Liars And Thieves

Chapter 21

Grace woke up the following morning, it was still dark but the sun was slowly rising. She found herself in her cot before frowning as she didn't remember returning back to camp.

"How're you feeling now, Miss?" Susan's voice asked quietly. Grace looked down at the end of her cot to see Susan sitting in the wooden chair, a small smile on her face. Grace sat up slowly, giving her a confirming nod.

"I think I'm okay. Did something happen?" Grace asked. Susan nodded before getting out of the chair. 

"Dutch said you passed out on the ride back, exhaustion probably," Susan explained as she gathered something from the barrel near Grace's cot. Grace couldn't see what Susan had for her. Grace lent a little to the side in attempt to look past Susan. "You'll be fine though. You scared everyone though, we were all worried sick," Susan grumbled firmly as she turned away from the barrel, a cup in one hand and a bowl of Pearson's stew in the other. "You should eat and drink, Miss. You were very weak," Susan informed as she handed Grace the cup and bowl. Grace took the cup first, holding it in one hand before taking the bowl with the spoon.

"Thank you," Grace thanked quietly. Susan nodded, standing beside Grace's cot for a few moments, staring at the girl before breaking the silence. 

"I'll let you eat in peace. Need anything else?" Susan asked. Grace shook her head politely, a small grin on her face.

"You've done more for me then you should've," Grace ensured. Susan smiled before giving her a small nod and leaving Grace's tent. Grace watched her leave as she took a sip from the cup, tasting water on her lips. She only realised how dry her throat felt when the water freshened it. She drank from the cup thirstily, sipping all the water she was provided with. She felt like she hadn't had water in a week. Grace had finished her drink in less than a minute, shocking herself with how thirsty she was. She quickly moved onto her soup, shoving a spoonful of what tasted like deer and herbs in the stew. Grace never thought she would miss Pearson's food as much as she did. The steamy hot stew warmed her stomach, providing her some warmth after the terrifying past days. Just as Grace finished her soup she heard a voice outside of her tent.

"Grace? Can I come in?" Dutch asked. Grace nodded before her face flushed with embarrassment, realising Dutch couldn't actually see her nod.

"Yeah, of course," Grace answered as she got to her feet, carrying her bowl and cup over to where Susan had got them from. Dutch entered, his face lightening when he saw her standing.

"You're up," Dutch gasped slightly. Grace nodded at him, turning to face him as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I see Miss Grimshaw took care of you well." Grace nodded.

"She did. Dutch, thank yo-"

"There isn't a need to thank me," Dutch interrupted. He grinned before opening his arms to her. Grace accepted his hug. "You're our family and we need you," Dutch added. Grace nodded into his chest and their hug ended. "I know you'll hate to hear this but I want you to rest in camp until I say so. Get your strength back," Dutch added. Grace shook her head in refusal.

"I'm fine, Dutch," Grace insisted. Dutch shook his head at her.

"You need a break. You've done more than I could ever ask you to do these past few weeks. Think of it as well earned if you must," Dutch continued. Grace sighed in annoyance. "And if you don't want to think of it as well earned, think of it as an order."

"Fine. But just know I'll hate it," Grace gave in, strongly disagreeing with Dutch's decision. Dutch chuckled before taking a few steps back towards the tent flaps. 

"Good. You should go talk to Arthur, he was worried 'bout you," Dutch informed before disappearing out of the camp before Grace could bug him about Arthur. Grace found her black duster coat on the barrel, folded. Grace assumed Susan had folded it up for her. Grace grabbed it, pulling it on before finally exiting her tent for the first time since she returned. The sun was rising slowly when she made an appearance, the rays of the rising sun blinding her. Grace squinted her eyes, scanning around the camp. There was hardly any movement in the camp, being so early. She saw Dutch going back to his tent, Miss O'Shea was awake already. Molly spotted Grace, giving her a small smile before Dutch sat down beside her. 

"Look who it is, Grace herself!" Sean called out, raising his repeated in the air as he walked back into the camp. Grace scolded at him.

