They had been on the trail for almost two weeks with no sign of any type of settlement when they came across the small town of Willow Ridge. Making their way slowly down the street they glanced at the sheriff's office, grinning tiredly at each other when neither of them recognized the name displayed on the sign above the door. Dismounting stiffly in front of the hotel they both paused, groaning as they stretched out their trail weary muscles before entering, an older man looking up at them with a welcoming smile on his face.

"Good afternoon boys."

"Afternoon. Could we have a room facing the street please? Two beds if possible."

"Certainly, its two dollars a night, just need you both to sign the register."

Heyes slid two dollars across to the desk clerk before bending over the book pen in hand. After scribbling his name he handed his partner the pen as he stepped aside to allow him to come forward.

"Any way to have a bath sent up?" the Kid asked after straightening up.

"Half an hour all right?" the clerk passed the key across the counter.

"Sounds perfect," Heyes grinned.

"Go on ahead Thaddeus. I figure I better send a wire to Lom since its bin a while…let him know where we're at."

The Kid nodded in agreement before turning to head up the stairs as Heyes made his way to the telegraph office, returning as the bath was being delivered.

Sometime later, freshly bathed and dressed in clean clothes, they were crossing the street intent on getting something to eat when the Kid smacked Heyes on the arm to get his attention as he quickly veered toward a woman struggling to carry a young boy who was obviously not well. He approached her reaching out, taking the boy as he started to slip out of her arms, Heyes arriving a moment later, putting an arm around the distraught woman's shoulders.

"He's got him ma'am, you just lead the way."

She led them to a house where they left them in the capable hands of Ira Wilson, the town doctor, before continuing on their way to the café for their supper.

XXX

They had been in town a couple days, spending their time relaxing, increasing their funds with the poker games in the saloon as well as enjoying the attentions of a couple of the working girls. That's where they were this evening sitting at a poker table, but after only an hour the Kid, shaking his head, threw his cards down.

"Luck sure ain't on my side tonight fellas," he said pushing his chair back and getting to his feet.

"I'll be over at the bar havin' a beer Joshua."

Heyes glanced up at his friend and nodded. "I'll probably be joinin' you shortly Thaddeus, I don't seem to be gettin' the cards tonight either."

Forty five minutes later Heyes made his way to the bar. He could see his partner sitting, his left elbow propped on the bar, his forehead resting in the palm of his hand, an almost full beer in front of him. Heyes put a hand on his cousin's shoulder, surprised when he felt him start.

"Hey, you all right?" he asked with a slight frown.

"Just a headache."

"Well c'mon, might as well call it an early night."

XXX

The next morning Heyes thought the Kid looked a little pale and he'd been more than a little surprised when his cousin had eaten only half of his breakfast. He hadn't said anything at the time but kept an eye on his partner as they spent a good part of the day wandering around town, replenishing their supplies and taking their horses out to explore the area. The Kid had seemed fine all day but now, seeing him push his supper plate aside after only a few bites, had Heyes alarmed. He put his forearms on the table and leaned towards his friend.

"What's goin' on with you? Still got that headache?"

"Not as bad as it was, just not that hungry."

"Since when?" Heyes asked with a raised eyebrow.

"My stomach's a little off is all, ain't no cause for you to start fussin'."

Heyes sat back with a snort, but said nothing more as he watched his partner get to his feet.

"C'mon there's probably a poker game waitin' on us."

Heyes, after seeing the cards in his hand, threw them down in disgust. Looking across the table at his friend he saw him shake his head turning down whatever Anna, the working girl he had taken a liking to, was offering with a small smile. Since the cards weren't favouring them again tonight they returned to the hotel where Heyes was stopped by the desk clerk.

"Oh Mr. Smith a telegram came for you while you were out."

Heyes accepted the wire following the Kid up to their room before reading it.

"Well?" the Kid asked putting a hand on his stomach, hunching over as he quickly dropped down to sit on his bed.

"Meeting with mutual friend in Porterville stop four o'clock Monday 12th July stop very important you do not miss this one stop Lom."

Heyes looked up at his friend, frowning when he saw his discomfort.

"Your stomach still botherin' you?"

The Kid responded by grabbing the chamber pot to heave up what little supper he had eaten. When he finally finished he looked up at his partner, his face pale and sweaty as he tried to catch his breath. Closing his eyes and dropping his head Heyes sighed heavily.

"I'll go check on stage and train times. You'd best lay down, try to get some rest." He turned to look back at his friend after opening the door, watching as he lay down and put his arm over his eyes. Heyes shook his head as he exited the room on his way to check out the train and stage schedules.

