IMPORTANT

The main character is named Elizabeth and she's often called Eliza. She is no where related to the women Arthur slept with and had a kid with in the game. I completely forgot about her when I was naming my OC and by the time I realized what I've done, it was too late and I wrote like 7 chapters already.

I don't want to change her name, so just know Eliza is not the one in the game.

The gang hadn't seen her in nearly 6 years, she just up right and left them in the middle of the night. Some thought she was kidnapped, died in a ditch somewhere or the law got her. Made plans to search for her, but stopped once they found a letter and neat cursive writing. She was the only onc that ever wrote like that, so neat and and proper as if she grown up sophisticated, in which she did.

To the Van der Linde Gang,

Don't come looking for me, I've gone off and away from the gang on my own accord. I'm not going far, but hopefully you won't be able to find me as easily, so long you stay far away enough in the West, away from all the civilization you've been running from. The world is changing and they no longer want Outlaws anymore, best remember that.

You either adapt to this world or you die. Life ain't fair, humans were never created equal, and I've learned that the hard way from my time riding with you all. Me abandoning you out of nowhere ain't fair, so to compensate, underneath my bed there lays $10,000, use it however you please.

Don't come looking for me and don't bother my family Dutch, I am still an Outlaw and if you cross me, I won't hesitate putting a bullet through your head. To think I saw this gang as family at one point, to think the very person who allowed me to stay, would betray me. The world ain't fair Dutch and I reckon you won't ever get that big score you want. You'll come crawling your way to civilization, you'll loose your sanity and most importantly you'll loose your gang.

Hosea, I owe you my life and plus some. You have been nothing but a father to me and you have shown nothing but kindness towards me. It is you that is stopping me from ruining this gang, so you best stay alive if you want to protect it. If the time comes and you do find yourself in Civilization and backed up in a corner, come see me. We will make arrangements and we will see what will happen when our paths cross once more.

Till this time comes, remember that actions have consequences. Your past will come back to haunt you and it will most certainly not be pleasant. My patience and kindness can only be tested so many times, do best and remember that.

Sincerely,
Orléans

When the gang had read the letter, many did not know what to think. Many turned to Dutch and about his supposed betrayel towards the women, but he didn't utter a word. The man only retreated back to his tent and there he stayed still the next day. Everyone was left to wonder about what the next course of actions would be with the large sum of money that was left to them

Some were heartbroken that the girl had left and wrote such a threatening letter. They didn't understand what had happened for the girl to change sides so quickly, to make her abandon them. She acted as if they all betrayed her and yet they couldn't quite understand how. Under Dutch and Hoseas orders, no one looked for her, no one spoke of her and they simply acted as if she was never part of the gang.

Dutch never did fufill his promise to the gang and instead of going farther west, he set his eyes towards Blackwater. There they stayed, wanting one more big score so they can just disappear. However, that never happened and it was as if Orléans was a fortune teller.

The Dutch Van der Linde gang found them closer to civilization then ever before, and needed desperate help.

*****

They have never before been this close to civilization and they were tense as they rode their horses carefully through the streets of Saint Denis, taking great measure to not hit anyone. Last they needed was more Law on their back, they've already had Pinkertons to worry about after the botched Ferry Heist in Blackwater. With the gangs mood down and in desperate place to stay, away from the people who wanted them hanged, Dutch, Hosea, Arthur and John found them selves in the heart of Saint Denis.

It wasn't as pleasant as everyone made it out to be, the place stunk of garbage and smoke and it festered with so much life. Most importantly there was Law in every corner and they were worried that their faces would be recognized. However, they tried their best to not act suspicious as Hosea lead them to where their supposed salvation should be.

"It's been years since we last saw her," Arthur spoke out to Hosea as he brought his horse next to his, "do you think she'll even remember us?" He asked eerily, skeptical of the plan. Anyone would be after reuniting with a person after all these years and the last they saw each other where not in the best circumstances.

Hosea kept calm like he always did, providing a mental stability in which the gang needed, "I know the girl better then I know you Arthur," his tone was fatherly as it's always been towards the boy, "her parting words were harsh, but I know she cares for the gang. If she didn't, she wouldn't have left a letter at all nor the good amount of cash."

Arthur never knew what happened to all that money that she left for the gang. Dutch just took it and said he hid it somewhere safe for when they were ready to disappear. That was years ago and he never saw the money again, probably left and abandoned in Blackwater. It was tempting to go back for all the money left behind, but as soon as he steps into Blackwater he's a dead man for sure.

The man fell to the back of the group to where John was following behind Dutch. He was relatively quite unlike his usual self, seemed more reserved, "what's up with you? Did the wolf eat your tongue or something?" Arthur asked sarcastically.

"Just..." John started, trying to find the right words to portray his thoughts, "We haven't seen her in years. Don't know how to feel with meeting her again now," it was true. He had a history with her before Abigail joined the picture. John Marston, the man who just recently accepted Jack was his son, pictured a life with Miss. Orléans all those years ago. He was madly in love with her, but something changed when Abigail joined the picture and he made a poor and stupid choice of abandoning her for Abigail.

