The door closed behind Heyes as he stepped out of the mercantile, smiling as he tucked the sweets he'd bought as a surprise for his partner in his pocket, when a loud voice saying "I bin lookin' for you Curry" had his head snapping up and he froze. He saw his partner, who had been on his way from checking on the horses to meet up with him, stop to look at the man standing in the middle of the street. The Kid pointed to his chest questioningly.

"You talkin' to me?"

"Yeah Curry I'm talkin' to you."

"I'm afraid you're mistaken mister. The name's Jones, Thaddeus Jones."

"No, it ain't…it's Kid Curry and I bin waitin' a long time to meet up with you."

"Look mister I got no idea who you are and I'm not who you seem to think I am."

"Everybody's gonna know the name James Borden after I kill you."

The Kid was now facing the man squarely, his thumbs tucked in his belt.

People began gathering on the boardwalk to see what was going on and as much as Heyes wanted to go to the Kid's side he knew from his friend's stance that it had gone too far to stop and he didn't want to distract him. He had seen his partner face men in the street more times than he cared to admit, and although he always felt some nervousness, this time something felt very different. He watched, his mouth suddenly dry and his heart beginning to pound in fear, scarcely daring to breathe as the two men stood watching each other and waiting. There was complete silence as everyone stood waiting to see the outcome…time seeming to stand still and then… a single gunshot. Heyes was watching the stranger expecting to see either his gun being shot out of his hand or his holster skidding along the dusty street, instead he saw the gun in his hand…smoking. Then, as if in slow motion, he fearfully turned his gaze to his friend… saw the Kid's gun still in its holster, the blood blossoming in the middle of his chest as he slowly sank to the ground. Heyes was stunned and for several seconds stood rooted to the spot.

"Oh my god." The words came out as a strangled whisper. Finally able to move he ran into the street, pushing his way through the people who had begun to crowd around, dropping to his knees beside his partner, who was struggling to breath. The Kid looked up at him, his lips moving but no sound came from him. Heyes slipped an arm under his shoulders lifting him so his head rested in the crook of his arm.

"Don't you dare die you hear me? Don't you dare," he demanded brokenly.

As Heyes held his partner, tears in his eyes, he could hear the Kid's voice in his mind saying 'there's always someone out there that's faster'. How many times had he scoffed when his partner had said that? He kept his eyes glued to the Kid's, scared to look away, not wanting to miss sharing a single second of what life he had left. He felt the shudder go through his best friend as he took his last ragged breath and with tears slowly trickling down his face, he held the lifeless body in his arms. He had no idea how long he held him, it felt like hours, but was, in reality, probably less than a minute or two before he threw his head back and, sounding like a wounded animal, yelled. "NO!"

XXX

Heyes bolted upright in bed, sweat pouring from his face as, sensing movement he glanced quickly across the moonlit room to see his cousin sitting up in bed, gun in hand scanning the room searching for whatever had startled his partner. His gaze landed on Heyes, his look sharpening when he saw the look of sheer terror on his face. Swinging his legs to sit on the side of the bed, he turned his head to slip his Colt back into the holster that was hanging from the bedpost and even though he heard Heyes get out of bed, he was more than a little surprised when he felt him grab his shoulders firmly. The Kid could feel him trembling as Heyes looked him up and down, lowering one hand to pat the center of his chest gently before putting it back on his shoulder, taking a couple of deep breaths as he tried to calm himself.

"You're all right."

The softly spoken words were a statement not a question, but the Kid, totally confused, still responded.

"Course I'm all right. What the hell is wrong with you?"

Heyes, his hands still grasping his friend's shoulders, lowered his head, resting it against the Kid's chest, his breathing still somewhat ragged. The gunfighter said nothing just let his partner breathe for a moment before pushing him back and looking him in the eye, his concern evident.

"What is it Heyes? What got ya so spooked?"

Heyes shook his head, dropping his hands and averting his eyes, his heart still beating just a little too fast.

"It's…it's nothin' Kid…was just a dream. It just seemed…it was so real."

"You wanna talk about it?"

"No!"

Heyes turned his back on him, going to the window leaning one hand on the frame, gazing down into the dark street.

"Go on back to sleep Kid, sorry I woke you."

Curry glanced at Heyes like he'd lost his mind, then, clearing his throat he stood, grabbing the whiskey bottle that they'd brought back from the saloon earlier.

"Heyes ya scared me outta ten years, don't think I'll be doin' much more sleepin' tonight…besides it'll be light in an hour or so," he said as he uncorked the bottle, taking a healthy swallow before nudging his partner on the arm with it.

Heyes smiled as he took the offering, taking a couple good swallows himself. Silently they stood beside one another looking down onto the deserted street. Curry knew that Heyes would tell him what had him so upset eventually…he just had to be patient.

"I think we should leave."

The gunfighter blinked. "Thought you said you wanted to stay a couple more days, win some more money playin' poker."

"I changed my mind."

Heyes swung away from the window, walking to his bed where he dressed before quickly starting to haphazardly throw his things in his saddlebags. The Kid's eyes narrowed as he came to the realization that Heyes was scared…but of what he had no idea. Heyes stopped what he was doing to scowl at his partner.

