Heyes impatiently paced Cheyenne station, varying between staring up the track and glowering down at his pocket watch, muttering to himself, almost as if he were hoping that doing so would somehow magic the train into appearing. He was more than a little annoyed that the stupid contraption was nearly an hour late, without even the excuse of a missed asterisk to explain it. It was so typical of his and Kid's luck that even the final leg of their long journey wasn't running exactly to plan.
In an attempt to distract himself, and hopefully reduce his pointless frustration at the delayed arrival, he let his eyes sweep down the busy platform. As he eyed the expansive waiting crowd of people , the colourful sight of so much varied life did indeed have the effect of giving him some interest and even made him smile a little. Well dressed society folk, mingled almost comfortably alongside noisy simply clothed families, some of the milling folk were laden with luggage, while others like him were empty handed and obviously waiting for a passenger with varying degrees of patience.
Soon his eyes were drawn to a heavily pregnant, very pretty brunette, who was looking up the track as anxiously as he was, alternatively cradling her stomach and holding her back, her expression a potent mixture of discomfort, determination and hope. With what he'd learnt from both Lom and the Kid, he recognised who the lady was easily. With his smile broadening, he strode towards her, and once by her side gently drew her attention to him. "Mrs Joshua Harper, I presume."
She looked at him suspiciously for a moment, then her expression softened before her face broke into a warm smile of greeting. "And you must be Hannibal Heyes, its a pleasure, Sir." Heyes took her elegantly lace clad hand, and kissed it with some ceremony. She laughed softly while her eyes gleamed in some amusement, just as they heard the train whistle blow, as it slowly chuffed towards them in a haze of steam and a mess of noise. Heyes didn't think he'd been so relieved to see anything in quite some time, and he knew by the relaxing of Mrs Harper's posture, that she was of much the same view.
ASJ
The Kid woke from a doze, as the train slowed slightly to go round a bend, and glanced over at his travelling companion, who was staring out of the window, with his left hand resting on the back of the seat. Kid saw that the ring he'd been wearing on a chain round his neck, had been returned to where it belonged. They were on the last lap, and even the hour's delay due to some problem with cattle and a fallen tree, had failed to rile either of them, because after six months of waiting, what was another hour between friends? But he somehow doubted that Heyes would feel the same, and his smile broadened as he easily brought to mind the expression he was sure would be on his partner's face as he impatiently paced the platform.
Joshua suddenly aware that he was being watched, turned away from staring at the passing countryside, meeting his gaze, and broke into a grin, as he twisted the simple band that Kid was looking at with a contented sigh. "It's sure going to be wonderful seeing Mary knowing I won't never have to leave her again." He laughed. "Wonder if I'll be able to get my arms round her."
The Kid laughed. "If you can't Josh, I sure wouldn't comment on it. It'd be a real shame if you ended up havin' a row on your first day back together."
Josh laughed, and his gaze fell back to the plain gold ring on his wedding finger, a smile lingering on his lips. Then his expression fell and he looked back up to Kid. "You won't tell Mary 'bout Amy will you? He stopped and then added with a small worried smile. "Or your partner that I lost you for ten days for that matter."
Kid laughed. "If you don't tell Heyes I fell off a train, and got thrown in jail for failin' to make five pat hands. You got yourself a deal."
Joshua's face brightened again, and he laughed. "Been quite a ride huh?"
Kid chuckled slightly, before saying drily. "It's been that all right and meaning no offence, it ain't one I'd care to repeat in a hurry, if at all. "He paused before adding. "Though the company was better than I expected."
Joshua's smile broadened and he asked with faux shock in his tone. "Was that a compliment I heard Mr Jones?"
Kid winked and grinned as he replied. "Well, Mr Smith, it might've been at that."
A contented silence fell over them, and Joshua with an amused shake of his head returned to gazing out of the window, as Kid tipped his hat back over his eyes and let his thoughts drift to the future. About ninety minutes later, when the train slowed once more, Joshua excitedly patted him on the shoulder, pulling him out of a light doze, urging him to look out of the window. "Kid, look, we're there!"
As the name of the station came into view, the Kid grinned widely, and stood quickly, reaching up to grab their bags, handing one down to Joshua, and strode towards the train door knowing Joshua wouldn't be far behind.
