The storm had developed quickly and had been upon them before they could find shelter. They rode hunched down in their saddles, the cold rain running in streams from their hats as they tried unsuccessfully to shield themselves from the wind driven rain. The storm was short lived, but by the time it had moved on, they were both soaked to the skin. Heyes glanced over at his friend who shivered, looking as miserable as he himself felt. He pushed his hat off, letting it hang down his back by the stampede strings as he raised his face to soak in some of the heat of the sun which had chased the clouds away.
"Well Kid, I vote we pull up and get ourselves dried off some. Don't know about you, but I could use some hot coffee."
"Sounds good to me Heyes," he responded without even lifting his head.
They rode for a short while before coming across a stream where they dismounted and pulling their saddlebags open, sorted through them looking for drier clothes. As they stripped, they laid their wet clothes across some bushes hoping the sun would dry them quickly. Heyes glanced across at his friend again, frowning slightly to see him still shivering as he pulled his clothes on with fumbling fingers. He was still slightly chilled himself, but not to the point that he was shivering.
"We'll get a fire goin' Kid. Some hot coffee and somethin' to eat'll warm us right up."
"Whatever you think."
They worked together to gather enough dry wood to get a hearty campfire going and soon they were enjoying coffee, beans and the last of their bacon. Heyes watched as Kid sat close to the fire even after eating, holding his hands towards the flames.
"You still cold?" Heyes asked as he narrowed his eyes.
"Not so bad now. That rain sure was cold."
"Yeah it was."
Hearing the concern in his voice, Kid turned his head in the direction of his partner. "I'm fine, quit worryin'."
Heyes' smile didn't reach his eyes, thinking that they had been on the trail for several days after being chased out of the town of Rawlins almost as soon as they'd ridden in; several days without any of the comforts that a town could have provided, including supplies, which they were beginning to run low on. That and they were both tired and in need of resting up for a few days.
"We'll come to a town soon Kid, get some supplies."
Kid just nodded. Heyes tipped his head slightly to one side as he watched his partner in mild concern.
"Dammit Heyes, stop starin' at me. Told ya I'm fine," he snapped without even looking up.
"Pull your horns in Kid, ain't no need to get proddy, I was just thinkin' we could stay here til tomorrow, rest up a bit, get a fresh start in the morning'."
"Fine with me."
"Good, it's settled then. Maybe I could shoot us a rabbit or two for supper," Heyes said as he sneezed, eyeing his friend expectantly.
"Keep the fire goin', I'll get us some meat for supper," his partner snorted softly.
'Works every time,' he thought chuckling to himself.
XXXXX
They stayed by the stream the rest of the day, relaxing after having eaten the rabbit the Kid had shot for supper. Heyes leaned back against his saddle with a sigh casting a quick glance at his friend again who also sat leaning against his saddle, eyes closed but he could tell he was still awake. Heyes hadn't eaten much, telling his partner that he was too tired to eat, but the truth was he was feeling a bit poorly. They were both tired, Heyes had seen the dark circles under Kid's eyes, and he frowned as he watched his breathing even out as he finally drifted off to sleep. Heyes sneezed before sighing, wondering once more if they would ever catch a break, as he burrowed into his bedroll with a shiver to try to get some sleep.
XXXXX
He opened his eyes the next morning feeling terrible. He did his best to hide the cough that had taken hold of him, his chest was feeling tight, his throat was sore and all he really wanted to do was curl up and go back to sleep. He groaned quietly knowing he was coming down with a cold at the very least, he also knew his partner had probably heard him coughing. He sighed which brought on another fit of coughing, his shoulders drooping when it subsided. They saddled up and headed out, hoping to come across a town soon so they could at least get some supplies.
Kid had indeed heard his cousin try to muffle the cough he had developed during the night and Heyes was powerless to hide the sneezing. He wasn't talking which in itself was worrisome and had the Kid glancing often at him then frowning in concern as he watched Heyes huddle into his coat as it wasn't cold…in fact it was downright hot. Kid watched his partner closely.
Heyes was thankful that they kept their animals to a walk, but the steady rocking motion had him jerking himself awake more than once when his chin would drop to his chest. He blinked struggling to keep himself awake hoping that Kid didn't notice.
Kid rode slightly behind Heyes keeping quiet, watching as his friends' head would snap up several times as he fought to stay awake, knowing he would brush him off if he confronted him too soon. When he saw him sag even further in the saddle, he urged his horse up beside him, reaching out to grab his elbow, stopping him from toppling to the ground.
"Hey, you all right?" he asked, his voice full of concern.
"I'm just tired Kid, but I can't go much further," he admitted with a deep cough.
"Kinda got that Heyes. Think you can stay on your horse long enough for us to find a spot to set up camp?"
Heyes mustered enough energy to lift his head and toss a small grin at his partner who rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, I know. Just hang on a bit longer."
They rode silently side by side for a short ways until Kid saw a place next to a stream he thought would be a good spot to set up a camp. Heyes' cough had steadily gotten worse as they travelled and Kid sighed knowing he could be in for a rough few days. He dismounted turning to look at Heyes, who was looking terrible. Heyes slowly lifted his head when he felt a hand on his knee, looking blearily at Kid who stood looking up at him.
