Back in camp Jack took off immediately collecting firewood, Heyes in tow.

Delilah took her son to bed and applied his remedies. She still looked particular unhappy when she started preparing lunch.

Seeing the worry on her face, the Kid asked her gently, "Is there a problem?"

"No," Delilah answered. "It's just Jack being overprotective."

"Why would you think so?"

"He's been like this before. We come into a town. Everything's fine. Then he finds out he can't deal with the folks there. Their attitude would change. Then we move on. I don't want to move anymore."

"So, it's him?" Curry asked. "Why don't you just drop him when he means trouble?

"No, it's not him. And I wouldn't leave him. He's... he means a lot to me." The woman paused, looking thoughtfully at the blond gunman. Then she came to a decision and continued, "He's been with me for several years now. He takes care of me, and, in a way, I take care of him. They say he was a good boy once. But then he changed. Got involved with the wrong friends. Trouble started following him. Trouble grew with him as he grew older. One day someone got in the way of a bullet. Jack didn't run. He stood trial and served his sentence. But it changed the way people look at him. Once they admired him for being wild and free. Now they are scared; won't give him a chance. Call him dangerous, bloodthirsty, a killer. He's not. He's a good man." Delilah sighed. "I know, I can trust you. You saved my son. And you understand. You won't judge him, will you?"

"Of course not, ma'am," the Kid replied softly, as Heyes returned with an arm full of dry wood. Casually, he set it down beside the fire, not interrupting the conversation.

"Things might have been different if he hadn't lost his family. He can't help what happened when he was a kid." She hesitated for a moment before she continued, "The war… you know?"

Heyes, crouched beside the fire pit, glanced up and locked eyes with Curry. Shadows of the past flickered through them, mirrored by a set of emotions flashing over Heyes' expressive face: anger, sorrow, sympathy and understanding.

"Yeah, it was a hard time for regular folks," Heyes confirmed softly and stood. "At one point there was no right side anymore. They all were right – and they all were all wrong. Pushed a lot of folks into making bad decisions."

"Nobody can change the past," Kid Curry continued. "But a fella can change his ways. Leave his past behind."

"If he gets a chance," Delilah added. "He needs it. He deserves it."

"Nobody should be judged by their past alone. Everyone needs and deserves a second chance at some point in their life." Heyes sought the eyes of his partner and placed his hand on the blond's shoulder. "And everyone should get it."

-o-o-o-

Night had fallen when Delilah joined the men sitting around the fire, carrying the little boy in her arms.

"Still not sleepin'?" Jack asked her softly.

"No, he's restless. And the fever won't break."

"Give him to me. I'll take him for a while. Rest yourself. He'll need you in the mornin'."

Delilah nodded, passed him the child and then returned to the privacy of the wagon.

Jack wrapped the blanket tighter around the little boy. He hesitated a moment, but then gently stroked his head. Billy blinked up at him, his eyes tired and feverish.

"It's alright, Billy. Go to sleep. I'll take care of you."

"Tell me a story?" the child murmured.

"A story? What story?"

"The story you told me last time. About the deer."

Jack looked at him long and seriously, then nodded. His tongue flickered over his lips before he started. "There were these deer – an old buck with a doe and fawn. They lived in peace with the world, strivin' in the woods. One day a fierce hunter found their tracks. Came after them with his gun. The old buck got a whiff of him, took his doe and fawn and led them far, far away through valleys and hills – for safe-keepin', you know? On and on they moved until they came to a river where they stayed, living quietly and in peace. But then winter came, and with the winter came the hunter. He followed their tracks and cornered the doe and fawn. Hidden behind a bush, he raised his gun, took aim and slowly pulled the trigger. But – wham! – somethin' slammed into him, and the shot went wild. It was the old buck, knockin' him over, and buyin' time for the doe and fawn to get away.

