March 31 1887.

As of March 31 in the year of Our Lord 1887, all bounties in the name of Jedidiah 'Kid' Curry are rescinded, all extradition orders and arrest warrants are also canceled. He is to be accepted as a citizen in good standing in so far as any man may be considered so. He is now free from the risk of prosecution for any of his past presumed crimes.

Therefore this document is to be taken as constituting an unconditional and complete amnesty for Jedidiah 'Kid' Curry aka Thaddeus Jones from the date as recorded here within.

It should be noted that this declaration of immunity from prosecution does not in any way offer protection from imprisonment for any future crimes committed by Jedidiah 'Kid' Curry aka Thaddeus Jones .

By order of

Thomas Moonlight (Wyoming Territorial Governor) Date: 03.31.1887

Kid Curry whooped in astonished joy as he came to the end of the document. He met Heyes' gaze and was caught by the expression of total awestruck delight on his face as he too looked up from the paper he was holding. He couldn't ever remember seeing Heyes that happy- not even at the height of their outlaw success.

Curry felt a lump lodge in his throat and found himself leaning forward to pull his friend into a tight hug, the precious paper still grasped firmly in his hand. Heyes responded without hesitation and they stayed like that for several minutes before embarrassment finally pulled them apart. Though Curry unwilling to fully let go, still kept a loose grip on his friend's forearms which Heyes made no attempt to break.

At a slight cough from behind him, Curry reluctantly turned away releasing his hold to look at their companion, Lom Trevors, whose expression was unusually benevolent. His tone however was familiarly smug. "I told you boys that Governor Moonlight would be the one."

Heyes snorted. "You also said it'd only be a year and that just one more job would do it. Can you blame us for not being exactly convinced you were right?"

Curry watched as Lom' s face broke into a wide grin as he said, "Now Heyes, ain't no call for that. We've got a celebration to start. I've even brought the good stuff." He waved the green bottle he held in some excitement before placing it on the table. He moved away to look in the dusty cabinet set against the wall nearest the door.

As Lom rattled around no doubt searching for appropriate glasses, the Kid once again glanced at the document he held, still not quite sure that it wouldn't simply vanish in a puff of smoke. After the disappointment of the sudden change in Governor and the almost fatal outcome to their last job, he'd pretty much given up hope that they'd ever receive the long promised amnesty. Yet here they were, holding the proof of it in their hands. He was suddenly swamped by a wave of emotion that he couldn't quite name and felt an unexpected prickle in his eyes.

His head was brought up by a gentle affectionate squeeze on his shoulder. He glanced over at Heyes through suddenly tear blurred vision and was relieved to see his friend's eyes were suspiciously bright. He noticed that his hands shook a little too, despite the genuine smile. The Kid reassured by the fact he wasn't alone in not quite knowing what to feel managed to smile back. A sharp pop made them both start before they realised it was simply Lom opening the bottle. Curry watched as he haphazardly splashed the fizzy liquid into the glasses he had found. "C'mon boys before the fizz goes! Caroline always says it ain't the same without the fizz."

As they stowed the precious documents in their jacket pockets, Heyes leant into the Kid and said softly, "You know Kid we should just enjoy this. We can think about what it means tomorrow." After a brief pause he grinned and added, "or maybe even next week."

The Kid nodded and laughed as he said. "That sure sounds like one of your best plans, Heyes."

The matter settled between them, they joined Lom at the table for a drink and to read the letter Moonlight had sent with their amnesty papers.

March 31 1887

On a Sunday a few weeks ago, I sat in church listening to Reverend Jenkins' sermon on what the Scriptures say about the importance of forgiveness when a sinner shows true contrition. The following Wednesday Sheriff Lom Trevors came to speak on your behalf as he has done many times previously. On this occasion however I was struck by the fact that you two were a perfect example of what the Reverend spoke of. In that moment it became clear to me that despite the remaining

political opposition, I could no longer in good conscience ignore your enduring and genuine commitment to staying honest. Therefore I concluded that to continue to deny you amnesty would be both unfair and unchristian. It took some persuasion to convince my political allies not to oppose me but as you see I prevailed.

