The sound of a metal door opening caused me to awaken, with a heavy heart I stood and did as much as I could to resist as they tied my hands behind my back.

"Time to put on one last show Miss Fisher," came the dark emotionless voice of the sherif, taking a deep breath I tried to push against his weight as he shoved me forwards towards the gallows nearby. Narrowing my eyes I refused to show fear to anyone in this stupid town, growling I threw my head back scoring the sherif in the face as from the grunt of pain I knew I broke his nose.

"You piece of shit, you shall hang and I am going to laugh the final laugh," he growled into my ear as he shoved me forwards now at gun point, snarling I still resisted as they dragged me up the stairs and onto the platform. Looking over the gathered crowd I stood tall and resisted every movement, my wrists burned and my heart was thumping in my chest. This was how I went out, the rope falling around my neck made my true fear show. I felt my body freeze and the world around me slow, my heart seemed to be caught in my throat as I felt the floor below me drop and the rope tighten around my neck. I thrashed about as I struggled to breathe any sort of air, slowly my thrashes became weaker as the world around me became fuzzy and dark. A loud noise echoed through my deaf ears as I hung there gasping for any sort of air, suddenly I was thrown down by something and air filled my longing lungs. I felt something grab my arms and my hands fell free of their rope binds as I was picked up and carried away, my gaze was still fuzzy and little black dots threatened to make me unconscious. I tried to move but all my energy was gone, my body felt numb and my throat felt like it was on fire. Even though I could breathe I felt like I was choking for air, I clung to whoever held me tightly as I didn't want to lose my sense of reality. Finally my energy was very well spent, despite all the sounds around me I drifted into a rather peaceful state of unconsciousness.

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A soft shaking woke me slowly, my throat felt sore and my head was spinning as I slowly opened my eyes. Looking around with my clearing vision I noticed Dutch was talking to Strauss just outside, the German was holding his medical kit which told me I must have been examined. Attempting to sit up I grunted as I rubbed my throat to try and soothe it, the sound had attracted both men into my tent with relieved faces.

"Oh thank the heavens above, now I really must be going Dutch, I have many people who need to repay their debts," Strauss explained as he walked out, Dutch sat down beside me and helped me sit up properly.

"What took ya so long?" I chuckled with a raspy voice, Dutch gave a soft smile as I was pulled into yet another surprising hug.

"Oh Grace, if Arthur hadn't rescued Micah when he did I would have lost you," he whispered, I felt my heart almost stop hearing the worry in his voice.

"Dutch..... you have Molly and the gang, I'm dead weight at this point, don't let me get in the way of your plans," I muttered pulling back while holding back the hurt I felt saying those words, I hated Molly but I knew I couldn't stop her magical fantasy.

"Don't you dare say that, after Annabelle I never thought I would find someone with as much spirit as her, Grace you listen close now, no matter what happens, I will always, ALWAYS, choose you," he growled his tone serious, my face felt warm and my heart felt almost cured. The man who had taught me everything I know, the man who's trust kept us alive had just told me through hinted confession how much I actually meant to him.

"I-I...." I tried to get out but before I knew it he had pulled me into a soft but passionate kiss, before I even had time to think he pulled back looking rather embarrassed.

"Sorry.." he muttered as he looked down, I could see his struggle over control of his own mind after that and I simply pulled him back into a hug.

"Dutch Van Der Linde you are the stupidest man I know, but also the smartest," I choked out, to my surprise after almost being hanged my emotions spilled out of me like a fresh wound. We sat there for a while keeping each other company when the entrance to my tent moved to reveal Arthur and John, I smiled at them as we sat back and both boys raised their eyebrows but said nothing of it.

"It's good to see you up and Alright Grace," Arthur sighed with his wise but kind eyes, John looked simply amused from his own little mind conversation.

"It's good to see you boys haven't gotten yourselves shot yet," I chuckled before clearing my raspy throat, the boys soon left and I laid back down. I could smell the faint stench of sickness coming off of Arthur which meant something was off, shrugging I rolled over to get comfortable on my bed. One day we would all be living the high life and far away from this god forsaken country, with a sigh I closed my eyes and allowed sleep to overcome me once more.