DEADWOOD

There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.

~

Louis L'Amour

1800's Rules for Stagecoach Passengers

1. Abstinence from liquor is requested, but if you must drink, share the bottle.

To do otherwise makes you appear selfish and unneighborly.

2. If ladies are present, gentlemen are urged to forego smoking cigars and pipes as the

Odor of same is repugnant to the Gentle Sex. Chewing tobacco is permitted, but spit WITH the wind, not against it.

3. Gentlemen must refrain from the use of rough language in the presence of ladies and children.

4. Buffalo robes are provided for your comfort during cold weather. Hogging robes will not be tolerated and the offender will be made to ride with the driver.

5. Don't snore loudly while sleeping or use your fellow passenger's shoulder for a pillow; he or she may not understand and friction may result.

6. Firearms may be kept on your person for use in emergencies. Do not fire them for pleasure or shoot at wild animals as the sound riles the horses.

7. In the event of runaway horses, remain calm. Leaping from the coach in panic will leave you injured, at the mercy of the elements, hostile Indians and hungry coyotes.

8. Forbidden topics of discussion are stagecoach robberies and Indian uprisings.

9. Gents guilty of unchivalrous behavior toward lady passengers will be put off the stage. It's a long walk back. A word to the wise is sufficient.

DEADWOOD, SOUTH DAKOTA

1882

Hannibal Heyes progress down the crowded wooden walk went unimpeded due partly to the scowl on his face, but mostly thanks to the tirade he was uttering aloud at no one in particular.

"I should have known he was up to something. He always gets all agreeable like when he's up to something. What was he thinking? How many times do I have to tell him I do the thinking in this partnership? I swear if he's gone and got himself killed…" he stopped and took in a breath on that grim thought.

He had only just gotten the news by accident that the employment his partner had been so vague about acquiring was in fact the most dangerous job in the territory if not the entire west.

He paused as the undertaker hurried past him with several men excited about something and overheard the word stage.

"Kid I'm gonna flatten you," he muttered cramming his hat down harder and stepping off the porch just as the stage rolled in.

The Deadwood Stage, more formally known as the Cheyenne and Black Hills Stage and Express Line, was the most notorious stagecoach route in the west. Indians and outlaws preyed on the 200 mile route used to transport passengers and gold from the mines.

It's lucrative cargoes made it tempting target and the line's history was bloody with the names of men who had died trying to protect it and take it. This in turn explained why they were always looking for drivers for the six horse teams and men to ride shotgun, the most dangerous job of all.

Heyes stood waiting watching in the shadows out of sight as his partner jumped down trail weary and dusty but still paused long enough to open the door and assist the passengers from the coach. The prairie schooner could hold 18 in total and had a tendency to imitate a ship in rough seas thanks to the coach being suspended by leather straps that served as springs. Heyes noted wry that most looked seasick as they got out and would have fallen without Kid's assistance.

"He looks like he's ridden to Hell and back," Heyes grumbled a little of his anger draining as he watched his exhausted partner pick up his gear and slowly began to walk back to their small room on the edge of town.

It had been all they could afford when they had arrived a month ago busted and disheartened. The amnesty was now 6 months old and they had never been hungrier or felt more hopeless. To be honest neither had really given much thought to what they would do should a miracle happen and they were granted the elusive prize. So when it did occur they spent the first couple of weeks on an euphoric high hoorahing every town they hit always sure this would be the one where they would find honest work and get a chance to sort through things.

But then reality and the future had taken hold and they had quickly realized jobs for pardoned men were as few and far between as they had been for wanted men.

Certainly the removal of the need to avoid lawmen and bounty hunters had helped, but it hadn't changed most people's opinion of them. Their picture plastered all over the papers had set the record straight, but it also had made them celebrities, which might warrant the odd free drink, but very few offers of honest work. What they generally got were warnings to leave town or sly offers of jobs a little bit shady or worse. No one believed they really had gone straight and it had been getting harder and harder to believe they could survive as honest men.