"Heyes?" He said softly.
"Kid I…I don't f…feel so good," his voice fading his eyes rolling back as he slowly slipped sideways from the saddle. Kid could feel the heat of fever through his partners' clothes as he easily caught him. Gently laying him on the ground he whistled softly as he felt his forehead. "Damn Heyes, you're burnin' up." Quickly and efficiently he got camp set up before propping Heyes up against his saddle to ease his breathing somewhat. Covering him with both blankets Kid sat back on his heels grimacing slightly when he heard the deep chesty cough. 'Yeah', he thought, 'gonna be a long few days'.
XXXXX
For three days the Kid tended to his partner, keeping cold cloths on his face and neck to try to bring the fever down, plying him with water whenever he could even making him a broth out of a couple sage hens he shot. He sat by him as he lay tossing and turning restlessly as his fever raged, listened when he mumbled incoherently, held him down when he struggled to get away from whatever was haunting him in his fevered dreams. Kid was beyond tired, but he stayed by his cousins' side looking after him as he knew Heyes would for him. The cough seemed to be easing up but the fever was stubborn not letting go reaching a new height on this the afternoon of the third day. He was again wiping cool cloths on his friends' face when he saw Heyes' eyes open wide, looking at him with absolute fear and panic.
"Kid, ya gotta go, they're comin' Kid," he rasped as he grabbed Kids' arms.
"There's nobody comin' Heyes, we're safe here," Kid held his partners' shoulders firmly and was stunned when he saw tears leaking from his eyes.
"Please Kid, I'm sorry…"
"What for?" Kid asked in confusion.
"S'all my fault Kid," he almost sobbed.
"Heyes, what are you talkin' about?"
"Jed, run, please!" he begged beginning to sob in earnest.
"Heyes listen to me," he gave him a little shake trying to snap him out of whatever hallucination he was experiencing.
"It's just a dream and even if it wasn't I wouldn't be leavin' you so stop talkin' like this."
Kid gasped in surprise when Heyes grabbed him hugging him tight. He blinked a couple times before wrapping his arms around his partner and gently rubbing his back.
"It's just a dream Heyes. You just relax, I'm here partner, I'm here and I ain't gonna leave ya," he said soothingly.
He held him until the sobs lessened sleep finally reclaiming him. He laid him back down, covering him before sitting back rubbing his face with his hands as he shook his head wondering what the hell his partner had been dreaming about that would scare him that much. He went to pour himself more coffee then took his place sitting beside Heyes to watch over him.
XXXXX
Kid's head snapped up when he heard his partner stirring restlessly, cussing under his breath when he realized that he had fallen asleep. Stretching his arms over his head he yawned as he worked the kinks out of his back caused from falling asleep sitting up next to his friend. Glancing down he saw a pair of dark eyes looking back at him in confusion making him smile as he reached down to feel his forehead.
"Finally," he whispered finding the fever gone at last.
"Wh.." Heyes cleared his throat, "what time is it?"
Kid snorted a short laugh. "What the hell is it with you and time? Don't you mean what day is it?"
"Huh?"
"We bin here for …well I guess this is the fourth day. You stay still I'm gonna heat up some coffee."
Heyes stayed still watching his partner closely as he got to his feet, yawning again as his shoulders slumped in weariness. He took note of the deep dark circles under his eyes, had seen the complete exhaustion when he looked at him, continuing to watch quietly as Kid stirred the fire, putting coffee on to heat.
"You hungry Heyes?"
"Maybe a little," he admitted pausing for a moment.
"Hey Kid?"
"Yeah?" he asked turning to face his friend.
"Maybe I should do it, you look like hell."
What started out as a chuckle of amusement blossomed into an out of control laugh as Kid thought of the past few days and how worried he had been. He didn't hear Heyes get up, didn't see him wait for the dizziness to pass didn't realize he had moved until he felt his hand on his shoulder as he knelt down beside him. Kid turned to look at him tears rolling unchecked down his face with Heyes wondering if his partner had finally lost his mind.
"Kid?"
"Oh Heyes, I'm all right just a little tired is all."
"Well why don't ya go sit down while I get some food ready for us."
"You shouldn't be up yet…"
"I'm fine as long as I take it slow. Besides you've got everything made, just gotta heat stuff up."
Kid eyed his partner not quite convinced he was going to be all right. Heyes patted him on the shoulder giving him a dimpled grin.
"Go on…I'll have this ready in no time."
Kid paused another moment.
"Will you go on, geez I ain't totally useless ya know."
Kid shook his head but made his way over to his saddle, spread his bedroll out, tossed his hat to the ground beside it and sat down leaning against the saddle, knowing if he was to lay down he would be asleep in no time. He leaned his head back closing his eyes enjoying the feel of the breeze through his hair.
Heyes made his way over to his friend a few minutes later with coffee and a plate of beans and a biscuit. He stood looking down at him for a moment seeing the deep even breathing. He smiled as he set the plate and cup down grabbing his blanket he carefully covered his partner who didn't move.
"You sleep Kid, it's my turn to keep watch for a while," he said softly.