"Son, wake up." Heyes stirred, surprised to feel a soft soothing touch on his face, and the gentle tones of a woman. He'd not been so comforted since losing his folks, and puzzlement crept into his blurry thoughts. He looked up fuzzily into a halo of blonde hair. Everything else was too blurred to make out, and he was feeling like he was floating. He began to wonder if he had somehow died, especially as he couldn't remember anything before this, and asked faintly. "Ma?"

The woman still stroking his shoulder replied gently,"No, sweetie I ain't your Ma..."

Heyes blinked, and as he did so, she came into sharper focus, and it became clear she wasn't his mother, but still not sure what was happening, he asked softly. "Am I dead? Are you an angel?" On the heels of that thought, there came another, and he added in a tone as frantic as his still dazed state would allow "Jed? Kid? Where's Kid?" As he spoke his heart rate spiked, and he looked round hurriedly, ignoring the fireworks that the movement was setting off behind his eyes. With the pain, and the sound of his heart, there came the relieved realisation that he probably wasn't dead, but that didn't ease his worry about his cousin, and he continued to search with his eyes roaming round the room. Stars sprinkled across his vision, but he stayed conscious, and the woman patted him affectionately, as she gave a deep throated, warm, laugh. She shook her head, saying quickly. "Ahh darlin' I'm definitely no angel, and and your friend is as alive as you are, sweetheart..."

"Heyes! Heyes! You're awake."

Heyes turned his head, his heart settling into a steady rhythm as Kid came into blurry focus, his chin bloody. Heyes blinked and stared, saying the first thing that popped into his head, as he noticed the deep cut under the dried blood. "That's gonna scar, Kid."

As he stared at his cousin, the memory of just how they'd got into this state hit him squarely, and he glared for a moment, annoyed. Though relieved that they were both alive, he felt annoyance returning, that his cousin hadn't listened to him, especially as just then his jaw began to ache, and he flashed back to the panic of being thrown backwards to the floor and everything fading out.

The Kid noticing the look, squinted at him, then said with a small grin, that obviously hurt some. "Aww, Heyes don't start! We're gonna be all right, and Jenny got Mr Marston some help." The Kid paused and added quietly. "I hope he's gonna make it."

Jenny moved away from Heyes and went to Jed and patted him gently. "Nothing more you coulda done, son. Its out of our hands now."

Heyes watched the exchange and then looked round again, realising that though they were still in the lawyer's office, there was no sign of the man himself and frowned in puzzlement, "Jenny?"

The blonde woman, who Heyes assumed was Jenny, clapped her hands, and said. "Boys, all this can wait. You both look like ya need a bath, some home cooked food and good long sleep, and I'm gonna make sure you get all that at my place."

Heyes allowed her to pull him up and as she steadied him asked. "You could start with explaining why we ain't dead..."

The Kid, leant against the wall, paling and looking ready to drop said faintly. "You heard, Jenny, we're gonna get fed, then she'll explain..."

Heyes wasn't sure they could trust her, and attempted to shake his head, noting his concerned expression, the woman gave him a reassuring smile, and said. "I promise you boys, I've nothing sinister in mind. My name is Jenny Black, David, Mr Marston, has a long standing appointment with me. When he didn't turn up, I came looking for him, as he ain't ever missed in two years, so I knew there must be something wrong." She paused and into the silence, Jed added, almost excitedly. "She's one of those ladies, Heyes, that men like the masters at the home pay for." Then he blushed and said hurriedly. "Sorry, Ma'am."

Jenny looked at him, amusement in her face as she laughed and said. "No need to apologise, son, that's exactly who I am, and believe me I've been called worse."

ASJ

Heyes, his face a little clouded, watched his cousin splash happily in a gloriously soapy bath, his face wreathed in a huge smile. Kid being so excited by something this simple, was a painful reminder of just how little fun they had in their lives these days. But then Kid looked over, and splashed water over the edges of the tub towards him, and he had to step back to avoid his shoes getting wet. "Aww c'mon Heyes, don't be thinking so much."

Heyes diverted, shook his head. "You're gonna get all wrinkly you stay in there much longer...and Jenny said dinner would be ready soon."

Jed sighed, got out of the bath with some reluctance, and dressed, then turned to his friend, his grin slightly wicked. "You better have a bath, too, Heyes, as Jenny said we gotta share a bed tonight, and you stink."