Kid had even gone so far as to look into work as lawmen, but was quickly shown the door with the explanation that while they might be tougher than any trouble in town they would also attract it. A cut that Kid had taken personally and lapsed into a sullen mood that even Heyes couldn't break through.

Things had seemed to be improving when they had answered the newspaper ad for personal assistants for a land management company. The ad had requested intelligent, self- assured men with experience in dealing with difficult people. Heyes had quickly pointed out that handling the gang and bounty hunters certainly had qualified them for that and they had shown up neat and eager for interviews.

The owner of the company, Richard Slater, turned out to be a smooth talking slightly older man with a thinning hairline and thick glasses. He had quickly agreed to take Heyes on but admitted up front he did not 'need a gunslinger scaring the cliental."

Heyes's first impression of the man had made him quite willing to turn down the job before the snide inference, but Kid has calmed him down and pointed out they couldn't keep living on their poker winnings and maybe it would lead to something else.

That had been a month ago and Heyes had to admit he had a flair for real estate. Slater had quickly turned several deals over to him, which he had closed to everyone's satisfaction and turned a tidy profit, which he had shared happily with his partner.

But Kid was not content that they were at last fed and paid up, he felt he wasn't pulling his weight and had sunk into an even deeper mood going off for days on end looking for work. Finally he had come home two weeks ago relieved to report he had found a job delivering. It made decent money and while Kid had been vague about just what he would be delivering, Heyes had been too happy to see his partner gaining his self-respect back to press it.

The real estate work was now taking him further and further out of town with trips to Denver and Cheyenne promised. Slater had told him he would be returning to his base in Denver and expected Heyes to re-locate with him. Heyes had been grateful to move on from the wild town that had so many memories both good and bad. Denver would give his partner a broader range of work possibilities. Kid was far more than a delivery boy, he just needed to find his niche and Denver was wide open with possibilities.

Not that he was really quite sure what his partner's job description entailed. Kid was gone almost as much as he was and usually quiet and exhausted when he returned. It might have taken longer for him to deduce the answer had not the news of the stage being held up not been the talk of the town when he had entered the saloon. Normally he would not have paid more than casual interest, but something about one man taking on an entire outlaw gang and outdrawing them all made him stiffen and listen closer. He soon had the confirmation he had feared. It wasn't everyday Kid Curry stopped a robbery by taking on 5 gunmen.

"So when were you going to tell me," Heyes said voice tight coming up behind his cousin as he stepped away from the stage.

The only reaction was a slight stiffening in Kid's shoulders and Heyes knew he was the only one who would have caught it.

"Your back early," Kid said turning.

God he looks awful, Heyes said almost forgetting to be angry. But then if I had to shoot 5 men I wouldn't be feeling too good myself.

"Kid what were you thinking? You know how deadly that line is! Hell we only robbed it once because of the risks!"

"What was I thinking?" Kid said exasperated. "I was thinking I needed to eat that's what I was thinking!"

"We are eating!"

"Yea with your money!" Kid grumbled picking up his gear and starting to walk again.

"Since when has it been my money or yours for that matter?" Heyes said almost having to run to catch up with him.

"Since we went straight," Kid said stopping and Heyes felt a sudden dread looking at the loneliness in his eyes. "Heyes I'm not your little cousin anymore, I haven't been for a long time, you don't have to keep thinking you gotta look after me."

Heyes looked embarrassed, "I never thought that, were just partners…"

"Well you don't need a partner anymore, we got amnesty, you can make it on your own, besides, I'm only gonna slow you down or worse."

Heyes caught his arm, "What the hell are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about that Slater fella was right, ain't much work for a man who is only good with a gun on the right side of the law."

"Is that the only thing you think you can do?"

"Heyes it’s the only thing I do well, you’re the smart one, you’re the one they are gonna want and my being around you is only a liability."

