Kid woke to agony and the harsh smell of laudanum and ether. He carefully noted what was different to when he'd passed out. He was clothed, no longer bleeding and instead of lying on a damp floor he was in a bed. It still hurt to breathe and he knew he wasn't back in his cell. Disorientated by the unfamiliarity of his surroundings, he tried to look round, but slightly panicked he found he could see nothing except blurs.

Before he'd had time to think about what exactly that meant, a heavy set of footsteps came towards him. He tensed, attempting to shuffle up the bed. But as he tried, he became aware that his left side was shackled. Frustration swept through him at just how helpless he was. Still, despite the anxiety and fear tugging at him, he was damned if he'd face whatever was coming lying down. He grimaced against the pain as he managed to prop himself awkwardly on his elbow and half sit with his hand balled into a fist.

"Settle down there prisoner. It's just me, Doc Fletcher." The Kid lay back at the doctor's voice with a small groan and winced in agony as his damaged back and lower regions made contact too quickly with the rough sheets beneath. "You're going to have to roll onto your stomach so I can get a good look at the damage. The Kid closed his eyes unwilling to let the man anywhere near him, already in enough pain. As the doctor leaned in, the Kid attempted to push him away, while shaking his head in denial. But he found his wrists held in a firm but surprisingly gentle hold as the doctor said."You ain't got no choices in here, son."

The doctor's voice wasn't cruel, but it was implacable and with no warning he released the Kid's wrists and easily rearranged him so he was lying face down with his knees bent. The Kid shoved his face into the musty pillow as he felt his clothing being pulled down and his ass exposed. A probing touch was followed by pinpricks of pain which only added to the almost unbearable ache throughout his whole body. After several painful moments, despite his resolve, he was unable to fully stifle any reaction and tiny whimpers were forced out of him. The noise of the doctor's heavy breathing was interspersed with the clatter of wood on metal and some muttering. The exposed position and the indignity of what was happening, made his cheeks burn in embarrassed anger. A firm hand on his lower back prevented him from either lashing out, or wriggling away from the pain, or even from moving at all.

Eventually his clothes were pulled back up and he was turned over onto his side. The doctor huffed. "There's just some tearing and swelling, both of which will heal with no permanent damage. I doubt your next motion is going to be comfortable though. Nothing's broken either, you're just very bruised. So best you count your blessings, son. I've seen much worse."

The Kid swallowed bitter laughter at the comment. His blessings were none existent. Everything burned and he knew that if his sight was permanently damaged his life already terrible would be unbearable. He threw his arm over his eyes to hide how close he was to giving into humiliating and desperate tears. Finally after several deep breaths he was finally able to wrestle back some control of his precarious emotions.

He attempted to force the vivid images of his ordeal back into the parts of his mind where the memory of his parents death lay, alongside the newer clearer recollection of Heyes' death. Hopefully the protective shadow that veiled those memories would soon allow him to suppress these ones too, at least in his waking hours. He had no doubt they'd still haunt his sleeping ones.

His concentration failed quickly as the agony in every muscle made his head spin and the images still lingered. His resolve and confidence that'd he do the same again, faded, drowned by the pain.

Heyes had consistently warned him against his impulsive urges to help and walk headlong into trouble, but he'd never listened, it was just something they'd never agreed on and whatever Heyes might have said privately and loudly he'd never once let him down. But now with his partner gone leaving him with no one to watch his back and years of misery ahead, it felt like maybe it was finally time to accept the truth of what Heyes had tried to make him see. Maybe he should turn a blind eye now, even if that meant someone getting hurt or worse even, because there was simply nothing useful he could do anymore. He tossed the idea around in his head, rejected it several times, before finally settling on it being the best way. No peace came with that decision, only a sense of loss that he didn't quite understand.

When sometime later, the Doctor put a spoon smelling of laudanum to to his mouth, he refused to accept it and kept his mouth firmly closed. He'd deal with the pain, without anything that would make him even more helpless that he already was,

The doctor obviously unimpressed with his effort, left the spoon where it was forcing the Kid to shake his head in an attempt to spill the pungent liquid. But he was thwarted when the doctor lost patience, pinching his nose firmly and forcibly opening his mouth ensuring the liquid went in. He swallowed, spluttered and raised his fists, attempting to push the man away. But restrained and in pain his resistance had no effect.

