Heyes sat nervously in the courtroom waiting for proceedings to start. People were still filing in and getting settled. It was rare for a decision on custody to be made in such a public manner, but Matlock had somehow managed to convince the town establishment to allow it, no doubt hoping to further humiliate the Kid. Heyes hoped it would instead prove to be another massive misstep on the man's part.

Heyes watched as Judge Aitken's calm eyes flicked round the courtroom before glancing towards Matlock. Heyes following his gaze felt a niggle of worry at the man's smug expression. He appeared so calm and sure of his position. Aitken's expression on the other hand was giving nothing away. Forcing his concern down, Heyes turned to look at his silent partner sitting next to him looking around the courtroom with a restless gaze.

Heyes wished he knew the substance of the replies from those that had responded to his telegrams, but Brubaker insistent that there be no question of impropriety had made sure only he and the judge had access to them.

As the Kid, obviously feeling his gaze, looked across at him, Heyes said as much to reassure himself as Curry. "I think we've done enough, Kid."

The Kid shrugged slightly with no apparent expression on his face and with his eyes half closed. Heyes knew him well enough though to feel the clamped down tension emanating from him, although his tone was calm as he said firmly. "We done all we could. I ain't never gonna forget this. We both know I wouldn't even have got this far without all your fussin' and plannin'." The Kid's gaze turned intent as he rested his hand on Heyes' knee. The honest, fierce affection in his expression brought a huge lump to Heyes' throat, which only grew at his next words. "If this don't go the way we want it to, you ain't blamin' yourself or I might have to flatten you. Only one person responsible for this." Curry nodded over at Matlock before turning his head back in order to meet Heyes' eyes. "He's sitting over there, making my fists twitch. Clear? "

Heyes welcomed the determined glint that had entered his partner's eyes. He hoped it meant that even if the outcome wasn't what they wished for, they'd get through it anyway. With a slight smile he replied in just as firm a tone as Curry. "Clear! As long you promise me not to do anything reckless that might lead to you going to jail or getting killed if it don't go the way it should."

Curry half-smiled then and nodded. "It's a deal."

The Kid then returned his focus to what was happening in front of them. Heyes realising there was no real point in fretting about the future until they knew the outcome of today did the same. Neither he or the Kid had been allowed to be present at the meetings with Aitken. Brubaker had submitted their documents and arguments. Matlock's decision not to hire a lawyer and be his own representative had allowed him to be present and make his own case for custody. Heyes and Curry had both been a little concerned over that, but they knew Brubaker was good. Heyes was also confident that they had a good case and that Matlock's arrogance would not ultimately play in his favor. But even believing that didn't fully quiet the butterflies in his stomach or stop the tug of worry that he hoped he was hiding from his partner.

Heyes became aware that the large room was quiet enough that you could've probably heard a pin drop so he stopped thinking in order to listen as Aitken began to speak. His face was stern as he first addressed Matlock. "As I understand from both the evidence presented and my own reading of the documents submitted, your sustained persecution of Mr Curry began when he first became seriously attached to your late daughter and refused a not inconsiderable amount of money to leave her alone and depart the town."

Heyes glanced over at his partner at that, wondering again just how much he'd been offered. He'd adamantly refused to tell Heyes the exact amount despite some subtle and not so subtle pushing. Heyes knew it wasn't important except to his curiosity, so pushed the thought away as he had done at least five times in the last week and instead concentrated intently on Aitken as he continued talking. "You first used your position as a large shareholder in the bank which employed him to pressure the board into letting him go. You then proceeded to render him homeless at a time when lingering effects of illness and the death of his wife had left him in no position to effectively deal with any added complications. Finally while there is no solid evidence, I believe Mr Brubaker's assertion that you chose to add physical violence to your campaign of intimidation. Is there anything in this interpretation of the facts you wish to dispute Mr Matlock?" Heyes watched with a great deal of satisfaction when Matlock started to look distinctly uncomfortable as he shook his head.