I will ensure that the news of this decision is quickly distributed to as wide an audience as possible. This will I hope protect you from the continued attention of both law men and bounty hunters. I wish you both every success as you turn the page and embark on a new chapter in your lives.

Regards,

Thomas Moonlight.

(Governor, Wyoming Territory.)

June 2 1888

"Lily Matlock, I ain't got much to endow and your Father ain't never going to approve. But will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Jed down on one knee looked up into the face of the loveliest girl he'd ever known and in the silence that followed decided he'd read everything wrong. She must have finally decided to listen to her Father's objections and likely simply agreed to the picnic to let him down gently. He looked down from her shocked expression as he mumbled. "I'm sorry Lily. I'm sorry. I just thought. I'm sorry."

He could feel his face burning and was sure he was going to be sick. He was desperate to get away, but couldn't get his legs to co-operate and instead found himself frozen in place. He knew she deserved more than he could offer and instead of embarrassing them both, he should have figured that she'd eventually come to her senses and realise that too.

In the midst of his churning emotions, he felt a hand on his shoulder which brought his gaze reluctantly back up. He wasn't sure he could cope with what he was certain would be an expression of awkward pity. However he was met with sparkling eyes and a smile nearly as warm as the sun on his back. "Oh Jed, of course I will. I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you." She kissed him gently before pulling away to let him slide the ring on her finger. He stood on slightly wobbly legs to hug her tightly.

Half-asleep in the grass, listening to the birds sing with his heart full, Curry turned to look at his fiancée as she laughed. "I hope you realise that I'm going to be as good at obeying as you are at endowing."

Jed joined her in laughing and pulled her close, " I think we can probably work somethin' out."

September 1 1888

"Did you speak to her Heyes? How's she look?"

Heyes who was looking at him in affectionate amusement shook his head as he said. "She looks as beautiful as you'd expect and way more relaxed than you are. Now will you stop yanking on that tie. I don't want to be the one that has to explain to Lily how you strangled yourself."

"What if she comes to her senses and realises she can do better?"

"Oh, C'mon Kid, now you're just being plumb crazy. If you throwing up on her shoes when you first met didn't put her off, nothing will."

"But her Pa refused to give her away, that must've given her pause." Curry continued to tug at his collar and tie feeling as if he couldn't breathe, his hands sweaty and his heart loud in his ears.

"Trust me, Kid, she's not going to back out. So will you just stop fretting and concentrate on not embarrassing us all by forgetting your lines."

September 3 1889

Kid Curry was pacing up and down on the porch outside his small cabin. He thought he heard something and stopped with his head cocked to one side before sighing and continuing his pacing. A soft laugh brought his anxious gaze away from the door but did not still his steps. "What?"

"I was just thinking this is only the second time I've seen you this nervous and I've watched you face down armed killers. I'm sure glad you ain't holding a gun."

A loud cry made them both jump as Mrs Metcalfe, who served as midwife to most women in the area came out, her face tired but wreathed in a wide smile. "Your wife is fine and that baby girl of yours as you just heard has a mighty fine pair of lungs."

Curry dazed was pulled into a sideways hug, before his partner moved away, still looking amused and made shooing motions with his hands." Well go on then Pa! Get in there and say hello."

January 1890

Kid Curry sat motionless on the snowy ground, staring unseeing into the icy water of the river as vivid snippets of memory from the past few years played through his head. He was too numb to feel the cold soaking into his skin despite the shivers that shook him. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear footsteps approach and was unaware of having company until Heyes' voice came close to his left ear.

"Hey, Kid, you shouldn't be out here. You're still not well. Come back to the house and get warm."

The Kid dragged his gaze slowly from the river to look into Heyes' worried eyes."I'm not sure I'll ever be warm again." He made no move to get up so instead Heyes sat down next to him.

"Won't do Lizzie no good you dying of frostbite."

Curry laughed harshly and felt Heyes flinch. "They won't let her stay with me. Lily's Pa will get to keep her. He's got all that money and his sister livin' with him. You know how it goes, Heyes. Besides what do I know about lookin' after a baby?"