The doctor sighing heavily placed a tight hand over his mouth and rested his elbow on the Kid's balled fist, to stop him lashing out any further as he said calmly. "You better not fight me anymore or I'll just shackle your other arm to the bed and find another even less pleasant way to make sure you co-operate. Clear? You want to feel a feeding tube shoved down your throat? I'll happily oblige if you do. Makes no difference to me one way or another, but I know which one I'd choose in your place." Helpless anger spiked then faded as the bitter liquid slid down the Kid's throat and everything started to go fuzzy as his awareness faded.

When he woke with a furred tongue, a hungover feeling reminiscent of the one induced by Doc Snively's cure all and a pounding headache, he knew it was morning. The heavy feeling in his limbs only added to his misery and if he'd had more energy he would have snarled when he realised the doctor was standing over him. He stilled as the man examined his eyes, gritting his teeth as the probing fingers aggravated them into watering. As the man stepped back he glared in the general direction of where he thought Fletcher was standing. Whatever was on his face only resulted in a snort of amusement from his tormentor.

"Son, you look about as intimidating as a bear cub whose lost his Mama so you ain't even coming close to scaring me. The only reason I ain't giving you any more medicine right now, is because the warden is due later and he asked that you be awake. Don't think I'm bluffing about what I'll do if you continue fighting me." He paused briefly before adding. "You ain't no call to worry that you aren't going to see again. Your eyes are just too swollen to open properly. In a few days your vision will be pretty much normal."

Relief swept through the Kid at the realisation of one less problem to deal with. It was no small thing and gave him the slightest glimmer of light. He still had years to survive, but at least they'd not be spent totally helpless and if he survived them, he still had a future of sorts to aim for.

Two sets of footsteps from where he knew the door was drew his attention as he blinked several time in an attempt to clear his vision and see who it was. As he did so he also shuffled unsuccessfully to get less uncomfortable. A moan escaped at the shooting pain that engulfed him and he gave up the attempt quickly.

"Warden and Jenkins isn't it? He's awake just as you asked, but don't be expecting too much from him. I ain't a miracle worker."

"What you did yesterday was not what I expected from a man who has proved himself to be something of a thorn in my side. However whatever problems your previous behaviour have caused, there is no absolutely doubt you saved Jenkins life. He wanted to thank you personally." The Kid recognised the harsh nasal drawl of the warden and suppressed a snort at his comments, but then started slightly at a light touch on his shoulder. The touch was soon followed by the softer tones of the guard. "I got a wife and son, with another young un on the way. I got to hug my wife yesterday and kiss my son goodnight because of what you did. I know if you hadn't stepped in I'd have been a goner." He paused and added awkwardly. "I won't forget what you did for me. It ain't fair that you got hurt for being decent, but I hope you realise how much it means to me and my family that you were."

The honest and grateful sincerity in the man's voice left the Kid with a huge lump in his throat. With a mental apology to the shade of Heyes in his head, his resolution to keep his head down and out of situations that would lead to trouble faded into nothing once more. He was for once relieved at not being expected to reply.

Listening to both Jenkins and the warden had taken it's toll and the loud ringing and buzzing in his ears increased, making whatever else was being said, just a blur of noise, so when at last the Doctor spoke very close to his ear, his voice breaking through the hum, relief swept through him. "Like I told you Warden, he's not ready to take much in. Later this afternoon will be better. What he needs now is rest and it won't be long before he's asleep again."

"I suppose you know best." The warden sounded a little huffy even to the Kid, but he was soon left alone. Before he could think too much about what the visit might mean for him, he must have fallen asleep, because the next thing he knew was the sound of a muffled conversation that he couldn't hear except for a few stray words.

He opened his eyes as a shadow fell over him and with some relief he recognised Jenkins voice. "The doctor tells me you won't be able to see very well for several days so I got the warden's permission to read you some letters. He weren't sure at first whether it'd be wise for you to hear them, but with what you did for me, he was willing to be persuaded that they aren't going to make you hard to handle again."

The Doctor said. "Well, I don't have time to be hanging round, I've got things I need to do But Jenkins, do come and find me when you're leaving." The Kid recognised the comment as a warning of what that would mean for him.

After Fletcher's footsteps had faded, Jenkins cleared his throat and there was a rustling and shuffling before Jenkins spoke again. "These letters are from a Joshua Smith."

