Sighing in frustration Heyes turned, running his hands through his hair before rubbing his tired eyes which were still watering a bit from the last breathing treatment. Kid had shown no sign of consciousness through the long night, even when racked with deep coughs that shook his whole body as Heyes held him upright. Walking over to the window he looked outside not seeing anything, thinking he had never seen Kid this sick and fearing what might happen. Taking a couple deep breaths he straightened his shoulders as he pulled himself together, turning back toward the bed when he heard a light tapping on the door. Striding across the room he opened the door a crack to see who it was, opening it completely to admit the doctor who took in Heyes' rather rumpled appearance.

"Long night I bet."

Heyes said nothing, just nodded mutely as he stepped aside to let the doc go to his patient.

"Thought I'd stop on my way to the office, see how you two were making out."

"Don't think there's much change doc. I've bin doin' everything you told me to, I just don't know that it's helpin' any."

The doctor took his time checking Kid over, before changing the bandage on his arm again.

"Were you able to get him to drink anything?"

"That's the only thing I didn't do. Every time I tried he started chokin' and I was afraid I was gonna drown 'im."

The doctor successfully hid the smile that threatened. "Go ahead and make some of that willowbark tea and I'll show you how to get it into him."

Ten minutes later Heyes had been instructed on how to use a spoon to dribble a few drops at a time into Kids' mouth, lightly massaging his throat to get him to swallow. The doc stood watching as Heyes sat on the bed and holding his partner painstakingly got half a cup of tea into him without making too much of a mess.

"That's good Joshua. Just keep doing that on top of all the rest that you're doin'. He's still got a high fever, but it's not quite as bad as it was and I think his lungs are sounding a little clearer."

Heyes looked at the doc frowning in disbelief.

"You wouldn't notice the improvement because you've stayed at his side all night, don't get me wrong, he's still a real sick fella."

He stopped when he opened the door. "I'll see if I can't find someone to sit with him while you get something to eat and get some rest."

"I ain't leavin' him doc."

"Won't be doin' him any favours if you get yourself sick."

"I'll be fine."

"Suit yourself," the doc said with a sigh. "I'll be back this afternoon."

"Thanks."

Heyes pulled out his pocket watch his shoulders slumping a little when he realized it was time for the mustard plaster again.

XXXXX

Two hours later Heyes was sitting in the chair he had moved to the bedside so he could sit beside Kid, his head supported by his right hand, his elbow on the arm of the chair, eyes closed. His head jerked up as the door opened and he blinked at the sheriff who peeked around the door before entering.

"Just me Joshua, guess you didn't hear me knock. Clara at the diner sent this over for ya. Damn that peppermint stuff is strong ain't it," the sheriff said wrinkling his nose.

"I don't even notice it anymore sheriff."

"Call me Lucas. How's he doin'?"

"I don't notice any difference but the doc seems to think he's a bit better."

"Well, the doc is a pretty smart fella, learned his doctorin' back east. If he says he's a better, then he is. Now eat your breakfast while it's still warm son and I'll stop back in later on when I'm on my rounds."

"Thanks Lucas."

Heyes picked at the food, not really wanting to eat but knowing he would hear about it if he didn't and he needed to keep his strength up to look after his partner.

XXXXX

The doc stopped in once again in the afternoon and the sheriff every time he did his rounds, both supplying him with coffee and Lucas bringing him a plate of supper.

"Here Joshua, I got strict orders from Clara to make sure you eat that."

"Make sure to keep track of how much I owe everybody…"

"You don't need to worry about that. Why don't you let me sit with him for a while so you can eat that and then get some sleep."

"I wouldn't be able to sleep, but thanks for the offer…and thank Clara for me."

"All right, I'll be back later with the doc. Says he wants to check on him once more before he calls it a night."

XXXXX

It had been a long day and Heyes was exhausted. He had stayed at Kids' side looking after him plying him with breathing treatments, mustard plasters, and willowbark tea, holding him when he coughed. He sat down in the chair after lighting the lamp leaning his arms on the bed he looked at his lifelong friend, unsure if he was improving or not.

"Damn it Kid, you really did it to yourself this time didn't ya. Didn't I tell ya to be careful? I swear you never listen to me."

He reached out and ran his hand down Kids' arm stopping to rest on his hand.

"You gotta get better Kid, you hear me? I don't know if I can do this without ya," he said softly his voice cracking slightly.

His hand on Kids', he put his head down to rest miserably on his other arm. It took less than two minutes for him to fall asleep.

That's the way the doc and the sheriff found them when they arrived a couple hours later. Getting no answer when they tapped on the door Lucas opened it and they both stepped inside, stopping and taking in the scene in front of them. The sheriff spoke first.

"Well, you wanted to check on the patient…"

Heyes suddenly jerked his head up and looked at his partner, not even noticing the other two people in the room.

"Kid?" he got quickly to his feet, laying a hand lightly on Kids' chest.

"C'mon I know I felt you move."

"Let me see him," the doc said moving quickly to the bed.

Heyes backed away a step but no further, hovering while the doc checked him.

The doc saw the half cup of willowbark tea and picked it up, spooning just a dribble into his patients' mouth who swallowed it without a problem. The doctor smiled and spooned a little more into him, he swallowed again and this time gave a small almost inaudible moan. The doctors' smile widened as he looked up at Heyes.

"Does that mean he's gonna be okay?" he asked worriedly.

"I'd say he's got a good chance. You can ease off on the mustard plasters, but keep on with the peppermint and willowbark tea."

Heyes ran his hands through his hair and blew out a deep breath. "Thank god," he whispered.

"You really need to get some rest Joshua," the doc said frowning as he got to his feet.

"I'm fine doc, I bin catchin' a few winks here and there."

"Stubborn cuss ain't he doc?" Lucas said with a shake of his head.

"Yeah he is and his friend is real lucky that he is. You should notice a big improvement by morning Joshua and he'll hopefully wake up sometime tomorrow."

Those few words gave Heyes the strength he needed to stay alert and tending to his partner the rest of the night, hopeful that he would wake in the morning.