Heyes woke in the morning when the bright sunshine coming through the window swept across his face. Looking down at the book that still lay on his chest he blinked as his thoughts finally came together and he cast a hopeful glance at the other bed…still empty. He had slept deeply, more deeply than he had in a long time. Sighing as he swung his legs over the side of the bed he stretched trying to work some of the stiffness out of his muscles and joints. He wasted no time as he threw on his clothes and had a quick shave before heading out the door and almost running down the stairs to stop in front of the desk clerk.

"Don't suppose there's bin any word from my partner."

"No sir, no telegrams for you yet."

"Thanks," Heyes mumbled as he headed out the door to the café for breakfast.

As he sat pushing his ham and eggs around on the plate he couldn't seem to stop himself from worrying about Kid. He tried to convince himself that he was all right that he would be here sometime today, but he couldn't stop that feeling in the pit of his stomach that told him something was wrong. Giving up on rearranging the food on his plate he finished his coffee, threw money on the table and exited the café. He headed back to the hotel where he pulled up a chair out front on the boardwalk and propped his feet up on the rail determined to keep an eye out for his friend.

The sheriff had passed by several times during the day while doing his rounds and had seen him sitting in front of the hotel feet on the railing either drinking coffee or having an occasional cigar all the while watching the street. He knew from sharing a drink with him last night that he was waiting for his friend that had been with him last year when they passed through. He remembered them both as they had been friendly and caused no trouble besides he thought with a smile, he couldn't bring himself to dislike anyone who laughed at his outlandish stories. He stopped, putting one foot on the boardwalk leaning forward with an arm on his upraised leg.

"Still no sign of him huh?"

"No and I'm gettin' a little concerned. He does have an annoyin' habit of gettin' himself into trouble."

"He ain't really late yet. Didn't you say you were to meet here sometime today?"

Heyes nodded, and the sheriff patted his shoulder.

"Give him some time son, the day ain't quite over yet. He's got another good hour of daylight left."

"If he ain't here by mornin' I'm gonna have to go lookin' for him."

XXXXX

When Kid woke the sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon and he slowly staggered to his feet, waiting until the hoarse coughing stopped. His clothes were wet from fever his arm was infected his chest was still heavy and his cough was worse. He didn't need to be a doctor to know that this could become a problem. He dragged himself over to his horse and stood trying to convince himself that he could do this.

"Buck I really wish you could do this yourself. Guess that's a bit unrealistic huh considerin' you ain't got any hands," he said hoarsely .

Kid bent to lift the saddle dropping it with a yelp of pain and grabbing his left arm. He waited a couple minutes before reaching for the saddle with his right hand somehow managing to get the saddle up on the horse and secured after several unsuccessful attempts. Just doing that exhausted him and he sat down heavily, leaning against a tree with his eyes closed desperately trying to catch his breath. As his breathing evened out it became a bit deeper and he slipped into sleep again not waking for several hours.

He opened his eyes frowning in confusion seeing that the sun was showing it to be well past noon. Kid shook his head when he spied his horse saddled and grazing contentedly nearby. He vaguely remembered saddling him but couldn't remember anything else. He swiped at the sweat streaming down his face as he got to his feet swaying slightly as he tried to concentrate on staying upright. Making his way unsteadily to the horse he was eventually able to get himself in the saddle knowing that he needed to get to town and help. He doubted he would make it through another night, 'hell' he thought 'I'll be lucky to make it through the rest of today.' Pausing for a moment to steady himself he lightly tapped the horses' sides and they began the last leg of their journey.

XXXXX

"What d' ya say you and me go to the café for a bite of supper."

"I think I'd rather stay here sheriff," Heyes stated with a shake of his head.

"Look son, you ain't gonna do him any good by starvin' yourself, besides you can see the street from the café. Now c'mon I ain't takin' no for an answer," the sheriff reached down taking Heyes' arm and pulling him to his feet.

