"I think you're being hasty Heyes, you're a natural at this. Stay with us, at least until the Kid gets back. It's not going to be easy for you out there." Soapy looked at Heyes, his face concerned.

"You are a natural Heyes, not like that cousin of yours. You know how to keep a level head!" Silky's tone was more belligerent than Soapy's, as he added angrily. "That boy is obsessed with his gun, let his skill go to his head. He's heading for a mess of trouble, even a noose if he isn't careful."

Heyes swirled to the older man, annoyed at what he was implying. "Kid, ain't like that Silky...and you know it. He's just looking out for us." Heyes privately had some reserve of his own, about the Kid's growing talent with a gun, with some of the same concerns Silky had over what path it might lead him down, but he understood exactly his cousin's reasons, even if he wasn't exactly comfortable with them, so he said firmly. "He just knows how easy it is for trouble to find us, and wants to be prepared, best way he can."

Silky humphed and sighed, as Soapy smiled at him. "Still, Heyes, there's no need for you to leave too."

Heyes met Soapy's gaze, a small smile on his lips, and said carefully, not wanting to upset the man. "I appreciate that Soapy, I do...but I'm ready to move on too. I ain't exactly comfortable with conning neither."

Soapy nodded, pursing his lips in understanding as he said. "All right, Heyes, but you and the Kid will always be welcome here."

Silky humphed, but didn't disagree with his friend, only muttered. "Damn fool, boys."

Soapy chose to ignore his cantankerous friend and said to Heyes. "Where will you go?"

"I'm thinking Yuma, there's a lotta gangs based outta there, one of them will want my skills."

ASJ

When for perhaps the tenth time that day, Heyes started to turn to tell the Kid something he thought of, he sighed in frustration, he hated travelling alone.

With a slight humph, he took one of his hands off his reins and reached into his pants pocket, feeling for what he always kept there, stroking it gently as he thought back over the last few months. He kind of understood the Kid's need to go out on his own, but that didn't make his leaving any easier. But he'd known then, that if he'd pushed to get him to change his mind, they would have had a huge argument, and Kid would have stormed off angry. At least this way he had an agreement from him to meet back up. His hand clenched round the pocket watch, remembering his promise to his Ma, that he and Jed would look after each other, and hoped this time out on their own, was just a temporary insanity on his friend's part.

ASJ

Heyes was playing a game of poker in 'The Whiskey Junction' saloon. Of the seven other men playing, four of them belonged to The Plummer Gang, and one was their leader, Jim Plummer. He had spotted fairly quickly that Plummer's men were cheating, and that they were very good at it. While he was fairly sure, none of the other men had spotted it, he was also pretty certain that with what they were winning, accusations would soon fly.

It wasn't long until his concern was justified. A young cowboy, threw his hand down in disgust, and stood angrily, pointing an accusatory finger at Plummer. "I don't know how ya doing it, but you're cheating."

One of the other men also stood, and said just as angrily. "He's right, no way you can win that many hands, playing an honest game."

Plummer cleared his throat and spread his hands out in a placating manner. "Now, boys, we're just on a lucky streak is all."

The last man not with Plummer, also stood and with his face flushed said loudly. "I call horse shit, you're cheating!"

The tension in the saloon rocketed, and the rest of Plummer's gang, were paying attention, and had started to close in on the poker game. The barman looking nervous, beckoned of the saloon girls over, and whispered in her ear. She nodded, and quickly slipped out. Heyes knew she had gone for the sheriff.

There was a collective intake of breath, as the rest of the customers saw what was going down. Heyes knew it wouldn't be long before a brawl broke out, which would soon be followed by a gunfight. So he cleared his throat and said placatingly. "Maybe we should talk about this."

The first man who had made the cheating accusation swirled to him. "Stay out of this boy. It's none of your concern."

Heyes offered a dimpled smile. "I lost money too, so I do have some interest in this getting straightened out." Heyes looked directly over at Plummer, discreetly straightening the cuffs of his jacket, before making a sliding gesture with his hand, showing the man he knew exactly what technique they were using to cheat. Plummer's eyes widened, and Heyes saw his hand slip towards his gun. He shook his head and raising his voice looked round at the angry men. "Now, why don't we talk about this? The fella behind the bar, just sent one of the girls to get the law. I ain't thinking any of us want to end up in jail for the night."

