Kid sat staring at the wide expanse of blue water, and drank in the sight before him. The largest expanse of water he'd ever seen, stretching far beyond him, to a world he would likely never see. The sight of it was as amazing to him today, as his first view of it had been all these months ago, in his first week here.

San Francisco was proving even harder on him than Kansas City had been. Too many people, too much noise, and though he was more used to it now, some days, like today, it was still almost overwhelming. But here, here, it was his quiet place, and he often came to sit by the ocean, after his work was done, just to be able to take a deep breath and feel less like he was being squeezed dry by the city.

In the quiet, he took out his treasured knife from his pocket, and traced the writing there. He closed his eyes tightly, and indulged in something he rarely allowed himself to do these days, nearly five years of loss, making it feel like an indulgence. But here and now, he needed it, so he let the memory of his family fill his mind. He pictured his life before, and then almost as if it'd been carried to him, by the lapping waves, and light wind that he'd grown to treasure, a moment he'd had with his Grandpa and Ma, in the winter before they'd lost his Grandfather, came back to him clearly. Everything seemed to fade around him, and he could smell the smoke from his Grandpa's pipe, and hear the comforting pop of wood in the blazing fire, and even taste the warm milk and cookies he'd just eaten for lunch.

He'd been recovering from a bad cold, and had just been allowed out of bed that morning. Sat on his Grandpa's knee, he'd been cuddled up under a warm blanket, comfortable and content. His grandpa had held him firmly with one arm, while his free hand had traced a picture on a book that was laid on the top of the blanket, as he'd said wistfully. "Ahh, Jedediah, you would love the ocean. Pictures don't do it justice. One thing I still miss about the old country. I can still see and hear the water kissing the sand like reunited lovers, a gentle kiss of love repeated twice a day. Ahh, boy, It was a sight I never tired off I tell ya."

"Pa, he's a bit young for that, isn't he?" They'd both started a little guiltily as Jed's Ma came in from the chicken coop, a tad earlier than expected, Jed quickly wiped away the telltale milky moustache, knowing his Ma had very different ideas about what growing boys should have for lunch then his Grandpa. But she'd merely laughed softly, and shook her head, as his Grandpa had replied with a chuckle of his own. "Ahh, Bridie darlin', you're never too young to learn 'bout love!"

ASJ

He was startled out of his memory, by a shadow crossing his closed lids, and he sighed, opening his eyes, expecting to see an irate Silky. He wouldn't be happy with him, as he'd blown their chance of getting any money from their last mark, and then he'd fled. He hoped it'd just be a tongue lashing, but even if it was more, he'd endure it for the memory, the precious moment of quiet, and for not adding to a woman's problems.

But he looked up into the smiling face of his cousin, who was carrying a small paper bag which he waved at him. "Silky was 'bout going outta his mind, but Soapy sure knows how to calm him down. Think you're just in for a tongue lashing when he catches up with ya."

O'Sullivan's friend was of a very different sort to him. Though it was clear it would be unwise to cross him, Soapy Saunders had welcomed them with warmth and affection, and though sometimes like Jenny's kindness, it made Kid ache for what he'd lost when his family had been murdered, he was grateful for it. Swallowing hard he said softly. I'm sorry, Heyes, just.."

He trailed off, not sure how to explain himself, but as he met his cousin's gaze, he saw some sympathetic understanding in his eyes. Heyes squeezed his shoulder, and added, his tone amused. "They're tucked away in some saloon that a way," He waved vaguely over behind him as he continued. "They're talking over some big con they're planning, so I doubt we'll see them home before we go to bed. And ya know Silky's bark is worse than his bite, so..."

He stopped talking and plopped down next to his cousin on the sand, his face still wreathed in some concern, as he handed over the bag, and asked. "What's up Kid? This ain't like you."

Kid opened the bag, a smile lighting his face, as he took in the peppermint sticks, and fresh apples. He rubbed his eyes as he replied with some honesty because weariness was indeed tugging at him."I'm just kinda tired, Heyes." As he spoke, the memory of the poor woman's frightened tears, when Silky had said they'd tell her husband she'd run over a young boy, made his throat tighten and he could say nothing more.

As she'd cried, Silky had given the woman one of his large handkerchiefs, and launched into his usual spiel. "Now Ma'am, there's no need for tears, all we need is a small payment, and our discretion will be ensured."

Kid had blinked, and his stomach had twisted uncomfortably, when he'd seen a healing bruise on her cheek, and a fading black eye. Unable to bear being responsible for the woman facing more of her husband's ire, when she returned with no shopping and no money, he'd blurted out. "I'm fine, Ma'am, barely touched me. Please Uncle, lets just forget it, there's no harm done." Then he'd run off, feeling their puzzled, concerned gazes on him as he'd headed towards the bay. So here he still was, hiding. He shivered slightly, then eager to dispel the gloom that was threatening, chomped down on one of the apples, enjoying the rush of sweetness and sighed in some frustration. He chewed carefully and swallowed, his gaze turning back to the water, as he attempted to dig himself out of his glum mood,

As he finished chewing, Heyes nudged him, and he looked over at his friend, who was smiling a bit. "You seen one of them mermaids yet, that Grandpa Curry swore lived in every ocean?"

