Morning found Heyes persistently poking his sleeping partners' shoulder in order to get his attention. Kid eyelids fluttered partially open revealing bloodshot eyes. He groaned in frustration when he saw Heyes grinning down at him, and tried to slap the offending hand away, fully intending to go back to sleep. It had been a late, albeit enjoyable, night at the saloon, he'd had too much to drink, and he was definitely not yet ready to face the day let alone his entirely too cheerful partner.

"Are ya awake Kid? I'm headin' over to the telegraph office to send that wire to Lom, let him know where we're at. We can go for breakfast when I get back."

Kid grunted and rolled away from his partner, closing his eyes and putting the pillow over his head, quickly going back to sleep. Heyes chuckled as he went out, locking the door behind him and sliding the key back into the room, even though he knew Kid would still be asleep when he got back. He paused, frowning when he again experienced that same chill of apprehension he'd felt last night as he was drifting off to sleep. There had been no sign of any kind of trouble last night, no-one seemed to have taken an unhealthy interest in them so he shook his head dismissively and made his way down the stairs and outside. It was a friendly town, and they were flush thanks to his winnings at the poker table last night. He took a deep breath and sighed happily, it was a beautiful morning, and he was looking forward to being able to rest up here for a few days. He greeted a couple of the townsfolk with a smile and a nod as he made his way down the street to the telegraph office, where he sent a short wire to Lom telling him they would be staying in Centennial for a few days. He was looking back over his shoulder laughing at something the telegrapher had said as he exited the office. He wasn't paying much attention to where he was going when he came to a bone jarring stop as he ran smack into a tall solidly built man who was standing just outside the door.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you there," he apologized without looking up.

Heyes went to step around him but was almost jerked off his feet when his arm was roughly grabbed. Shocked, he looked up into the leering face of the man towering over him and gasped, the colour draining from his face as he recognized him.

"Surprised Heyes?"

"Keep your voice down. What do you want Will?" Heyes hissed, as he tried unsuccessfully to jerk his arm free from the viselike grip.

The man laughed mirthlessly, as he started pulling Heyes along in the direction of the livery stable. "You know damn well what I want…I want Kid Curry."

"What makes you think I know where he is?"

"I ain't as stupid as you think I am Heyes, I know he's here with you. I seen both of ya in the saloon last night, but you fellas didn't see me did ya?" he smirked.

"Dammit Will let go of me, and where the hell are we going anyway?" Heyes stumbled along suddenly remembering what it felt like to be a five year old that was being dragged out behind the woodshed to get an ass whoopin'.

"You'll see. I got me a plan…a good one. I got a trap all set up for Curry… and you're gonna be the bait."

For a moment Heyes stopped struggling, a feeling of dread sweeping over him as he considered what this might mean. Then he saw the other two men who were waiting outside the livery stable grin when they saw them approaching. Will stopped before going in and looked down at Heyes, still with a firm grip on his arm. Heyes knew he was going to have bruises from the fierce grip.

"You and me are goin' in and gettin' your horse and you're gonna do just what I tell ya or there won't be anything left for Curry to find, got it?"

Heyes nodded, his heart in his throat, thinking back to the day that he had vowed to kill Kid.

XXXXX

Will had been bragging to anyone who would listen that he was a fast draw and had decided to prove himself by calling the Kid out in front of his gang almost a year ago. It had not been one of his better ideas and although it had been a fair fight, Kid had not only outdrawn him, Will hadn't been able to lay his hand anywhere near his gun before Kid had shot his holster off. Will had been infuriated when the members of his gang had laughed and Heyes could still hear his parting words to Kid. "You'd best be watchin' your back Curry, 'cause the next time I see ya, I'm gonna kill ya." Kid had smiled at him and wished him luck with that as he turned his back on him and walked away, with Heyes telling Kid he had to stop tempting fate by saying stuff like that.

XXXXX

Now as fate would have it, Will was here in Centennial and still carrying a mighty big grudge against Kid Curry.

"Now, we're gonna get your horse and you're gonna tell the old man to give your partner a message to meet you at the Lawrence farm."

Heyes frowned up at him in confusion. "The Lawrence farm? Neither one of us knows where that is."

That earned Heyes a solid cuff to the back of the head, knocking his hat off.

"Thought you was supposed to be smart. Ya sure got a lot of faith in your partner if you think he's so stupid that he won't ask for directions."

Heyes snatched his hat back up and reluctantly did as he was told, asking the hostler to give his friend the message. The old man eyed Heyes rather curiously as if sensing his discomfort, but there was nothing Heyes could do or say with Will standing right beside him.

