The Kid finished shooting all his targets and as he examined them was pleased with the splay of the bullets and how quickly he'd managed to hit the bottles exactly where he'd wanted to,and just how little his arm was protesting. He was becoming certain that eventually he would be as accurate as he ever had been, though he was also hoping that was something he'd not really have to prove to anyone other than himself.

The Kid had been aware of being watched, and after setting up some more bottles he turned and saw a boy of about ten staring at the bottles he'd just shot in amazement. When he realised he'd been spotted, the lad's eyes widened with a mixture of both fear and awe as he said breathlessly. "That was amazing! I ain't seen no one as fast or as accurate as you." He paused then added worriedly. "If I put ya off Mr Curry I'm real sorry. I didn't mean to, so don't shoot me please. Pa done told me that you shot a girl littler than me 'cos she got in your way, so I guess I'd better leave ya alone now." With that he turned and ran off. The Kid stared after him without really seeing him as the image of Emily-Rose on the ground had come back to him so sharply that his chest ached at the memory. With a final glance at his newly set up targets, he decided they'd wait until later, as he wouldn't practice anymore today fearing he would be far too distracted to be safe.

Not wishing to impose on Mrs Hanley, the Kid and Heyes had taken the couple of free beds in the bunkhouse for the few days they had decided to stay before heading home. The sleeping quarters were clean and pretty comfortable, and the men living there on a more permanent basis were friendly and welcoming. Or so the Kid had believed, but now he was wondering if maybe one or more of them weren't very happy with a notorious gunslinger in their midst.

Heyes was sat on his bunk reading and looked up when the Kid entered his expression surprised. "That was quick Kid, weren't figuring on seeing you for at least another hour."

The Kid shrugged, not really wanting to tell Heyes about his encounter with the boy and merely said. "Figured I'd better not overstrain my arm as you witterin' at me always gives me a headache."

Heyes humphed obviously unconvinced, but didn't push it and simply turned back to his book. The Kid was grateful for his partner's distraction and after a brief hesitation decided to go see if he could visit with the mares in season, or at least one in particular, because he was feeling the need for uncomplicated company. "Gonna see if they need any help with the horses."

Heyes grunted in reply, but as his partner exited, he looked up from his book, concern clear in his face, far less distracted then he'd pretended, he'd easily noted the slight strain to his partner's voice and was left wondering at its cause. He put his book down and decided to follow him. But before he had got through the door, Isaac one of the senior ranch hands walked in. Heyes remembered that he lived with his wife and son in a small cabin that Mrs Hanley had provided for them just outside the ranch grounds. With his face creased in concern, he said quickly. "You seen your partner recently? Mattie told me he'd spoken to him earlier. I'm afraid he might've got the wrong idea of what I was meaning when I told my boy to be careful round him. I like working here and I don't want Mrs Hanley thinking I'm causing trouble."

Heyes held up his hand to hush the man. "Will ya try explaining that to me in a way that makes sense."

Isaac took a breath. "Mattie, that's my son, was watching your partner shoot. And when he was noticed, he panicked and said somethin' about that gunfight out in Longplains. I only told him 'bout it to warn him not to stand too close to men firing guns. He ain't got no sense and is fascinated by gunfights, so I'm always worried he's gonna get hurt."

Heyes gritted his teeth, understanding the man's concern but as his son had obviously said something to upset the Kid he figured he hadn't explained himself as clearly as he should've, which made the strain in his friend's voice suddenly make a lot of sense. Not wanting to risk making it any worse he shook his head at Isaac's suggestion that he go and explain and said evenly. "Don't worry, I'll sort it."

ASJ

Heyes came upon his partner, watching a gorgeous chestnut being walked on the small grassy area outside the mare's stables and couldn't hide an affectionately amused smile at the sheer pleasure on the Kid face as he followed her progress. He wasn't surprised when as he turned to him with his face breaking into a huge smile he said with awed pleasure. "Ain't she just the prettiest thing Heyes? Her name's Athena and she's been in foal for about three weeks." He paused and then said. " I was thinking I could use my share of our winnings and maybe some of what we was paid to get Mrs Hanley to sell her to me. I've been spending quite a bit of time with her, and she really is just the sweetest girl, and she likes me. I think she'd be a good starting horse for us."

