Kid slowly rolled onto his back, stretching lazily as he woke. Looking toward the window, he was surprised to see that the sun was well up, and frowning, he looked over at the other bed, empty. Strange he thought, rubbing his shoulder lightly where Heyes had been poking him, knowing it had been barely sunup when he'd been told that they'd go for breakfast when he got back. Getting out of bed, he quickly dressed and strapped on his gun, thinking that Heyes must have been gone at least a couple of hours. He pulled his gun, checking that it was fully loaded before deciding he'd check at the café first, mainly because he needed coffee…badly. He doubted that Heyes would have gone there without telling him and sighing he put his hat on, exiting their room as he headed off in search of his missing partner.

He stopped at the café first, having coffee and an egg sandwich, and learned they hadn't seen Heyes since the previous evening when they had been there together for supper. Kid frowned as he tried to figure out where he would have gone.

.

Next he went to the telegraph office, where he found that Heyes had indeed been there and sent a telegram earlier that morning. Now he was starting to get a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach and his worry intensified. "Where the hell are you Heyes?" he wondered as he paused for a moment outside the telegraph office. He stood with his hands on his hips, when a movement outside the livery caught his attention. The old hostler was waving him over so Kid headed across the street thinking that maybe Heyes had taken his horse out and left a message for him there. As Kid made his way to the stable, the old man ducked inside, reappearing leading Kids' horse already saddled.

"Son, I didn't think you was ever gonna show up here," he held the reins out to Kid who took them while looking at the man in confusion.

"Did you see…" Kid didn't get any further.

"Your partner was here quite a while back with another fella, and he sure didn't look too happy. He couldn't say nothin' to me 'cause that other one stayed right beside him, but I could see somethin' wasn't right. All he said was to tell you to meet him at the Lawrence farm.

"How do I find that?"

"Follow this road about five miles and you'll come to an overgrown track off to the right. Take that and it'll take you right to the house."

Kid mounted his horse and started to turn to go.

"Wait son, there's somethin' else you should know…"

Kid turned back to him.

"There was two other fellers with him. They stayed outside, but when they left outta here they had your partner pretty much surrounded. I also noticed he was wearin' a holster that didn't have no gun in it, but that one that came in with him had an extra one tucked in his belt."

"Thanks mister," Kid said once again starting to turn his horse away.

"I reckon they're plannin' a special welcome for ya 'cause the Lawrence place has been deserted for nigh on three years now, so you'd best be careful."

"Mister I sure do thank you for all the information," Kid smiled thinly.

Kid spurred his horse into a gallop, heading in the direction of the deserted farm, the holstler watching him disappear.

XXXXX

Kid rode hard for a while, before easing back to a walk, his eyes scanning constantly for anything or anyone out of the ordinary and trying to figure out who the hell would take Heyes. He scolded himself for letting go last night, not being on the lookout for any trouble, but thinking back he couldn't remember anything that would have alerted him to any danger. It wasn't long before he came to the trail that led off to the right. He halted and listened intently, but all he could hear were birds and the leaves rustling in the breeze. Dismounting he led his horse into the trees and tied him before checking his gun yet again to make sure it was fully loaded. He crept slowly and silently through the trees, staying off the trail not knowing how far he had to go and needing every advantage he could get. He froze, closing his eyes and swearing under his breath when he heard his horse whinny, followed a moment later by a soft whistle. He squatted, not moving for several minutes before once more creeping slowly toward the farmhouse he had been told about.

It took him another five minutes to get to where he could see the buildings, where he saw one man on the roof of the barn with a rifle, but knew there were at least two more. Heyes was probably in the house with one guarding him, but where was the other one. Kid waited patiently and was rewarded when he saw him stick his head out from behind a tree to the left of the house. Kid leaned his back against the tree, taking a deep breath as he weighed his options, trying to come up with a plan. 'Okay roof of the barn on the right, one on the left in the trees, and probably one in the house.' He'd have to take the one in the trees first, there was too much cover available for him, then the one on the barn, and hope that just left one in the house. He waited for the man in the trees to step out and look around again before taking his shot. His gun was dropped when the bullet tore through his right arm, and Kid threw himself to the ground as he spun to face the barn. The man on the roof managed to get two shots off, one hitting the tree where Kid's head had been just a moment before, the second kicking up dust beside his hip, before falling solidly to the ground with a bullet in his shoulder. Kid was still on the ground when he saw the door of the house ease open and swore softly when he saw Will come out smiling venomously at him and raising his gun. Kid was scrambling to his feet when he fired a quick shot grazing Will's leg, Will firing at the same time, the two shots sounding as one. Will's shot missed, barely, and Kid's second shot broke his right arm. He went around gathering up all the guns and making sure the three were no longer a danger to him, before hesitantly heading for the door of the house. Carefully he opened it, not knowing if there was anyone else in there besides hopefully Heyes. Hearing nothing but some grunts, he opened the door further and saw his trussed up partner. He saw the look of complete relief wash over Heyes' face as he walked quickly over to free him.

