I was trying to read a really interesting murder mystery while listening to 'Play Me' by Neil Diamond, when a loud throat clearing broke through the music. I looked up thinking my husband was home early from his meeting, only to find myself looking into the angry gaze of Hannibal Heyes. His hands were on his hips and with that, added to his foot tapping, I knew I was in for yet another tiresome lecture, and after the week I'd had, I really wasn't in the mood, so I tried ignoring him. But he was obviously intent on staying where he was, clicking his tongue in irritation loud enough that it was hard to concentrate, so after a few minutes, I sighed heavily laid down my book with a grunt and removed my headphones before glaring at him. "Damn it! You said you'd be back in December! You've got to know its not even November! And besides I followed some of your rules. No lawmen or smart ass characters helped you save the Kid. I gave him a break, it wasn't like you said what kinda break! Stop bothering me, there are at least four others authors you can pester!"

Heyes continued his irritated foot tapping, his face pulled into a frown of frustration as he snapped. "You knew exactly what I meant when I said break, so that don't even count a bit. As for bothering other people, I could, but it seems to me that you don't have much else to do other than torment my partner and work, so I chose you."

Ouch that was harsh, possibly true, but very definitely harsh, and I replied with equal annoyance. "You're not really putting me in the mood to listen to you, Heyes!"

Heyes' expression became even more irritated ,and he began to turn an interesting colour as he snorted in derision and threw his hands up in disgust as he snarled at me. "Like you ever listen, however or whatever I say. Must be that English superiority thing, or maybe as it don't never stop raining here, you're always in a bad mood. You gotta find a better hobby lady. Go pull the wings off flies or something!"

I met his angry gaze with a hard stare of my own, refusing to be intimidated. But before I could think of anything to say, the air in the room shimmered slightly, and my favourite cowboy appeared behind his partner, looking better than a body had a right to. "Look Heyes, Ma'am, I think you both oughta calm down."

Heyes and I were momentarily distracted by the oddness of Kid Curry telling us to calm down, and much to my slight discomfort, we both snorted in an almost identical manner, causing the Kid to shrug, and say wryly. "Hey, I can be reasonable. I ain't shot Heyes yet or destroyed that damn torture device of yours Ma'am." He paused then added with a small knowing smile. "Besides all that, I don't figure this will end well for me, if ya don't stop fighting, and I'd kinda like a few days when I ain't unconscious. I got plans."

Heyes swirled to turn his irritation, unsurprisingly choosing to focus on the Kid's comments about him, rather than anything else his partner had said. "What you trying to say, Kid? I ain't annoying in the least."

The Kid laughed then, looked over at me and we shared an amused smile as the Kid gave a chuff of laughter before adding."If you say so, Heyes."

"You know, Kid, maybe I oughta just let her torture you, if you're gonna be like that."

The Kid cocked his head to one side, his hands resting on his gun-belt in a way that sent my brain south in ways that would raise this story to a M rating if I actually admitted to them out-loud. The guys obviously noted my expression and Heyes shook his head muttering 'shameless' as the Kid smirked and winked at me, making my cheeks warm in reaction. He was just wearing his red under-shirt, and a pair of pants that were snug in all the right places, and definitely more than slightly aware of the effect he was creating. His hair was ruffled and though it looked like it might have fought a coyote and lost, the urge to reach out and ruffle it was strong.

Heyes blew out a breath and waved his hand in front of me. "Lady, hello! I'm here for a reason. I am plain sick of nursing him back to health just 'cos you're bored." He turned to face his partner as he said with irritation clear in his tone. "I'm tryin to help ya here, Kid, will you stop flirting with the enemy!"

The Kid snorted as he said. "Well yellin' at her ain't working none, so I'm figuring distractin' her might!"

Heyes looked a little impressed, which he quickly covered with a snort as he said. "That ain't a bad idea, Kid, 'cept she's just plain sadistic. How do you think she comes up with her nasty characters? She's twisted I tell ya!"

Riled I turned on him. "I am not! I just think you boys are so stubborn, just about the only way I can get you to admit that you care about each other, is if I hurt one of you. Us Brits don't have anything on you for the whole stiff upper thing I can tell you."

Both Heyes and the Kid looked a little abashed, and met each other's eyes before looking away and clearing their throats. Heyes of course was the first to recover and looked over at me, a small smile gracing his lips as he said quietly. "Guess ya got a point there Ma'am. But I think you push it some."

I grinned at them. "Of course I have a point. I always have a point! And I do not push it, Heyes. It don't seem to bother you much when the Kid gets all beat up in a fight, so calling me out for hurting him sure takes some cheek on your part."

Heyes bristled, but the Kid with a small sigh, moved in front of him, patting his shoulder firmly. "Lemme handle this, Heyes, you're only makin' it worse, and I need some healing time."

With that he sauntered over, with his trademark sexy gunslinger strut in full evidence, and leant into me with a small smile as he said softly, close to my ear. "I kinda get it Ma'am, I know women sees things mighty differently than men, and I do 'preciate your continued interest, but please find a less painful way for us to show we care, at least for a little while." I started to speak but quickly forgot what I was going to say when he winked at me and said firmly. "I have faith in you darlin'."

Then he walked back over to his partner, and blew me a kiss, as Heyes shook his head, before they both vanished in a small puff of smoke. I let out a breath, all thought of Comoran Strike gone from my head, as I gazed over at the space they'd just vacated. The Kid had been less irate at me then I'd expected with my latest story, and he'd certainly given me some nice images to write into my next.