As soon as he was off the train, Kid scanned the platform, and despite the milling crowd easily spotted Heyes, who on seeing him, held up his right hand in greeting, before gently nudging his companion, who was still studying the steady stream of disembarking passengers. She started, before following his gaze, and the Kid watched as she held a hand to her mouth. He knew from the pictures that Joshua carried, that the lady was Mary Harper, a fact quickly confirmed by the gasp of joy from next to him, and he stood aside to let the man hurry past him, just as Heyes handed Mary a handkerchief, which she took gratefully, and began to dab at her eyes.
On reaching her, Joshua quickly pulled his wife in a tight cuddle, that lifted her feet off the ground as she said. "I promised myself I wouldn't cry!"
Kid stood a little hesitantly staring over at the couple, suddenly unsure of what exactly to do, eager to greet his partner, but not wanting to embarrass either of them, he was hesitant to give into the impulse to embrace his friend on a crowded platform.
Heyes cleared his throat, drawing Kid's gaze away from the Harpers, and almost as if reading his mind, smiled and pulled him into a tight hug. They quickly drew apart, but even after he stood back, Heyes' hands remained loosely laid on Kid's shoulders as he looked at him intently, before saying with a evenness belied by the brightness in his eyes. "You need a haircut."
As relief at his cousin looking so well, accompanied by a deep swell of affection swept over him, the Kid felt his throat tighten and his own eyes begin to dampen. But eager to hide just how much emotional he was feeling, both at their reunion and the fact their long journeys were now safely over, he only said dryly. "Good to see you too, Heyes...you obviously haven't been missing too many meals lately."
"Now you're just being plain rude!" The soft warmth in Heyes' expression and his still glistening eyes, belied the unemotional words, and as his grip tightened on Kid's shoulders, he gave up trying to pretend and allowed a affectionate smile onto his face.
The Kid laughed, and shook his head, and he suddenly didn't much care what anyone thought of them, and placing both his hands on Heyes' forearms, pulled him close as he said. "It sure is good to be home."
Joshua overhearing him, said happily. "Ain't that the truth, Kid, ain't that the truth."
Cheyenne Courier
Much excitement in Wyoming's Capital
Infamous outlaw and reputed 'Fastest Gun in the West, Jedediah 'Kid' Curry, alongside the less well-known, but definitely no less criminal, Joshua Harper, one time minor member of The James Gang, were last week given their amnesties by Governor William Hale. In attendance were this reporter, Harper's pregnant wife, Mary, and Curry's equally notorious partner Hannibal Heyes, who, perhaps unfathomably to some, had been bestowed his own freedom from prosecution six months previously.
The awarding of amnesty to such men as Heyes, Curry, plus the rumors that abound about the backroom deal that lead to it, may of course leave an unpleasant taste in some reader's mouths. However ,with there being no credible evidence of the either man committing any crime in the last four years, one must perhaps acknowledge the wisdom of the decision by Governor Hale to honour his numerous predecessor's arrangements, to end their criminal career by means other than incarceration. And I must admit to being moved, on observing the obvious love between Harper and his wife. I believe on such evidence, that impending fatherhood will indeed provide the man with the will to remain out of trouble and by his wife's side
It is thought that Mr and Mrs Harper have settled in the Cheyenne area, but the current whereabouts of the most notorious outlaws in recent years, Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry is unknown, though it is believed they intend to live somewhere in Colorado.
ASJ
"You're gonna love the place I found for us, Kid. It's close enough to Denver, so as I won't go mad with boredom, but still further enough away from the city that we won't be real easy to find." Finally winding down, after close on two hours of almost none stop chattering, that the Kid had found surprisingly soothing, Heyes drifted into silence as he pulled his horse to a halt, before looking over at him as he did the same, with concern clear in his face, and asked gently. "You all right Kid? You're awful quiet."
The Kid feeling more at peace then he could remember being in years, right where he belonged, heading into a future that he'd sometimes doubted they'd ever have, and in no mood to pretend otherwise,didn't attempt to hide his happiness. The grin he felt break across his face, brought an answering full dimpled smile from his partner, which only broadened as he said softly. "Never better, Heyes, never better."
Still beaming widely at him, Heyes replied gleefully "It's not much farther now." and before Kid could say anything else, patted him on the shoulder and turned away to spur his horse into a fast canter as he yelled over his shoulder. "Last one home is cooking dinner!"