It's safe for everyone unless you hate snakes!

Title: Rattlers
Author: Snickersmobo
Rating: G
Warnings: If you have a fear of snakes don't read this (written by
someone who will scream at the site of one.)
Summary: Heyes' phobia of snakes comes too close to home.
Fandom: ASJ
Archive: Not yet.
Critique: Constructive stuff and drive bye's are always welcome.

Need a beta I do!

Disclaimer: No one as handsome as these men would go home with me
so I'm not making any money here. <g>

Dedicated to Jeanie and Razor with love and Cabaret for the complete
inspiration for the insanity.

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"The only reason you want to go to Crossing Range is for Penny,
Kid." Heyes was exasperated. "We don't need to leave here for
another week so why not stay and make some money at poker?"

"Come on, Heyes. You can play poker at Crossing Range where the
women are prettier and the men are dumber." Kid was pushing for
this trip.

"Okay, okay, you win. Crossing Range it is. We'll leave right
after breakfast." Heyes gave in to his partners whining, knowing he
wasn't going to stop until he got his way.

*'Sides he's right about the women and men.* Heyes kept the thought
to himself with some satisfaction.

After routine good natured arguing about the best way to get to
Crossings Range, Heyes gave in again to Kid. He was so stubborn at
times that when the matter wasn't pressing he let Kid plan the
trips.

So after breakfast they loaded up the horses and packed extra
canteens of water and food for it was going to take four days to get
there. Heyes sighed as he thought about sleeping outside. He
didn't care for it, but then neither did Kid.

*At least the weather is warm enough for it.* Heyes thought..

They stopped their horses for a minute after a few hours riding to
take in some water. Heyes was uncapping his canteen when he heard
the telltale rattle. A gun shot rang out. His horse whinnied and
reared up on his hindquarters. Heyes didn't have time to grab the
reins so he fell backwards off. Heyes hit the ground on his back
landing right on top of the snake, feeling it through his Henley.
He jumped up faster than Kid ever thought anyone could move, turning
to see if it was dead. It was.

Heyes eyes were wide with amazement at how close he came to be
bitten. "That was mighty fine shooting. Thank you."

"At least we have fresh meat for dinner. And you tenderized it when
you flattened I bet."

Heyes looked at the snake, next at kid, and then back at the snake
not liking the idea of eating *that* particular snake. "I don't
like rattler and you know it."

"Yeah, you do. It tastes just like chicken." Kid smirked.

Heyes was hardly amused as they ate the rattler that night. It
didn't sit well on his stomach. He had let Kid skin and cook it
though. He wanted to make sure it was plenty dead.

The next morning (after a breakfast of leftover rattler to Heyes
dismay and Kid's laughter) they moved off into the mountains. They
should have been alone in these parts, but they weren't. Whoever
they were and how they knew who they were neither knew. But
suddenly this huge posse started chasing them.

Heyes let Kid lead since he wanted to go this way in the beginning,
but it probably wouldn't have mattered who lead. They had been
chased by some of the best posses a few too many times so they both
instinctively would have picked the same trails.

When sundown came and they stopped to rest themselves and horses,
Kid handed out more rattler.

"Kid how big was that snake?" Heyes didn't think he could manage
another bite for he had been nauseous since the night before. He
didn't want Kid to know and worry about him so he forced it down.

"Eight feet maybe?" Kid replied knowingly as Heyes face paled and
he the threw snake meat back at Kid. He didn't remember it being
that big, but then his adrenaline had been pumping something
fierce.

Heyes was bone weary exhausted barely managing to keep in the
saddle. Kid didn't look any better slouched in the saddle the way
he was. Kid and he had been riding for three days escaping the same
posse. Just when they thought they lost it, the dust would rise and
the eight horses and their riders would thunder into view. Neither
had time to see if there was an Indian with the posse, but they both
silently agreed to themselves that there was. It was the only way
the posse could track them over rock.

*Who are these guys?* Heyes wondered.

After a bit they were traveling slowly since the trail they were on
was difficult to ride. They were running out of ideas. The sudden
rattle spooked Heyes' horse and it reared on its hindquarters.
Had Heyes not been so tired he might have stayed on, but instead he
rolled a backword somersault off landing on his stomach to stare
straight at the mad snake hissing in his face. Kid fired and Heyes
was too scared to move. The snake jumped to strike, but Kid's
bullet found its mark as it struck the snake, then the rock it was
lying on, and ricocheted past his eyes again. Heyes felt the heat
from the bullet on his face as he closed his eyes while the snake
spewed all over him.

"Heyes! Heyes." Kid kneeled down next to him. It happened so fast
Kid wasn't sure the snake didn't bite him.

Heyes was panting and shaking hard as he opened his eyes to the
sound of Kid's voice.

"Did it bite you?" Kid looked at him all worried like.

"No." Heyes gasped. He attempted to stand, but his legs wouldn't
cooperate so he fell on his butt with a thud.