"Sean, quiet! Some are sleeping," she reminded. She didn't want to be the reason for everyone waking up, Grace already felt like she had gotten more attention than what she would've liked. Sean chuckled, motioning around the camp.

"So while I stay up for these bastards, they get to sleep? Well that ain't fair," Sean complained as he joined Grace.

"That's exactly why you're doing it, so they can sleep. Life ain't fair," Grace hissed. Sean chuckled once more, for the amount of time Grace had been back she was already sick of him. 

"Yeah, yeah. How are ye anyway?" Sean asked, changing the subject. Grace gave him a small nod.

"I'm fine. Where's Arthur?" Grace asked. Sean shifted his repeated so it rested on his shoulder and he shrugged. 

"I think I saw him by the lake," Sean answered, finally sounding not annoying. Grace thanked him before leaving.

"So what? I don't get a loving embrace for rescuin' ya?" Sean called out across the camp as she walked towards the lake. Grace looked over her shoulder to see Javier sitting up, yawning. His eyes locked onto Sean before turning into a glare. Grace chuckled, shaking her head as she looked away, walking towards the lake. She knew Sean was in trouble now. As Grace came closer to the Lake, she spotted Arthur's figure sitting on the rundown dock. She could see his silhouette writing in his journal, the water rippling under the dock where he sat. Grace's boots clicked on the wood of the dock, Arthur hearing and looking up.

"You were worried about me, eh?" Grace called out, a small grin on her face. Dutch rolled his eyes, closing his journal before shoving it into his satchel.

"Weren't we all?" Arthur grunted as he got to his feet, meeting Grace as she joined his side. They looked out at the lake together, the rising sun kissing the water as it rose slowly. 

"According to some, you were more worried than others," Grace explained, not mentioning Dutch. Arthur laughed lightly, trying to hide his growing embarrassment. "But if it weren't for you, I'd probably be dead."

"You got into this mess because of me," Arthur grunted, shaking his head slightly. Grace's eyebrows dug down on her forehead as he looked at him. "I'm a goddamn idiot."

"No you ain't!" Grace snapped, turning her body away from the lake to look at Arthur. "You knew exactly where I was, what you said is the least of my problems now."

"How'd you know it was me?" Arthur asked.

"Dutch told me you and Lenny knew where that place was," Grace started. Arthur turned his body to her now also, shaking his head.

"You should be thanking Lenny too then," Arthur sighed. Grace shook her head before taking one of his hands softly in hers. Arthur looked down to see her holding his hand.

"It was you who took the shot, weren't it?" Grace almost whispered. Arthur nodded a small nod.

"Yeah," Arthur answered, his answer almost as silent as a whisper. Grace smiled, squeezing his hand in her small hands. 

"And you organised the whole rescue, didn't you?" Grace questioned him again. Arthur nodded once again. "And Charles and John, they know you love me?" Grace asked as she remembered him and Charles and John staying back last night to what looked like they were comforting him. Arthur nodded again.

"Yeah," he answered once again. Grace felt tears of joy rise into her eyes as a grin layered her lips. Arthur quickly caught a tear that rolled down on her cheek, wiping it away with the swift movement of his thumb. Grace felt herself turn speechless as his hand stayed cupped on her face, his eyes searching her eyes. Arthur's lips connected to hers, Grace's hands dropping Arthur's hand as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She felt Arthur's free hand fall on her waist pulling her closer to him. Her body was now against his, the warmth of him calming her and making her feel at home more than ever. Their kiss ended, the two resting their foreheads together. Grace played with his hair as her arms rested on his shoulders, twirling his hair around her finger. "Micah and Dutch want to talk to me today," Arthur broke the silence. Grace chuckled.

"Knowing Micah it won't be good," Grace joked. Arthur nodded softly, agreeing with her.

"Probably," Arthur agreed. Grace felt his forehead move away from hers before she felt his hand move to the back of her head, his fingers in between her dark wavy hair. He moved her towards him gently, kissing her forehead. After he walked away back to camp, Grace left to watch as he walked away.