Kid jerked in surprise and didn't even register the pain that shot through him at the movement. He wondered if his imagination had got the better of him, making him mishear and he blurted out, "Joshua Smith? But..I..he..not dead?" Kid stopped talking and bit his lip hard in frustration at his careless reaction, but Jenkins surprised him, when he did nothing but huff in some amusement. Puzzled he squinted in an attempt to make out the expression on the guard's face.

As he did so Jenkins laughed softly. "I knew it! I'd bet a month's wage that his name ain't Joshua Smith. Warden is pretty sure he knows who it is too, which is why he weren't keen on you having them. We were a bit puzzled at first by the fact they're all forwarded from a Sheriff Trevors in Porterville, but from your reaction ain't no one else it's going to be. Warden finally agreed with me, that there ain't no harm in you reading them or having them read. It ain't like he's gonna be able to bust you out of prison."

Joy bubbled up inside, and the Kid had to clamp his unshackled hand over his mouth to prevent an exclamation of pleasure from escaping, forcing himself to wait in hopeful silence. After what seemed like forever Jenkins cleared his throat and started reading.

Heya Kid,

First things first I ain't dead. Kinda wished I was a few times while I was recovering, but glad I ain't now. I got so much to tell you. Some of it will have to wait, but guess you'll want to know what happened. After I got shot, I heard you shout out, but then everything gets a bit blurry. I hit some kind of shelf just over the edge of that cliff. I know it was better than hitting the river all that way down, but it sure didn't feel like it at the time. I heard some more shots and then that was it for a while. It was pretty much dark next time I knew what was happening. I ain't sure how I did it but I made it back up to the top though not much further than that. The howling of them mountain lions and coyotes, gave me some real scary moments I can tell you. When I woke up next some real nice folk had found me and looked after me real well.

Once I recovered enough to know which way was up I went to see Lom to find out what had happened. There weren't nothing in the papers about a trial so it took a while. By the time I got the whole story, it was months too late to do anything useful. I never thought it'd be so hard to sleep without you snoring close to my ear, or figured how much I'd miss your grumbling about being hungry and broke. But guess I'm so used to both, it don't seem right without.

As the Kid listened, instead of Jenkins, he heard his partner's warm rich voice, brimming with suppressed affection, which even in his imagination was a balm on his battered mind and body. The guard paused before adding in a slightly bemused tone "Hard to believe you two were broke, given how successful you were."

Kid laughed softly. "We'd given up robbing, but I never did like the fact that seemed to mean we had to give up eatin' and drinkin' too. Heyes weren't never too impressed when I mentioned that though." As soon as the words were out, he sighed, he'd done it again, allowed the mixture of exhaustion, pain and happiness to lull him into not only speaking but admitting too much.

As silence fell he expected that Jenkins would move away and leave. Once was probably considered acceptable given the circumstances, but twice was likely a step too far, especially as he'd just confirmed the suspicions of the letter writer's identity. However after the brief pause the man only chuckled and continued reading, so Kid figured Jenkins had simply struggled to decipher Heyes' scrawl.

Ain't sure of the rules but I'm gonna keep writing in the hope you're able to read them. I know it's always easier for me to say then it is for you to do, Kid, but please try and keep your head down and keep outta trouble. Or least do your best to make sure your trouble ain't fatal. Joshua.

Kid shook his head at the comment, keeping his eyes closed as he let the words sink in. His partner was against all the odds, alive and seemingly well. With that knowledge, the Kid felt the world brighten a little. His life hadn't changed any and Heyes was still out of reach, but somehow he was suddenly a lot less lonely. The heavy weight that had settled on his shoulders ever since they'd been cornered by the posse, felt lighter as if somehow it was now shared. Where there's Heyes there's hope. Kid felt his lips curve upwards at just how much Heyes would laugh at him for that thought, as well as revel in it, but here in the privacy of his own head he accepted it as the simple truth.

"He sure knows you well, this Joshua of yours." There was no judgement in his tone, merely a slight amusement. Kid nodded but didn't speak, silence suddenly feeling like a very small price to pay as Jenkins added. "There's more. Guess you want me to carry on." The Kid nodded his head carefully.