"Kid what are you saying?"

"I'm saying when you head down to Denver I'm not going. This isn't the work I would have chosen, but it pays well and at least I'm paying my own way."

And without looking back Kid Curry walked away.

*****************************

Curry didn't know why he chose ‘that’ saloon. It wasn't closest and Lord knows the town had enough to pick from, but he entered it after six years all the same almost expecting to see it the way he had been the last time he was there.

It was crowded, infamy doing that to a place, but he found a place at the end of the bar and ordered a beer instead of whiskey, not so much because he was watching his money as he didn't quite feel up to facing getting drunk alone right now.

Most of the room had recognized him when he entered and cleared a path. He was getting used to the whispers and subtle pointing, somehow being with Heyes made it less grating though. Heyes had a way of turning the room to their side. A grin, a comment, a drink here or there; Heyes called it public relations.

"I told you move easterner!"

Kid looked down at the bar and beer that had been knocked out of his glass by the small, spectacle wearing man at his elbow. He had been shoved into him and Kid closed his eyes for a moment wishing he had never given up his alias.

The man was clearly the product of a different world and the room licked its lips to see what Kid would do to the newcomer foolish enough to jar him, even on accident.

"Terribly sorry, can I buy you another, or perhaps a whiskey?"

He turned surprised to look down at the man who was smiling pleasantly, but not groveling. He met his eyes easily and didn't look away. The mustache for his face was too big and he was balding all ready, but there was a confidence and manliness about him that exceeded the more seasoned cowpokes in the room.

"No, not a problem, accident," Kid said returning to his drink.

The man smiled and leaned back on the bar with him as the room returned to itself, grumbling at the loss of free entertainment.

"You disappoint them sir, you should have least shot me seven or eight times and then dragged me through town behind your horse."

Kid found a smile forming, "Gun only holds 6 bullets and it’s too long a walk to get my horse."

The man laughed delighted, "Mr. Curry you really must keep up with your legend, from what I hear you don't even need to reload, you can take out three men with one bullet."

"Yea well this being a legend ain't all its cracked up to be," Kid sighed.

"I can imagine, Theodore Roosevelt, late of New York."

"Jedediah Curry, late of getting shot at."

"Yes I heard, good show on that skirmish, very wise of the stage company hiring a man of experience."

Kid looked at him surprised, "I think they were more desperate than clever."

"Modest, you are certainly not what I expected Mr. Curry, tell me do you know that man in the door way?"

Kid glanced over and recognized the flamboyant man instantly and rolled his eyes. "We've met, been a few years though."

"Is he trustworthy?"

"You got money?"

"Yes?"

"Then he's trustworthy," Kid said simply.

"Is that a recommendation?"

"Take it as a caution, Bill is a bit too flamboyant for my taste, but my partner thinks he's just got big ideas."

"Thank you Mr. Curry I shall consider your advice," and offering his hand Kid found himself taking it and feeling better for the meeting.

Or he did until his partner walked in.

********************************

He found him at THAT saloon, the 7^th one he had tried and the last one he would have picked. They had a plaque at the table where it had happened and the place was doing a thriving business milking the notoriety of a murder 6 years old.

The bar was crowded, but Kid had managed to keep a corner to himself as the patrons finding out who he was gave him a wide berth. It was easy to see why, hat brim down, brooding over his beer he looked dangerous as hell and in no mood for company, which didn’t stop Heyes for a second.

"All the saloons in Deadwood why the hell did you pick this one?" Heyes grumbled securing a beer of his own beside him.

"Figured you wouldn't come here," Kid said simply.

Heyes rolled his eyes, "Clever, but we need to talk partner."

"Nothing to talk about, you found your way, I got mine."

"Jed," Heyes said almost grabbing his arm he was so frustrated. "Do you any idea what the life expectancy of a guard on that line is? Now we've just hit a rough patch we'll work through it."

