Heyes woke a short time before dawn broke. He lay staring at the ceiling for a few minutes, before glancing over at the other side of the bed. He frowned at the back of his peacefully sleeping partner and briefly considered waking him, before dismissing the idea and climbing out of bed slowly and quietly. Kid murmured something in his sleep, but didn't move or show any other sign of returning awareness.
Heyes paced the room for about five minutes, before carefully unpacking and repacking his carpet bag twice. He made sure he had plenty of reading material to keep him occupied on the trip to 'Frisco and then got dressed. Heyes sighed when Kid remained obliviously asleep. He was to Heyes' mind, annoyingly, far too used to sleeping through Heyes' early morning activities to be disturbed by them. Finally tiring of his own company and slightly irritated at his friend's ability to sleep, Heyes decided enough was enough, it was time he was awake.
He glanced over at the bed with a frown, considering the best way to wake him. The Kid though still fast asleep, had moved onto his back and pushed the covers down. Heyes with a slightly wicked smile, poked him hard in the chest, carefully away from the puckered skin of the healing bullet scar and stood back, his hands on his hips.
The Kid sat up instantly alert with his right hand automatically reaching for his gun. Then realising there was no immediate danger, lay back with a grunt and briefly glared up at Heyes before he looked away to pick up Heyes' pocket watch on the side of the bed. He groaned as he read it and turned back to Heyes with a frown. "It's only six am. Why'd you wake me? We ain't even leaving till eleven fifteen."
Heyes unwilling to acknowledge that he was nervous about being in Cheyenne, and even more reluctant to reveal the fact that he had just wanted some company, simply humphed and said briskly. "We got stuff that needs doing, so we better hustle. I ain't missing that train." From the amused expression on his partner's face, he knew Kid was well aware of both his thoughts.
The Kid said, with a knowing smile and some mild irritation. "Heyes, I'm hardly set on hanging round Cheyenne for any longer then we need to neither. I'm even less keen on this town than you are. So we'll be ready to leave on that train. Another hour in bed ain't gonna hurt either of us."
The Kid lay back down with the obvious intention of going back to sleep. Heyes realised as he did so, that he did look tired, and was suddenly worried that his partner was still being affected by his injuries. He hid his concern under a brisk retort. "We ain't got time! You need a bath and a proper shave. You're beginning to look and smell like one of them mountain men. And I ain't listening to you grumble all that way to 'Frisco, that I made you miss breakfast again."
He hid a grin at the insulted expression on Kid's face, as he sat back up in some annoyance, with the idea of more sleep banished from his mind. Which of course had been exactly what Heyes' had hoped would happen, despite his anxiety that Kid might have pushed himself too far the day before.
"I need a bath?" Curry's irritated expression only increased as he realised he'd been had, but instead of arguing, or deciding to go back to sleep anyway, he sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed his face as he said grumpily ."All right, all right. We'll go eat breakfast. BOTH take a bath and get a shave. You ain't exactly fresh yourself you know. I still say we'll be way too early, but I ain't gonna argue with you no more, especially if it means you remember breakfast!"
He paused and said with a slight smile. "And Heyes, stop worryin', I ain't gonna get sick. I'm feeling pretty good. I always need more sleep than you, but then the only things I've ever known that sleep less than you do, is horses."
"Well, I do my best thinking at night." Heyes knew he sounded defensive, his self-assurance still a little dented by the memory of nearly losing Kid. His confidence wasn't exactly boosted by the doubtful expression on Curry's face.
"I ain't sure about that Heyes. I seem to remember at least one of those plans that you woke me up to explain, when we was robbin', got me shot, captured and half way to prison."
"Well, Kid, I have so many, bound to be a couple that ain't quite as good as the others. Besides it was only halfway, so I figure it was a success."
"Sure, Heyes, whatever you say. You ain't the one carrying the scar."
The Kid turned away to look for his clothes and Heyes scowled at his back. "Ain't no call to be rude, Kid."
"I'm only teasin' Heyes. You know most times I'd take even your dumbest plan, above most people's smartest."
The Kid spoke without looking at him as he hunted around in his bag for clean clothes to put on after his bath. Heyes touched at the trusting comment, smiled in some pleasure. He wouldn't have been exactly surprised nor even blamed his partner for losing a little faith, given what had happened. He looked over at his friend, who was now back on the bed and pulling on his pants and gave in to the sudden impulse to reach out and ruffle his partner's unruly hair. "Think maybe a haircut too." Curry grumbled at him good naturedly, but didn't try to pull away, instead he looked up and they met each other's gaze. Heyes didn't bother to hide the affection he knew was on his face and he was met with an equally warm expression for just a moment, before the Kid turned away to continue dressing.