"You're not looking too good, Heyes." Kid told him helpfully.
Trying to lighten the mood he added. "So what plan went through your
mind?"

Heyes stared back at Kid incredulously. "What was going through my
mind was that I was a goner for sure. Between your bullet and the
snake in my face, I thought I was dead."

Kid realized how scared Heyes had been and still was. "I had no
choice to fire Heyes. That rattler would have bit you for sure if I
hadn't."

Heyes was still shaky and pale. "I know. I know. Now I also know
how those other gunslingers feel when you pull your gun and shoot
near them. It puts the fear of God into you I tell you."

Kid took out a cloth and wet it with water from his canteen and
handed it Heyes. "You have snake guts all over your face."

Heyes cleaned himself up. "Thank you." Not for the wet cloth, but
for the save, but he didn't have to say that because he knew Kid new
what he meant.

"You okay enough to shoot since I need to get your horse. Posse
probably heard the shot."

Heyes looked at his hands which were slightly tremoring, but he
thought he could manage. "Yeah, I can shoot."

Kid was back much faster than Heyes thought it would take. "Posse's
coming in fast from below. The trail and rocks will slow them down,
but we need to move now."

Heyes pulled himself to his feet and with a boost from Kid he was
back in the saddle. Kid hopped on his horse and off they went to
lose the posse.

*Who are these guys?* Kid wondered.

That night was short on sleep for both of them. They had to keep a
look out so Kid told Heyes to get some sleep first. The day's
fright had rendered Heyes quiet and he still was pale.

Heyes came to with a start sitting straight up startling Kid with
his cry of distress.

Kid was there in a second. "Heyes, what's wrong."

Heyes was all wild eyed Kid could see in the moonlight. Heyes
searched the ground certain he had heard a rattle.

Kid grabbed his head and looked into his eyes. "Heyes, what's
wrong?" He never had seen Heyes quit so `rattled' so to speak.

"Snake. I heard a damn snake is what's wrong." Heyes replied
angrily.

Kid kept staring at Heyes willing himself to get through. "I've been
here the whole time. There's no snake I'm telling you."

"No snake?" Heyes asked.

"No snake." Kid removed his hands from Heyes face. Heyes was still
spooked and told Kid to go to sleep for he knew he was done for the
night. What he didn't say was that Kid missed the snake in his
dream.

They were up before the sun rose to eat breakfast and when it was
light enough they were riding out. They heard the horses in the
distance, but the noise faded through the day. They never saw the
accompanying dust storm.

Heyes was reluctant to sleep that night so he told Kid to get some
sleep first. If he felt tired he'd wake Kid. Sure enough into the
night Heyes was drifting off so he woke Kid.

This time when Heyes woke with a start he moved away when Kid came
near him.

Kid was puzzled at the fearful look on Heyes' face. "Heyes, snap out
of it."

Heyes was staring at him in shock.

He tried again to console his friend, but Heyes kept staring at his
gun while moving away. "Damn it Heyes! What is with you?"

The shouting seemed to have worked for Heyes to bring him out of his
fright. "Kid?"

This time Heyes didn't move when he came forward. "What did you
dream now?"

"Snake again. That stupid snake." Heyes didn't tell Kid that in
this dream Kid missed the snake and hit him at the same time the
snake bit him. It was as if he completely relived the scene over
with the worst possible outcome.

"Well, it's near enough time to get up anyway so I'll get the coffee
going." Heyes reached for the canteen of water.

Both were amazed that there was no sound of hooves pounding or sites
of dust balls flying as they kept pushing themselves and their
mounts. They had run across a steam where they filled their
canteens and discussed staying since water meant food. Heyes was
reluctant to stay, but since it was a day and half away from the
next town, he knew there wasn't a choice. This was the best place
to hole up for a rest.

Kid looked thoughtfully at his friend. He tried to put himself in
Heyes place to see how the events that happened could affect him
so. Heyes was exhausted and reticent. Kid kept trying to start a
conversation, but Heyes was having none of it. Kit was frantic with
worry for Heyes was not himself.

"Tell you what, Heyes; I'm going to see about some dinner, so why
don't you take a nap. You sure look like you could use one." Kid
hoped Heyes would comply. Being tired on the trail was dangerous as
they both rediscovered recently.

"Kid that a mighty fine idea." With that Heyes threw down his
bedroll and was asleep in minutes.

Kid was lucky to bag a small deer within a half hour. As he was
dragging it into their camp, Kid stopped in horror at the site
before him. This particular rattler decided he was going to sun
himself on top of Heyes.

Kid had no idea if Heyes had already been bitten, but was praying
not. What was he going to do? Kid lowered himself to the ground
and low crawled to close the distance. For the first time he was
very worried about his aim. The shot was sure to startle the
snake. If he was off by the tiniest of margins, he could miss the
snake and hit Heyes. He hoped Heyes wouldn't startle at the shot
either and move into his bullet. With dread in his heart he fired
from the ground.

