Disclaimer: Alias Smith and Jones does not belong to me, nor does the song Buffalo Gals including the variation Dance With A Dolly. This is fan fiction, not for profit.

Any references to people, places, businesses, etc. are entirely fictitious.

A/N – story presumes the details on the wanted posters are not entirely accurate. Story exists in the same story verse as Kid Plans and South By Southeast, but should also stand alone.

Trouble in Red Rock

-x-x-x-x-x-x

"You see anything of Armendarez or his men?" asked Heyes quietly as the two former outlaws rode into Red Rock.

The moonlit streets appeared vacant. The muscular blond shook his head in exasperation. Kid tugged on the reins gently, turning the rented horse towards the livery stable. The blond looked left, then right. There was no sign of the livery man, or anyone actually. Kid dismounted, slid the wide door open, and led the horse inside toward the stalls.

"Now why would they stick around Red Rock?" asked Kid as he began to unsaddle the horse. "They got the bust and forty thousand dollars of our money."

"Now Kid," reminded Heyes, as he began to divest the sorrel of its well-worn gear, "only twenty thousand of that money was ours. Be glad the banker collected on his loan before we were robbed."

The baleful look Kid shot his direction might have given another man pause, but Heyes just grinned. A broad smile spread across his face, brown eyes twinkled. The corners of Kid's lips turned up in an answering grin. The blond curly head shook ruefully.

"Things could be worse I guess," admitted Kid.

"Yeah," chuckled Heyes. "Be glad our hotel room is paid up and our stage coach tickets are waiting for us at the station."

Kid's grin disappeared. The long legged man stepped out of the stall and moved toward the entrance of the livery stable. The darkened stage depot could be seen in the distance. The town seemed asleep. At this late in the evening, the only lights shining came from the hotel lobby and the saloon.

"But Heyes," hissed Kid, "the stage don't leave until Monday morning."

Eyebrows arched up playfully above dark brown eyes. The dimpled grin did not falter.

"Then I guess we've got time for a drink at the saloon," replied Heyes. "And maybe sleep in late tomorrow."

"Now you're talking," agreed Kid with a relieved grin.

The dark haired Kansan stepped forward to join his partner. Heyes threw an arm over Kid's shoulders and nudged his cousin forward.

"So how much money have you got?" asked Heyes.

Kid stopped walking. He shrugged his shoulders, loosening his partner's grip. The blond looked sideways at Heyes.

"How much money have you got?" responded Kid. "You know we're going to need horses again when we reach Clarendon."

"Yeah, almost makes me wish we hadn't traded in our horses," nodded Heyes in agreement.

"Now you say that," grumbled Kid with a disgusted snort.

"Almost," said Heyes with a quiet emphasis on the word.

Delivering Governor Hoyt's package to his daughter, had been a long, hard journey. After a short stay in Brownsville, the partners headed north by northwest following the Rio Grande. It wasn't until the former outlaws reached Red Rock, that they encountered any trouble. Heyes blamed the delay caused by their back and forth trips to Mexico during this little mix up with McCreedy and Armendarez as the reason he wanted to take the stage north, but truthfully, Heyes wanted to hurry north. He would feel a lot better when he had Kid back out of Texas. He turned to face Kid directly. Moonlight lit up his smiling face.

"And we'll need other supplies," continued Heyes, "coffee, hardtack, beans…"

"Heyes," growled Kid in a low voice.

"Maybe some bacon," continued the silver tongued wonder.

"Heyes!" snapped Kid. The melodious list of trail supplies stopped abruptly. "How much money do you have?"

Heyes took off his hat. Flipping the black felted head covering over, he ran a slender finger along the inside lining tugging at a loosened seam. Folded lengthwise and tucked securely inside were three twenty dollar national bank notes. Heyes then withdrew an empty leather billfold from the upper inside pocket of his jacket. Holding both paper currency and billfold in one hand, Heyes reached into his bottom coat pocket. He withdrew a silver dollar and two dimes, then thrust everything towards Kid.

"Hold this a minute," said Heyes. He patted the other side of his coat, then turned the bottom pocket inside out. The dark haired man tilted his head upwards, he closed his eyes in concentration as he pressed against the lining. Wiggling the coins up to the little hole in his pocket, Heyes dug out the elusive coins. With a sound of triumph, he announced, "Three Indian head pennies."

