A/N: Title phrases taken from "The Sounds of Silence" by Simon and Garfunkel

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

In the original episode, the scene opens upon the Nevada State prison. There we learn of the release of John Postley after serving 1&1/2 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Later at the Ponderosa, a discussion reveals that the jury convicted Postley upon Ben's testimony - Ben saw him near the site of the crime on the night in question. Ben feels terrible about this, and Joe tries to convince him that there was nothing else he could have done, as he accurately reported what he saw.

Postley comes by the Ponderosa later to see Ben, and tells him that he holds no hard feelings. They visit for a short time, and when Ben offers help to Postley if needed, Postley indicates that he would appreciate a dinner invitation. Hop Sing is away but Ben obliges, and tells Hoss, Joe, and Candy that they will need to cook a great dinner for Postley - chicken, dumplings, the works.

(In the original, Hoss and Joe are sent to check the line camps and must miss dinner. Ben's original co-detainee is Candy, and I would like to include a shout-out for David Canary before beginning. He did a bang-up job in this episode.)

Prologue

Adam let Hoss mourn the lost chicken and dumplings for nearly a full minute and a half before his middle brother's disappointed pout overcame his desire to draw things out. Laughing, he leaned back into his chair and stretched his legs.

"Pa, I think I can take care of those line camps. No need for Hoss to miss a chance at dumplings." Ben Cartwright didn't cook many things well, but their pa had learned dumplings at Inger's hand and they were generally exceptional. Adam would be a little disappointed to miss them, himself—but he'd been feeling crowded lately, as he did every now and again, and a couple of days' solitary riding really did seem like just the thing. Hoss brightened.

"Ya mean it, Adam?"

"Yes, Adam," their father intoned around his pipe, frowning. "Are you certain? You went the last time, if you remember."

Hoss frowned anxiously, but Adam only grinned. "Yeah, I'm sure. Wouldn't mind a chance to get out on my own for a while."

"Your own?" Joe, who had been slumped across the settee chewing morosely at a thumbnail, straightened. "Does that mean I get to stay too?"

"Joseph …" Ben started, but Adam nodded.

"Don't see why not."

This time, it was Adam pinned by the dark gaze. "This is usually a two man job. I don't—"

"It'll be fine, Pa." Adam waved away his father's concern. "It's not a hard ride. Weather's been good, I don't expect any trouble."

Ben hesitated only another few seconds, then shrugged and settled back into his chair, taking another long draw on his pipe. "All right, son. If that's what you want."

"I do, thanks."

"Yippee!" Hoss crowed, bouncing on the settee and squashing Little Joe against the far corner. "Chicken and dumplings!" He grinned across the room. "Thanks, Adam, I sure owe you."

Adam offered a half-smile in response, as Joe used his feet to shove Hoss back onto his side. "Yeah, thanks, big brother." The youngest Cartwright's grin flashed. "I'd offer to save you some, but with Hoss at the table there probably won't be any left …"

Hoss chuckled, fending off Joe's feet. "Now, Shortshanks, that wouldn't be sportin' of me, would it—not after older brother here offered to take my place an' all. We can put some back for him in one of the coffee cups before we eat."

"Thanks," Adam murmured dryly, peering at the dainty china cup in his hand before taking another swallow of coffee. Ben leaned forward.

"Joseph, get your feet off the couch!"

"I can't! Pa, he won't—" Hoss had trapped both of Joe's booted feet in one hand, and was in the process of slowly shoving his younger brother headfirst over the arm of the settee. Joe yelped, trying to brace himself. "Pa! Get him off me!"

Adam closed his eyes, wishing that would block out Joe's distinctive cackle as well. He loved his brothers, but they made so much noise … Ben Cartwright snorted softly, shook his head, and reached for his own coffee cup. "Son," he murmured to Adam, taking a sip, "if I didn't have a dinner guest tomorrow night, I'd consider joining you."

He favored his pa with a rueful grin, and continued their previous conversation beneath the racket of his brothers' play. "Actually, I thought I'd take Candy along. See what I can find out." In truth, that plan had only just occurred to him … but now that it had, he couldn't dismiss it, no matter how much he'd been anticipating some time to himself. Their foreman was a good man, but he had a restless streak that made Adam feel positively settled—and by all accounts, seemed lately as though he was ready to drift again any day. Ben nodded.

"Yes, good idea." The elder Cartwright hesitated. "He's an excellent hand, I don't want to lose him permanently. If you do manage to get him talking, and you think a couple of months off would help matters …"

He had been thinking the same. "Thanks, Pa. I think it might."

Joe finally hit the ground with an indignant yelp, landing hard enough that the room shuddered and set the chandelier to jingling. Hoss's loud guffaws echoed against the walls around them. Ben retreated into his chair, muttering around the stem of his pipe.

Adam closed his eyes, took another long sip, and ignored them all.