"Heyes I got news for you, I'm the fastest gun in the west, wanna know what the life expectancy for someone like me is?"

"All right lets just say you wanna kill yourself, fine, but what if you do get robbed? You know how fast people are gonna think you were in on it? They'll have behind bars so fast your head will spin."

"Heyes it's my life, such as it is."

"Oh and you wanna take me with you is that it? Cause you know if they arrest you they are gonna come sniffing around me just hoping!"

Kid almost smiled, Heyes knew how to hit hard and deep. He might not get through to him pointing out the risk to himself, but he knew Kid was vulnerable when it came to family.

"Nice try Heyes, but if something goes wrong you'll be far away in Denver. People gonna figure out soon enough we aren't partners anymore."

And draining his glass he walked out.

Heyes slammed his fist down on the bar causing the nearest patrons to give him a wider berth.

"Pardon my intruding, but would you be Hannibal Heyes?"

Heyes turned to stare at Roosevelt seated at a back table now alone.

"Not interested," Heyes said simply turning to leave.

"Your friend did me a favor earlier and I would like to return it."

"What kind of favor?" Heyes asked distracted watching the door and wondering if he should go after Kid or let him simmer down.

"He didn't blow me to kingdom come, the name is Roosevelt, Teddy to my friends."

"Easterner?" Heyes asked finally looking at the man.

"Once, I'm looking to buy a ranch here in the badlands, you work for Mr. Slater don't you?"

Curious Heyes pulled up a chair, "Word gets around."

"You don't strike me as a real estate man."

"Good money and its honest."

"Sometimes," Roosevelt said having a beer brought over and placed in front of Heyes. "A word of warning Mr. Heyes if you lie down with dogs you may get fleas."

Heyes took a sip of the fresh beer and considered this, "Usually people are referring to me and my partner as the dogs."

"You and your partner stole Mr. Heyes, but I get the impression you aren't dishonest. Don't lower your standards for respectability."

And rising he tipped his hat and left.

Heyes watched him leave considering his words and then his eyes lit on the empty table in the corner. Shaking his head he drained his beer determined not to think about it, but despite his decision the memory followed him out of the room.

As it had his partner.

***************************

DEADWOOD SALOON

AUGUST 2, 1876

"They'll be broke by morning," Heyes sighed having peeled off the last of the town money to his men and watching them stride away like they owned the place or shortly would.

"I'll just be content not to have to bail them out of jail," Kid sighed pulling off his hat and rubbing his forehead grimy from the heat and the trail. "So what now?"

"Find a saloon out of this heat and see if there are any talkative poker players who might have some useful information about that stage," Heyes said with more enthusiasm than Kid could stand.

"Heyes it is too hot to be in that good a mood. Hell it's too hot to do anything," Kid grumbled. "I'm gonna have a bath…in the ice house!"

"All right I'll meet you later," Heyes said eager to try his luck at the saloon and get out of the sun himself. "I'm gonna go see if I can get a place at one of Carl's if you need me.

Kid snorted, "Which one? He's up to 8 isn't he?"

"10, town has 22 now I hear," Heyes grinned as they walked past 'The Last Chance Bordello' in time to see a customer booted out the second story window for some offense. He lay for a moment at their feet looking up stunned and then quickly pulled up his trousers and took off running when the Madame of the house and her girl sent a few shots after him. Both men watched the drama amused tipping their hats to the ladies, who noticing them suddenly smiled coquettishly and invited them up.

Laughing and shaking their heads no they continued further into town careful to bypass games of chance being run out in the street and the fights that invariably broke out when a player was not satisfied with his luck.

The town had not changed since their last visit, in fact its wild lawless reputation had only been enhanced and both men were looking forward to enjoying all it had to offer.