The second man who had stood, glared over at Heyes. "He took my whole week's wage...I gotta eat!"

Heyes sighed, wishing that men of questionable skill wouldn't bet more than they could afford, it always led to trouble.

The third man scowled. "He took what I was gonna spend on my wife for her birthday. I wanted it to be real special for her."

Heyes heard the door swing open, and knew the law had arrived. He swallowed hard, then added. "Now, I don't know if anyone was cheating, but maybe we can compromise some. The fellas doing the winning give up some of their cash to their unlucky fellow players, we all have a drink, then go our separate ways."

One of Plummer's men tensed, then said furiously. "Why do I gotta give up anything? I won it fair and square."

Heyes just looked at Plummer, indicating that if he didn't get his men to go along with him, he'd show the angry losers, just how he'd been cheating. Plummer nodded once, then spoke to his man who glared then shrugged and stood down, muttering. "All right, I don't wanna sped no time in a jail cell, I got plans."

Heyes looked round at the table, and saw the men's faces relax, as the first man, Bill he thought his name was, spoke again. "All right, but I ain't happy 'bout it."

Heyes felt the tension diffuse, as all the men realised that this was likely their best option to avoid trouble, and Heyes' suggestion was quickly implemented.

He was stood at the bar, enjoying the free drink he'd gained out of diffusing the situation, when he felt a presence next to him. He wasn't surprised to see Jim Plummer sidle up to him. "Well that was mighty clever young man. But if you knew we were cheating why didn't you just say so?"

Heyes shrugged. "Men shouldn't bet more than they're willing to lose." He felt a little uncomfortable with his words, as though they were true, he knew the men hadn't lost their money honestly. He rarely cheated at poker, and if he did, it was only when one of his opponents were doing the same, and he'd never take all the money of the men not cheating, because it wasn't necessary, and very unfair, and perhaps most importantly, would inevitably lead to trouble.

"Yet, you made me and my men return some of the money we'd won."

Heyes turned to him with a smile. "Seems to me, if a man ain't flat busted, he's more likely to back down. " He then played his ace. "And with you being outlaws, I'm figuring you didn't want the sheriff reconsidering his don't look too closely at the wanted posters attitude, when one of those players went to complain at him 'bout being cheated after there's been trouble in town."

Plummer gave him an unreadable look, then asked. "How old are you, son?"

Heyes reluctant to admit his age only took a sip out of his whiskey before saying. "Older than I look." Not exactly a lie, he'd lived through more than some men ten years older than him.

When the gang left down, Heyes was riding with them.

ASJ

Heyes a few jobs later, in the middle of the fleeing gang, on the run from a posse, was forced to duck down in his saddle as another bullet flew over his head. As he rode, urging his horse, the one part of his brain not screaming at him to go faster, was asking him why exactly he'd thought outlawing was a good life choice.

Nursing a whisky, lying on his bunk, after the take had been divided, and his saddlebags stuffed full of a pile of cash, it was easier to remember.

He put his glass down, and dug under his mattress, retrieving the calendar he kept hidden there. He marked off another three days, with a small smile. The months till he was to reunite with his cousin in San Francisco were sliding away quickly. Stealing this way, was far easier on his conscience than conning. This way he didn't need to get to know the folk he was robbing, and was only depriving faceless, greedy companies of cash. He knew they would easily recoup the loss in a matter of weeks, probably days even. He was sure he could convince his cousin to join him. Especially when he saw just what kind of money involved. He jumped slightly when a shadow fell over him, and the gravelly tones of Plummer's second in command pulled him out of his thoughts. "You got a girl waiting for you somewhere, Heyes? Hoping to marry her after you steal a fortune eh?" He nodded over at the calendar with a grin.

Heyes laughed, shrugged, then nodded, figuring it was as good an excuse as any. "Somethin' like that, yeah."

Fletch gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder, and Heyes smiled back at him easily. Then their attention was caught by dual yells, followed by the sound of a fist, as two of the gang, fuelled by too much whisky and adrenaline, began to fight. Fletch sighed, and muttered "Damn it," before striding towards the men, raising his voice as he did so. "Break it up, boys, any damage is coming out of your take!"

