The sun became fully visible above the horizon finding both men sore and nearing exhaustion as they continued trying to evade the advancing posse. Heyes had come to the realization that there was only one thing left for them to do and he looked worriedly over at his partner knowing he wasn't going to like what he was going to say.

"Kid, we gotta split up. Hopefully if they stay together at least one of us can get away, it's harder to break out of jail if we're both in there. There's only six of 'em Kid, maybe if we split they'll give up."

"Bad things always happen when we split up Heyes," he said quietly, adding after a moments' time "but you're right, they're gonna be on top of us soon."

"Meet ya in Green River in two days time."

They exchanged a look, both looking rather grim.

"Green River…just be careful, I won't be there to watch your back."

"You too Kid, see ya in a couple days."

And with that they veered away from each other heading in different directions, hoping their tired horses would hold up long enough to get away.

XXXXX

Kid soon realized that the posse had not paused for long before deciding to stay together and follow only one of them, that one being him. He rode slowly but steadily, ducking low as he travelled through the trees, trying every evasive tactic he could think of to lose them. He reached down patting his horses' neck, thankful he had an animal whose heart and stamina had helped him dodge untold posses and would hopefully carry him away from this one. By the time the sun was high overhead their luck had seemingly run out when shots were fired in his direction. He stayed low over his horses' neck, pulling his gun from its' holster he felt the burn as one lucky shot found his left arm before he turned firing four quick shots. Dust was kicked up in front of the horses trailing him making the posse members pull back to stay safely out of range, while Buck seemed to dig deep pouring on a sudden burst of speed.

XXXXX

Heyes looked over his shoulder for a moment watching as Kid began to weave his way deeper into the trees before pushing his horse in the opposite direction. He emerged from the trees a few minutes later and flicking Clay lightly on the rump with the ends of his split reins he urged him into a faster pace knowing he would be an easy target as he raced across the open field ahead of him. He pulled up after reaching the relative safety of rocks and trees, letting his heaving horse catch his breath while he stood in his stirrups and glanced back. He could see no sign of the posse, and closing his eyes he settled back into his saddle with his head hanging, knowing that it meant they had stayed together and were after Kid.

"Dammit, why can't we ever seem to catch a break," he muttered as he turned his horse heading slowly in the direction of Green River, his thoughts on his cousin.

XXXXX

Kid slowed his horse as he struggled to clumsily wrap his bandana around his arm knowing he didn't need to leave a blood trail to make it even easier for them to follow. It wasn't a serious wound as the bullet had gone straight through the fleshy part of his upper arm, he'd had far worse, but it was still bleeding and infection was always a possibility. He needed to get the wound cleaned up, but couldn't stop with the posse still so close. A passing shadow made him look skyward where he saw the sun disappearing behind the rapidly building storm clouds, and he realized that rain was on the way. He groaned, not relishing the thoughts of riding in a rainstorm, but it just might be the thing he needed to get some distance between him and the crew behind him. It would at least erase his tracks making it harder for them to follow.

Within minutes the sky darkened ominously and they were pelted with wind driven rain. A deafening crack of thunder was heard and Kid was almost blinded by the flash of lightning that hit a tree close by making his horse shy sideways a few steps before Kid settled him down. The torrential rain came down hard and Kid had to rely on his horse as he couldn't see more than two feet ahead. He was thankful when after fifteen long minutes the storm passed, having dumped almost two inches of rain on him in that short time. Heyes had always teased him as he didn't care for storms but when he looked over his shoulder and saw the posse well back and heading for home, he figured he'd make an exception for this one. It might have saved his life.

XXXXX

Heyes heard the distant rumble behind him and looking over his left shoulder he saw the black clouds quickly gathering knowing it was going to be one hell of a storm and the bulk of it was heading in the direction Kid had taken. Glancing around he could see nowhere to shelter so he jammed his hat down and hunched his shoulders as the wind and rain started and concentrated on keeping his horse going toward Green River. He was caught by the edge of the storm and although it was intense and a lot of rain fell he grimaced, knowing that his partner, who hated storms, would have felt the brunt of it. Expelling a breath that he hadn't even been aware that he was holding, he kneed his horse forward planning on at least a couple hours of travel before stopping to camp.

XXXXX

Kid was soaked to the skin and so tired, and knew he was going to have to rest his horse soon or he'd be walking. He dismounted when he came to a higher, drier area in a grove of trees and led Buck to a small patch of grass. He tied the split reins together so they wouldn't trail on the ground, knowing the horse wouldn't wander far. Patting the animal once he turned and found a spot where he could sit and rest. Heyes had the coffee pot and their few meager supplies, leaving Kid with a couple pieces of soggy jerky which he chewed on half heartedly, before checking his arm which was already starting to show signs of infection. Pouring some water on a clean bandana he hissed as he tried to clean the wound as best he could before awkwardly tying a makeshift bandage. Leaning his head back against the tree he closed his eyes and sighed wearily, it wasn't long before his head dropped to his chest.

He didn't know how long he slept but roused slightly when he felt his wounded arm being poked. He his right hand lifted slightly as if to swat the intruder away, before dropping back to the ground.

"Ow… Heyes quit fussin', leave me 'lone," he slurred sleepily without opening his eyes or lifting his head. He sighed deeply as he started to sink back into sleep when he felt a warm breath on his neck and something soft touching the side of his face. His eyes shot open, and turning his head with a gasp, found himself looking at his horses' muzzle. He chuckled in amusement, reaching up to rub the horses' nose, waiting for his heart rate to return to normal.

"You wantin' to get movin' huh? Okay, guess we got a couple more hours of daylight…but don't you dare tell Heyes about that," he warned softly, "He'd never let me live it down." The horse snorted almost as if in understanding, making Kid shake his head and grin as he rose to his feet and got back in the saddle, turning in the direction of Green River.