But a good time was not the only reason Heyes and the Devil's Hole Gang had ridden into town. Heyes had heard enough about the Deadwood Stage and the amount of gold transported that he had decided it was time for them to collect their share. Each man had been told to try and pick up any information he could use on the stage and its runs while they hoorahed the town and Heyes was confident one of them would come back with the bit of information they needed to give them the edge.

"Nuttals and Mann's #10 Saloon," Kid read the sign above the building and then sidestepped a body as it flew out the window long ago deprived of any glass it had held.

"You'd think he'd get a little more imagination," Heyes said shaking his head disappointed.

"Why what would you name it?" Kid asked grinning.

"Number 104, make them think a bit," Heyes grinned back.

Laughing Kid waved a good bye and disappeared into the dust and chaos of the main street.

Heyes entered and headed for the bar first. Mann's was famous for one thing…cold beer. He kept ice in the cellar of each of his saloons and the beer was always cold even in the winter.

"Your money is no good here," a voice said as Heyes gratefully accepted the beer and moved to slip his quarter to the bar keep.

Recognizing the voice he took a long sip and then turned to face the red haired man grinning at him.

"Carl this just saved my life."

"Wyoming has made you soft boy, Dakota summers will make a man out of you."

Heyes laughed, "If you can live through them."

"So what brings the notorious outlaw leader into our fair city?"

"Men needed a break."

"Curry with you?"

"Yea, he'll be joining me later."

"Keep a short lead on him Heyes lot of men here just sit around waiting for that kind of reputation to walk in."

"He can take care of himself."

"So you keep telling me, ain't nobody that fast Heyes."

"He is."

"Maybe I'll mix him up with Hickok and we'll see, that might sell a few beers. Be interesting to see who is faster your boy or mine."

"Kid isn't my boy," Heyes said lightly, but his eyes were dark.

"All right, but I still say it would be interesting, Bill is the fastest thing in these parts."

"Is he here?" Heyes said looking around.

"Nope, will be later, that's his friend over there, the dark haired fella with the buckskin jacket, names Charles Rich."

Heyes glanced at the poker game, "Who are the others?"

"Interested in a game? Might join you myself if you're playing. Man with the pipe is Captain William R. Massey."

"Army?"

"Riverboat. Don't know those other two fella's but it looks like they're leaving, you want to take their spots?"

Heyes picked up his second beer, "I think I will, you coming?"

"And miss seeing Hannibal Heyes work? Never!"

Shaking his head amused Heyes led the way to the table and put his hand on the chair with its back to the wall. "Looks like you got space for another player?" he asked politely.

"Hold on my partner is sitting there," Rich said.

"Come on Charlie you know we don't save seats, when Bill gets here we'll find him a chair," Mann said firmly.

The man seem annoyed, but not willing to fight about it and Heyes slipped into the chair and anteed up.

******************************

I should have known this would be a mistake, Kid sighed to himself as he faced down the man across from him in the small entry room to the baths. He had been planning on returning to their hotel and have a tub brought up, but then knowing how desperate Heyes was for information had gone instead to the bath house hoping someone soaking might let some piece of information slip that they could use.

And now he was about to be drawn on, Heyes would not be pleased. As soon as his gun left his holster there would be no doubt as to who he was and thus who Heyes was. Any chance of them remaining incognito for the night would be over.

"No kill each other here!" the Chinese owner squealed from behind the counter where he passed out towels. "Take outside Wild Bill."

"Wild Bill Hickok?" Kid said impressed.

"Make a difference?" the man said pleasantly. He was about Curry's height, sporting two guns and a lace ruffle shirt he hadn't yet had time to button. "Hate to kill you before your bath, but the lady's honor and all."

Kid looked over at the 'lady' in question. To be perfectly honest he hadn't known she was female when he had walked over to her vat and asked to join her. The baths were crowded owing to the heat and each ‘tub could soak 5 easily. With the other three vats filled he had naturally gravitated to the less crowded one. Upon entering the men's area he had considered changing his mind, but the Chinese had told him that driver's from the stage came here and it was just too good a chance for information. With her short dark hair and baby face he hadn't realized her sex until she had emerged from the giant wooden tub screaming for Hickok and demanding he defend her honor. Now clad in a towel he realized his mistake, she was slender and boyishly built, but definitely female.