Heyes watched Fletch wade in, and pull the men apart, amused, he genuinely liked the man, he was warm and friendly, when not enforcing discipline in the gang, and Heyes appreciated how he never went too far. He trusted him far more than he did Plummer. There was something about the other man, that sent alarm bells ringing. But why he couldn't exactly say.

Once the men were calmed down, and engaged in a poker game, Fletch turned and winked at him, and said. "Jim wants to see ya..."

ASJ

Heyes paired up with Fletch, was again riding hard from a posse. A bullet swept past him, and he swerved, successfully avoiding it, but Fletch riding just behind him gave a startled grunt of pain. He turned to see Fletch grab his shoulder, then still clutching the saddle bags stuffed full of money, slide off his horse to land heavily on the ground dazed. His mount reared in panic, and Fletch had to roll to stop himself getting trampled as it sped off as if it had wings.

The Plummer Outfit had a rule that anyone injured and at risk of being caught was on their own, and if they were captured by the law there would be no attempt to rescue them. But Heyes had never really felt comfortable with that, but Plummer had been immune to any attempt to argue him into changing it. But with no one around to tell him different, Heyes easily decided that he wasn't going to leave Fletch behind.

But as a bullet flew over his head, making him have to duck down on his saddle. Fletch shook his head and yelled. "Go!" Heyes still hesitated, his mind spinning, because if any of the men in the gang could be considered a friend, Fletch was it. but the older man shook his head. "There ain't no point us both getting caught." He then threw the take at Heyes, who caught it awkwardly. "You get that money back to Jim. You know the rules! I would leave ya in this situation, don't think I wouldn't." But when he saw that Heyes wasn't convinced, and still wavering, he added. "I ain't got no-one, and you got that girl!"

Heyes was puzzled for a moment, then as remembered his and Fletch's conversation, his mind quickly flew to his cousin, and his promise to make sure they looked after each other. But still torn, he hesitated, the thought of leaving the man to whatever fate the posse had in mind, not sitting easily with him. But a bullet whizzed passed his head, spooking his horse, and it set off at a gallop. Heyes tried to pull the horse up, but it was impossible, as it was taking all his strength to just stay in the saddle, never mind control his mount, and soon the posse was far behind him.

But it wasn't until near to dusk, when they reached a river, that he managed to convince his exhausted animal to pull up. The poor horse was dripping with sweat, and snorting like a train, his heart beating far too fast. Heyes genuinely feared he might up and die on him.

Managing to get his cramped hands off the reins, Heyes half slid, half fell out of the saddle to land on his knees with a grunt. He lay there panting for a while, looking at nothing, his mind spinning, then he clambered to his feet, led the horse slowly to the water, letting him drink some, soaking one of his saddle blankets, then led him away, despite the horse whinnying in protest. He knew too much water too fast, was dangerous. Once they were a short distance away, he used the wet blanket to wipe the horse's sweat drenched flanks, and gently soothed him. He then removed the spare canteen from his saddle, filled it from the river, and let the horse drink from it slowly. Finally he settled down, and Heyes was sure he would be fine, as long as he was properly rested.

Once his horse was settled, and he had set up camp, sheltered by a small overhang of rocks, with a small fire burning keeping his warm, and the moon giving him some light, he nursed a coffee, and thought about what to do next. Having to leave Fetch to his fate, had shaken him some, leaving him wondering whether he should reconsider this form of stealing and look for something safer. He had a third of the money the gang had stolen, so he was in a good position to ride wherever the wind took him, and bury himself somewhere, until it was time to meet Kid in San Francisco. But he could easily imagine the disappointed expression that would cross his cousin's face, when he explained where the cash had come from. Loyalty was something the Kid thought important, and he'd not be impressed with Heyes at all, which wouldn't help his cause in convincing his cousin that they were best together.

Heyes could of course lie to him, but he was fairly sure that whatever he came up with, the Kid would probably figure out most of the truth anyway, and as a result might never trust him again. That was not a chance that Heyes was willing to take, so he dismissed lying to his friend from his head. Heyes also knew that if he ran, he'd have to hide for the rest of his life, and he had plans for him and the Kid, that didn't involve staying in the shadows. So with only the slightest sense of regret, he decided that as dawn broke tomorrow, he'd head back to the hideout and decide later whether to stay or go.