"Do not!"

"Do too! You smell like one of those old drunks Ma used to give money to, when my Pa wasn't looking."

Heyes abandoning any attempt to be the adult, pounced on his friend, tickling him hard as he said. "Take that back, Jedediah Curry!"

Kid mimed passing out from an unpleasant smell, before wriggling out from under his cousin, wincing a bit from the bruises he'd received that afternoon, more than a little breathless, but laughing as he gasped out. "I'm gonna go see what Jenny's cooking."

Once he was gone, Heyes undressed, and sank into the still warm water with a contented smile, knowing Kid was right, he did smell. They'd been saving everything they'd earnt that didn't go on rent or food, to try and get together enough to leave Kansas City, and head to Colorado, so luxuries like baths had been scarce.

As he soaked, his mind drifted and he found himself wondering, whether he and the Kid should just return to their rooms tonight, because Jenny was making him feel vulnerable with her kindness towards them, and in their position that could be dangerous for them both. Something his Grandpa Curry had often said. "Always look a gift horse in the mouth," slipped into his mind. But then he felt suddenly ungrateful, and sighed at himself.

He started when the door opened, and turned expecting to see the Kid, but felt his face flush slightly when he saw it was a pretty young woman, probably only a year older than him, who gave him a smile as she eyed him in some appreciation. "Jenny said dinner is ready when you are." With a final smile and another lingering look, she was gone.

Jenny was waiting for him in the kitchen, but there was no sign of his cousin, and Jenny gave him a warm smile, as she passed him a plate of steaming stew. "He's out playing some kinda game with my son, Billy...don't figure they'll be long, as Billy has a sixth sense 'bout food..."

Heyes laughed at that, his cousin was much the same, and he was about to say something along those lines, when the smell of the stew derailed his thoughts, and all he wanted to do was taste it. He took a large mouthful and sighed, the flavour reminding him so much of the food his Ma had cooked. He chewed then swallowed, then as a thought struck him, asked casually. "That girl..." He hoped she wasn't one of Jenny's girls, as she seemed awfully young for that.

Jenny as if reading his thoughts gave him a small smile, and shook her head as she said. "Oh that's Susie, she does a bit of cleaning for me, and minds Billy when I'm busy. Its a devil trying to keep her from going upstairs mind...but I'd like her to wait another year or so..."

Before anything else could be said, Kid came banging in through the door, laughing, with a smaller boy of about seven on his heels. Heyes nearly choked on his second mouthful of stew. Billy looked so much like his cousin at that age, it was like looking at a mirror to the past.

Heyes took a further bite of stew to cover the tightness in his throat, as Billy flew to his mother for a hug, telling her excitedly about the game Jed had taught him. There was a freedom and innocence to his manner that also reminded Heyes of his friend at the same age too. An innocence mostly lost on that day in August, and anything that had remained had been beaten out of him in Valparaiso. Heyes felt hi eyes burn as he was forcibly reminded once more, of just what had been taken from them, and he hurriedly took another bite of the stew, as Jenny shooed the younger boys to sit, and served them.

ASJ

They were tucked up in bed, with Heyes shuffling to get comfortable, as his bruises still ached some. He was wondering whether they should stay here, though for him it was just a bit too painful a reminder of something he'd never have again. But maybe it'd be fairer for him to move on, and let the Kid stay for a while, when his cousin spoke softly. "I like Jenny, but staying here ain't for us, is it?"

Heyes used to his cousin's thoughts often following a similar path to his own, wasn't surprised at the question, and shrugged. "I don't wanna stay, Kid, but don't seem like you gotta come with me."

Kid humphed and pulled away to roll out of bed and onto his feet, startling Heyes. "Where you go, I go, Heyes...and don't be babying me." He paused then added. "I want a gun, Heyes."

Heyes was also out of bed, his hands on his hips as he half yelled in disbelief at what his friend had just suggested. "Why in hell's name, do you need a gun?"

"To protect us, Heyes, if I'd had a gun, we wouldn't be aching all over, and my chin wouldn't be scarred, and maybe Mr Marston wouldn't be laid up, wondering if he'll ever walk again!"

Heyes exasperated, snapped at him. "Or, I could be burying the last part of my family!"