If Kid was worried about Heyes he didn't need to be. He was quite
aware of the rattler coiled on top of him. He woke up as it crawled
across his chest to perch itself on him. It had seemed forever and
day before he heard Kid return. He had his eyes closed for he had
no desire to get so up and close and personal with another rattler
again. It was a strain physically and mentally not to move.

*Come on Kid, shoot it now!* He shouted mentally to Kid.

He braced himself for whatever was going to happen next. He heard
the shot and willed himself still. He of all people knew how hard a
shot it was going to be for even Kid. He felt the snake jump and
land back on top of him. And he couldn't take it anymore.

Heyes jumped up cursing while throwing the rattler off himself. He
walked several paces before falling to the ground, his strained and
shaky legs not supporting him. He retched his breakfast and
probably yesterday's food as well. So sick he never noticed Kid by
his side holding his head up. Finally he stopped dry-heaving and
would have landed in his own stuff if Kid didn't have a hold of
him.

He became aware of three things at once. First Kid was talking to
him, the second he had been hit, and the third was that he had been
bitten.

The entire trip had been one long nightmare and Heyes responded to
the intense stress (and of course the gun shot to his side and the
snake bite) by having a good case of the shakes, sweats and hard
breathes.

Kid picked him up and moved him well away from the area. As he did
this he saw the stain spreading on Heyes' shirt.

He cursed silently his lack of aim on the one time it mattered
most. Kid laid him down and ripped open Heyes shirt. He was
relieved to see it was a scratch. Kid ran for the whiskey they kept
for these occasions and poured in on the gash. Heyes came awake his
scream silenced by Kid's hand over his mouth. When Heyes stopped
thrashing, Kid pulled his hand away. Heyes was sweating something
fierce.

Both were surprised when Heyes rolled over dry-heaving again. Kid
patted his back and made soothing noises. When it was over Kid
rolled him onto his back. Heyes looked really bad. He had three
major shocks to his system in a few short days upon already being
dead tired from the chase. Kid knew he needed rest, but with Heyes'
luck with rattlers lately, he wanted to push forward to get to town.

"Heyes, you think you can ride?" Kid ventured.

"Kid, I don't think I'm up for anything." Heyes added with a sense
of wonder and dread. "You shot me."

"It's a gash, Heyes. No bullet to get out of you for once." Kid
was feeling guilty anyway.

"You shot me." With that Heyes passed out.

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Heyes' fever was high as Kid tried to cool him down with cool wet
rags. The past few days he had been delirious with sweat and fever
and shakes. Several times he threw up not even aware Kid was
there. Heyes was now mumbling `you shot me' over and over and Kid
was wondering what he was dreaming. It couldn't have been about him
for he'd never shoot Heyes. Kid reasoned it was the fever. Heyes
was sick every year and each time Kid had to sit with him for it was
dangerous to let anyone else do so. Heyes was known to talk while
in a feverish state and from past experience he would talk about
them, the bank jobs they had done and jobs he wanted to do. So Kid
stayed with him until he was well. This was a particularly bad case
lasting the longest he could remember and there were a few nerve
wrecking bad days where he worried himself sick thinking Heyes was
going to die.

A few hours later Heyes' fever broke and he woke with a yelp, making
Kid jump.

*Every time Heyes is sick he has weirder and weirder dreams* Kid
thought.

"Heyes, what the heck are you doing?" Kid watched as Heyes pulled
back from him, his eyes frantically searching the floor and finally
resting on Kid's gun belt attached to his hip.

Kid moved to calm him and Heyes scooted backward falling off the bed
with a thud.

Kid realized he must have dreamt something bad to upset him this
much so he stayed where he was, waiting for Heyes to calm down on
his own.

It was several minutes before Heyes spoke from the ground and he
sounded dazed. "Kid, where are we?"

"Landon's Junction. You took sick like you do every year." Kid
looked down worriedly at Heyes.

"I didn't get bit by a snake?" Heyes asked suspiciously..

"No, you most certainly did not get bit by a snake." Kit enunciated
each work for Heyes was still wild-eyed from being sick and whatever
else was ailing him.

"And you didn't shoot me?" Heyes asked cautiously.

"I, Did. Not. Shoot. You." Kid pronounced each word as a sentence.
He was horrified to think Heyes thought he shot him.

"Darn Heyes, what the heck were you dreaming about this time?" Kid
asked softly. It was clear Heyes was very upset.

He didn't answer as he rose from the floor checking himself for
snake bites and gunshot wounds.

Finally he sat down on the bed running his hand through his hair
looking as miserable as can be. Kid waited patiently for Heyes to
tell the story.

*This is going to be a whopper of a dream* Kid smiled inwardly for
he loved his tales even though he hated Heyes suffering through them.

It was another few minutes before Heyes spoke his voice giving away
his shock.

"It wasn't a dream trust me. It was a nightmare. Kid, I swear I
thought it happened it was so real. See it was like this….." Heyes
proceeded to tell him the tale of the rattlers (Of course
conveniently forgetting his fear).

The End








.
m trying to figure all these lists out!