Colorado Chronicle

Carl Fletcher, second in command of the notorious Plummer Gang, was sentenced to seven years in the Colorado Territorial Prison today. His sentence would have been reduced had he been willing to provide information, that would help the law to apprehend his fellow gang members, or assist in the recovery of the stolen money. He refused, claiming an honor code, but this reporter for one, believes his refusal had far more to do with the fear of facing reprisals when incarcerated for being in outlaw parlance, a stooly, then any concern for his fellow criminals.

Heyes knocked on the leader's cabin and pushed open the door, when he heard Plummer call. "Enter."

Plummer looked from reading the paper, then laid it down, his face grey. "Fletch and me have run this gang for eight years, Heyes. I always figured..." He trailed off, and cleared his throat as he added more firmly. "Of course he knew the risks..." Plummer shook himself and said. "The men understand the plan?"

Heyes shrugged. "They know what to do. Thirty thousand dollars..."

ASJ

Riding away from the derailed train, exhilarated from their success of bagging the promised thirty thousand dollars, with Plummer in the lead, carrying the full amount, the gang were stunned to hear the thunderous sound of hooves too close behind them.

Damn it thought Heyes, bringing up the rear, he was an easy target, and the memory of what had happened the last time he was in this situation was adding to his nerves. He was also wondering, how the hell had the posse found them so quick. But then he had no time for any thinking at all, as a bullet flew over his head, forcing him to duck down in his saddle.

Plummer yelled over his shoulder. "We gotta split up, confuse them, that way we've got a better chance of getting away. We'll meet back at the hideout soon as we can." Then with Crusher following him, he was gone in a cloud of dust.

The rest of gang scattered in every direction, Heyes heading North. As he rode, a bullet flew past him, grazing his arm, though he barely felt it. But when finally, after he wasn't sure how long, he shook the posse, as the rush of adrenaline faded, the pain made itself known, and his hands began to shake in reaction. He awkwardly dismounted, and ripping his shirt bound the wound tightly, grunting in relief as the pain eased some.

He would have continued on, but his horse wouldn't make it, and he didn't want to risk riding into Silverton, to buy a new one, because he was fairly sure that was where the posse had started out from. He sighed heavily, knowing he faced an uncomfortable waking night, as he would unable to light a fire for worry of it being seen, but he realised there was no other option for him, with the situation as it was.

As he rested against the tree, his arm still throbbing, he decided that when he got back to the hideout, he'd speak to Plummer about them having more detailed plans if they were going to hold up trains, or even suggest that they concentrate on banks, because it was much easier to be unobserved that way.

ASJ

By the time Heyes got back to the hideout, there were only two others already there, Buck and Long Bill. Buck tutted over him, poking his arm to see if the bullet was still in there, making Heyes' eyes sting with tears, before redressing it.

Heyes comfortably numbed from a healthy dose of whisky watched the other man play blackjack, passing a bottle of whisky between them, sharing plans about what they would spend their share of thirty thousand on, until he drifted into sleep. His dreams were full of warped memories of their too close call, and he woke late. But still before the other two men, who were snoring away on their bunks, sleeping off the effects of the scattered empty bottles on the floor.

Three days later, as they tended their horses, they saw Crusher mount the crest of the hill to the hideout, and rode out to greet him eagerly, hoping Plummer and the money were with him. But when they reached him, they could easily see something was wrong. He looked exhausted and was sporting some cuts to his face, as if he'd ridden hard though a forest and he said fiercely. "Plummer done chumped us! We shook the posse just at dusk, so camped a few days ride from here. I woke up next morning, with my head pounding like there was a drum in it, and Plummer gone...he musta put something in my coffee. I tried to find him, but he had too much of a lead on me...and I almost ran into another posse, so I headed back here fast as I could. Didn't want ya thinking I'd run off with that weasel."

Long Bill his expression turning dark, spluttered angrily, his hand going to his gun. "We gotta go out and find him...that money ain't all his. He don't get to do that!"

Heyes sighed, furious, but the anger quickly melted into frustrated weariness, as an unpleasant realisation hit him He looked over at the older men, shaking his head." I don't think we got a hope in tracking him now...he's in the wind, and with that much money, he can hide himself real easy."