When he returned half an hour later, he was dismayed to see his partner sitting up on the side of his bed again, chamber pot on his lap, left arm clutching his stomach, shoulders drooping and his eyes closed. Heyes shut the door and pushing his hat back on his head with one finger, moved to stand in front of the Kid, his hands on his hips as he looked worriedly at his cousin, waiting a moment before beginning to speak softly. The Kid didn't even open his eyes.

"Train left for Porterville this morning. Next one isn't until Sunday. Stage only runs once a week…on Mondays."

The Kid groaned and when he spoke his voice was already sounding rough.

"So we have to ride and it'll take what…three days?"

"Four Kid, and its Thursday, we'll have to leave first thing in the mornin'."

"I'm sure this'll pass by mornin'."

Heyes wasn't so sure…and after spending a long night listening to his friend retching and moaning, he knew they would not be riding out any time soon. The sun was barely up when Heyes lifted the Kid's head to give him a sip of water, but before the cup even touched his lips he batted it away, water sloshing over the side as he began to gag. After settling his partner back down Heyes straightened up, took a deep breath and made his way to the doctor's house, banging loudly on the door, waiting impatiently for the doctor who came to the door in his nightshirt and rubbing his eyes.

"What brings you to my door this early young man?"

"It's my friend doc, he's real sick. He's been throwin' up all night, can't even keep water down."

"All right all right come in and wait while I get dressed, then we'll go see your friend."

It took the doctor no time at all to get dressed and follow Heyes to the hotel where he checked on the Kid who by this time had almost no strength left.

The doctor sighed as he looked at Heyes. "I have several patients with the same thing, matter of fact that's what the boy he carried in a couple days ago had, but there's really nothing I can do for him. It'll pass in thirty six to forty eight hours. Just keep giving him lots of fluids even if he can't keep it down…broths and water only. I saw Anna downstairs I'll have her bring some up for you." He looked down at the Kid, who was blinking heavily at him, and smiled kindly. "You young man stay in bed and do as you're told…you'll be right as rain in a few days."

The doctor left and Heyes paced to the window, not looking forward to the telegram he'd be sending to Lom.

"Heyes…"

Hearing the Kid's raspy voice he spun around going to his bedside. The sick man spoke without removing the arm that was again covering his eyes.

"Can't miss this meetin'."

"You can't ride Kid, and there's no train or stage that'll get us there on time."

The Kid moved his arm to look up at his cousin, meeting his eyes. "You go…I'll be all right. I'll follow in a couple days."

"I'm not gonna leave you here like this on your own."

Just then they both heard a knock. Heyes shook his head, hissing in frustration as he walked over to open the door, stepping back to allow the girl to enter.

"Hello Anna."

"Morning Joshua. Doc Wilson asked me to bring this up for Thaddeus."

Heyes took the pitcher of water and cup of broth from her, setting it on the table as she knelt beside the bed stroking the Kid's forehead.

"Aw honey you look terrible. My brother had this last week…but it only took a couple days for him to start feelin' better."

"We hafta leave town today…"

"Thaddeus you can't…"

"Well one of us needs to be there…" he rolled onto his side quickly grabbing the basin that Anna, knowing what was about to happen, held out for him. She sat on the side of the bed with her arms supporting him until he was finished. Moaning miserably he collapsed back, his eyes closed. Anna drew the cover up over him before looking over at Heyes.

"Listen Joshua, it sounds like you fellas have an important meetin' or somethin'. I can take a couple days off to look after Thaddeus so you can get to where you need to be. Bobby won't mind, he's a real good man to work for."

"I can't…"

"Joshua, we can't miss another one."

Heyes sighed, he was torn…they had missed the last scheduled meeting. The meeting that Lom had told them the governor had set up to grant them their amnesty. That had resulted in not only having to wait even longer it had almost resulted in having the offer revoked. But he couldn't leave his partner…

"Go Joshua…please…could be what we bin waitin' all this time for."

Heyes huffed out a breath and started putting his things into his saddlebags while Anna went to tell her boss. He bent over his friend reaching out to touch his shoulder gently.

"I don't like it, but I'll go. There's some money in your saddlebags. And don't you be trying to leave before you're better…I mean it…I don't wanna have to come searchin' for ya."

The Kid made a sound Heyes took as amusement. "Likely be…other way 'round...be careful."

"You too," Heyes said, softly patting his friends' arm as Anna returned.

Heyes reached out taking one of her hands in both of his, pressing some bills into it.

Her eyes widened. "I don't want your money Joshua."

"I appreciate what you're doin' Anna and I know you're gonna be missin' out on some payin' customers while you're lookin' after my partner. I insist that you take it and I'll pay for the room for a couple more nights on my way out."

She rolled her eyes but nodded thanking him. He smiled at her, cupping her chin with one hand and kissing her forehead. Then with one final look at the Kid, he left the room, shutting the door quietly behind him.