"I'm gonna clean my gun before we go anywhere, Heyes, so you might as well find something to do while I finish."
Heyes flopped down with a sigh onto the bed and watched as his friend lay out the cleaning materials on the sideboard before sitting down and beginning the meticulous process of returning his gun to pristine condition. It was such a part of the rhythm of their lives, that Heyes was somehow always reassured and strangely soothed by the sight and sound of the Kid competently caring for his Colt. Heyes was soon dozing, but came awake at the noise of a barrel being clicked closed and a pushing back of a chair. Heyes watched as the Kid tied his gun on and pulled on his jacket. "C'mon, Heyes, now I am hungry!"
Heyes grinned at him, "When ain't you?"
"When I'm asleep mostly. So maybe that's somethin' to remember, next time you wake me up at not even close to a decent hour." The Kid's tone was mild and his eyes amused as he watched him fasten on his own gun and shoulder into his jacket.
"I bet you even dream of a juicy steak served by some pretty girl." Heyes couldn't resist teasing as they walked out the door.
They ate breakfast in a place called 'The Outlaw," which amused Heyes more than the Kid, who muttered something about it being a good thing there wasn't anywhere called "The Gunfighter." He had to agree that the breakfast was good and that it had the advantage of not being far from the hotel. After a leisurely breakfast they ordered a single bath and flipped for who got first dip, which strangely the Kid won. "Heyes, you do that on purpose? I don't smell no worse than you."
Heyes grinned at his friend's suspicious look as he said. "If you say so, Kid." He watched amused as the Kid wrinkled his nose when he realised that he did indeed smell a little ripe as he undressed before slipping gratefully into the bath water.
XXX
"That'll be a cent, Sir." As he and Curry walked slowly towards the station, Heyes slowed to buy a newspaper as the clock struck ten. He flipped the boy two cents and grabbed the paper he thrust at him, before turning to catch up with his partner.
They were as Curry had predicted at the train station much earlier than they needed to be, but because the day was sunny and dry without being too warm, there would be no hardship in waiting, as long as there was somewhere to sit.
As they entered the station, Heyes watched as the Kid glanced round, before he too took in the bustling scene around them. It was obvious that there was nothing to concern them and they exchanged a nod of approval, as together they spotted a free bench against the wall. It gave them a clear view of the gate and its position would make it nice and easy to make a quick exit if needed. It was also out of the way enough that they'd see the danger before it saw them. As soon as he was sat, Curry tilted his hat over his eyes and lifted his face up towards to the sun. Heyes smiled at him before starting to read the newspaper he'd just bought.
Their carriage on the train was quiet when they embarked. Heyes looked round them in some pleasure, glad that he had persuaded Kid that buying the more expensive second class tickets was a worthwhile expense.
"We ain't broke for once, Kid, don't see no harm in splashing out a bit. Who knows when we'll get the chance again." The Kid hadn't taken much persuasion as he enjoyed comfort as much as the next person- especially if the next person was his partner. Heyes smiled a little at the memory then watched in some dismay as the Kid settled down on the seat nearest the next carriage and looked intent on napping again. "You can't need more sleep. You only just woke up." Concern for the Kid's health made his tone more querulous than he liked, which drew him a slightly sympathetic if mildly irritated glance.
"I ain't tired, Heyes. It's just a way to pass the time is all."
"Well, how about a game of blackjack? I got some cards. We can play for matchsticks."
The Kid shrugged in agreement. They sat across from each other over a table and passed a pleasant few hours, until Curry sighed sat back and rubbed his face, eyeing his friend's substantial pile of matchsticks in some disgust. "I'm done, I ain't got a single matchstick left. You cleaned me out."
Heyes looked across at his friend in some amusement. "I still can't figure how you only had 15 on that last hand, with the amount of cards you took."
They trailed off as the train began to slow, obviously coming into a station. They both peered out the window and exchanged a nervous glance as they spied two U.S Marshals with a prisoner shackled between them. As the train came to a stop, the Kid sighed and looked over at Heyes a frown on his face. "You figure we oughta get off here and buy us some horses?"
Heyes shrugged, reluctant to leave the comfort of the train and enjoying taking the opportunity to rest up somewhere comfortable without having to pay the cost of a hotel. "Lets see where they get on first, Kid. I ain't real eager to leave, less we're forced to."
Luckily, the three men got on the train at the other end from their carriage, up where the third class seats were. As the train set off again the Kid glanced over at Heyes with a smile. "Now, I'm real glad we paid extra."