Three gunshots signaling the arrival of someone coming in had everyone coming out of the bunkhouse as well as someone from the leaders' cabin. Hank and the Kid weren't expected back for a couple more days so they were surprised when, as they were gathered around, the two dust covered men stopped in front of the corral and slid wearily from their saddles, Kyle and Salem quickly taking charge of their horses after Hank and the Kid had thrown their saddlebags over their shoulders.

"You boys run into trouble?" Heyes asked, his eyes looking over the trail weary men for signs of injury.

"Just in a hurry to get back," the Kid said.

"I'm goin' to bed," Hank stated heading for the bunkhouse door as the Kid turned to his cousin.

Heyes could see beneath the coating of dust the dark circles under his cousin's tired bloodshot eyes. He looked about ready to drop. He put a hand on his shoulder…"C'mon let's go inside so you can sit, have something to eat."

Once inside, the gunfighter dropped heavily into a chair and leaned his arms on the table. A glass of whiskey was set in front of him and he picked it up, closing his eyes as he took a sip feeling the pleasant burn in his throat.

"Sit down Heyes I don't want nothin' to eat yet."

Heyes sat across from him waiting expectantly for his friend to talk.

"There's a shipment being delivered by special stage in eight days, on the twenty second…sixty thousand dollars." He paused, a tired smile on his face when he saw Heyes' eyes light up.

"There's three mines in the area around Willow Springs so they're using the bank there 'cause it's central to all of them. The owners are picking the money up on the morning of the twenty third so it's only going to be in the bank overnight.

"What about guards? "

"The sheriff has two regular deputies and has hired three more so there's two on duty at a time once the money arrives and they change every four hours."

Heyes sat, his mind already starting to work on a plan as his partner spent the better part of an hour and a half telling him everything they had found out. Barely able to keep his eyes open by this time, the Kid started to push away from the table. Heyes looked at him.

"Don't ya want to get cleaned up some, maybe have somethin' to eat?"

"I'm too tired Heyes, we rode hard to get back here, I need sleep. I'll tell ya the rest in the mornin'."

"It already is mornin' Kid," Heyes teased, but nodded watching his partner drag himself into his bedroom, the door closing behind him. He knew the man was truly exhausted when he turned down food.

The Kid, after hanging his gunbelt on the bedpost, undressed slowly, dropping his boots to the floor, throwing his pants to the chair at the foot of his bed, his shirt thrown onto the foot of the bed before collapsing onto the bed and falling into a deep dreamless sleep.

XXX

Having gotten nowhere near enough sleep he wasn't sure what it was that woke him. Groaning he rolled over refusing to open his eyes, but as he was drifting off he was startled, dragged from any thought of sleep by the sound of something being dropped in the kitchen, followed by his partner's muted cursing. Saying rather unkind things about his cousin under his breath, he threw his legs over the side of the bed and sat up, rubbing his hands over his face. Yawning, his eyes still barely open, he got to his feet to reach for his pants which had somehow missed the chair and slid to the floor. Taking a couple steps toward the chair, his foot painfully made contact with the leg of the bed. Cussing, he hopped on one foot, losing his balance and toppled onto the chair, which tipped, both chair and man crashing to the floor.

The door flew open and Heyes burst in, stopping in his tracks seeing his still cussing partner sprawled on the floor in just his long johns, holding one foot in both hands, his eyes closed tightly, a look of pain on his face.

"What the hell happened? Are you all right?"

"Do I look all right?" the Kid growled through gritted teeth.

"I figured you'd still be sleepin'."

"Who the hell can sleep with that god awful racket you're makin'!"

"No need to get proddy Kid…I just dropped…"

The Kid's eyes opened and he silenced his partner with a glare who, saying nothing more closed the door behind him as he left.

Finally the door opened and the Kid made his way to the table where Heyes silently set a cup of coffee in front of him.

"Thanks," he said picking it up and blowing on it before taking a sip.

"Want some ham and eggs? Only take a minute."

The Kid nodded as he put his cup back on the table. He ran his hands through his hair, yawning once more as Heyes cracked a couple eggs. A couple minutes later he refilled both their cups before turning back to the stove and dishing food up on two plates. Placing his on the table first, he held out the other to his cousin, wincing when he saw him jump to his feet after his arm brushed his cup, spilling coffee onto his shirt and lap.

"Dammit," he hissed, quickly heading back to his room, leaving Heyes shaking his head as he cleaned up the mess.

