Matt Dillon stood up from his desk while he continued to review his assignment. A frown furrowed his brow as he realized that he'd be on the road for over a week to pick up prisoner Jason Barker and deliver him to Hayes, "Huh," Matt grunted, "I don't know why I'm the one to go after him," he said to himself.

Festus Haggen entered the jail house through the back door. He held a small pile of logs and twigs in his right arm and hummed as he did whilst he went about his chores.

Matt looked up at his deputy, "I thought you were going to bring wood in earlier," he said.

Festus didn't reply right away but instead set the wood down in the bin. He slowly looked over to Matt who was staring at him. A sheepish look washed over Festus' face and he fussed some.

"You were feeding those cats again, weren't you?" Matt asked.

"Wall..." Festus stalled.

"Festus, I've told you before that they are ferial and can live just as well without you! We don't need any pets in the jail house. Especially wild ones," Matt said.

Festus looked down at his toe as he poked at a stick, "I know that Matthew. It's just that they look so hungry and all," he said slowly looking up at his boss.

"Then send them over to Hank's livery stable. They'll get good and fat on the mice that live in there," Matt snorted.

Festus didn't have a come back; all he could do was to nod as if he was actually going to follow through with what Matt told him. Matt pursed his lips as he knew full well Festus wasn't going to do what he said about the cats.

The marshal walked back to his desk, "Look, Festus, I have to leave for a few days and I need your full attention on what's going on in Dodge. I can't have you worry about some stray cats!" he stated.

"Matthew, you know full well that I will watch out fer things around here!" Festus defended himself.

"Why is it that I want to say that I've heard that before?" Matt asked.

Festus stared at his boss, "Matthew, that's not fair! You know I'd do anything to protect Dodge!" he huffed.

Matt slowly smiled, "Yes, Festus, I do," he said walking over to the gun rack and unlocking the chain to select a gun.

"Goin' somewhere?" Festus asked.

Matt nodded, "I'll be gone for a few days. I'm to pick up a prisoner and see that he gets to Hayes," Matt said as he checked the rifle and re-locked the chain. "That means you are in charge," he said lifting his eyes to the hill man.

"Sure thang, Matthew!" Festus nodded. "You won't have a worry at all!" he smiled.

Matt looked over his shoulder to the hill man, "I've heard that a time or two, as well," he said with a hint of humour.

"Pshaw," Festus sputtered and swatted his hand in the air toward Matt. "You've been talking to Doc too much, that's what you've been doing," he said as he then set out to clean out the little wood stove.

Matt shook his head, "Just make sure I have a town to come home to," Matt said as he scooped up his equipment and headed to the door.

Festus looked up, "When did you say you'd be back?" he asked as his right eye scrunched up in question.

"I'd say by Friday," Matt stated and pulled the wooden door open.

"Friday," Festus repeated. "Can't see what could go wrong between now and Friday," he muttered to himself as he poked around inside the wood stove to loosen the ash and creosote build up. "Why Matthew listens to that old quackiedy quack all the time is beyond me," he continued to mutter.

Matt tossed his saddle over the back of Buck, just as Doc pulled his buggy into the livery stable. Doc tied the reins around the metal bar across the front of the foot rest and then stepped down. The old physician picked up his black medical bag and with a brush of his moustache he sauntered over to Matt. "Looks like you are heading out on an expedition," he quipped.

Matt looked over to Doc, "You might say that," he said pulling the cinch billet and setting the buckle.

Doc looked the horse over, "How long you gone for?" he asked in gruff way.

"About a week, Doc," Matt said as he then pushed the rifle into the boot.

Doc twisted his mouth in thought, "I assume that you left Festus in charge," he looked Matt in the eyes.

Matt nodded, "He knows what to do, Doc. Just go easy on him," Matt added.

Doc snorted with a slight laugh as he again drew his hand across his moustache, "Seems every time you go away and leave him in charge, all hell breaks loose around here!" he ticked his head.

Matt's arms dropped to his side, "Well just make sure it doesn't this time!" he said looking for some compassion from this friend.

Doc looked up from under his black felt hat, "That's a pretty tall order, marshal!" he snickered as he walked to the liver stable door.

"Doc!" Matt called out. "I mean it!"

Doc chuckled again, "Kitty and I will see what we can do to keep Festus out of trouble," he winked. Matt sighed, "Thanks. I think," he said as he pulled himself up onto his horse and left the stable.

Matt watched Doc walk up the street while other people were busy about their daily business. His eyes then shifted to the jail house where he heard the clatter of pipes from the wood stove, "I sure hope I have something to come back to," he said as he nudged Buck forward and rode out of town.

Doc pushed through the doors of the Long Branch Saloon, and although Kitty wasn't open for business, she had the coffee hot and always ready, "Oh, hi, Doc," she smiled as she watched her beloved friend cross the floor toward the table she was sitting at. "You look like you are about to burst!" she said noting the look on Doc's face.

Doc nodded as he sat down, "You are just about right," he declared poking his index finger down onto the green felt-covered table.

"Oh?" Kitty inquired.

"Matt's heading off on business," Doc stated.

"I know," Kitty said.

"And he's left Festus in charge!" Doc exclaimed.

Kitty tried not to laugh, "Doc. Festus is capable of looking after things," she swatted Doc's arm playfully.

Doc looked up, "You know full well that if Festus is in charge, something is going to happen!" he stated.

Kitty looked at Doc, "Maybe this will be different," she said in a flat voice, knowing Doc was right but the look on Doc's face showed the truth. "Sam. Two whiskeys," she called across the room. "This might be a long week," Kitty sighed.