That night the four of them back in the bunkhouse, looked gloomily round at each other, another bottle of whisky being passed round between them. Long Bill stared over at Heyes, squinting, half-cut as he slurred. "I'd have figured on it being you that'd stiff us. I can see ya got big plans, you're always thinking, and lets face it you're a relative newcomer. I didn't never figure Jim would be the one to run out on us."

Heyes glared at him, his temper roused, despite the fuzziness of too much alcohol dulling his reactions. "What makes ya say that? I had the best chance to do that, when I escaped that posse with a third of the take." He paused then added fiercely. "You wanna take this outside?"

Long Bill looked at him blearily, his eyes not tracking well. "I figure neither of us is gonna be able to hit much tonight. Didn't mean no offence, Heyes."

Heyes sighed, and blinked as he let his anger at the man drain away, they were all in the same position, and the only person who really deserved shooting was Plummer. He thought back to how Plummer had been since Fletch's capture and said wearily. "He's not been the same since Fletch got took, been all broody like...guess he saw this as his way out..."

Crusher balled his hands into fists. " We all liked Fletch, some of us knew him just as long as Plummer, so that ain't a good enough reason. I tell ya, If I ever find that guy, I'll take the money outta his hide...He'll regret crossing me I tell ya!"

Buck took a deep slug out of the bottle, then handed it to Heyes as he said. "I've been thinking, there ain't no point staying here, so I'm outta here in the mornin', gonna find me another outfit to join up with...any of you gonna come with?"

Heyes taking a long drink out of the bottle, shook his head, and after swallowing said. "Nah, think I'm gonna take a break, figure out if I wanna stick with this kinda work...ain't exactly had much luck with it so far." He didn't want to return to the con game permanently, knowing there was no way Kid would agree with it, but maybe in the short term, it was his best option.

Long Bill turned to him, looking a little puzzled. "That girl of yours ain't gonna be happy if you roll up broke...women like a man to keep his promises."

Heyes was confused for a minute, then remembered what he'd told Fletch, and laughed. "Pretty sure this particular girl won't give up on me." He laughed to himself at the expression on his cousin's face, at being called a girl.

ASJ

Heyes was sat eating breakfast, reading one of the daily newspapers generously stocked in the mercantile. As his eyes fell on a headline on page six, and he began to read, his appetite quickly fled, so he pushed the still half full plate away with a small murmur of discontent.

A New Gun in Town.

A baby faced gunfighter, is making quite the name for himself by out shooting men of some considerable skill and reputation. He goes by the name of Kid Curry, and is quite the charmer with the ladies, so this reporter has been informed by the various soiled doves, and saloon girls, the young man has spent time with. They talk of him as being gentle in nature and kind. But the same cannot be said of him when his gun is drawn. Though he rarely starts a fight, he always finishes one. He has left a trail of busted holsters, broken arms, and at least one dead body behind him. It appears that he has faced most men of his ilk, and been victorious, so it appears, that if he is not killed by one of the few who remain, he will soon have earnt the title of "Fastest Gun in the West."

Heyes finished reading, sighed, his hands tightening on the newspaper, creasing it, as he thought damn it, Kid, this sure ain't what you intended when you went out on your own. He wasn't surprised at his cousin's skill, as he had been plenty good even before leaving San Francisco, but he still fervently hoped that the rumour of his cousin killing a man, was just that, a rumour, because he feared what having a death on his conscience would do to him. Heyes after re-reading the article a third time, seriously considered ignoring their agreement, and setting off to find him right now. But he knew that the Kid would not thank him, and would likely dig his heels in, against what he would perceive as Heyes's overbearing attitude, so he reluctantly dismissed the idea from his mind. But he was now even more determined, that when they met back up, they'd be leaving San Francisco together.

He hoped that on their return to the city, Silky wouldn't make things difficult for his friend. They were of course very aware of the conman's oft voiced view that guns were nothing but trouble. But Heyes of all people knew exactly why the Kid had chosen to learn to use a gun properly: Bitter experience had taught them both, that for people like them, trouble was never far away, gun or no gun.

He had ultimately decided not to return to San Francisco, unwilling to go backwards, or to face Silky's smugness at his return. So, having heard a whisper of a gang in Montana, wanting some men for a job, he was staying in Helena, keeping his ears open for any sign that something big was going down.