Two dusty cowboys sat, wearily slouched in their saddles, the horses looking just tired as their riders.

"I'm really lookin' forward to a nice cold beer," the dark haired man said wistfully.

"And a bath, a soft bed and supper," replied his blond haired companion.

"In that order?" Heyes asked teasingly.

"Supper first, I'm hungry."

"Kid you're always hungry. We wouldn't have had to leave that last town so fast if…"

"Leave it Heyes," Kid growled.

"We should be in Lander in a couple hours," Heyes said, changing the subject, deciding not to push his luck.

The rest of the ride into town was done in silence. Both men glanced at the name hanging in front of the sheriffs' office as they passed by.

"Jake Ralston?" Heyes turned a questioning glance to his partner who shook his head.

"Never heard of him," Kid admitted.

"Me neither, let's get a beer."

Two doors down from the sheriffs' office they tied their horses in front of the saloon and pushed their way through the batwing doors. Kid paused inside for just a moment as his eyes swept the room, checking for trouble. Seeing none, he strolled to the bar, Heyes a step behind. Raising their glasses, they took a long refreshing drink in complete unison, before turning their backs to the bar in order to survey the room. A cowboy, a little younger than they were, moved to the bar, bumping into Kid and almost making him spill his beer. Kid tensed and shot him an icy glare, at the same time feeling Heyes' hand on his left arm.

"Sorry mister," the cowboy mumbled apologetically.

"No harm done," Kid smiled slightly and Heyes, feeling Kid relax, removed his hand. They eyed each other, Heyes with some frustration thinking his friend was on the edge of yet another fight, Kid with irritation thinking his partner didn't trust him to control himself. They broke eye contact at the same time, both shaking their head slightly.

Outside the saloon, Kid grabbed up the reins to both horses.

"I'll take 'em to the livery if you wanna get us a room."

"Yeah, hopefully we'll be here long enough to use it this time," Heyes said softly, but not quite softly enough.

Kid stopped abruptly and turned to Heyes, his eyes cold.

"I told you to leave it," he snapped.

Heyes said nothing more, but turned and headed to the hotel, Kid to the livery.

Some time later they had both enjoyed a bath and were sitting in the diner tucking into their food. Even Heyes had been hungry. They hadn't spoken more than five words since meeting at their room, and the tension between them had been present since they had fled the last town after another gunfight involving Kid.

Heyes finished eating and leaned back in his chair. Sipping his coffee, he chanced a look at Kid. They were both tired, but Kid looked positively exhausted. He was pale, dark circles under his eyes, and very, very proddy. Kid looked up and caught Heyes looking at him and froze in mid chew.

"What?" he frowned, swallowing.

"Nothin'," Heyes raised his eyebrows and looked away with a shake of his head.

Kids' anger boiled over and he slammed his fork onto the table and grabbed his hat. Jamming it on his head, he stood so abruptly that his chair tipped over backward. Picking it up he thrust it against the table and glared at Heyes.

"I have just about had it with you," he hissed.

"What did I do?" Heyes voice becoming higher as he looked back at Kid in shock.

Kid stormed out of the diner, several heads turning to watch him leave. 'Great,' thought Heyes. 'Nothin' like keepin' a low profile.' He finished his coffee, paid the bill and decided to go back to the saloon to give Kid some time to cool off. He wasn't even sure he wanted to go back to their room at all.

It was beginning to get dark when Heyes cautiously made his way to the hotel. Kid was laying on the bed, still fully clothed, hands behind his head and eyes open, staring at the ceiling. Heyes paused as Kid turned his head to look at him.

"No poker?"

Heyes let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding.

"Nah. There was a couple games, but weren't no money to be made."

"And nobody there to watch your back."

"Kid, I'm quite capable of lookin' out for myself."

"Yeah, okay," Kid snorted as he swung his legs over the side of the bed and sat up.

"Look, I don't know what the hell's wrong with you the past couple days, but I'm gettin' tired of it." Heyes had removed his hat and gunbelt and stood with his hands on his hips glaring at his partner. Kid rose to his feet and stood facing his partner unconsciously taking his gunfighter stance. Heyes' eyes flicked nervously to the bedpost where Kids' gunbelt was hanging.

"You're gettin' tired of it?! Who's the one that's always bein' challenged at a poker table? Who's the one that always has to back you up…" Kid demanded angrily.

"Now wait just a minute…" Heyes tried interrupting.

"No, you wait! You're always sayin' me and my gun gets us into trouble, well you get us into just as much trouble if not more. Most times ya get so focused on playin' poker ya got no idea what's goin' on around ya, or how mad the other players are gettin'. Who's the one that ends up havin' to pull his gun 'cause you don't know when to quit," Kid continued furiously.

Kid had slowly advanced on Heyes as he ranted, with Heyes backing up and raising his hands shoulder height. He had never seen that level of rage in Kids' eyes and certainly not directed at him.

"Now Kid, it just seems lately every town we're in, you get in a gunfight before we bin there an hour. I mean three in four days Kid."

"So this is all my fault? Well maybe we should just part ways, seein' as how I cause so much trouble."

"But…"

"Like earlier, when you felt the need to grab my arm thinkin' I was…what Heyes…gonna shoot him in the saloon? I'm done Heyes."

Kid started to turn away when Heyes reached out to stop him. Kid felt Heyes touch his shoulder and, without even thinking, turned abruptly, his fist driving Heyes back against the table. He crumpled to the floor, out cold. Kid was breathing hard and shaking his right hand as he stood for a moment looking at his lifelong friend and partner. He knew he had to leave before he did something he'd really regret. He gathered his few things and jammed them into his saddlebags, then strapped his gun on and settled his hat on his head. Glancing at Heyes' still form, he saw blood dripping from his face. He sighed and approached the still figure.

Heyes came to slowly. He winced as he felt a cool cloth touch his face. He started to lift his left hand, but froze when he heard Kids' voice.

"Keep still," Kid growled.

Heyes' eyes flew opened and he inhaled sharply.

"Relax Heyes, I ain't gonna hit ya again…not right now anyway," Kid said a little more gently.

Nervous brown eyes met cool blue eyes that slowly softened.

"Kid…"

"Do yourself a favour Heyes and shut up," Kid warned.

Heyes swallowed nervously.

"Y'all right?" Kid asked.

"Fine, just fine thanks."

"Sorry I hit ya that hard Heyes."

"My fault…guess I wasn't payin' attention again."

Heyes blinked and cursed himself silently as he heard Kids' deep sigh. Kid got to his feet, threw his saddlebags over his shoulder and opened the door. He paused, looking back at Heyes, the anger in his eyes replaced with sadness.

"Get some rest Heyes," he said softly.

"Where ya goin'?"

But the door was closed and Kid was gone. Heyes put a hand to his jaw. Kid had hit him hard…really hard. He would give Kid some time tonight, figuring he would either get another room or sleep in the livery. They would get everything out in the open tomorrow because they couldn't continue like this.