Arriving in Porterville late in the afternoon, Heyes and Kid had just tied their horses in front of the sheriffs' office when a familiar feminine voice stopped them in their tracks.

"Mr. Smith, Mr. Jones, you're back."

Caroline Porter hurried across the street to them. Both men turned and touched their hats in greeting.

"Afternoon Miss Porter."

"Ma'am."

"I'm so glad to see you both. Mr. Jones, could I speak to you a moment?" she asked, looking at him shyly.

"Course ma'am." Kid looked at his partner who grinned.

"I'll meet ya inside Thaddeus."

He entered the sheriffs' office still smiling.

Lom Trevors looked up when he heard the door to his office open, frowning slightly when he saw who it was.

"Hey Lom," Heyes greeted his friend with a smile.

"Where's Kid?" he asked sharply.

"He got waylaid by Miss Caroline Porter," his smile disappearing. "What's wrong?"

"Just heard the news of Matherville," he started.

"Is that what this is about?" Heyes demanded, putting his hands on his hips.

"Nope, just heard about it this mornin'. What happened there?"

Heyes glanced back at the door.

"I'll tell you all about it later, but I'm not gonna talk about it in front of Kid. It hit him real hard."

Lom looked at him rather doubtfully.

"I promise I'll tell you everything… but without Kid."

The door opened again and Kid walked in smiling and shaking his head.

"That woman needs to find herself a husband. Howdy Lom."

"Kid," Lom said with a nod.

"All right Lom, we're here. What's goin' on?" Heyes questioned.

Lom leaned back in his chair and blew out a frustrated breath.

"Well boys, I've had a request from the governors' office."

Kid rolled his eyes and turned his back on Lom, taking one step towards the door.

"Hold on Kid, let's hear him out," Heyes said, putting a restraining hand on his arm.

"Go ahead Lom," Heyes urged. Kid turned back to look at the sheriff.

Lom sighed.

"Harker should be back in a few minutes, then we can discuss this at my place. Kid, where do ya think you're goin'?"

"I need some air," Kid snapped before heading out the door.

Lom raised an eyebrow as he looked at Heyes. "Bit on edge ain't he?"

"It's bin a tough few days. I better go after him. We'll wait for ya outside."

Heyes went out to find his partner and found him leaning against the hitching post rubbing his horses' head. He didn't look up when as he approached. Heyes cocked his head to one side as he looked at him.

"Y' all right?"

"Sure Heyes."

"It won't hurt to listen to what Lom has to say," he reasoned.

"I'll listen."

Heyes reached out, putting his hand on Kids' shoulder.

"We'll listen and then decide what to do together…once we find out what he wants."

"Whatever you say."

"Dang it Kid, stop that." Heyes took a deep calming breath. "Look, It's been a long few days and we're both tired. If it's somethin' we don't feel we want to do, we won't do it," he reasoned.

Kid looked up at his friend and snorted.

"When it comes to the governor, it's always somethin' we don't wanna do, but we end up doin' it anyway. Most of the time when we do, one of us gets hurt."

"Well, it's Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones." Heyes was saved from having to come up with a convincing response by another familiar voice.

"Howdy. Look Thaddeus it's Deputy Wilkins."

"We ain't transients today deputy, Lom sent for us," Kid said with a slight grin.

"Oh, I know that Mr. Jones. Guess I'd best get in there so you fellas can have your visit."

Moments later Lom came out, and without saying a word, mounted his horse and headed out of town. Kid and Heyes exchanged glances but followed obediently. Not a word was spoken as they made their way the mile out of town to Loms' house. Once inside he warmed up some coffee.

"Sit down boys. You want somethin' to eat?"

"Coffee'll be fine Lom."

"Kid, you want somethin'?"

"I just wanna know why you sent for us."

Lom set three cups of coffee on the table and sat down.

"Well…I got a message delivered from the governors' office a few days ago. This didn't come from the governor himself, but from someone who works for him."

Lom paused, looking at the two men who were staring at him.

"His aide says they heard that there might be an attempt on the governors' life when he makes a trip to Laramie to make a speech. It has been suggested that maybe you two would be able to provide some protection…without actually travelling with them, but from some distance."

Heyes and Kid looked at him in shock.

"That ain't funny Lom."

"It ain't meant to be Heyes…and this was not my idea."

Lom saw Kids' eyes change from shock to icy anger. Kids' fist hit the table, making the cups bounce.

"He don't wanna give us that damned amnesty cause he considers me a gunfighter, and now they want me and my gun to protect him?" he snarled in angry disbelief.

Kid jerked to his feet and turned to the door.

"How can you even ask me to think about doin' this?" he asked over his shoulder, hurt mixed in with the anger.

"Kid…" Heyes started as Kid slammed his way out the door, making both men wince.

"Let him go."

Moments later they heard a horse galloping in the direction of town.

"Dammit," Heyes hissed as he put his elbows on the table and put his head in his hands.

"Okay Heyes. What the hell happened?"

Heyes looked up at Lom and sighed.

