Title: Reunion

Summary: Many people have written reunion stories and I've jumped on the medicine wagon with my own. Works as a sequel to Alone.

Heyes was reluctantly on watch, Jim had insisted that he take one, mostly to try and quell Wheat's mutterings. He saw a lone rider come slowly into view and stop, out of firing range, but well within the distance of drawing the attention of anyone watching- a pretty smart thing to do.

Heyes brought his eye glass up to get a closer look and thought he knew exactly who the man was, a feeling that only strengthened as the newcomer moved his horse and shifted his hat to shield his eyes as the sun moved slightly.

He yelled down to Preacher to come up and take over saying he wanted to go check the man out. "Probly just another guy looking to join. Smarter than most. Might be worth a look. I'll go talk to him."

The Preacher asked, "Ya sure now?"not bothering to hide his disbelief. It was obvious he'd expected Heyes to find some way of persuading him to go talk to the man.

Heyes nodded, grinned, returned the eye glass to his pocket and headed back down into the hideout to speak to Jim and saddle his horse.

Heyes pulled up and gave himself a mental pat on the back as he recognised his hunch had been right.

"Jed, or should I say Kid? Long time no see." Heyes recognised that his voice contained a snap only when Jed stiffened. Heyes took a deep breath and tried to wrestle down the angry hurt that now felt so sharp it was as if the fight that had led to them going their separate ways had happened only days ago, instead of the over two years it had really been. He knew he hadn't been blameless. but this he only admitted it in his loneliest moments, which had been increasingly common of late.

Kid Curry pushed his hat back from his face and Heyes noticed how tired and strained he was. "I didn't come to fight Ha-Heyes." His voice was as weary as he looked.

"Then why did you come?" The angry tone still crept through, despite Heyes's best attempts to stifle it.

Curry shrugged, "Ain't exactly sure now. I guess I'll be getting along," he nodded towards the hideout where Preacher was no doubt observing their exchange, "before your friends stop being curious and start getting nervous." He started to turn his horse, obviously aiming to head back down the treacherous path, away from Heyes.

Dammit, thought Heyes, angry at himself. This is was not how he wanted things to go.

"No wait, least come and have something to eat."

"Won't that cause you a problem? I don't figure everyone will like it." He stopped moving as he spoke leaving Heyes fairly sure that Jed wanted to go with him, but just needed some reassurance. He wouldn't have made the trip just to ride away with nothing resolved- that much Heyes was sure of.

"Some of them might not, but figure a lot of them might be interested to meet Kid Curry."

Curry still seemed hesitant, as if afraid to trust Heyes was telling the truth. But in the brief silence Heyes saw the need to believe in the other man's expression.

Heyes hadn't failed to notice how slow and careful Jed was being as he moved. Heyes had noted the fading bruises on most of the visible parts of his old friend's body and recognised a man in pain when he saw it. He wanted to ask what had happened, the carefully hidden despair in Curry making him ache a little. They should have found a way to stay together, he knew that now and he hoped The Kid's arrival was a sign that he knew it too. He started down the path back to The Hole and was unsurprised but relieved when Curry followed him.

As Jim met them at the door of the bunkhouse, there was an obvious wariness in his manner as he eyed the incomer, obviously not fully convinced he should have agreed to Heyes bringing him into the hideout.

Curry however remained polite, tipped his hat and smiled, "Mr Santana." Heyes could see some puzzlement in his leader's face. It was hard to reconcile this level of politeness with the reputation of the man.

His puzzlement was clear as he replied, "Jim will do well enough."

The curious gaze of the other members of the gang was obvious, but Curry gave every impression of not noticing- although Heyes was not fooled.

Kyle handed him a bowl of stew and Lobo waved him into a seat after a glance at Jim who nodded. He attacked the food with an eagerness that suggested he hadn't eaten well in a few days.

Heyes noted the changes that two years had wrought. Curry was taller and broader, although probably scrawnier than he should be. Handsome in his way, thought Heyes, who had a keen idea of what women found attractive. He was also very cautious, his eyes roamed the room, between mouthfuls, no doubt looking for threats. He held his body despite the obvious to Heyes at least, exhaustion, in a state of alertness. His whole manner signalled stay away. Jed had always been both friendly and open despite his quick temper so Heyes felt a pang at the change. He wasn't really surprised as he knew with personal experience what being alone and having no one to care, would do to a person,but then that had been his own choice, Heyes fiercely pushed down the pointless resentment- the time for recriminations was gone. Now as he saw him in the flesh, he'd realised he just wanted his friend back and if that meant ignoring what had happened between them- ignore it he would.