Kid could hear a hitch in his friend's voice, and knowing that memory had ambushed his cousin too, somehow made him feel better. He often wondered why Heyes so rarely joined him here. But now, as they sat shoulder to shoulder, he wondered whether being a bit older, the memory of their Grandfather's love of the ocean, hurt more when he was here. He didn't ask, not sure how Heyes would take it, and merely took another bite of his apple.

While he chewed, Heyes said quietly. "If you want to move on, I'm ready to. I think Soapy will understand even if Silky don't."

Kid thought about being out on their own again, always hungry, always tired, and shook his head. "Kinda of ashamed, Heyes, but I ain't ready to leave yet."

Before they could say anything else, the sound of Silky's querulous tone coming from behind them startled them. "What's this? It's bad enough that you're bunking off, Kid, but now you got your cousin doing it too."

Kid leapt to his feet, the sharpness to the man's tone had brought the memory of the often painful and usually cruel chastisements they'd faced during their time in Valparaiso to the front of his mind, and he said rapidly. "Sir, I cost us some money today, so I understand that you gotta punish me, as I didn't do what I was supposed to, and I'm real sorry." He swallowed hard, then turning to his friend, hoping that he might save his cousin from whatever punishment he was about to suffer, added more calmly. "But Heyes hasn't done anything wrong, so he don't need punishing too." He trailed off, fearing his complaints had probably just made things worse, but he'd had to try. He just hoped the punishment would be over with quickly, and they could move on. He didn't think Soapy would let the man send them away, but doubted he'd intervene in any other way. He looked over at Heyes, who'd come to stand beside him, looking a little pale. He was grateful when his cousin squeezed his shoulder gently and said firmly. "We're real sorry, Sir, we'll try and make sure not to let it happen again."

ASJ

Silky heard the fear in the young men's voices, only because it was his business to notice such things, as they were doing a very good job of covering it. He hid a flinch at their use of,"Sir," as it was something he'd never demanded, and to hear it now when they were obviously dreading what came next, stung more than it should, but these two had crept under his defences, so it was what it was. As he looked at them, eyeing him with carefully concealed dread, he shook his head, and took a small breath to cover up the surge of angry sympathy at the thought of what they must have experienced, to be so certain of painful punishment, and said evenly " Now, there's no cause to be dramatic, boys. This just means that Kid won't get full pay this week. Nothing more."

Soapy joined them as the boys faces cleared, and they broke into small relieved smiles. Silky had told him what had happened in the saloon and together they'd decided how to deal with it. After Jed had fled, Silky had made sure to learn the young woman's name, before letting her go, and as violence against women was one thing they both abhorred, they'd already made plans to help the poor girl. Mr Evan Cussons was in trouble, yes indeed. But they'd also agreed that there was no need to tell the boys what they had planned, as they couldn't afford Kid's behaviour of the afternoon, to harden into habit, or they'd be heading to the poor house or even worse prison. All this swept over Soapy's mind as he gave the boys a reassuring smile, with his gaze lingering on the Kid as he said. "This is not the first nor likely will it be the last time, that a young man in our employ, got his head turned by a damsel in distress. But Kid, we do discourage it, as it can end up being fatal in this line of work...But enough, I smell rain, and we should head back before we're washed away."

ASJ

Lying in bed that night, Heyes could hear his cousin shuffling, unusually awake, and huffed. "Will ya just go to sleep, Kid, some of us didn't spend half the day staring at the ocean, and would like to get some rest! Silky wants me practising with that new safe of his early, as me being able to crack it, is all a part of this big plan he got coming up, and he's already a mite disgruntled at you, don't want him to dock my pay too."

Kid huffed, choosing to ignore his cousin's grumbling, and thumped his pillow again, as he said. " I should've gotten her name, Heyes. I coulda done something! She don't deserve getting hurt like that, just because her husband thinks he's got a right to it."

Heyes snorted in response. "Do what exactly? Shoot her husband? Beat him up? Kidnap her from his house? There's laws against that you know." Heyes had finally managed to get the full story out of his friend, with some difficulty after supper, and hadn't been surprised by his reaction. He knew from the somewhat hushed conversations between their folks that he'd overheard, that his cousin's Ma had been a victim of her father's cruelty. So, from as soon as they could walk, both their father's has instilled in their sons, the understanding that a real man didn't hit a woman, and that they should try and help if they saw it happening.

ASJ

Kid grumbled as he looked in the mirror. "I look about ten, its embarrassing!, If I was allowed to wear my gun, folk would realise I'm no bairn..."

With his hair tousled, and wearing short pants, paired with a crisp white shirt, and after a close shave, he was showing no sign of the stubble he had recently acquired. So he could easily pass for ten as long as you didn't look for too long or see too clearly. Even then he looked no more than twelve, and Heyes said dryly, unable to hide his amusement. "I think the point is for you to look young enough to not be left at home without supervision."

Kid scowled, then nodded over at Heyes. "What's your excuse gonna be for being there?"

Heyes grinned at his reflection in the mirror. "I'm learning my Uncle Jonathan's business, so need to get used to mixing with high society folk, so don't embarrass him any,"

Kid glared, but said nothing more, just shuffled uncomfortably as he watched his friend enviously, wishing that he looked older, because this was almost humiliating, despite the promise of a good pay day.