Half an hour later he had told the sheriff all about Danny, the quick draw contest where Kid had admitted that Danny was probably faster than he was, gold mining and how they had been left to die. How they had found Danny and confronted him about Seths' death and the gold he'd stolen.

"Danny called him out when we were standing by our horses ready to leave town. The sheriff was standin' there and saw the whole thing. Kid had started to turn and walk away when Danny drew. You know how fast Kid is, but I ain't never seen him draw as fast as he did that day, and he barely beat him. He didn't say more than a few words, until we stopped in that town I can't even remember the name of. He finally opened up, with the help of a fair amount of whiskey. Lom I ain't seen Kid that tore up since we lost our parents."

He sat, gazing off into the distance, lost in the memory, before he became focused again and looked Lom in the eye.

"You know how Kid practices every mornin'?" he asked quietly.

Lom nodded. "Yeah, I remember bein' woke up by that more than once."

"He ain't fired his gun since that day except to shoot one rabbit. Haven't even seen him clean it."

"And then I up and ask him to use it to protect the governor," he said, his shoulders drooping slightly.

Heyes nodded. "He's ain't a killer, no matter what people think."

"Damn," Lom said softly, shaking his head. "I'll send a telegram tomorrow with some excuse why you can't do it."

"I gotta go find him Lom. I'm hopin' he didn't go to the saloon, cause I don't think I can handle another night like that anytime soon."

"Got pretty drunk did he?"

Heyes just snorted and rolled his eyes in reply.

While Heyes and Lom were talking, Kid had headed back to town, pulling his horse to a sliding stop in front of the livery. Dismounting he tossed the reins to the stable hand.

"Take care of him will ya? Give him a good rubdown."

Kid went to the saloon and tossed back a shot of whiskey, then ordered a beer and headed to an unoccupied table in the dark corner towards the back. There he sat deep in silent conversation with himself. He'd never really considered himself a gunfighter. Sure he'd honed his skill with a gun, but as protection, for both himself and Heyes he reasoned. He had to admit he did seem to get involved in more gunfights lately, and now someone was dead because of him. He replayed the deadly gunfight and the days leading up to it yet again. How many times in the past few days had he done that he wondered. Heyes had told him Danny had caused his own death, and though he'd understood what he was saying, it was still his bullet that had brought him down. Now it seemed that the governor needed his gun even though it was his skill with it that he figured was delayin' their amnesty. He stared into his beer unseeing, slowly running his finger around the rim. Would it go against Heyes getting his amnesty if they didn't help? His pleasant thoughts of life after amnesty that he'd shared with Heyes were disappearing. What was he thinkin', he'd never get amnesty. It was time for him to go his own way. Without him Heyes at least had a chance.

"Hey there honey, you look like you could use some company," purred a scantily clad saloon girl.

"Not right now darlin'," he looked up with a sad smile.

"You let me know if you change your mind."

Heyes had entered the saloon and had seen the girl walk away. Going to the bar he ordered a beer and stood watching him as he continued absently looking into his beer glass, but not drinking it. Heyes ordered two more and carried both glasses to the corner table.

"Here, have a cold one," he said putting the fresh glass in front of Kid before sitting down.

"Whatcha thinkin' about?" he asked when Kid didn't even look up at him.

"Nothin'," he mumbled.

"Now, why don't I believe ya. I bin watchin' ya for the last five minutes from the bar."

They sat quietly for a few moments until Heyes could stand it no more.

"Lom ain't happy 'bout it either Thaddeus."

"I can't believe, knowin' us like he does, he'd even ask us to do that. And as for the governor, after all the dang favors he's had us doin' for him the past couple years, we still don't seem to be gettin' any closer to that amnesty."

"You heard him say it didn't come from the governor. Matter of fact, the governor don't even know about it."

"So it wouldn't even count toward the amnesty," Kid shook his head in disgust.

"I swear you are the most stubborn, mule headed…"

"So you've told me more than once," Kid interrupted.

"I meant no offense Thaddeus."

"None taken."

Heyes took a swallow of his beer and took a deep breath.

"Thaddeus? Lom asked me about Matherville."

Kid sat back and glanced at the ceiling, sighing, before looking at his friend.

"That's just great."

"No, now hold on. I explained what happened…all of it. He only asked what happened because he'd heard about it and wanted to get the details from us."

Defeated blue eyes met worried brown.

"Joshua…"

"NO!" Heyes cut him off and pointing a finger at him. "Do not say what I know you're thinkin'. Loms' sendin' a telegram in the mornin' tellin' 'em we can't do it."

"He said that?"

"Yeah he did."

"Thaddeus, I'm thinkin' we should rest up a day or so, get supplies and decide what to do after that. Maybe we need a holiday… Mexico…or how about Canada?"

Heyes could see hope start to form in Kids' eyes.

"Canada might be a nice change," he mused.

"But one thing that's not gonna happen is you ridin' off without me. We've bin through too much together and you are not leavin' me behind. I can't believe you," Heyes continued, hoping to get a rise out of his partner. "After everything I done for you over the years that you'd walk away without a thought about how it would affect me," he added indignantly.