"Look I'm sorry about the lady, but she was in the men's area," Kid said calmly removing his glove all the same. He knew the man's reputation. Hickok was fast and accurate. He hoped to avoid finding out whom was faster, but he wasn't going to be caught off guard.

"Jane no belong in there, me tell!" the Chinese man said. "She looking for you Wild Bill!"

"He raped me with his eyes," Jane said haughtily. "Pistol whip him Bill."

"Hell Jane its too hot to even shoot him," Bill said quickly boring with the drama.

"Bill you gotta defend my honor!" Jane said. "Just shoot him a little."

"Aw hell Jane if it will get me some peace, Charlie's waiting for me at the poker game. Sorry friend, try to only wing you."

The man moved to draw and did in fact clear leather, but the gun instead of firing went sliding across the floor with the impact of Kid's bullet.

"Who the hell are you?" Bill said swallowing. No one had ever outdrew him, no one had ever even come close and this man had…

"Look lets just let it go, I just want a bath," Kid said.

"I at least deserve to know the name of the man who outdrew me," Bill said quietly.

Kid sighed and nodded, "Curry."

And holstering his gun he picked up his towel and walked out of the room.

"Bill did you see him! Kid Curry!"

"Shut up Janie," Bill said and she nodded and slunk out of the room. "You say one word about this China man and I'll drown you in your own dirty bath water," Hickok said shaken and angry.

Picking up his gun he finished dressing and hurried from the establishment. The hot sun felt good, a drink would help. Curry was wanted, he wouldn't go bragging about it, not if he didn't want every bounty hunter in town calling him out.

No, he just needed to shake it off. Curry taking his gun like that could have left him with a dead hand, but he had only hit the gun and he was mighty sure that had not been a lucky shot. He shuddered slightly trying to imagine how he would survive without a gun.

He needed a drink and a diversion.

****************************

"I ain't never seen anyone shoot that fast," Jane went on leaning over the tub on tip toe.

Kid opened one eye, "Aren't you afraid of my dishonoring you again?"

"Bill's good, he's real good. He always says you don't have to be fast, just accurate. He said take your time and aim, most folk get riled, they don't aim. You're fast and you aim, ain't never seen anything like it. You sure got to Bill, I ain't never seen him…"

"Do you have a name?" Kid said just to get a break in the unending stream.

"Martha Jane Cannary, but most folks call me Calamity."

"Well that's a surprise," Kid said eyes still closed.

"Your pretty and your smart like Bill, say clever things I mean…you got a woman Curry?"

His eyes opened, "Don't you think Bill is gonna be upset you talking to me?"

She brightened, "Ya think he will be? You think he might even be jealous?"

"Calamity I think he worries day and night about losing a prize such as you," Kid said dryly. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get dried off."

"Oh I don't mind ya nekkid, I've seen lots of men nekkid. Why once I dressed up as a man and not one of them fellas I rode with knew…"

"Yea well I mind."

"Modest are?" she said bending over and trying to see into the water. "Can't see why, look like ya got everything and enough of it."

"Calamity!"

"Where are you staying?"

"In town."

"Bet you're at the Flyer, that's the best hotel. Well be seeing you Curry!" she said attempting to sashay and still hold up the towel.

"Not if I see you first Martha Jane," Kid said firmly under his breath.

***********************

"Got room for another player?"

Heyes looked up at the man who had spoke and his first thought was professional gambler and then it shifted as his eyes noted his guns turned in on either side of his waist and recognized him for the gunman he was.

"Bill pull up a chair," Carl said giving Heyes a look and nodding.