"Not enough for a good horse," responded Kid. The muscular young man held hat, billfold and money out towards Heyes.

"Good enough for an almost good horse," objected Heyes.

The former outlaw leader brushed his hand through his dark hair, plucked his hat from Kid's grasp and settled it back upon his head before retrieving his funds. "Now, how much money do you have?"

His partner had a silver dollar, three silver dimes and two shield nickels in his pocket. The Kid's wallet contained a variety of bank notes. Two twenties from the First National Bank at Butte Montana, two tens from the First National Bank at Bismarck North Dakota, three fives that had travelled all the way from New Jersey, and a two dollar bank note from Emporia Kansas.

"Enough for another almost good horse," said Heyes with a grin. "What about your emergency fund Kid?"

The blue eyes looked hard at Heyes. One hand automatically dropped to his gun belt. Kid touched the cartridge casing that he sometimes used to hide money. Heyes couldn't figure out how his cousin managed to fold and roll the paper money up so tightly and cram it inside.

"Enough for half a horse," said Kid.

"Good," replied Heyes. He clapped a hand on Kids shoulder blades. "Then you're buying the first round."

"Did you count your lucky coin?"

-x-x-x-x-x-x

Saturday night in the Red Rock saloon was just as loud and raucous as it had been the last time they had been there, but this time the partners weren't riding high on a successful job completed. Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones leaned up against the bar.

"What'll it be boys?" shouted the bartender over the loud music.

Rowdy men clapped in rhythm to the music of the harmonium. Across the room, three dancing girls stomped and kicked up their heels on an impromptu table top stage.

"Two beers," answered Kid.

The bartender looked confused. Kid started to shout, but then thought better of it. Kid held up two fingers. The bartender nodded.

"Just a minute," shouted the bartender.

Heyes turned around. He leaned back, resting his elbows on the bar and looked around the room. Heyes spotted a familiar face. The blonde woman he'd been kissing so enjoyably on his previous visit was staring, smiling first at him, then her eyes moved. Heyes turned his head to follow the line of her gaze. The woman's sharp blue eyes focused on Kid as he carefully counted out two dimes and a nickel for their beers. Heyes turned back in time to see the woman's smile drop. She quickly turned her back on Joshua Smith. The loud music stopped.

"Joshua," said Kid softly, "don't let her get to you."

Heyes looked up to find Kid holding a beer mug out towards him. Blue eyes looked at him sympathetically. Heyes picked up his mug and took a big gulp.

"Don't know what you're talking about Thaddeus," replied Heyes. The blonde woman's rejection stung. Heyes would rather no one, not even his partner, know. He smiled broadly and smacked his lips. "That hits the spot."

Laughter sounded as the dancers jumped down from the tables and began to move among the saloon patrons. One pretty saloon dancer with shapely legs rushed to Kid's side.

"Oh Thaddeus," gushed the brunette breathlessly, "you're back! I thought you were leaving."

"Miss Dolly," greeted Kid. He touched his hand to the brim of his hat and then nodded towards Heyes. "My partner and I had a change of plans."

"Oh that's wonderful!" responded Dolly enthusiastically. Her ample chest heaved up and down with her inhalations and exhalations. "Now we have time for that dance lesson I promised you!"

Heyes almost choked on the beer he continued to drink. Kid's blue eyes opened wide. The younger Kansan looked at his partner. Heyes smirked as he realized that Dolly was pulling on Kid's arm.

"Don't let me keep you Thaddeus," replied Heyes. He nodded in the direction of the green felt tables. "I'm going to see if I can get in on a card game."

As Heyes walked off, he could hear Kid's objections.

"But really," protested Kid, "I'll step on your toes! I have two left feet."

-x-x-x-x-x-x

"I guess it's just not my night," sighed Heyes.

He threw in his cards. The busted flush landed beside several empty shot glasses. Although Heyes hadn't lost much in this penny ante game, he decided there was no use continuing. He wasn't going to risk the money he and Kid needed for horses. The winner bought another round of drinks, whisky again. As Heyes sipped from the small shot glass, he looked around the saloon. Kid and the dancer were nowhere to be seen. Had the woman really gotten Kid to agree to a dance lesson?

"Goodnight gents," said Heyes as he rose from the table. "I'm calling it a night."

