With a grimace and a low moan of pain his eyes began to flutter open, another groan escaping as he blinked trying to bring the room into focus. Frowning he knew that he was alone and didn't recognize his surroundings, the last thing he could remember was delivering something…somewhere. Every breath caused him pain in his chest and his head hurt…badly. Something had obviously happened, but what…and where was Heyes. Thoughts of his friend being in trouble and needing help had him struggling to sit up, slowly moving his legs over the side of the bed. His chest was bare except for a large white bandage, but thankfully he realized he wasn't completely naked. Closing his eyes he reached up to grab his throbbing head feeling another bandage there. He had to find Heyes, had to know that he was all right. Waiting for the nausea to pass, he carefully got to his feet managing to take a few steps before the dizziness had him losing his balance and hitting the floor hard. He heard a door being thrown open as he tried pushing himself up, followed by the sound of running. He began to retch but there was nothing in his stomach to bring up…the retching did however cause him even more pain and he groaned miserably.

XXX

After two days of watching over his unconscious partner, a weary Heyes was in the doctors' kitchen having made some much needed coffee and was picking up the pot to pour it when he heard the crash from the other room. Rushing through the door he was surprised to not only see his partner awake, but on his knees, hunched over, groaning as he gasped for breath, clutching his head with his right hand, his left arm pressed tightly across his chest. He dropped to one knee beside him putting an arm around his shoulders to support him.

"What the hell do you think you're trying to do? Can't leave you alone for two minutes without you gettin' yourself into a mess," he scolded gently.

Still holding him steady Heyes waited until his partners' stomach settled, surprised when he leaned weakly against him resting his head carefully on his shoulder, still moaning softly. That simple action told Heyes just how badly the Kid must be feeling. Heyes allowed him to try to catch his breath a bit more before getting him up on his feet. Supporting most of his friends' weight he slowly turned him, talking softly as he encouraged him to keep moving.

"Hang on Kid, just a couple more steps. That's it."

He breathed a sigh of relief once he had him safely back in bed.

"S…sorry," the Kid whispered, shivering slightly.

"Aw Kid, ain't no call for ya to be sorry…I thought I had time to grab a coffee. Didn't realize you'd miss me so much," he teased. "Now stay put I'm gonna get the doc," he added seeing the blood stain growing on his friend's bandaged chest.

Heyes and Doctor Miller entered two minutes later and although the doctor changed the bandage as gently as he could the Kid was gripping the sides of the mattress so hard his knuckles were white.

"Oh god it hurts," he finally gasped through gritted teeth, his white face contorted in agony as the doctor finished securing the fresh bandage.

"Here, this will help ease the pain some."

It took some doing but the doctor got the laudanum into the wounded man, followed by a few sips of water. The doc left and Heyes sat quietly beside the bed, watching as the Kid drifted off, deep lines of pain still etched on his face even in sleep. He rubbed a hand over his face feeling the fatigue weighing him down. He found his thoughts drifting back once again hearing the doctor telling him how close the bullet had been to the Kid's heart. This was just the latest in a series of close calls they'd had over the past couple of years…there had been far too many and far too close.

XXX

Lom entered the room a few hours later, pausing just inside the door to look at the two men. Heyes' head jerked up when he sensed someone else in the room and turning his head he saw Lom set pair of saddlebags on the table.

"The boy from the livery said these belonged to the Kid. How's he doin'?"

"He got out of bed when I tried to get some coffee. Had to get the doc cos he fell and started bleedin' again."

Lom shook his head as Heyes sighed pinching the bridge of his nose before running a hand through his hair. Lom put a hand on his shoulder.

"Go get your coffee…and somethin' to eat. My deputies are both back to work so I can sit with him a while. I'd tell ya to get some sleep but I know I'd be wastin' my breath."

Heyes smiled, hesitating for a moment, but decided he definitely needed that coffee. Getting to his feet he stretched, trying to work the stiffness out of his back before taking a deep breath and moving toward the door.

"Make sure you eat."

Heyes waved a dismissive hand without turning before disappearing through the door. Lom sat beside the bed and removed his hat, holding it in both hands as he leaned forward, resting his forearms on his legs. He eyed the two bandages on the injured man, shaking his head as he wondered if these two would ever catch a break. The year the governor had talked about had turned into two and a half and they were trying so hard. He was frustrated with the politician so he could only imagine how they felt. He began to talk quietly, venting some of his frustration, believing that the Kid was asleep.

"I meet with Governor Warren on a regular basis to discuss you boys. I keep tellin' him how hard you're both trying, but dammit Kid… that gun o' yours… it's just beggin' for trouble. If you didn't have such a reputation with it I bet he would have given you boys that amnesty long ago. You know you're gonna have to live the rest of your life with that thing strapped to your leg even if you do get amnesty. How many are gonna try to hunt you down just to be able to say they're the one that beat Kid Curry to the draw in a gunfight. Every time I get a telegram from you boys I wonder if…well if this is the one…"

Lom's voice trailed off and he sighed heavily. Sitting back in the chair he turned his thoughts to Heyes, hoping that he was getting something to eat…he didn't realize that the Kid had heard every word.