When the Kid returned wearing dry clothes and a scowl, Heyes decided to play it safe and say nothing, focusing all of his attention on his breakfast. His cousin glared across the table as he sat, and seeing Heyes studiously ignoring him as he worked on his own breakfast, picked up his knife and fork.

The meal was eaten in silence and when he'd finished the Kid pushed his plate aside before glancing at his partner knowing he was just about bursting to say something.

"All right Heyes, what is it?"

"Was just thinkin' you said you were gonna finish telling me what you found out in Willow Springs this mornin'. I want to make notes so can you start at the beginning again?"

Curry ran a hand across his face, grimacing when he felt the three day beard growth. Sighing he did as Heyes asked and slowly went over the information again as his partner took notes, answering the many questions from him as well as sketching a layout of the town. It was two hours later when the Kid cocked his head off to one side frowning thoughtfully.

"What is it Kid?"

"I seem to recall Hank saying somethin' as we were leavin' town."

"Was it somethin' important?" Heyes raised his hands in surrender seeing the scowl on the Kid's face.

"Didn't I say I couldn't remember? Geez why do I even bother talkin' to ya?"

He got up from the table. "I'll go get 'im. Then I'm going down to the creek to clean up."

He was reaching for the door of the bunkhouse when the door opened and Kyle, who was looking back over his shoulder, threw a basin full of water on him. He heard the gasp from several of the men as well as choked laughter from one that sounded suspiciously like Wheat. Kyle stood open mouthed in horror at what he'd just done.

"Dammit Kyle…"

"Oh shoot…I..I'm real s…sorry Kid. I didn't mean it, honest."

He took a deep breath…"Just send Hank over when he gets up will ya."

Kyle's head bobbed up and down backing away as the angry gunfighter turned and walked away, his anger building even more hearing the laughter behind the now closed door.

Still sitting at the table studying his notes, Heyes looked up startled when the door slammed shut, his mouth opening but no words coming out for a moment.

"What…how…?"

"Shut up Heyes, just… shut up."

Heyes' head turned from the cabin door to the bedroom that his partner had disappeared into back to the cabin door, wondering how the hell his cousin had gotten wet…it wasn't raining. He was still trying to puzzle it out when his partner came out of the room carrying clean clothes. He didn't say a word as he passed Heyes and opened the door, steeping aside to let Hank in before leaving.

Heyes eyed Hank who was trying to hide a smirk.

"What the hell happened?"

"Kyle wasn't payin' attention when he threw the washin' up water out the door…"

Heyes clenched his eyes shut. "Oh no…and the Kid…"

"Was standin' there. Kyle didn't see him."

Hank couldn't help it and started to chuckle. "Heyes you shoulda seen the look on both their faces. I think ol' Kyle just about messed hisself…" he started laughing, Heyes joining in.

"I can just imagine, but I surely wouldn't let the Kid hear you boys laughin', he isn't havin' a good day so far. Now my partner told me you said something to him when you were leaving town but he couldn't remember what it was."

"Nothin' too serious I don't think. Just that I recognized the name of one of the deputies that have been hired on extra. We knew each other in Oregon, but it was years ago."

"Okay, we'll keep you outta sight, just in case he remembers you."

XXX

Heyes glanced up from the papers he was still studying when the Kid returned a couple hours later, clean and freshly shaven with only a few smears of blood on his face. Heyes raised an eyebrow but said nothing as he watched him take his dirty clothes and shaving gear to his room. He shook his head thinking "he's really not having a good day."

"You want somethin' to eat? There's some ham left from breakfast if you want a sandwich or somethin'."

"Naw…think I'll go do a bit of huntin' see if I can't scare up some fresh meat for supper."

Heyes nodded. "Sounds good…just be careful."

"Heyes…"

"I know, I know…just sayin'."

Heyes chuckled to himself once the door closed behind the gunfighter before beginning to shuffle papers again.

The Kid strolled over to the corral and led his horse out, brushing him down before starting to saddle him. He could sense the men watching him but they were keeping their distance knowing he wasn't in very good humour…all that is except Wheat who walked over to lean against the corral fence.

"Whatcha doin'?"

"Milkin'a cow Wheat what the hell's it look like I'm doin'?"

"Pfft I see your mood ain't improved none."

The gunfighter's hands froze as he turned his head, fixing an icy glare on Wheat, who walked away, wisely saying nothing more. The Kid turned back to what he was doing and tightened the cinch with a jerk. The horse grunted, turning his head to look at the man.

"What're you lookin' at?" he grumbled. The horse shook its head and snorted.

Moments later he was in the saddle and riding toward the entrance to Devil's Hole. The rest of the gang went about their business thankful that the Kid was gone for a while since nearly all of them had been on the receiving end of his bad mood today.