"That you done for me," Kid sputtered. "Oh, like I never done nothin' for you. How many times have I saved your ass when you got into trouble at a poker table…had your back when you were too busy winnin' to pay attention to how mad you was makin' some sore loser?"

Heyes smiled happily at him. "That's more like it. Now finish your beer. We're spending the night at Loms', and I told him we'd make supper."

"I'm makin' the coffee," Kid stated.

"There's nothin' wrong with my coffee. Don't know why everybody makes such a fuss."

They had a peaceful supper and retired early. Kid and Heyes lay talking quietly.

"What's goin' on in that head of yours Kid?"

"Nothin' much, just thinkin' 'bout the last few days."

"It's bin interestin' I'll say that."

"Yeah. It's a week I'll be glad to see the end of Heyes, but I don't think I'm gonna forget it anytime soon."

"Kid, I'm sure it'll always stay with you, but I think it'll get easier to deal with over time."

"I sure hope you're right."

"Course I'm right Kid. You just gotta keep thinkin' about that horse ranch we're gonna have when we get that amnesty."

"You think you'd like to go in on that with me?"

"Well Kid, I'd have to if you want me to keep watchin' your back."

"That sounds real good Heyes…as long as you stay away from my wife."

They both chuckled as they remembered their conversation at the campfire.

"I take it this means you're not thinkin' about leavin' and ridin' out on your own?"

"No, I guess not. Like you said, we've spent too much time goin' straight to give up now. Besides, you need me to watch your back too, 'specially when you're at the poker table," he teased.

Kid waited for Heyes to go to sleep before getting up and quietly going outside to sit on the porch. A short time later Lom looked out the window, having heard the door open and close, and saw Kid sitting, cleaning his gun. Going to the cupboard he grabbed two glasses and poured a healthy measure of whiskey in each. Kid looked up when the door opened, snapping the last piece of his gun in place.

"Sorry Lom,I didn't mean to wake ya."

"Ya didn't. I have a hard time sleepin' sometimes. Seems you do too. Here, put that thing away and drink this." Lom urged as he sat beside him.

"Yeah, it's usually Heyes that wakes me up in the middle of the night to tell me one of his brilliant ideas," Kid remarked as he slid his gun into the well worn holster.

He accepted the glass and took a sip.

"Heyes says he told ya about Danny," he finally broke the silence.

"Yeah. Sounds like he wasn't gonna let you leave town before facin' him. Heyes said the sheriff saw it all."

"I didn't notice anybody but Danny til it was over, but the sheriff was there and didn't arrest me. Funny, I remember him sayin' somethin' when I asked him about Danny killin' that cowboy. He said 'if there's a gunfight, the man that starts it better lose…or he's in trouble'."

"Huh…smart sheriff."

"Ya know Kid, I gotta be honest with ya, once I got over the shock of you coming to me about the amnesty, I had serious doubts about you two. With your reputations, I just didn't know if you could do it."

"Believe me Lom, I've had doubts too. I still think Heyes woulda had it by now if not for me."

"I don't know about that Kid, Heyes has a reputation too you know, but don't give up. You'll get the amnesty…eventually. I don't recollect if I ever told you two how proud I am of you, but you've worked hard to stay out of trouble, and you have…for the most part."

"Some days are harder than others," Kid said with a slight chuckle.

"There's somethin' else Heyes told me…"

"Yeah, what's that?"

"You haven't been practicin' your draw. Says the only time he's seen you use it lately was to shoot a rabbit. He hasn't even seen you clean it, so it's nice to see you doin' that. He's bin real worried about you, not that he'd ever admit it. It's funny, I cussed you plenty of times at Devil's Hole when you used to wake us up at the crack of dawn shootin'. But you know, that sound was kinda comfortin' as well. Oh we'd all grumble, but when we heard those quick shots in the mornin', but we all felt a bit safer because Kid Curry was watchin' out for us. You know, some days I wake up early, sit out here with my coffee and miss hearin' it to be honest…but don't you tell anyone I said that, cause I'll deny it," Lom said with a wink as he got to his feet.

"Now, I'm goin' back to bed, and you should too."

"I'll be right in…and Lom? Thanks."

"Didn't say anythin' that wasn't true Kid."

Lom opened the door and found Heyes standing there a small smile on his face.

"Don't you two sleep?" he growled softly, after closing the door.

They eyed each other in understanding.

"Thanks Lom."

"What for? You didn't hear anything. Now get back to bed before he comes in and finds out you bin eavesdroppin'."

The distant sound of gunshots had Lom and Heyes scrambling into the kitchen pulling their clothes on at dawn the next morning. Looking at each other they realized what it was and smiled.

They were sitting relaxed on the porch drinking coffee when Kid returned to the house half an hour later. Heyes sighed happily at the look of peace on Kids' face.

"Coffee's in the kitchen." Lom said.

"Thanks," Kid said as he stepped to the door.

"And Kid?" Lom called.

Kid turned to look at Lom questioningly.

"Thanks for the memories," Lom grinned.

Kid chuckled and went to get his coffee.