The Kid was dozing lightly when Heyes returned half an hour later, hearing them exchange some softly spoken words that he couldn't make out…heard the chair creak as Heyes sat, barely aware of the gentle touch on his face as he drifted off to sleep.

XXX

The next time he woke it was hours later and the doctor was again checking the wound on his chest. He opened his eyes and the doctor smiled kindly at him.

"I'm just changing your bandages son. You keep still and let me do all the work…I don't want you moving around too much. And I definitely don't want you trying to get out of bed again," he added with a stern look over the top of his glasses.

"There, done. Your friend is bringing in some chicken broth and I want you to finish as much as you can. Then you can have something for pain."

The pain was relentless and he was so tired. He couldn't remember when he ate last…but he wasn't thinking about food, instead his thoughts were on the things Lom had said which were still being repeated in his head…over and over.

The Kid watched his partner as he helped him drink the broth…he could see he was tired and in need of a shave. At the same time Heyes was watching his cousin and knew something was eating at him…besides the obvious.

"I'm sorry Kid…if I hadn't asked you to go for a drink…"

"Ain't your fault Heyes, I coulda said no," the Kid said cutting him off and looking away. He had convinced himself that if it wasn't for him Heyes would have gotten the amnesty a long time ago. That thought along with the discomfort and weariness had a sense of depression beginning to settle over him.

They were quiet for a few more minutes. Heyes couldn't get the Kid to drink any more broth and with a sigh finally gave up.

"Kid…what is it? I know you too well…I can tell somethin's wrong."

Several minutes passed in silence, Heyes thinking there would be no answer when the Kid finally spoke softly.

"I'm so damn sick of it all Heyes…I don't think I can do this anymore," he said his voice wavering…"reckon Lom's right," he added in an even quieter voice, turning his head away from his friend again, embarrassed as he reached up to rub a hand across his burning eyes.

"You don't mean that…" Heyes gasped looking sharply at his cousin, wondering what Lom had said.

"I'm tired Heyes…real tired. In fact I can't recall a time when I haven't felt tired…I dunno…"

"It's bin real wearin' on us of late Kid… you'll feel better after you get some sleep," Heyes said after a pause. "Do you want the laudanum the doc left?"

A shake of his head was the only response Heyes got, so he slowly got to his feet.

"Heyes go to the hotel and get a good night's sleep. I don't need you sittin' here with me all night," the Kid said, still with his head turned away.

"But…"

"Please Heyes," he whispered.

"Fine Kid…I'll go. If ya need anything holler because doc Miller's close by. I'll see ya in the mornin' then."

He got no further response so with one last thoughtful look at this partner he turned to leave. Seeing Lom standing in the doorway his eyes narrowed as he approached him.

"I better talk to him."

"Not right now you're not," Heyes growled reaching out to grab his arm. Pulling him from the room and closing the door he turned to him, his eyes dark and threatening.

"What the hell did you say to him?" Heyes hissed.

There was an uncomfortable silence before Lom spoke quietly.

"Didn't realize he was awake…I was thinkin' out loud…just talkin'…might've said his gun was nothin' but trouble and…"

"And what?" Heyes demanded, somehow knowing that he didn't want to hear it.

"That it might be the reason the amnesty is takin' so long," he admitted.

Heyes' eyes widened as he glared at the lawman.

"Lom, how could you? How could you lay that kinda guilt on him…especially when he's hurt as bad as he is."

"I didn't mean for him to hear any of it."

"Oh well that makes it all right then doesn't it…" Heyes snapped closing his eyes, massaging his forehead with his left hand and cursing.

"I'll apologize to him Heyes, explain that it was just frustration talkin'."

"You know what the Kid's like… he'll stew over it for days and probably blow it into somethin' bigger. And I don't know if an apology or an explanation is gonna be enough…but guess it's a start." Heyes sighed, rubbing his eyes. "I can't think straight…I've gotta get some sleep…we'll both talk to him in the mornin'. I do know one thing though…I decided I want a meetin' with the governor. I'll leave in the mornin' after we talk to the Kid."

Lom eyed Heyes silently before speaking.

"I'll send him a telegram to let him know we're coming."

"We?" Heyes asked raising an eyebrow in surprise.

"Yes, we. Somebody's gotta be there to keep you out of trouble. There's a train at seven in the mornin'."

XXX

When they entered doc Miller's early the next morning, they were just in time to see the doctor admonishing their friend gently as the Kid blinked heavily at him.

"What happened?"

"Well Mr. Smith, your friend keeps trying to get out of bed…so I dosed his coffee with a hefty shot of laudanum."

"He can be a stubborn cuss sometimes."

All three men watched as the Kid eyed them blearily before turning his head away.

"He should sleep for hours."

Heyes approached the bed, reaching out to take hold of his friends' chin, turning him to face him.

"I don't know if you're gonna remember this Thaddeus but I gotta job that's gonna take me outta town for two or three days. You listen to the doc and behave."

The Kids' eyes closed and his breathing evened out. Heyes straightened up and turned to doc Milller.

"I don't know if he really heard me or not doc…"

"I'll explain that work took you out of town for a few days if he doesn't remember."

"C'mon Joshua the train leaves in fifteen minutes."

With one final look at his sleeping partner Heyes turned and followed Lom out the door, hoping this wasn't going to be the last time he would see him.