Disclaimer: Alias Smith and Jones does not belong to me. This is fan fiction, not for profit. Any references to people, places, businesses, etc. are entirely fictitious.

A/N – story presumes the details on the wanted posters are not entirely accurate. Story exists in the same Smith and Jones story verse as previous stories.

By George! c Dec1875

Postscript

-x-x-x-x-x-x-

As the stage carrying George northward departed, Kid waved as if he really was George's little brother. It wasn't until the coach turned the corner and disappeared from view that he rocked back on his heels and lowered his arm. Heyes grabbed his partner by the shoulders and spun Kid around to face the stable. Heyes nudged Kid forward.

"Come on," urged Heyes, "let's get the horses. If folks are looking for us in Colorado, we gotta get outta here."

"Where did you want to go?"

"Arizona maybe?" suggested Heyes. "Preacher always has good things to say about the place. And when the weather warms up we can go north back to Devil's Hole."

The partners stepped into the open stable. The massive black gelding, now cleaned of whitewash, nickered a greeting. Heyes' sorrel, still stained with lampblack, ignored the new arrivals and continued placidly eating. No one else was in sight. Heyes turned around and flashed a gleaming smile at his partner.

"Alright now," beckoned Heyes, "come on, hit me. It's time for my payback."

"What? Are you on that again?" snorted Kid. "I already told you last night, no!"

The tall blond shook his head and went to saddle his horse.

"Come on Kid," coaxed Heyes. "I feel bad about bruising your jaw like that."

"You feel bad?" exclaimed Kid. "I'm the one that got walloped!"

The blond stopped tightening the cinch to touch his purplish jaw line.

"But Kid..."

"Did you have a good reason?" interrupted the younger man.

"Yeah," declared Heyes. "You know I did it to ensure your safety."

"Would you do it again?" demanded Kid.

"Of course," answered Heyes.

"Then there ain't no reason for me to be mad," said Kid.

"I don't want you to be mad," agreed Heyes. "That's why I want you to hit me. So we're even."

Perplexed blue eyes stared back at Heyes. Kid shook his head.

"Alright," sighed Kid. The gentle outlaw led his horse forward. "I will, but not now. Right now we've got to get going to Arizona."

"Come on Kid, do it now," responded Heyes. "Just get it over with."

"No, we've got to leave, saddle up," objected Kid. "I'll hit you when I have a good reason, a reason to ensure your safety."

Heyes hurriedly saddled his mount while Kid added some coins to the stable boy's till. Heyes led his horse forward to join Kid.

"And when's that gonna be?" demanded Heyes.

"You'll know when I hit you," answered Kid. The blond mounted his horse. "Now let's get outta here.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-

It wasn't until the partners were several miles west of the town, and their horses slowed for the hard climb, that Kid spoke again.

"Did George ever say if she was going to Denver to see Clem or back to Texas to set things straight with her father?" asked Kid.

"Neither," grinned Heyes.

"What?"

"She's going to San Francisco."

"What!"

Kid stopped in the middle of the road and glared at his partner.

"How could you let her…," started Kid.

"Let her?" interrupted Heyes with an incredulous tone. He tilted his head back and laughed. "Let her? Really? You've known her longer than I have. Do you really think she is gonna let either one of us tell her what to do?"

Kid waited until Heyes stopped laughing and then leaned closer.

"Why is she going to San Francisco?" demanded Kid.

"She wanted to meet the man who invented the last husband scam," explained Heyes. Brown eyes narrowed as he regarded his partner with a puzzled gaze. "You still seem worried about George. I mean, I would expect you to worry if it were Clem, but…"

"George ain't Clem," interrupted Kid. "Clem can take care of herself."

"You think so?"

"I ain't quite so sure about George," continued Kid. "George seems to get into all sorts of trouble when she's on her own."

"Don't worry, she won't be on her own for long," soothed Heyes. "I telegraphed Silky and told him to be on the lookout for George Sinclair."

Kid raised an eyebrow.

"Why?" asked Kid.

"I figured it was only fair to warn him that the best con artist I've ever seen was coming into his territory," answered Heyes.

The partners walked their horses side by side for a few steps, before Kid reined in once more.

"Did you tell Silky that George is a woman?"

Brown eyes twinkled with mischief.

"Nah," grinned Heyes. "I'm sure he'll figure that out."

-x-x-x-x-x-x-