"The Lawrence place you say son? Yeah, I'll pass that along and don't you worry none, I'll make sure your partner knows where to find you," he said with a smile and a wink. The wink and the way he referred to Kid as his partner when Heyes had called him his friend caught him a little off guard, but he was hurried along before he could think too much about it.

XXXXX

It wasn't long before they were heading out of town with Heyes briefly considering urging his horse into a gallop, but immediately dismissing that idea since he was surrounded by three men; three very large men with nasty reputations, and guns, including his. They had only travelled a few miles when they turned onto an overgrown and obviously rarely used track. Heyes made sure to pay close attention to his surroundings and was trying desperately to come up with some kind of plan when a rundown farmhouse came into view. They reined up in front of the house and before Heyes could make a move to dismount, he was yanked off his horse, hitting the ground so hard that it almost knocked the wind out of him. More bruises he thought, turning his head he watched as the animals were led toward the barn, knowing they were being hidden. He was hauled to his feet and stumbled, almost falling as he was pushed unceremoniously inside the house, Will right behind him. Heyes stopped once inside and took a quick look around hoping to find something, anything to help get him out of this and warn Kid. The chair almost toppled over when he was forced into it, his hands then pulled painfully behind his back.

"Ow, do ya have to tie me so tight?" he asked wincing as the rope bit into his wrists.

Will snorted. "There ain't no way I'm givin' you a chance to get away Heyes, so the answer's yeah."

Will gave the rope a final tug eliciting a pained grunt from his captive. "There ya go Heyes, just make yourself comfortable while we wait for your partner to come and rescue you," Will laughed loudly, patting Heyes on the shoulder.

"Could be a long wait Will," Heyes started.

"For your sake Heyes I hope not. I'm not known as a patient man."

"I do seem to recall that about ya."

That remark earned him a solid backhand across the face, causing the chair to rock perilously as he shook his head trying to clear away the stars he was seeing.

"If I was you Heyes, I'd shut up."

Heyes licked his bloody lip and glared at him wordlessly while Will smiled at him. "That's better. I wasn't plannin' on gaggin' ya quite yet, but keep givin' me lip and I will."

Heyes was already losing the feeling in his hands, but he didn't dare press his luck. He was frantically trying to think of a way to help or at the very least warn his friend. As time slowly passed he got more and more worried. Will was here with him, but he hadn't seen the other two since he had come in the house. One thing he did know was that this was not going to be a fair fight and the Kid didn't stand a chance, he was going to be ambushed. Heyes also knew that once Will had killed Kid, it would be his turn.

"Ain't heard much of you two lately Heyes."

"You won't believe this Will, but the Kid and me have gone straight."

Will turned and stared at him incredulously for a minute, before laughing.

"Sure ya have Heyes and you're right, I don't believe ya."

"Listen Will, these ropes on my wrists are too tight, I can't feel my hands anymore. Can't you loosen 'em just a bit?"

Will shook his head. "Don't waste your breath, I ain't takin' any chances with you. The ropes stay the way they are."

XXXXX

The time passed slowly and Heyes was sure that he'd never have feeling in his hands again and now his arms and shoulders were starting to cramp. He closed his eyes and groaned softly as he tried rolling his shoulders to ease some of the pain. Will watched him carefully knowing that Heyes had the reputation of being able to get loose from almost anything.

"Don't know what's takin' him so long, but I remember how tight you two are, he'll be comin' for ya eventually."

XXXXX

Heyes had no idea how long he had been tied to the chair, although he would swear it had been days, when he heard a soft whistle. He jerked his head up as Will stood and approached him with a sinister smile, pulling a bandana from his pocket.

"Showtime Heyes."

"Will please, you don't want to do this…" Heyes was almost begging.

"You're wrong Heyes, this is all I've dreamt about doin' for almost a year."

Heyes was beside himself as he was gagged, realizing he could do nothing but listen fearfully. He was certain that Kid would somehow know that something was wrong, but what if he rode right up to the house? Why hadn't he listened to that gut feeling that told him something bad was about to happen. He watched Will for a minute before closing his eyes, and almost like he was listening to the tumblers on a safe, concentrated on trying to hear anything from outside that would give him an idea of what was happening. Then several gunshots broke the silence making Heyes jump so violently that he almost tipped the chair over. He continued to watch helplessly as Will pulled his gun, opened the door a crack and cautiously scanned the yard before easing his way outside. He froze when he heard two more shots several minutes later. The fear was almost choking him and he closed his eyes, breathing hard, not knowing if Kid was alive or dead. His eyes flew open and he looked up when he heard someone start to open the door.