"Be obliged if you'd change spaces with me," the man said to Heyes. "Prefer a wall at my back."

"Don't we all," Heyes said simply not liking the arrogance in the man's tone.

Normally Hickok would have pushed it, but the encounter with Curry had shaken him and mumbling the heat made it too wretched too start anything he merely gave Heyes a glare and pulled up a chair across from him.

So this is Wild Bill Hickok, Heyes said studying the man nonchalantly wondering how many of the stories about the man were true. About as many as I hear about me, Heyes decided wryly and then decided if that were correct the man was at least worthy of a little caution and respect.

Three hands into the game Heyes had won them all and as fresh beer was brought Hickok sat back and considered Heyes. "Didn't get your name stranger," he asked quietly lighting a cigar.

Heyes smiled, "Didn’t know it was required to play."

"Not, just like to know who I'm playing with, especially when he's that lucky."

"He's all right Bill, a friend of mine," Mann said, but it was clear he was enjoying the match up.

"You got a problem with me knowing?" Hickok said as the shadow from the door fell over him and a man entered and walked over to the table.

"Hannibal Heyes," Heyes said meeting his eyes.

And then the gun went off.

************************

Kid entered his room and as he set down his key he turned in once graceful movement gun drawn to face the bed.

"Took you long enough. No wonder you’re so fast with that pistol, dang near draw it every time you come into a room!"

"Calamity how did you get in here?" Kid sighed putting his gun away and staring at the girl sitting on his bed swinging her legs back and forth.

"Stole the key from the clerk, you like my dress? Store bought and everything!" she stood up and did a turn for him.

It was an ill fitting thing at best, but it did verify once and for all she was a woman, mainly due to the fact she hadn't bothered with much in the way of underclothes and it pulled tight against her chest.

"Why are you here Calamity?"

"Thought you might like to bed me."

The offer startled Kid almost as much as way it was presented.

"I thought you were Wild Bill's girl?"

"I am ceptin he don't know it yet."

Kid laughed and then swallowed it when she glared at him, "Oh and what this will get his attention? Or were you just planning on telling him I had my way with you against your will and getting him to call me out again to defend you? Sorry Calamity not buying it."

"No, wouldn't do that, I like you Curry, I really do. Your purty, just like Bill, come on," she said moving up in front of him. "Please?"

Kid looked down at her. It wasn't that she was unattractive, to be honest he had yet to meet a woman he couldn’t' find something attractive about. Or even her approach, he appreciated a woman who knew what she wanted and went after it, especially when it made a good time for him. But did he really wanna get tangled up in Calamity's little world of jealousy and games?

She sat back on the bed and smiled coyly, "Ya know you want me Curry, maybe I won't even go back to Bill if you treat me nice."

He swallowed. He was only human and they had been on the trail for a long time. Besides it was rather nice having a woman want him without demanding payment, soothed his male ego.

Heyes would be mad as hell him taking up with someone like Hickok's girl, even if she only believed it. Might be able to appease him by telling him he was just looking for information on the stage, but he doubted Heyes would buy it!

He bent down and pulled her against him and kissed her. The taste was not unpleasant, despite her stiffness and he let his hands slip down to cup her buttocks and squeeze her against his hardening manhood.

"You sure you want this Cal…Jane," he said kissing her neck and pushing her down onto the bed.

"Sure I do," she said her voice emotionless as Kid pulled off his gun and then sitting down began to remove his boots. "You gonna take everything off?" she asked.

"Well it is kinda hot," Kid said deciding this was strangest bedding of a woman he had ever had.

"Can't we just get it over with?"

"Your desire is warming my heart Jane, really," Kid said rolling his eyes and turning to see she had hiked up her dress and spread her legs, but left her bloomers defiantly in place.

There was something lonely and pitiful about her laying there and glancing up he realized her eyes were shut and her hands had gripped the bars of the headboard in a death grip.

With a sigh he stopped unbuttoning his shirt.