-x-x-x-x-x-x

"Oooh," moaned Heyes.

His head was pounding. He licked his lips. His tongue felt thick and his teeth felt fuzzy. The former outlaw blinked his dark brown eyes in the dim moonlight streaming in from the window. The squeaky hinge protested again as the door to the hotel room opened further. Heyes reached for his pistol hanging from the gun belt draped over his bedpost.

"Kid," hissed Heyes in a low voice, "is that you?"

His partner tiptoed into view. The blond carried his boots in one hand. The lightweight leather jacket Kid had been wearing most frequently since they had left Colorado was draped over his arm. Kid's gun belt was slung over his left shoulder, and his blue shirt was untucked.

"Sssh," whispered Kid. Heyes slipped his gun back into the leather holster as Kid set his boots down beside the other bed. "Go back to sleep."

"Did you dance by the light of the moon?" asked Heyes in a sleepy tone. "How was your dance lesson?"

Kid's face lit up with a soft smile. The quiet man draped his gun belt over the headboard and began unbuttoning his shirt.

"Not bad, Dolly taught me a slow dance," answered Kid. "She wanted to try something faster, but I don't think I'm ever gonna be fast enough to dance a jig like Pa and Grampa Curry used to."

-x-x-x-x-x-x

The memory of Grampa Curry dancing a jig at the last Christmas social the Curry and Heyes families attended was suddenly sharp and clear in Heyes mind. The crowded school room was converted. Desks lined the walls and were piled high with cakes, pies, cookies, and a punch bowl. The center of the room was open. The fiddle struck a note. Grampa, his once curly red hair now mostly gray, strode out to the center of the space. The tall older man wore a black button down dress shirt, soft gray trousers and short black boots. Grampa Curry placed his hands on his hips and flashed a dimpled smile. The fiddle began to play. Grampa's feet flashed, left, right, up, down. The fiddle sounded faster and the beating pulse of the bodhrán echoed through the room.

"Owen," called Grampa as the music changed tempo.

Jed's father, Owen Curry, joined Grampa. The two men kicked, stomped and spun in time with the music. Another change of tempo.

"Finn," called Grampa.

There was a moment of confusion. Hannibal didn't know anyone named Finn, but then Hannibal's own father, Arthur Heyes, joined the Curry men. Arms linked together, the three men finished the jig. As the music slowed, Aunt Mary went to join her husband in a slow sweet swirl around the room. Arthur Heyes returned to stand between his wife and son. Grampa left the floor and stood in front of a pair of admiring grandsons.

"Grampa," pleaded little Jedidiah with a happy smile, "I wanna dance too!"

The old man shot a glance at the dance floor now crowded with couples swaying to a slower song. Then, Grampa crooked a finger and beckoned the boys to follow him. Outside, in the village street, Grampa started teaching Jed and Han the intricacies of an Irish jig. Little feet flashed left and right, heels kicked up and back, in an effort to keep up with the hearty old man. They were all laughing when the first snowflakes began to fall.

-x-x-x-x-x-x

Heyes blinked. His tall cousin stood before him looking like a younger, blond, blue eyed version of Grampa Curry.

"Talent might run in the family Kid," said Heyes. "You never know."

-x-x-x-x-x-x

When Heyes next woke up broad daylight was streaming in through the windowpanes. His headache was gone and so was Kid. The slender dark haired man reached for his black trousers. By the time Heyes pulled on his clothes, the door squeaked again. Heyes whirled around to face the opening door. Kid stood there holding a cup of steaming coffee.

"How's your head?" asked Kid. The blond held the cup out towards Heyes. "The coffee is not as strong as you make it, but it's all the hotel has."

Heyes reached out for the proffered cup. He closed his eyes and sniffed. A tentative scalding sip was swallowed, then one gulp, quickly followed by another. The heat burned down through Heyes chest, warming him. Heyes opened his eyes. A smile spread across his face. Dark brown eyes twinkled. Heyes almost felt human again. His blue eyed partner smiled back.

"Don't worry Kid," replied Heyes. "The diner makes stronger coffee."

"It's Sunday," reminded Kid. "The diner is closed."

-x-x-x-x-x-x

"We're checking out," insisted Heyes.

"We got the three dollars for the room Heyes," objected Kid.

"It's the principal of the thing," huffed Heyes as he shoved his shirt into the worn saddlebag. "Raising the rates just because it's Sunday! That's robbery!"

