Unshaken

Sean MacGuire: A Hero's Return

Another day passed as Liam did normal daily activities around camp. He was becoming well liked by everyone. It was different, being thought of as an asset instead of a burden like he did back in Rhodes. He started to feel good about himself for the first time on a long time. As the sun started to go down, people rode into camp. It was Javier, with a red-headed man on the back of his horse.

"He's back!" Karen yelled giddily as she hopped to her feet and ran up to the horse. The man got off and hugged her, pulled back and said, "Ya missed me, didn't ya?". He asked her in an Irish accent. She glared playfully at him. She then pushed him saying, "No, you had me worried sick!" He laughed and walked over to Dutch. "Mr. MacGuire!" Dutch said. "Long time no see, Van Der Linde!" He yelled as the two shook hands. "I guess not, huh? How are you, son?" Dutch said happily. "Fine. A little roughed up. But not even an army could take down Sean MacGuire!" He yelled egotistically to the camp. Some rolled their eyes, others cheered.

"I say we have ourselves a party! To celebrate Mr. MacGuire's triumphant return!" Dutch yelled to everyone. He started his phonograph and played opera music that Liam had never heard before. Everyone cheered and rushed to grab any alcohol they could find. Sean then walked to Strauss' wagon and stood on his chair. He started to preach when Arthur rode into camp. He got off his horse and started to walk towards the commotion when Dutch stopped him.

"Arthur, thank you for getting Sean back. Tonight we celebrate. That goes for you too, Mr. Parker!" Dutch pointed at Liam who was standing near Dutch's tent, listening to Sean. Liam turned around jumpily. "Oh, yes sir, Mr. Van Der Linde." He said timidly, walking to grab a beer. Arthur joined him. "What you think? Of Sean?" Arthur asked opening his beer. "He's a character, but I find him pretty amusing." Liam said taking a sip of his beer. Sean jumped off of the chair and walked up to the two.

"Morgan! Morgan! Ya know ya missed me!" He said. He was already starting to get drunk. "Don't irritate me, boy." Arthur growled. "Loosen up, Englishman!" Sean yelled. "And who's this youngster? Your long lost son, Morgan?" Sean asked. Liam didn't see it and had no idea why people kept on saying that. "Liam Parker. It's nice to meet you." Liam held out his hand to Sean. Sean drunkenly looked at his hand for a second. "He's with me. And he ain't to be messed with." Arthur said. Sean looked at the two. "Well alrighty then!" He yelled and shook Liam's hand and violently brought him into a hug. Liam almost lost his breath at how hard Sean had crashed into him. He laughed. "Now, both of you Englishmen need to loosen the hell up now!" He said stumbling back to the party. "That's all you need to know." Arthur said, walking to join everyone else.

Liam followed and went to the campfire and sat around Hosea and Pearson with a bunch of
others gathered around the fire. "How do you like Sean?" Hosea asked Liam over the drunken singing going on. "He's a funny guy!" Liam said back. "That's good. You enjoy yourself now!" Hosea yelled back to him. They raised their beers and sang to different songs. He noticed even Mrs. Adler and Molly were in quite a good mood. He watched Sean drag a laughing Karen into John's tent. He didn't want to think about what they were about to do. Liam somehow knew they were lovers from the time Sean returned.

Liam noticed Molly and Dutch dancing. Tilly stood and watched, almost envious, but not in a malicious way. She caught Liam looking at her. Her eyes softened. "Would you dance with me, Mr. Parker?" She asked. "Sure, but I must warn you, I ain't much of a dancer." Liam said as they locked hands. "I'll teach you." Tilly said as they started to match steps. He twirled her around and flared her a few times. "See, we can be like normal people!" Tilly said laughing. "That's good, is it?" Liam joked. At the end of the song, they playfully bowed to each other. "Well thank you, Liam." Tilly said, planting a kiss on his cheek. "It was my pleasure, Miss Jackson." Liam told her, hoping she couldn't see him blush.

After a few hours of singing and drinking, Liam stumbled back to his tent. He plopped down to the bedroll and passed out.