XXX

The afternoon wore on, dusk was approaching and the Kid hadn't yet returned from hunting even though they'd heard the sound of distant shots some time ago. Heyes had even come out of the leaders' cabin to stand with his hat pushed back and his hands on his hips, frowning as he looked down the trail wondering what was taking his partner so long. Salem and Lobo walked over to him.

"Whatcha thinkin' Heyes?"

"I'm thinkin' he's bin gone too long…"

Whatever he was going to say was cut off by the sound of one shot from the direction of the lookout…one shot meant trouble. All the men quickly gathered guns at the ready waiting to see who was coming. They didn't have long to wait as a riderless horse galloped up to the fence…the Kid's horse. They could all see the mud on the animal and as Kyle grabbed the bridle to begin settling the skittish animal, Hank walked up beside him.

"Heyes," he said pointing to the saddle.

Seeing the blood on the saddle Heyes started barking orders.

"Kyle see to the Kid's horse, Salem go spell Preacher on lookout. Wheat, Lobo, Hank you boys are with me…saddle up.

The men hurried to do as they were told and within minutes four men were heading out to search. Because it was beginning to get dark they rode slowly watching for any sign of the Kid, Heyes getting more worried as the time passed. It was forty five minutes before Lobo spotted him in the distance.

"Heyes," he said pointing.

Urging their horses on a little faster they could see as they got closer, that the man was limping slightly and covered in mud. The gunfighter threw the three rabbits he'd shot to Wheat who managed to catch them as Heyes jumped off his horse grabbing the Kid's shoulder with one hand as his eyes raked over him looking for any obvious injuries.

"I'm all right…damn wolf ran out in front of the horse and spooked him…wouldn't bin so bad if we hadn't been ridin' alongside the creek… lost his footing."

Heyes was relieved and after the day his friend had been having there was no way he was going to laugh, although it was hard not to, or say anything that could be taken as sarcasm. He glanced over at his men who had turned their heads and knew they were trying hard to stay serious.

"You fellas head on back, we'll be there shortly."

Wasting no time the three men turned their horses, quickly heading back home. Heyes watched them disappear into the darkness, taking a deep breath before turning back to his cousin who stood his head hanging, looking absolutely miserable.

"You ready to head back?"

Without even raising his head he nodded. Heyes hoisted himself into the saddle then reached his left hand down to help his cousin.

"Well c'mon then."

The Kid finally lifted his head, accepted the helping hand and pulled himself up behind his partner. They rode slowly back, neither man saying a word.

The men, having heard what had happened, were milling around the corral when they got back. Kyle reached out taking the reins when they dismounted and saw his friend wet and mostly covered in mud.

"Damn Kid, you're gonna run outta clothes…"

The icy stare he received stopped him from saying anything more, but the muffled snorts of laughter coming from not only the other gang members but from his own partner had his shoulders sagging dejectedly as he headed to his cabin. Heyes decided to look after his own horse mainly to give his best friend time to get cleaned up…again. He listened to the men chuckling over the troubles his partner had experienced today and he couldn't help but smile…they didn't even know it had all started as soon as he'd gotten out of bed…and he wasn't about to tell them.

Having finished brushing down his horse he headed for the cabin. Entering, he saw his cousin sitting at the table, having carefully pushed all the papers aside, preparing to clean his gun. Heyes could see the Colt was covered in mud but…

"Ah Kid…you reckon that's a good idea? The way your day's bin goin' you're liable to shoot yourself."

Without moving, a pair of intense blue eyes locked with his. Heyes smiled. "Just sayin'."

He returned his attention back to breaking down his gun.

"Lobo's cleanin' the rabbits…says that'll be supper tomorrow. I figure we can have those ham sandwiches since we missed lunch."

"Fine."

By the time the Kid had cleaned his gun and they had eaten, it was very late. The hideout was quiet… everyone else had gone to bed, except the man on guard at lookout point. The two men sat, each sipping on a glass of whiskey. The Kid raised his head and saw his friend looking at him a slight smile on his face, a hint of sympathy in his eyes.

"It's almost one in the mornin' Kid. Finish your drink and go to bed. Tomorrow'll be a better day."

"I sure as hell hope so." He tipped his glass emptying it. Setting it on the table he got to his feet.

"G'night Heyes."

"Night Kid."

Heyes watched him walk away thinking…"I better tell the men in the mornin' to keep it down 'cause if anybody wakes him tomorrow he's apt to shoot the lot of us."

"Sleep well Kid," he mumbled after the door had closed.