"The deer turned around and faced the hunter, challengin' him. His leg was dark with blood, seepin' from the graze in his chest. The man was furious, feelin' around for his gun, but couldn't find it. Slowly, the old buck walked out onto the frozen river, favoring his leg. Then he turned around, lookin' at the hunter and waitin'; lurin' him to follow him onto the ice. That's what the hunter did in his ragin' anger. The buck didn't retreat, just waited for him, knowin' the ice couldn't hold the weight of both of them. So, the hunter came, a knife in his hand, careless about the ground under his feet. And then the ice broke. They both disappeared in the cold water, carried away by the strong current. And the doe and fawn were saved."

Jack's voice grew softer and softer towards the end, and Billy's eyes fluttered shut as the boy fell asleep. Jack's eyes laid on him showing deep sadness and deep affection. Silence spread, only broken by the crackling fire.

Heyes and Curry sat across the flames in silence, watching, listening. After a long time, they exchanged a glance filled with knowledge and concern. Simultaneously they stood, nodded curtly, and turned in for the night.

Jack remained there, sitting calm and still, staring into the flames as he watched over a sleeping boy, he pretended wasn't his own.

-o-o-o-

Bundled into their bedrolls within arm's reach of each other, Kid Curry rolled onto his back and stared up at the stars. "I remember him now, Heyes – Jack," he said quietly. "I don't know his name, but I remember him from when he was way younger, almost a kid, barely growin' a beard. Tangled up in some dirty deals. Gunman. Quick temper. All anger and attitude."

"Sounds familiar." Heyes turned his head, facing his partner with a brief smile. "Quick temper, huh? What's that about the pot and the kettle?"

"There's temper and there's temper. Couldn't control himself. Met him in prison where he did a few years sentence."´

Heyes frowned. "When was that?"

"Some time after we split up after that stupid fight we had in Abilene. They got me for petty theft and locked me away for a short while."

"Splitting up was never a good thing for either of us."

"No, never. And I never got used to bein' caged in," Curry replied. "Jack didn't take it well either. He had a hard time there, bein' that young. Took a lot of beatin'. Never gave up. Never gave in. Never learned to bend, but didn't break either. Guess prison did him a favor, keepin' him from gettin' himself killed in a stupid fight. He sure seems calmer now."

"It looks like Delilah's done him some good."

"Should have married her."

"Couldn't have married her without calling trouble on her."

"...and his son."

Heyes nodded "...and his son."

Kid Curry turned to his side and faced his partner. "Did you see the look on his face?"

Heyes nodded again. "He's desperate. Needs help. Can't bring himself to trust anybody."

"Been there. Done that."

"Yeah," Heyes confirmed, thoughtfully. "I know he's asking for help. There's no need to say it. It's in his eyes. It's like reading a player in a poker game. Jack just won't admit it right now. Too stubborn. Maybe too proud."

"I remember that feelin', Heyes. After runnin' from Valparaiso, we were just like him; crying for help inside but couldn't say a thing. Easy to tell when you've lived it yourself."

"Yeah, exactly, but at least we had each other." Heyes' voice was calm, but his face showed concern. "If Racine's coming after him, he'll run into us, too."

"And recognize you."

"I guess so."

"And will be gettin' thoughts."

"Yup."

"I'm not goin' to leave them."

"I know."

"No complaints?"

"Nope. Saving my breath. The moment you laid your eyes on Delilah and the kid, I knew what was going to happen..."

"You wanna leave alone?"

"Nope."

Their eyes met and they looked at each other with affection and understanding. They shared a smile and then turned their heads, facing the star-spangled sky.

Kid Curry spoke first. "That's one heck of a situation we've got here."

"Yeah, and I don't know how to get all of us out of it without getting into harm's way."

"You'll think of one."

"I will?" Heyes propped himself up in surprise and looked at his friend.

"Who claims bein' a genius all the time?"

Heyes sighed and settled in for sleep. "You know, Kid, sometimes it's hard to live up to your reputation."