point, stutters.
"Is he a nice feller?" Arthur sarcastically mumbles making a smile grow on Claudia's face.
"Uh, he's been quite an exacting boss at times."
"I look forward to meeting him" Arthur says pushing the man forward.
"They're not going to let you do this!" Fear rushes through the man's voice.
"Well that's up to you, are you popular mister?" Claudia pipes up replying to the man's statement.
"Not especially, ma'am" he shyly answers leading the way to the entrance.
"Well I guess we are about to find out" Arthur smirks his gun still making a small dent into the man's head.
"Come on, march him straight up to the front gate" Sadie states walking a head towards the big building.
"We better hope someone actually cares about this poor man" Claudia laughs as the three of them cross the bridge.
"Guess we will see, we're going to have to shoot our way out of here regardless" Sadie answers adjusting her hat.
Guards raise their guns at the three outlaws, around the building, "don't shoot!" The guard in Arthur's arms screams.
"Okay, friend, be cool now. Just do as I say!" Arthur whispers into the man's ear to calm him down.
"Drop the goddamn guns" Claudia yells pointing her rifle at the guards near the gate.
"Jameson!" Arthur yells as they reach the entrance, "is Jameson in?"
At the top of the building two more guards arrive above the outlaws, "He's in Saint Denis, they've got Milliken!"
"Got him and going to kill him, unless you bring me John Marston!" Arthur yells so his voice can reach the men above, "right now! You've got one minute, I'm counting 1..2..3. Uh Milliken is it?"
"Yes sir"
"Will you count for me, I've got talking to do"
"Yes sir, of course sir. From 1 or 4 sir?" Milliken says shyly, keeping himself calm and not thinking about the gun behind his head.
"Oh very funny, oh we must be eleven by now!" Claudia laughs, taking her hat off wiping the sweat off her face.
"Eleven.. twelve.. thirteen.." Milliken starts to cry, his fear taking over him.
"Faster!" Arthur shouts in his ear, his patience running out.
"Fourteen.Fifteen.Sixteen.Seventeen.Eighteen" He counts, Arthur shouts for them to hurry up, Milliken stops counting tears flooding his eyes.
"I wouldn't stop counting if I was you, keep going sweetheart" Claudia kicks his knee making him count even faster than before.
"Hurry up and bring that asshole out, you bastards! Come on!" Milliken cries, Arthur's grip tightens.
"Don't cry buddy!"
"I don't wanna die!" He whines hoping that the outlaw behind him won't shoot his brains out.
The gate opens, a guard walks out with John Marston, the bastard. Sadie goes over to him and blasts his buckles off his ankles with her revolver. John shakes his legs, regaining the feeling of freedom within his feet.
"Marston, you are a lucky man" Claudia smiles passing him a spare revolver.
"Oh, Miss Jenkins I headed you were supposed to be hanged 2 days ago. You were talk of the prison" John laughs running to the pair, so he doesn't get captured again.
"What can I say, I've got my ways" She smirks, a grin approaching her face.
"Now no funny business! Or Mr Milliken will stop crying for once and for all!" Arthur yells pushing Milliken away from him, letting his grip go, "today's your lucky day!"
Bullets start flying toward the group, as they hide behind wooden crates. Claudia raises her rifles and pulls the trigger, taking down the guards up at the top of the building. The sound of bells ringing, bullets wizzing Sadie's commands echo through the air.
"Two of you cover us, John let's go" Sadie yells hustling John away, leaving Arthur and Claudia to cover them.
"Come on we need to move as well or one of us is dead" Claudia shouts over the noise, she starts following Sadie still keeping an eye out for bullets heading her way. Arthur follows on and is the last to cross the bridge, they all reach the other side and seek shelter behind some barrels. Claudia sees men coming through the water in front of them and takes them down, one bullet each.
"What took you so long?" John asks.
"I'll explain later" Arthur hushes him, trying to concentrate on the current events.
"Was that you in the balloon?" John questions Arthur, pulling the trigger on the gun in his hands.
"Yes, believe me that's was my one and only time flying."
Claudia turns around, looking out into the fields of crops. Her eyes catch the group of guards charging at them on horses trying to close them in, "Look out by the barn"
"Just keep on running, and try not to get shot" Sadie yells as they run through the crops, the sight of water making relief wash over her. They all scramble towards the shore line, Arthur and John push the boat back into the water.
"You always need rescuing, Marston!" Arthur says, as they all jump into the boat. Claudia stays in the back of the boat holding her rifle up, covering Sadie as she rows the boat towards Copperhead landing.
John smiles placing him self at the front of the boat, "Nice to see you too, Arthur."