There was a murmuring of discontent from the watching townsfolk, who'd eagerly gathered to enjoy the free entertainment. The fact that Matlock's insistence that they be allowed in looked about to backfire on him, amused Heyes a lot. He turned to share this thought with his partner but seeing his set, pinched expression, decided that he likely wouldn't appreciate the comment in the way Heyes intended him to. He knew it wasn't easy on the Kid having his private life exposed, even when the decision to do so had been done with his active involvement.

As Matlock attempted to defend his position, he walked straight into the trap Heyes had set. "I knew his immorality and bad character would make him a poor husband for my daughter. My actions from the start were an attempt to protect her. With Lily's passing my knowledge of her husband's lack of moral character, meant I couldn't allow him to continue to influence and shape the next generation of my family. " Heyes watched as Matlock met Aitken's unimpressed expression defiantly while he said. "I cannot believe that as a man of the law, you agree with the decision to absolve him of any punishment or consequence from his extensive crimes."

Judge Aitken's expression darkened even further at the words. "Given the callous disregard you have shown towards your daughter's widower." He paused before adding grimly. "And the unscrupulous manner in which you conduct your business affairs, these accusations of yours about another man's lack of moral fiber are to put it as politely as I can, unconvincing. Furthermore there is nothing in Mr Curry's behaviour in the last eight years that suggests anything other than a genuine desire to turn his life around. The letter that accompanied his amnesty papers clearly acknowledge his determination to turn away from crime."

He briefly looked down to study some papers that Heyes couldn't see clearly, before continuing. "Indeed I have multiple statements that provide clear corroborative evidence of Mr Curry's recent good character. A former Governor of Arizona talks of the part he played in his bloodless and successful rescue from Mexico, which was managed without turning his release into international incident. A wealthy landowner from Texas writes about how he and Mr Heyes helped him to find happiness in a late marriage and explains the invaluable assistance they gave when he wished to end a long running and disruptive feud between himself and a neighbouring landowner. He ends by making it clear that he feels Mr Curry and his partner are family. Another letter from a Minister Spencer in Taos describes in most eloquent and moving detail how Mr Curry's actions were directly responsible for him rediscovering his calling. A well-respected Sheriff has written about his initial scepticism on being asked to negotiate an amnesty for the two men. But he goes on to make very clear that in the years that followed he became convinced of their sincerity as they faced much adversity and still remained firm in their decision to keep out of trouble. These submissions alone would have given me a favorable view of Mr Curry's suitability to be a good and moral parent, but indeed they are only a small sample of those which were written in support of his claim."

Aitken paused again, looking round at the assembled crowd before returning his gaze to Matlock and adding."It is fair to say that I have seen nothing in the way of evidence to support your own claims of upstanding character." Heyes impressed with Aitken's dramatic flair thought had he not entered the legal profession he would have done well on the stage. He risked a glance over at the Kid who was watching proceedings with a slightly shocked expression on his face.

"He or his equally disreputable partner likely bribed or intimidated those men into writing."

Aitken levelled a cold look at Matlock and scoffed derisively at his assertion. "I find it incredibly unlikely that either Mr Curry or Mr Heyes are in any position to exert any undue influence. Indeed Mr Brubaker furnished the court with notarised copies of the original telegrams sent and there is nothing in any of them that suggest a hint of coercion."

Heyes smothered a grin, Big Mac had needed a small push in the right direction, but once convinced had clearly pulled out all the stops.

The judge cleared his throat before he dismissed Matlock with a disapproving glance and turned to the Kid who met his gaze firmly. "In considering the question of the permanent custodial placement of the child, Elizabeth Margaret Curry, the evidence provided has left me in no doubt that it is clearly in the girl's best interest to be placed with her father." His gaze turned sympathetic and Heyes felt a prickle of concern down his back and knew as the Kid shifted nervously that he felt it too. That look did not bode well. "Unfortunately due to circumstances instigated by Mr Matlock, at present I cannot in good conscience recommend my preferred option."