Heyes' smile widened at the almost childlike enthusiasm in his friend's voice and while loathe to admit it, he always found that particular tone hard to resist when the Kid used it. And it was even more difficult to disagree when like now his partner wasn't even aware he was using it. But determined to be the sensible one he said firmly "We'll speak to Mrs Hanley and Mike to see if they figure she's a good fit for us. If they think she is, I'll put in some money too, and we'll take her with us when we leave, if they agree that the trip won't harm her none."

The Kid frowned for a minute as if irritated by Heyes' practicality then his face cleared and he nodded his agreement. "She's perfect, just perfect." Then he turned to look at Heyes his face changing to puzzlement as he said. "I thought you were reading."

Before Heyes could reply, the Kid seeing something over his shoulder paled a little and stepped back to lean against the fence. Heyes looked behind him and for a moment wondered why a young lad could have such an effect on his friend, then realised that this was probably Mattie and wished he'd stayed away, but it was too late now.

The boy saw he'd been spotted, but instead of slowing as Heyes expected him to, he began to run towards them, skidding to a stop not far from the Kid. Before either of the men could say anything the boy started speaking rapidly. "Pa told me I gotta say sorry, cos he says I upset ya. Told me that little girl dying wasn't your fault, and I that oughta have listened better to what he was trying to tell me. So I'm sayin' sorry, and wondering if I can still watch ya, so long as I don't stand too close."

The Kid's face broke into a small smile. "Woah there, son. I guess there ain't no harm in you watching me shoot, so long as you're nice and safe and remember that being fast with a gun ain't as impressive or as easy as them dime novels claim it is."

Heyes cleared his throat and said firmly. "My partner is a real good shot, but sometimes things happen that even he can't control, so come to me before you find him, and I'll make sure you're a safe distance away and ain't in no danger."

"Oh, Mr Heyes, that'll be great." He turned back to the Kid his eyes bright. "When you gonna be shooting again?"

The Kid exchanged a glance with Heyes and said quietly. "Tomorrow most likely, son. It's important I practice most days."

ASJ

"Your partner sure is impressed with Athena, Heyes."

Heyes laughed and glanced over at the Kid who was petting the mare happily and said loud enough for him to hear. "Well, Mike, she's female, pretty and sweet, he didn't stand a chance."

The Kid threw him an unfriendly glance, but said nothing and didn't pause in his gentle stroking of the mare who was more than happy to accept the affectionate touch.

"Mrs Hanley thinks she'd be perfect for you too. She's more than happy for you to purchase her and take her home when you leave. I'll work up the paperwork and make sure its all ready for you by the end of the week."

Heyes was slightly afraid of how much they'd be charged, as they could hardly drive a hard bargain with the Kid looking like all his Christmases had come at once, but asked. "How much you figuring on charging us?"

Mike grinned. "Well seeing as Mrs Hanley is real fond of you, she says $500 is a fair price."

Heyes couldn't help his surprise from showing at what even he recognised as a very decent price and Mike grinned at him. "I tried to tell her she was charging you too little, but she wouldn't be budged and I like my job too much to argue with her too much."

As Mike left them alone, Heyes turned to his partner with a grimace. "Sure is a good thing Mrs Hanley is a fair woman as with that expression on your face I'm pretty sure Mike knew he could have charged us three times that and you'd still have said yes. You really gotta work on your poker face outside of a showdown because its just plain embarrassing the way you're mooning over that horse."

The Kid laughed. "Well, like you said, Heyes, I'm a sucker for a pretty face."

Heyes shook his head, but looking over at the mare they now owned, he was sure it was the start of something special for the three of them, and of course the decent price only made it all the sweeter.