Well, I'm in Porterville and some things ain't changed. Harker's still not exactly the brightest star. I can only think of one other person as confused about life as he is! But you won't believe this, Lom's courting Miss Porter, her name's Emily in case you were wondering. They seem real happy and her father ain't worrying too much. Guess he figures she could do worse. I'm thinking wedding bells pretty soon.

Clem tracked me down to tell me she's gonna head South or East in the summer. She weren't that surprised when I told her what'd happened since she'd not heard from us for a while. She sends her love and even parted with those damn photos. Though you're gonna laugh at me Kid. I gave her a copy back and she seemed real glad. I guess there won't be no harm in her having it.

Kid successfully stifled a chuckle, it was so typical of Heyes!.After all the trouble they'd gone to, in their attempts to retrieve the damn things! He remained silent as he wasn't going to risk the chance of losing this wonderful unexpected gift by being careless again. He drifted, not quite making sense of what was being said, but enjoying the sound of a voice that he didn't need to worry about. It was easy to imagine with his eyes closed that he was somewhere else, with his partner talking reassuring nonsense to him in soft tones, while he lay sick. He was brought almost brutally back to reality as Doc Fletcher interrupted Jenkins with a sharp "I think that's enough!"

Resentment spiked only to be drowned out by a stabbing pain as the Kid turned his head at the scrape as Jenkins pushed back his chair. There was an obvious reluctance in his tone as he said. "Guess it is time I was back at work. But if I get chance before my shift ends I'll come back and read some more."

Two sets of footsteps retreated, then after a brief pause one set came back towards him. "You gonna be smart boy and makes things easy on the both of us?"

The Kid had no doubt that Fletcher would follow through on his threat of using whatever he thought necessary to force him to drink the damn laudanum and nodded reluctantly. When the liquid was proffered, he drank quickly before he had time to think. But strangely as he was pulled into sleep, he almost welcomed the chance to dream now that he knew Heyes was still alive.

When he woke, he knew it was much later because even with poor vision, he recognised the shadows were different. He shuffled as much as he could to take some weight off the bruises and used his unfastened hand to gently rub his sticky eyes. As he blinked he realised that while everything was still blurry, the blurs were definitely more sharply defined, which hopefully confirmed the doctor's opinion on his eye sight. A set of footsteps drew his attention, but his apprehension eased as he heard Jenkins call over to the Doctor. "Curiosity got the better of me! I want to read some more."

Kid laughed softly to himself as the footsteps came closer. Heyes even had a silver tongue when he was writing. Or should that be a silver pen? He didn't know, but he too eagerly awaited the next letter. Jenkins sat back down next to his bed and cleared his throat. "Now where was I?"

Sure hope you're reading this Kid. Well anyway, I've decided to go visit Ole Soapy, though Big Mac keeps sending me telegrams about some job. The money he's offering is outrageous, so it can't be anything good. Stop looking like that Kid. I ain't dumb enough to get involved with him again. Especially when you're not around to watch my back.

"Who's Big Mac?" The direct question threw Kid and he wasn't sure how to respond until Jenkins leant over him and said in a conspiratorial whisper. "Ain't no one here 'cept us, so as long as it stays that way I ain't gonna stop you talking to fill in the gaps." The Kid smiled a little as the thought came to him that stepping blindly into trouble did sometimes bring rewards, although he doubted Heyes would see it that way. Even he had to admit it was a bit of a stretch to see his beating as any kind of blessing.

"Some big shot rancher we've worked for a few times. Mostly tried not to pay us, but Heyes for some reason likes him. Ain't sure why exactly. 'Cept maybe he claimed we was family to a sheriff once. We both knew it weren't out of anything 'cept self-interest. But Heyes kept helpin' him and I always agreed to go with him. Ain't certain if that makes him or me the dumb one."

Jenkins laughed before continuing. "Sure learning that you and Heyes aren't anything like your reputation suggests."

Kid smiled "Well we ain't never met most of the folk who talk about us. And them dime novel writers ain't got a clue. Heyes is smart but he ain't no genius, whatever he likes to tell people." He paused and added. "And if I used as many bullets or was as fast as they say I'd have eight arms and be able to fly." Kid lapsed back into silence, uneasy with talking so freely and Jenkins started reading again.

I'm in 'Frisco now and I tell you it's getting bigger every time I come here. Soapy never changes though.