The words felt like a stomach punch and Heyes was suddenly breathless. He looked over at the Kid and squeezed his friend's knee gently. Curry acknowledged his partner's support with a shoulder bump and a small painful smile, before looking down with a desolate shrug of his shoulders. Heyes could see even with Curry's bent head, the slightest hint of tears in his eyes. Despite the loud buzzing in his ears and the noise of his harsh breathing as he struggled against the tightness of his chest, he realised that Aitken was still speaking. He leant forward and as the actual words finally penetrated the noise in his head, his chest eased and the thudding in his head receded "In light of this unfortunate situation, as an interim ruling I place her in the custody of her Mother's Aunt, Mrs Emily Hancock, granting unlimited visiting rights to her father. Any attempt by Mr Matlock to prevent this, will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. This judgement is passed with Mrs Hancock's full and enthusiastic agreement that in three months I will revisit my ruling. We both hope that by that time, Elizabeth's father will be in a better position to provide for her in the way he so clearly wishes to."

Heyes glanced at the Kid who remained still and silent as if frozen in place. Heyes knew from his reaction or rather lack of it, that he hadn't heard the last part of the Aitken's summation. He tried to get Curry's attention by nudging him, when that failed he grasped his friend's arm feeling the rigid muscles under his touch. Finally the Kid stirred and looked at him. He was worryingly pale and to Heyes' concerned gaze looked like he'd aged ten years. "We lost, despite everything we still lost."

"No, Kid, you're wrong. You didn't hear it all." From Curry's continued lack of response, Heyes realised that he simply wasn't getting through. He looked up in some relief as Emily came over and sat down on the Kid's other side. "I'm trying to tell him!" Heyes frustrated, shook his friend's arm, but his partner pushed him away with a sharp uncoordinated movement. The Kid started to stand slowly but faltered as if he had no real strength in legs, shaking his head as if to clear it. Curry's distant expression and shallow breathing made Heyes almost certain he was going to pass out. He tried again to get his attention. "Damn it, Kid, will you listen to me." With each word he prodded him hard until Curry just shoved his finger away without even looking at him.

Heyes glanced at Emily as she gently touched Curry's arm. The Kid's innate good manners where women were concerned stopped him pushing her away too and Heyes felt maybe she would get through where he hadn't. With a slight nod in Heyes' direction she said softly but firmly. "Jed, I think you better sit down and listen to what he's saying." Curry shrugged and sat down with a slight thump, although Heyes wasn't exactly sure if it'd been in direct response to her, or if his legs had simply given way. He stared fixedly ahead, the muscles in his jaw muscles clenching and unclenching, but he seemed incapable of speaking and looked dazed, shaking in his head as if in an attempt to clear it.

Heyes trying to exude a calm that he wasn't feeling, because his partner's behaviour was worrying him said evenly "Kid, I've been trying to tell you. We got three months to get everything sorted! Emily here is going to look after Lizzie and you can see her whenever you want. We won, Kid, we won."

Heyes was slightly disgruntled when his partner glanced over at Emily for confirmation, but that feeling was quickly replaced by relief and happiness as Curry smiled, the kind of smile that Heyes had almost forgotten he was capable of. After a few moments his expression dropped a bit as he said. "Three months ain't that long to get my life back in some kind of order."

Despite his slightly less than optimistic words, Heyes could see that the awful bleak look in his eyes had faded. The unfamiliar and worrying jerkiness had been replaced by his usual ease as he stretched his back before turning his head to include them both in his quiet "Thank-you."

Heyes felt nothing but optimism that everything would work out and he rubbed his hands together as he said. "Kid, after these last months, it'll be a cinch I swear it."

Heyes suddenly became aware of an angry murmuring around them and looked up. He saw one of the men in the public area was holding a newspaper and reading bits out of it quietly to others huddling round him. Heyes caught snatches of the conversation. "He paid me peanuts when I had to sell up after my Bella got sick. He said he was doing me a favor."

"He told Annie Walker that her land weren't worth much neither, when she was selling up to move nearer her sons. And look what Union Pacific paid him for it. This says they plan to start buildin' here next year."

"If he can do that to folk he grew up round, ain't nothin I'd put past him."

"Don't seem right, him making that poor man homeless, so soon after he lost his wife."

"I weren't sure about them when they first rolled up here, but seems they ain't out to cause trouble. They're always real polite too."

Heyes smiled to himself, pleased at the timing of the publication of the documents. He looked over at Matlock who had gone white and was trying to leave the building without anyone noticing.