A sudden loud rattle broke into the slightly tense atmosphere, startling them all. There was a collective gasp as Curry's gun was in his hand, pointed straight in the direction of the door before anyone else had even got their hands to their holsters.

"Settle down, boys, that will just be Wheat. " Jim's heavily accented voice broke the tension and Curry put his gun away, returning to his food. All eyes were on him and although he looked relaxed enough Heyes could still see the tension in his body. He was obviously wound very tightly. Curry finished the meal, looked round at the gang, who were all either openly staring or studying him carefully while pretending not to. Heyes somehow sensed the man's slightly nervous uncertainty at what to do next despite his outward calm and exchanged a look with Santana who shrugged and then nodded.

Heyes offered to show The Kid around a little, keen to get him alone and away from the others to have a private chat that he hoped Curry still felt he had a right to. Heyes could tell his childhood friend had grown into a dangerous man, but there was an air of vulnerability to him that made Heyes question if the changes were as deep as his reputation had suggested.

Once out of sight and hearing of the others, Curry seemed to slump, rubbing his eyes wearily and letting out a heavy breath. He eyed Heyes, his tired eyes taking him in. Heyes couldn't work out if the slight twitch of his lips signalled approval or amusement.

"You seem to have landed on your feet."

Heyes felt a twist of resentment at the comment and was ready to retort, but luckily before he opened his mouth, realised there had been no rancour to the tone and that in fact it had maybe even held a hint of relief.

"Took me a while, but yeah Big Jim ain't bad. You..."

His comment was halted as Curry started to slump to the ground, his eyes rolling to the back of his head. Heyes caught him before he landed too heavily and lowered him down gently. The slight impact brought Curry round and he looked blearily up, his face coloured by embarrassment at his sudden collapse but obviously incapable of moving.

"Han, I don't feel so good."

Heyes sat down behind, letting Curry lean back into him, aware of a sudden wave of affection at the use of his childhood name and the unguarded display of trust.

"You look 'bout done in."

There was a longish pause and then Curry said quietly, "I'm sorry Heyes. I didn't really think this through. I just needed to see you."

Heyes huffed a small laugh. Curry not thinking things through was a long held rankle between them and had been part of the reason for them parting company but he only said "Why'd you come looking for me?"

"I killed a man three days ago. I meant to wing him but my aim was off. His friends weren't too pleased. They meant to lynch me, but while the sheriff weren't too bothered about the beating, he didn't care for the idea of anyone's neck been stretched. I didn't fight 'em that much till I realised what was happening neither." He trailed off into silence and seemed to be waiting for a reply.

Heyes figured that explained the bruises, but not really why he'd come looking now. Jed's obvious unhappiness at the killing was certainly at odds with his reputation. Heyes swallowed feeling a slight lump in his throat but also a sense of relief and asked gently, "Was he your first?"

Curry nodded, his face reflecting his pain," Hopefully gonna be my last too."

Heyes wanted to comfort but unsure of how well that would be received, instead asked briskly, "Think you're up to standing?"

Curry let Heyes help him stand and swayed slightly still looking woozy and uncomfortable as he said. "I shouldn't have come, Heyes. I just... I shouldn't have come, you're nice and settled, don't need me messin' it up."

Heyes didn't want Curry to leave and he was sure his friend wanted to stay. He just needed to say the right thing convince him. "Jim's always looking for new recruits with something to offer. We ain't got anyone as handy with a gun as you are. Stay and rest up a bit and before you're ready to leave, I bet he'll offer you a bunk here."

Curry's lips twitched up into a smile and he let Heyes steady him as he stumbled. "Think we can make a go of it?"

Heyes considered an easy lie, but figured it was best to start with honesty, "Well we might have to listen to each other a bit more than we used to and we'll likely butt heads a coupla times, but yeah I think we can make it work."

"Well Heyes I'm sure ready to try, if you are."

"Kid, I've been ready for at least six months, I was just waiting for you to find me."

At the look on Curry's face, Heyes wondered if maybe he'd gone too far too soon, but his friend's face quickly broke into a grin as he said, "Well you shoulda made it easier then. You know how long it took me to find this place?"

Yes, thought Heyes his own face breaking into a full blown smile as they headed back inside, they would work this out, it was too important not to.