"Well I guess we'd know Heyes," smirked Kid.

Heyes froze at Kid's words. Then his lips curled up in a grin.

"Yeah Kid," agreed Heyes with a chuckle. "I guess we would."

After leaving their saddles, saddlebags and bedrolls at the vacant stage depot, the partners headed to one of the few open establishments in town. The saloon was quiet. On Sunday, no liquor was served and no poker playing allowed. Chairs were up on tabletops and the floor was being mopped. Heyes and Curry settled in around a card table grateful for hard boiled eggs and to be out of the hot sun. Big Mac arrived shortly before supper time. One of the privileges of owning the saloon appeared to be the ability to obtain a steak dinner, or three, on demand.

"Eat up boys," urged the jovial businessman. Big Mac waved at the plates being set on the table. Steak threatened to overflow the edge of the plate, mashed potatoes and green beans crowded on top. "Least I could do after all the work you boys have done for me."

Big Mac's first request for the partners to go back to Mexico for the bust occurred before Heyes had even cut into his steak. Big Mac continued cajoling Heyes and Curry to return to Mexico. Kid ate steadily, somehow he managed to put food in his mouth every time McCreedy asked a question. This tactic left the talking to Heyes. When Kid's steak was halfway gone, the pretty dancer arrived at the table. The woman leaned down and began whispering in Kid's ear. Big Mac knew a lost cause when he saw one. The business man turned to focus on Heyes. The former outlaw pushed some green beans around on the plate with his fork as he listened to the Texan.

"No sir Mr. McCreedy," replied Heyes finally. The rich man's continued prodding got to the slender man. Heyes set the fork down abruptly, pushed his chair back and rose from the table. "Now if you will excuse me, I've got to get to the stage master's office."

Heyes stalked off without waiting for his partner. He couldn't listen anymore.

"What?" asked Big Mac. He turned to look at Kid. Kid was staring at Heyes' plate. The food was hardly touched. "The stage master's office is closed on Sunday."

"We know, stage doesn't run on Sunday," replied Kid, "but we're on the first coach out tomorrow morning."

-x-x-x-x-x-x

"Fifty thousand?" muttered Heyes again in disbelief as the Monday morning stage pulled out of Red Rock.

Beside him, his partner gave a disgusted snort. Kid Curry picked up his floppy brown hat from the empty seat beside him and scooted away from the dark haired former outlaw. The long limbed blond leaned into the corner of the stage coach seat resting his head against the wooden back panel. Sprawling his legs diagonally out across the vacant floorboards, Kid plopped the hat down over his eyes.

"You don't want to talk about this?" asked Heyes. One eyebrow arched up quizzically as he watched his younger cousin settle in. "Are you seriously going to sleep now? Most people stay up in the morning."

"Heyes, we ain't going against Senor Armendarez again," murmured Kid. "I'm tired, I was up all night and we've got a long ride ahead of us."

"We should have stayed in the hotel last night," grumbled Heyes.

"That's what I said," reminded Kid with a sigh, "but you didn't want to spend the money."

"We need horses when we get to Clarendon," replied Heyes.

"And supplies." Kid nodded in agreement, then he yawned.

"The bench in front of the stage master's office was hard," huffed Heyes. The slender man folded his arms across his chest.

"At least you got some sleep," responded Kid.

"How would you know?" asked Heyes in a sour tone. "I didn't see you at the stage master's office."

"That's 'cause you were snoring, had your eyes closed," replied Kid. A big boned hand pulled the brown hat down lower. "Nearly thought I'd have to shoot a wild cat to keep it from pouncing on you."

"A wild cat?" asked a startled Heyes. Brown eyes blinked in surprise. "In Red Rock?"

"Be glad the critter was mainly interested in your hat," murmured Kid with a small chuckle as he slouched even lower in the seat.

"That little kitten!" exclaimed Heyes. Awakening this morning, he had found his hat beneath the bench occupied by one tiny feline. "You wouldn't shoot a cat."

"Course not Heyes, but you oughta thank me, I kept watch last night," continued Kid. "Now lemme sleep."

Heyes stared at his cousin. He might have known, Kid always had his back. Another big yawn was followed by a sleepy mutter.

"Wake me up if there's any trouble."

-x-x-x-x-x-x