Heyes woke up suddenly as his subconscious became aware of a presence in his room. He opened his eyes and shuffled minutely so he could get a good view of the wall and cautiously looked over. Kid was sat on the chair with his head drooping, obviously dozing. Heyes' slight movement however brought him awake sharply and he met Heyes' gaze briefly before he looked away. Heyes even in the semi-dark could see the flush on his cheeks as he began to stand, intent on leaving.

Heyes unwilling to let him go when he was so painfully embarrassed, spoke quickly before the Kid could get any further than half-way to his feet. "You do this every night?" He was careful to keep his voice level with no hint of censure or sarcasm. He had to admit he was a little surprised that if this wasn't the first time, that he'd not woken before tonight. But Kid's presence was so familiar, that it was very possible that he'd been deeply enough asleep for it not to penetrate.

The Kid sat back down, his elbows resting on his knees but said nothing for so long that Heyes thought his partner wasn't going to answer him.

However just as Heyes prepared to ask again, he cleared his throat awkwardly and almost whispered. "Ain't every night. Just sometimes when I wake up, I ain't sure whether the nightmare that woke me is real or not. So I start to think maybe I'm just imagining freedom and you being alive." He paused before adding. "It happened a lot in prison. Sometimes I only need to stand at your door for a few minutes." He trailed off and then added, half-ruefully. "I'm a bit old to be crawling into your bed these days, might make folk wonder 'bout us if I did. So occasionally I just sit here for a while."

Heyes remembered those first few weeks at Valpo when he'd often wake to find Jed curled up behind him, hanging on to his waist, obviously scared he'd somehow lose him too, if he didn't stay close. "Folk have wondered about us for years, Kid."

The Kid flashed a grin as his teeth glinted in the moonlight. "I guess they have, Heyes, guess they have." He stopped and rubbed his face. "I'm sorry, Heyes, didn't mean to disturb you."

Heyes reached out to gently hold the Kid's wrist. "Ain't no bother, Kid, just mebbe wake me next time." He made an effort to keep his voice calm, while in his head he was wondering how much dynamite he'd need to blow both prisons into a thousand pieces each.

Heyes didn't sleep for a long time after Kid had left, his mind too busy to settle. He eventually fell into a light sleep and only woke when the sun was high in the sky.

There was no sign of the Kid when he went into informal front sitting room, although Charles said he'd been down for breakfast and had gone out about an hour ago.

Heyes sighed and decided he should go out to look for his partner. But as he walked towards the door, his eyes fell onto the table on the far wall, where his eyes spied an envelope and various pieces of paper. The envelope was addressed to them both in Lom Trevor's distinctive writing and curiosity got the better of him.

Heyes picked the envelope up briefly, before unfolding the first and largest piece of paper it'd been resting on. It was a carefully cut out newspaper article.

Ex-Warden of Wyoming Territorial Prison Convicted

Albert Manley was convicted today of misconduct in a public office as well as of several counts of fraud. Manley and his business associates collaborated in a scheme that defrauded Wyoming Territory of a significant sum of money. The crime was brought to light by the careful investigation of Governor Thomas Moonlight, with significant assistance from the once notorious outlaw leader Hannibal Heyes, who is now firmly on the right side of the law. Manley is due to be sentenced alongside his fellow conspirators in ten days.

The investigation has also now widened to include the Governor of Bell Rush Prison in Colorado , William Clyde. Significant information has been provided, that suggests despite being aware of irregularities in the transfer of inmates to the prison, he did not report any concerns. Indeed it appears he may well have benefited from the scheme himself. He has therefore been removed from his post by the remaining board members, pending further investigation.

There was a note from Trevors to go with the article. Thought this might be of some interest to you both.The small pile also included an invite to the marriage between him and Miss Porter, which was due to take place in two weeks and a letter. As Heyes finished reading the invitation, his ears pricked up as he heard the front door open. He was relieved when Kid soon entered the room. Heyes eyed him carefully and thought he still looked tired and possibly a little paler than he should. The Kid's lips quirked up slightly at his scrutiny, but he made no comment and merely poured himself a coffee and waved the pot in Heyes' direction. "Want some?"

They sat at the table in silence for a few moments, both sipping their coffee, before Kid broke the not really uncomfortable quiet between them, as his eyes strayed to the newspaper cutting. "I was thinkin' Heyes, you figure Mr...you figure Manley knew about." The Kid swallowed hard before continuing. "Well, what was gonna happen on that bath day?"

Heyes wasn't sure what the Kid wanted to hear, but deciding as usual that where his partner was concerned, honesty was best, nodded. "I know he did, Kid...heard him talking about it, after."

The Kid laughed a little bitterly. "He sure had me fooled, Heyes. I was even grateful to him, for lettin' me have your letters."

Heyes didn't like the self-recrimination in his partner's voice and shook his head firmly. "Ain't anyway you coulda known different. He's a real smart man, Kid. Look how long he managed to keep that scheme of his hidden from just about everyone. If I hadn't overheard that conversation when I did, ain't sure he'd have ever been caught out."

The crease in the Kid's brow eased a little and he managed a weak smile. "I knew Clyde were crooked though."

Heyes laughed and decided to put forward his suggestion. "I was thinking, you fancy going to Porterville for the wedding, via Cheyenne maybe? There's a train in three days."

The Kid's smile strengthened and he nodded. "I like that idea a lot, Heyes. A whole lot." Heyes knew exactly where one of those days in Cheyenne would be spent.