A Tribute to Pete on the Anniversary of His Birth.

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"Kate, you got a minute?' Heyes asked in a very serious tone.

Kate looked up from her computer and glanced at the clock. "Do you two ever sleep?' she asked.

"Do you?"

Kate sighed. She had to admit it was a valid question. "Where's the Kid? He didn't come with you?"

"This don't involve the Kid so for once, lets try not making him the center of the conversation."

"You certainly are proddy, Heyes. I thought you and Kid never liked to split up."

"I slipped away for an hour break while he takes a bath. Taking a break ain't the same as splitting up. We're not inseparable, you know."

"Well, apparently you get just as proddy on a break as you do splitting up. So, why are you here this time?"

"I gotta talk to that Rachel friend of yours."

"Which one?"

"The one that thinks of me the way you think of the Kid."

"So just go drop in on her the way you just drop in on me."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"She a... She makes me nervous."

Kate giggled. "A big strong outlaw like you?"

Heyes tried hard not to blush but failed miserably. "I've got a sort of... crush on her and that makes me nervous."

"Ah, Heyes, that's sweet," Kate replied. "When did you discover that?"

"It's been going on a long time. I think it started when she made her first Hannibal Heyes scrap book and I realized there really was someone out there who could see beyond Kid's charm and good looks."

"I thought we were leaving Kid out of this conversation."

"Oh, we are, at least for now. I'm sure he's gonna want to be involved in my plan."

"You have a plan?' Kate asked, growing a tad bit concerned. She was well aware of all the people in the world with a crush on one or both of these two fictitious cowboys, but she'd never considered the possibility of one of them having a crush on a real live fan.

"Well, I know you and Kid are always talking about them to alter egos..."

"Uh-uh."

"And Rachel appreciates mine as much as she appreciates me."

"Okay..."

"If he was still here, he'd be eighty-two today and I figure there's a lot of people who will be thinking about that."

"I'm sure there will be. After all, he did endear himself and you to all of us. He made all your best qualities just shine. He made you immortal."

Heyes nodded. "And I appreciate that and I know Rachel and a lot of others appreciate that too. Even you appreciate that, though you're sometimes slow to admit it."

"You're right, Heyes. I think down deep, all we fans appreciate both of you. So what's your plan?"

"Well, I thought maybe Rachel and me could just spend the day together, and bring the Kid along too cause, well he understands."

"I think that's a very thoughtful gesture, Heyes. It's a very noble plan. There's just one problem with your plan."

"What's that?"

"I don't think you'll be getting much alone time with her. There are a lot of fans who will be thinking about your alter ego. There will be a lot of fond memories shared, maybe some laughter, even a few tears."

"You're saying there's strength in numbers?'

"Comfort anyway."

"You know, that might be the best way to spend the day after all. Paying tribute, so to speak."

"You know Heyes, maybe it's true what they say about you."

"What's that?"

"You really are a genius."