"All right I'm comin'," Heyes sighed.

Side by side ex-outlaw and lawman walked to the café just a couple doors down from the hotel, Heyes glancing up and down the street before entering choosing the table closest to the window.

With the sheriff coaxing him Heyes finished the stew that had been set in front of him all the while looking out at the street.

XXXXX

It was nearly dark when a horse made its' way slowly down the street and as it got close to the café, Heyes saw it and bolted out through the door the sheriff not far behind him.

Heyes slowed as he got closer to the horse, not wanting him to startle and dislodge the man slumped over its' neck, left arm dangling lifelessly.

"Whoa, easy there Buck, easy boy," he said soothingly as he reached for the reins untangling them from Kid's right hand.

"This your friend?" the sheriff asked not being able to see Kids' face.

"Yeah."

"Bring the horse down to the doc's and I'll round him up for ya."

"I'd rather take him to the room I've got rented at the hotel sheriff."

The sheriff eyed him for a minute before giving in.

"All right, lead the horse over and I'll send my deputy to help carry him in while I fetch the doc."

Heyes led the horse to the hotel and while waiting for the deputy he tried to check his partner. He could hear he was having trouble breathing and he saw the blood on his shirt sleeve.

"Hang on Kid, we'll have ya fixed up in no time," he said softly.

The deputy arrived and between them they got Kid up to the room but when they tried to lay him down his breathing got worse. Heyes sat on the bed and let Kid lean back against him after they got his shirt off.

"Looks like a bullet wound," the deputy observed.

"Yeah an infected bullet wound. Would you see if can find some more pillows so I can prop him up? It's easier for him to breathe."

The deputy disappeared just as the sheriff returned with the doctor in tow.

"Let me see him young man."

"Doc if I lay him down his breathin' gets real bad. I asked the deputy to see if he can find some more pillows."

"All right then, hold on to him while I check him out."

XXXXX

An hour later Kid lay propped up on several pillows, the doctor after thoroughly checking him over and cleaning his wounded arm stood and turned to Heyes clearing his throat before speaking.

"Son, I'm not gonna lie to you, your friend is real sick."

"What are you sayin' doc? He's gonna be all right ain't he?"

Looking back down at his patient he expelled a deep breath before eying the concerned man standing in front of him.

"There's some things we can try. I've got some peppermint oil that I picked up when I was in Sacramento a while back. Put some of that in a bowl with boiling water and hold his head over it, let him breathe in the steam. That might help him to cough up some of the junk in his lungs. I'll also bring a mustard concoction that you mix with warm water spread on a cloth and place on his chest and back for no more than twenty minutes to a time every four hours. Keep sponging him down with cool water to try to get that fever down and get him to drink willowbark tea, that'll help a bit with the fever as well."

Heyes' head was spinning with all the information the doctor was giving him as well as the fact that the doc didn't seem to be too sure that Kid would survive.

"I'll bring all the stuff over that you'll need and show you what to do," the doc patted Heyes on the shoulder as he walked by him to go to his office.

"You stay here and look after your friend Joshua, I'll see to his horse and make sure to check on you whenever I can," the sheriff paused at the door looking back at Heyes before shaking his head slightly and leaving.

XXXXX

Heyes appreciated the fact that the doctor stopped on his way home to see how he was making out, the sheriff also dropping in several times even bringing him coffee a couple times.

Heyes spent the night tending to his partner, following the doctors' instructions to the letter, struggling to hold his unconscious cousin upright so he could breathe in the steam which did seem to ease his breathing some but made Heyes' eyes water. He kept wiping cool cloths on his face neck and chest praying the fever would come down, applying the mustard paste as instructed. The only thing he couldn't accomplish was getting his cousin to drink anything.

By the time the sky started to lighten in the morning Heyes was tired and wondering if anything he was doing was helping.

"I'd feel a lot better Kid if you'd just open your eyes even for a minute," he said softly brushing damp curls from his still feverish forehead.