Kid glared then his face relaxed, and his stance softened as he shook his head. His tone though quieter, was no less determined as he replied "No, Heyes, Pa had already taught me the basics, before...well before. And the gunsmith in town, told me I had a natural talent. I ain't gonna be shooting no one if I don't have to, but we gotta have some way of keeping us safe. Besides I got money of my own, and I don't need to ask ya, you ain't my Pa, but I figured it'd be better if I did, seeing as I knew you'd get all proddy 'bout it."

Heyes felt his shoulder's slump and he sighed, he didn't want to fall out with his cousin about this and knew the only thing to do was give in and hope it wasn't a mistake. "All right, Jed, but you gotta be careful. Some folk aren't gonna be real happy seeing a kid with a gun, and might figure you're looking for trouble."

Jed snorted. "Don't need to go looking do we, Heyes? It finds us real easy. Besides Kid Curry sounds like he oughta be armed."

Heyes sighed, and rolled his eyes at his cousin, but said nothing else, as he knew he would get nowhere, and they were soon back in bed. Despite the worry swirling in his mind, Heyes was quickly asleep.

As they dressed the next morning, Heyes pulled out what money he had, and handed it over to his cousin. "If ya gonna get a gun.. might as well be a decent one."

Jed gave him a grateful smile and said. "You'll see, Heyes, its gotta be done. And I'll practice every day!"

ASJ

Returning from picking up their belongings from the room, Jenny having persuaded them that she was more than happy to have them stay with her and Billy, rent free, in exchange for a few odd jobs around the place, Heyes came face to face with a group of men, who blocked his path as one said. ""Boy, just hand over what you're carrying, and you won't get hurt."

Heyes tried to back away, only to find himself colliding with another man who'd somehow crept up behind him. Thinking he had little choice to agree, he started to hand over what he was carrying. A click to his left, brought sweat to his brow, until he heard the familiar light tone of his cousin, holding a tone of menace that wasn't. "Back away...and let him past."

One of the men sneered. "He's just a kid..."

"Maybe, but I'm a kid with a gun already aimed at ya."

"Ya know Harry, he got a point, those boys probably ain't carrying anything worth getting shot for. There'll be easier pickings soon enough."

With that they melted away as Heyes swung to stare at his cousin."Where'd ya spring from?"

"I finished practising, and figured you might 'preciate some company."

Heyes feeling unnerved, nodded before saying. "I guess you're feeling happy that those men just proved your point."

"No, Heyes, I'm just relieved that I got here before we lost what little we have left. Maybe you oughta consider a gun too..."

Heyes sighed, not sure he was ready to go down that path, but he had to admit had the Kid not been armed, things would have ended differently. "I'll think on it..."

ASJ

Six weeks later, a slightly tearful Jenny, and a very unhappy looking Billy, saw them off to the stage leaving for Denver. "You'll keep in touch, boys? Promise me?"

Heyes gave her a smile and said, not wanting to lie to the woman. "We'll try Jenny, but we won't promise, as we don't want to lie to ya."

She pulled them both into a tight hug, as Billy clung to Jed's leg, sniffling. Heyes wished she'd met them before Valparaiso, or even in the first few days here in Kansas City, because by the time they'd found her, they'd just seen too much to settle to the life she was offering, But she'd given them several week's peace, which had reminded them both that there was good in the world, and for that he would be forever grateful.

Jed looked down at Billy, and said softly. "Now look after your Ma, Billy."

Jenny put her arm round her son's shoulder and waved as they walked away to board the stage, as she said. "Look after each other, boys, and if you ever need me...don't hesitate to write and ask." Heyes gave her a final wave, and followed the Kid up the stage steps,

As the stage set off, Kid gave him a small smile, before settling down to a nap. Heyes stared out at the passing countryside, and hoped that Denver would be better for them then Kansas City, which had brought changes to them, that Heyes could have done without. He took in the still livid scar on his cousin's chin, then drifted to the now almost familiar gun at his waist.

In just six weeks, Kid had already started to hone a fast draw, and his accuracy was becoming quite startling. Heyes, though hating the fact Jed had felt the need to own a gun, had been both impressed and surprised at the talent he'd shown with it. He sighed as he looked down at his own weapon, a Schofield, that he'd reluctantly agreed to buy after the aborted robbery. Yep, Kansas City, had surely taught them things he wished they'd never had to learn, but maybe Denver would be better for them. Jenny aside, he didn't think it could be much worse.