"Get your stuff packed up, I wanna get out of this town as soon as possible."

"Why?"

"Ain't it a good enough reason that I want to leave? Now c'mon, it'll be light soon."

Heyes stood, saddlebags thrown over his shoulder, huffing as he stood by the door waiting impatiently for his partner who packed his stuff slowly before picking up his saddlebags and turning to face him.

"We gonna have breakfast at least before we leave?"

"Dammit Kid, I swear your need for food is gonna get you killed some day."

"I take it that's a no on breakfast then. Fine, let's go."

The Kid brushed past Heyes without saying another word…not when they left the hotel, not when they retrieved their horses and not when he followed his partner who had mounted and lit out as if the devil himself was on his heels.

XXX

They rode hard for some time, the sun fully now up and their horses were just about done. The Kid shook his head as he eased his horse from the ragged trot down to a walk.

"Heyes," he shouted, but getting no response shouted louder. "HEYES!"

Still getting no response he pulled his .45 firing a shot into the air which succeeded in having Heyes draw his gun as he reined his horse around.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"What am I…Heyes I don't know what's gotten into you but the horses need to rest…this pace is killin' 'em."

Curry had caught up to his partner who, when seeing the lather covering Buck, looked down at his own sweat covered horse and sighed knowing his friend was right, they had to stop.

"Guess we're far enough from town to find a place to rest for a bit."

They pulled into the cover of some trees, loosening the saddles to allow the animals to breathe and cool down. Heyes glanced at his partner who was piling up some sticks.

"What're you doing?"

The Kid said nothing as he struck a match, holding the flame to the kindling, which quickly caught.

"I'm making coffee…if that's all right with you," he said sarcastically.

Heyes opened his mouth to say something, but seeing the glare aimed at him, merely nodded instead. Heyes could feel his partner's eyes on him as he sat by the now crackling fire, looking everywhere but at the gunfighter who sat across the flames from him. Neither man spoke while the coffee was brewing and Heyes merely nodded his thanks when the Kid handed him a cup.

Curry leaned back against a rock, his right hand resting on his bent leg, coffee cup in his left as he closely watched his partner who sat with his head down, not liking the tension between them. He let the silence go on until he couldn't stand it any longer. He leaned forward, Heyes glancing at him when he heard him move.

"All right Heyes, what's goin' on? And don't say nothin' 'cause I've known you long enough to know that'd be a lie."

Heyes sighed. "I can't talk about it Kid…not yet anyway."

"Is it about that dream you had?"

Heyes got to his feet and took a few steps away from the fire, stopping with his back still to his cousin. "I need to figure it out myself Kid, before I can talk about it."

"Might be that talkin' about whatever it is that's eatin' at ya will help."

"Maybe, just give me a little more time Kid…please."

Curry shook his head, blowing out a frustrated breath.

"All right Heyes, but you know I'm here when you feel you're ready."

Heyes turned to face him with a small smile and nodded. "I know that Kid, thanks."

XXX

For several days they traveled, the tension slowly easing but not disappearing completely. Heyes knew that the Kid was keeping a close eye on him and he admitted if he was in his place he'd probably be doing the same thing. He ran a hand wearily across his eyes, he was so tired but every time he closed his eyes to try to sleep, the vision of his partner dead in his arms came back to haunt him.

They both pulled their horses up when they came upon the sign welcoming them to Pine Bluff. Curry leaned on his saddle horn trying to recall if they'd ever been here before…he didn't think so.

"Well I don't know about you but I sure could use a bath and something other than rabbit to eat."

Heyes nodded…"Me too Kid, let's go."

They urged their horses on, sharing a look as they read the sign over the sheriff's office declaring his name to be Carl Summers…neither of them had heard of him.

"What's first Heyes, bath, food or saloon."

Heyes glanced first at the man riding beside him, then down at himself. "Guess we better clean up first, don't think they'd appreciate us in the diner looking and smelling like we do."

Having seen the sign advertising the bath house, they guided their animals to the hitching rail in front of it and dismounted stiffly, both men groaning as they stretched out tired sore muscles, then without a word entered.

XXX

Feeling refreshed and smelling decidedly better after their leisurely baths, the men made their way toward the diner, but as they were walking, Heyes suddenly grabbed the Kid's arm pulling him into an alley.

"What the hell…"

"Shh," Heyes said taking a peek around the wall and into the stree.

Curry wondering what, or more likely who, his partner had seen, stepped forward to have a look, only to be shoved roughly back against the wall.

"Oof," the Kid grunted as he was slammed against the wall hard enough to not only give his head a good whack but nearly knocking the wind out of him.

That did it. Jerking his arm out of the grip of his cousin, he stepped to the entrance of the alley rubbing his now sore head, ignoring Heyes' hissed "Kid."

A smile lit his face as he stepped out onto the boardwalk seeing only one person anywhere near them.

"I don't believe it…Johnny Thornton."

Heyes watched in growing fear and disbelief as the two men met on the side of the street and shook hands, both of them grinning.

"Damn Kid, it's bin what…must be nigh on three years since I last seen you. S'at your partner over there?"

