Author Note: Justified ain't mine. Sadly. Comments welcome.

1. The Woods

They haven't got far when he stops, breathing hard and one arm hanging limp.

She still has his blood on her hands, remembers its sticky warmth, and wipes her fingers on her jeans reflexively.

'Go on,' he tells her.

'Where are you going?'

'Back.'

'But Raylan-'

'Could probably use a hand. And those people killed my daddy.'

They stare at each other and he doesn't move, doesn't take the few steps towards her. He points through the trees. 'Keep going straight. You'll get to the road. You'll be safe.'

Still she hesitates. Despite everything, or perhaps because of it, it's hard to leave him, here, now.

'Go on. Ava, go.'

She starts running, twigs snapping under her feet and leaves sliding. A few paces, she looks back and he's still standing, his eyes still on her.

When she looks back again, he's gone.