"Heyes, will you stop lookin' at that bank as if it's your new best friend! You're makin' me nervous."

"Kid, stop fussing will ya. I ain't even a bit tempted..."

"'Scuse me if I ain't exactly convinced Heyes! You know how long you've been staring at that door?"

"Ain't been that long, Kid."

The Kid humphed in disgust at his partner's comment, it'd been well over half an hour and the fact Heyes had lost track of the time was telling in itself. Kid Curry sighed, he'd known they were in trouble, the moment he'd noticed the gleam of interest in his partner's face as his eyes had fallen on the brand-new Pierce and Hamilton being carried into the bank. For all his protestations to the contrary, the Kid knew full well that Heyes sometimes missed the challenge of opening safes and feeling them yield to him. If the stakes hadn't been so high and he'd not been so worried, the Kid was pretty sure that his partner would have enjoyed his success at opening the safe with Harry Waggoner. He'd certainly got a kick out of it the first-time round.

"You're always telling me to stay out of trouble and not draw no attention to us and now you're sitting staring at that damn bank as if you wanna marry it! I'm sure the sheriff has noticed and that it won't be long 'till he starts looking at us funny and figures he oughta be studying his wanted posters with more attention than usual." The Kid's voice had risen slightly in exasperation and his mood wasn't helped when his partner waved a dismissing hand and responded with a slight smile and an offhand comment. "You're worrying too much, same as usual, Kid."

But his face dropped when the Sheriff, who they knew was called Thomas Morton, having already made sure they weren't familiar with him before checking into the hotel came up to them looking serious. "Now I can't help but notice your interest in our little bank and I'm wondering exactly what's caught your attention. We're mighty proud of the fact that our town ain't been robbed for over five years and I'm looking to keep it that way."

The Kid fighting the urge to rest his hand on his gun, instead folded his arms and glared at his partner with a told you this would happen expression on his face. Heyes merely shrugged and indicated the Kid's holster with a nod, his face clearly saying. "Well, makes a change that it ain't you and that gun attracting unwelcome attention."

He then turned to he law-man and smiled his friendliest and most innocent smile. "I surely ain't got no interest in robbing your bank. Just ever since I bin a young 'un, safes have fascinated me. Used to drive my dear folks half round the bend, 'specially my Pa. Ain't never been able to shake it none. And when I saw that pretty little safe I got real distracted.
Ain't that true Thaddeus? My cousin here is real patient with me and makes sure I don't get into no trouble."

The Kid saw that Heyes' country drawl, vague expression and aww shucks demeanour was having the desired effect on the law-men. His face had lost most of its suspicion and as Heyes rambled on, Morton glanced over at the Kid with a sympathetic expression on his face, obviously figuring as had been intended, that Heyes was a bit simple and needed keeping an eye on. The Kid returned the look with a small shrug and smile and said firmly. "Now, Joshua, I think it's time we were heading back to the hotel, don't want no-one else getting the wrong idea." He placed his arm firmly round Heyes' shoulder and with a hat tip to the slightly bemused law man propelled his friend towards the hotel. He thought Heyes' performance would at least make it safe for them to stay the night. Gullible folk were thankfully never a match for Heyes' silver tongue. He did wonder how the town had escaped being robbed for so long, but pushed that thought away and concentrated on making his walk as unconcerned as possible.

As soon as they were out of the sheriff's hearing Heyes released himself from Kid's grip, turned and grinned in some triumph. "Now, that went real easy don't ya think? Weren't no need to worry."

The Kid sighed and shook his head. "Ya know Heyes, one of these days my heart's just gonna give up on me, giving how much strain you put on it sometimes."

Heyes threw him an offended look but then grinned and slapped his back. "Nah, the odds are more in favour of us getting caught well before your heart gives up on you."

The Kid snorted and shook his head, deciding that it just wasn't important enough to worry, after all a potential crisis had been easily avoided. "All that worryin' has made me hungry, Heyes, so you owe me a steak dinner."

"Everything makes you hungry, Kid." But Heyes didn't argue and simply changed direction to walk towards the brightly coloured cafe at the far end of the small main street.

XXX

"I bin thinking Heyes, maybe we should ride outta here after we've eaten. Ain't real sure we oughta be staying, now that you've caught that Sheriff's eye."

Heyes frowned at him, clearly hearing the intended criticism in voice. But his tone was mild as he replied. "We leave now, Kid, it'll just make him suspicious again. Think I've convinced him we ain't looking for trouble. So, our best plan is to stay tonight and leave tomorrow afternoon, just like we planned." Heyes glanced out of the cafe window at the darkening sky. "I don't know about you, but I sure ain't in a hurry to get rained on."

Kid followed his partner's gaze and nodded, no keener on the idea of getting wet than Heyes was and shrugged his agreement. "All right, Heyes. I guess there ain't no point risking getting caught in a storm, lessen we have to. Roads outta town, might get washed out and closed anyways."

Kid returned his attention to the meal and they ate in silence for a while before Heyes said wistfully. "Sure would have liked to have a crack at that safe."

At his words, Kid pushed his plate away and sighed quietly, silently cursing Harry Waggoner, knowing that it was his stupid fault that Heyes had got itchy fingers again. "Maybe we oughta risk the storm and get outta here, Heyes. I ain't liking that look in your eyes."

Heyes sighed in some disgruntlement. "I ain't gonna do it Kid, I know as well as you, that road is closed now, but sometimes I sure wish there was a way it weren't, without risking our amnesty."

Before the Kid could reply, the door to the cafe opened noisily and drew their gaze. Four men entered and the Kid sighed as he recognised them. Heyes' face fell as he too realised they knew them. "I guess that sheriff's five-year spell of not being robbed is about to get broke."

"We're gonna have to brave that rainstorm Heyes. Weaver's already missed out once, I ain't wanting to give him another pop at us."