"I got three, is that all of 'em?"

Heyes nodded as Kid undid the bandana and then carefully tackled the rope around his wrists, Heyes wincing as his hands were freed.

"Geez can you even feel your hands?" Kid frowned as he looked at Heyes swollen and discoloured hands.

"Not for a couple hours now. You all right Kid? I was scared to death, there wasn't anything I could do to warn you, then I heard all those shots…"

"I'm fine Heyes other than worried about you. That old man at the livery knew somethin' wasn't right and told me all I needed to know, other than who had you. I'm just sorry it took me so long to get here."

Kid watched his partner anxiously as Heyes closed his eyes and grimaced as he tried to ease the pain in his shoulders. He reached out and touched his back gently not wanting to cause any more pain. "You sure you're gonna be okay?"

"I'll be fine in a bit Kid once I get movin' around. Where are they?"

"Outside."

"You didn't.." Heyes looked at him sharply.

Kid gave him a disbelieving look.

"You know me better than that. A couple broken arms, a shoulder wound and a grazed leg…and no guns. Here's yours by the way. You know that fella at the livery even noticed you didn't have a gun in your holster."

"What do we do with them?" Heyes asked once Kid had retrieved both their horses and they stood looking down at the wounded men.

"I ain't doin' nothin' with 'em. Their wounds ain't bad enough that they can't get to a doctor in time."

Kid stood, looking down on Will for a moment before turning to look at Heyes. He solemly took in the still slightly swollen hands, the cut lip and bruised face, and Heyes could see the angry tensing of his jaw and his eyes narrowing dangerously. He started turning back to Will and felt Heyes put a calming hand on his arm.

"Kid…" he said softly.

Kid shrugged him off and didn't hesitate as he squatted down in front of Will and fixed a cold steely glare at him. When he spoke, his voice was an ominous growl that even made the hair on Heyes' neck stand up.

"Will, this better be the end of it. You took my partner and I don't take kindly to that. Matter of fact it makes me mad…real mad. You try to push this again I'll probably kill ya. You understandin' me?"

Will nodded, but wisely said nothing.

"There won't be another warnin' Will and that's a promise. I also suggest you find a doctor in a town other than Centennial."

Will gulped audibly and looked away, knowing that Kid meant what he said.

Kid stayed glaring at him for another minute before standing and putting his hand on Heyes' shoulder, "Let's get outta here. You gonna be able to hold the reins?"

"Yeah, see they're getting' better," he held his hands out to show Kid that the swelling was down and the colour returning.

Kid made sure that Heyes was safely mounted before climbing on his horse. Kid turned his horse so he was facing Will again and eyed him coldly.

"What, no threats this time?"

"No Kid, no more threats," Will mumbled, still unable to look at him.

Heyes said nothing but waited patiently for his partner to rein his horse back around and come up beside him. Their eyes met for a moment, no words necessary, before they started to make their way slowly back to town.

XXXXX

They arrived back in Centennial and the old man at the livery grinned widely at them. "Glad to see you found your partner Kid and you're both still in one piece."

Both boys turned their heads sharply to look at the old man, who laughed delightedly, slapping his knee in glee.

"Oh I know you boys wouldn't remember me, but you fellas done me a real good turn in Primrose a few years back. Couple of fellas was tryin' to rob me at the livery there and was layin' a beatin' on me until you and the rest of your gang happened along and convinced them of the error of their ways I think was how you put it to them Mr. Heyes."

Kid and Heyes looked at the old man a little closer, when Heyes dug his elbow lightly into Kids' ribs and grinned at the old man.

"I remember…James right?"

"Well, I'll be dogged…sure didn't reckon you'd remember my name."

Then Kid smiled as he remembered as well.

"Well James you sure helped me and my partner today by being able to tell me all the things you did. I surely coulda rode into that ambush."

"You don't need to worry boys, I won't say anything," he said when he saw Heyes looking at him rather worriedly. "I ain't heard much about you fellas lately, tryin' to go straight are ya?"

Heyes grinned and shook his head. "James you surely don't miss much do ya?"

James just winked and took the reins, turning before disappearing "No sir I surely don't. Now go relax boys, you deserve it, and like I said your secret's safe with me."

They watched the old man disappear into the stable and turned to each other.

"Well Kid, I missed breakfast so I say first stop is the café."

"You go on ahead Heyes, I'll meet you there in a couple minutes. Got somethin' I need to do first."

Kid started to turn to enter the livery, but Heyes stopped him.

"Here, put this with whatever you're gonna give him," he said handing him a five dollar coin.

Kid took the coin and turned to go after the old man as Heyes turned to go to the café, both men smiling.