Kid looked over his shoulder, frowning slightly when he saw the look on his face.

"C'mon Heyes, I want you to meet someone," he said with a slight jerk of his head.

Heyes walked over to them, his eyes glued to the stranger.

"This is Johnny Thornton; Johnny Hannibal Heyes."

Heyes looked dubiously at the hand being held out to him by a man who he figured was about ten years older than the Kid for a moment, finally reaching out to shake it.

"I met Johnny the first time down in Texas… saved my life when I took a bad fall from one of the horses we were breakin'. That animal woulda stomped me into the ground if Johnny here hadn't jumped the fence and hauled my sorry ass out o' there."

"Well you've returned the favour a time or two. Say I haven't heard much about you fellas lately."

"We're tryin' to go straight."

"What?" Johnny's eyebrows shot up.

"Yup, c'mon I'll buy you a drink," Curry said clapping him on the shoulder.

He had taken a couple steps when he realized Heyes wasn't with them. He turned back about to say something when he saw the look on his face. Cocking his head to one side he eyed his friend curiously as he returned to his side.

"Hey, you all right?"

"How well do you know him Kid?"

Curry smiled. "I know him well enough to not be worried about him tellin' anybody who we are…what's goin' on with you?"

Heyes ran a shaky hand across his forehead, not answering.

"That's it I've had enough. We're goin' in the saloon and havin' a drink with him, then you and me are gettin' a room and talkin' this out."

Heyes looked uncertain, but only for a few seconds. He lifted his head and looked his partner in the eye knowing he was right, they couldn't go on like this, and nodded.

XXX

Heyes walked into the hotel room after having a few drinks with Johnny, the Kid on his heels, neither of them saying anything. Hearing the click of the door being locked, he tossed his saddlebags on one of the beds, hanging his hat on one of the bedposts his gunbelt on the other and stood staring wordlessly at the wall. The Kid clearing his throat had him turning slowly to face him seeing him standing just a couple feet from him with his arms folded across his chest. For nearly a full minute they stood like that just staring at one another. With a sigh Curry unfolded his arms and pointed at the bed.

"Sit."

The gunfighter then pulled a chair over, sitting so he could rest his arms on the back and watch his friend.

"Talk," he said resting his chin on his arms, his eyes never leaving his partner.

The Kid listened without interruption as Heyes took a deep breath and haltingly told him about the dream. When he finished talking Curry straightened up in the chair. He could understand how a dream like that would upset his cousin, it had done the same to him.

"I know what you're goin' through Heyes. I've had dreams where you've been killed…more than once as a matter of fact, but there isn't any point in letting it cause problems between us. And yes I've always said that because it's true…there is always gonna be someone faster…I just have to hope I never run into him."

"Yeah I know Kid…wait…you've had dreams about me dyin'?"

"Yes Heyes I have."

"Huh, I never knew that."

Curry rolled his eyes. "How would ya, if I never told you about them. Geez sometimes I worry about you."

Heyes grinned.

"But I got one question...you pullin' me into the alley…what was that about?"

"Well Kid, he looked a lot like that fella in my dream that shot and killed you."

At first the gunfighter looked surprised, but then with a smile shook his head.

"Johnny and I would never face each other in a gunfight Heyes. I won't deny that he's a gunfighter because he is…and a damn good one, but he's never to my knowledge called anybody out, and he's not a gun for hire. He took up the gun for protection for him and his little sister after their farm was burned down by a rich neighbor that wanted their land. So you see…he's no different than I am and I like him Heyes. He's someone I can talk to."

"You talk to me Kid," he frowned.

The Kid shook his head with a sad smile. "Not about everything Heyes. There's some things I can't talk to you about because you wouldn't understand…he does.

"But…"

"He lives with the reputation of being a gunfighter hanging over his head same as me and he knows what it's like after a gunfight…that feeling of a small piece dyin' inside of ya. Even when you don't kill 'em…shoot 'em in the arm or hand, you wonder if they'll heal proper… does he have a family, will he be able to take care of them after …so many things go through my head after a shootout…and Johnny, well he understands because he feels the same things."

"I'm sorry Kid, I didn't know…"

"Just try to let it go Heyes and since we're havin' supper with him, why don't you try to get to know him better."

"I will Kid."

"Besides you're bound to like him," Curry grinned. "He's a lot like me," he chuckled softly as he got to his feet, slapping his partner on the shoulder.

"Oh that's wonderful…I have a hard enough time dealin' with just you."

The Kid snorted a laugh as he put the chair back by the window taking a moment to glance down into the street. Sensing his partner's presence behind him he turned seeing Heyes smiling warmly at him and taking the hand that was being extended to him, returned the smile as his friend put a hand on his shoulder.

"I might understand a little more than you think Kid, but I can also see that talking to him would be beneficial too. We'll have supper with him and I'll try to get to know him, then while I play some poker maybe the two of you can find a table in the corner and talk, just the two of you."

The Kid nodded happily. "Heyes, that's a great plan."

"Course it is Kid…I came up with it."

The two ex outlaws stood grinning at each other for a minute before heading out to meet the other gunfighter for supper, both not only happy, but relieved that things between them finally felt right again.