The Kid stared at Heyes in baffled silence, as he poked him to make sure he was definitely solid. A sharp pain in his jaw brought his hand up to rub it cautiously, certainly not a ghost then.
Heyes stared back at him, his face softening into an affectionate and only slightly smug smile as he did so. "Kid, we really gotta have another chat 'bout who does the thinking in this partnership. 'Cos you sure don't see me stealing your thunder by trying to beat you to the draw."
That brought the Kid out of his stupor as he said. "Now you're just dreamin' Heyes. 'Cos there ain't no way you're ever gonna be faster than me."
Heyes' smile turned even more smug, before he laughed gently as he said. "Now you're getting it, Kid."
The Kid was pretty sure he'd just been insulted, although he wasn't exactly sure how, but relieved enough to see Heyes, he decided to let it go, so simply shrugged a little ruefully, still rubbing his jaw. "Ya didn't have to hit quite so hard, Heyes. I would a got the message without you near breaking my jaw."
"I didn't have to Kid, but I sure needed to." Heyes' tone turned frustrated as he added with a glare. "What the hell were you thinking? We've met enough quacks to know not to trust 'em."
Kid felt a flush of embarrassment as he realised Heyes was right. How easily he'd forgotten good ole Chauncey and his uncalled for doom and gloom. But he was reluctant to admit it, so instead said defensively. "Well,you couldn't see yourself lyin' there, Heyes." He couldn't manage any more and swallowed hard, his voice trailing off as memory assaulted him, bringing with it a sharp pain, despite Heyes sitting right next to him.
Heyes watched him in silence for a moment, before patting him on the knee and saying gently. "Well I guess there ain't no real damage done."
The heavy weight that had laid on the Kid's shoulders for the last few days, shifted and lightened as his world returned to normal. In order to avoid showing how much better he felt, he said evenly. "'Cept to my jaw." Kid winced at the click as he stretched it, before adding seriously. "I still say we got a score to settle with Curtis Lowell, and you and your silver tongue ain't gonna talk me out of it, so don't even try, or it likely won't just be my jaw that's bruised!"
Heyes grinned. "Now, there ain't no need to get all riled up, Kid, cos I agree with you. It sure don't seem right to me, a man making a living, by turning in old friends to the law. So if you're willing to listen, before going haring off again. I think you're gonna like what I got in mind."