Arthur didn't say anything back to him as he was lost in his own thoughts. The few little things he had in common with John was that he had a romantic history with Orléans as well. Ever since Hosea found her and took her into the gang, Arthur fancied her a lot and was sweet on her. However, his love was futile as the girl directed all of hers to John. Watched from the back bitterly as the two cozied up as a couple. Luck would have it that John made a careless mistake of leaving her for Abigail and he swept in to take his place. Of course not before having a turn with Abigail. Yet, just like John, Arthur left Orléans for another women, Mary to be exact and that was his greatest mistake.

Eventually the small group got off the Main Street and into a secluded area, where there was less bustling people about. There was one path that lead way out of the city and up into the mountains and the boys could already see the mansion that sat alone on the top. It was big, and it looked rich as they cautiously neared it.

"You sure this is the right place Hosea?" Dutch questioned as they halted their horses in front of a large gate. There were no guards around but it didn't stop him from worrying that Pinkertons or Laws would jump out any second now.

Hosea dismounted his horse before hitching it on a nearby tree, "I'm sure this is the place, come one now, let's not cause trouble for her."

The four approached the gate, trying to figure out what to do, but they didn't have to think for too long as the large doors of the mansion opened. A man stepped out and he was around Hoseas age but he wore an expensive looking suit as his graying hair was slicked back neatly. Dark blue eyes stared at the group for a moment before a slight grin made its way onto his lips when his eyes landed on Hoseas face.

"Mr. Mathews, correct?" He asked politely as he approached the gate and opened it for the group. Bowing slightly, he shook Hoseas hand, completely ignoring the rest, "Miss. Orléans told us to be expecting you soon. Your faces were plastered all over Backwater when I went down there for business matters."

Hosea chuckled lightly, "I hope matters didn't involve Pinkertons?" He asked in a joking matter, but the man heard the weariness behind it.

Quickly shaking his head, the man only patted Hoseas back reassuringly, "Miss. Orléans try's to not involve herself with the Law. How rude of me, I am Thomas Louis, Miss. Orléans right hand man you might say," the man was an eccentric figure as he lead them inside the mansion.

The interior was just as grand as the exterior. However it wasn't obnoxiously decorated like most rich folks houses where. There was a sense of finesse to it, it had more silver then gold scattered around the interior, a dark burgundy contrasting it nicely.

"How has Miss. Orléans been? It's been some time since I last saw her," Hosea struck up the conversation as he gave a look to Arthur and John, one that said that they better not even be thinking about stealing. It would have been easy as Thomas was only paying attention to Hosea.

"She's been well! Business has been thriving and yet she always gives back to the people. Try's her best to share her wealth, but she's been putting a good amount into savings," The man seemed proud when he was talking about her and he was. To him it was an absolute honor to be working and serving under her. Many didn't take her seriously in the line of business as she was a women, but eventually she made a name for herself in the cotton industry.

Hosea listened intently as he tried to envision the girl, wondering how she grew and changed over the years, "has she taken a man?" He suddenly asked, which caught the attention of a certain two as they directed their gaze to Timothy.

Shaking his head, Thomas did notice the intense looks he was receiving, "Many tried to tie her down, but she's either both not interested or she fancied none of her hundred suitors. Though I think motherhood has something to do with her lack of husband."

"Motherhood?" Hosea asked dumbfounded, his head trying to make sense of what the man said, "what do you reckon by that?"

"Exactly what I mean by it!" Thomas alone, before he opened another set of large doors, which lead to a private study.

The room was spacious as the walls were lined in bookshelf's and it was all taken up by books. In the center of the room was a large wooden desk with several stacks of paper behind it. To the side of the room was two couches that could probably fit three people in it and a dark red wooded coffe table in the middle of the two couches. Behind the desk was the only space that wasn't covered in books and it was for a large window that looked out to the city of Saint Denis. Infront if the grand window was what the boys could have sworn was a Queen.

The women was dressed in a expensive looking red gown. It was accented with silver as it puffed out in the back was a medium size black bow resting on her lower back. The lower half the dress was covered in silver frills that had a rose pattern embedded into it. The upper half hugged her body nicely ass the sleeves ended just pass her elbows and a pair of black gloves covered the rest of her arm. Black hair was curled loosely as half was tied up to resemble that of a bow. One of her hands was raised and in between her fingers was a cigarette.

"Miss. Orléans! The guest have finally arrived, just like you said!" Thomas spoke proudly as he took a step towards the women.

Turning around, dark green eyes observed the four men as her full light pink lips were bent into a small smile. Cheeks dusted with a slight rosey hue as pieces of hair loosely framed her delicate heart shaped face. Underneath her left eyes was a small circle beauty mark, a signatures of her.

"It's been too long Hosea," the women finally spoke, breaking the tense silence.

Hosea couldn't help but crack a smile when he noticed the gentle look in her green eyes, "far too long Elizabeth."