I got this idea after watching Hoss attack Adam on the episdoe "She Walks in Beauty". The words in italics are straight from that episode.
His Choice
Chapter One
The silence in the living room was almost deafening. Ben sat in his chair, his chin in his hands. Little Joe stood next the window staring off into space while Hoss leaned against the fireplace feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Hoss glanced towards the stairs and followed them up until they reached the top. He wished Dr. Martin and his assistant would hurry and come down and tell them Adam was going to be okay. "How could I have been so blind, so full of rage?"Hoss asked himself for the thousandth time as the scene between himself and Adam replayed in his mind…
"Hop Sing said you wanted to see me." Adam looked at Hoss wondering just what it was Hoss wanted, though he could see his brother was highly agitated.
"Yeah, where ya been?" He asked.
Where had he been? Hoss already knew the answer to that. Still, Adam answered the question. "Well, you know where I've been. I've been over to the Miller house to see Miss Amelia."
"Miss Reagen, ya seen her too, didn't ya?"
For a moment, Adam said nothing then he answered him with a question of his own. "You askin' me or tellin' me?"
That had did it. He had snapped. "I'm tellin' ya!" and then he'd swung.
Now, thinking about it in front of the fireplace, Hoss realized he should've given Adam a chance to explain why he'd seen Reagan and what had really taken place. But no, he's simply barked one sentence at a brother who had cared enough to try and help and then attacked him. He could still see Adam hitting the wall and then collapsing upon the floor, a trail of blood running down the side of his face. It was only then did Hoss realize that Adam had never once struck back.
Afterwards, when their Pa and Little Joe had carried Adam into the house, Reagan had shown up and finding out about the fight, between the two brothers, had been horrified into confessing everything and left. However, before she'd left, Hoss heard her whisper ever so softly, "I never meant for Adam to pay for my actions."
It was then the truth of her words; the truth that Adam hadn't been at fault, hit Hoss full force. Now, Hoss was scared to death what his former rage had done to his brother. Only when they heard footsteps on the stairs was Hoss' thoughts, and the thoughts of his Pa and brother, interrupted.
"Well, Dr? How is he?" Ben felt a great unease grip his heart, as it did Hoss' and Little Joe's as they looked at the solemn faced doctor and the assistant he was training.
The doctor looked at the three men and sighed before he answered the question. "He's not responding to the smelling salts. There's a chance he may have suffered a skull fracture. Even if he hasn't, there's a high chance that Adam might very well still have a serious head injury, Ben. If he does, you need to be aware that kind of injury can bring all sorts of consequences. What consequences, if any, he's suffered from this I can't tell you right now." He took a deep breath. He heard horrified gasps from all three Cartwright's, especially Hoss, who visibly cringed. "If he isn't responding by morning, we'll have to transport him to the hospital in Reno." He hated saying it, but he was not prepared to operate on anyone's head.
"May I sit with him?" Hoss asked before anyone had a chance to respond to the doctor's statement.
Dr. Martin looked at Ben; the man seemed to have aged fifty years. He looked at Joseph who, unintentionally, was glaring at Hoss. He then looked to Ben. "It's up to your father." He said at last turning his attention to the man who he knew was, for the most part, an overgrown boy in a man's body. "Someone should sit with him for sure." He then proceeded to give them a list of signs that would indicate that Adam's conditioned had worsened. If there was trouble they were to send for him right away. Dr. Martin and his assistant then left.
"Pa?" Hoss stepped away from the fireplace only to find Little Joe blocking his path. A look of pure disgust was on the younger man's face.
"Haven't you done enough?" The moment the words were out of his mouth, Joe's disgust fled and remorse for his unfeeling harshness took its place as a look of sheer pain appeared in Hoss' eyes. However, before he could apologize Ben had exploded.
"JOSEPH FRANCIS CARTWRIGH!" Ben was furious. Adam was lying in his bed seriously hurt because one brother had let anger over rule his thinking; Ben didn't need a second one doing the same thing. "Hoss did not do this on purpose! Now, we need to pull together, not fight each other. For Adam's sake," Ben said as he lowered his voice and turned away from his sons, "We can't start blaming anyone." Ben headed up the stairs. As he did so, he said, "You two can come and go as you please."
An uneasy silence fell between Hoss and Joe, as their father disappeared up the stairs. Joe knowing that, while he was angry that Hoss had not controlled his temper, he shouldn't have started in on him like he had. Maybe, if his brother was different, Joe might be justified, but he wasn't. Hoss had never intentionally hurt any person or animal in his entire life, and Joe knew it.
"He'll be fine." Joe finally spoke as he gave Hoss a weak smile. "Adam will wake up, and we can get back to business as usual. You'll see."
Hoss hung his head and turned back to the fireplace. He wanted to believe his baby brother, only it was hard when all he could see was Adam hitting the wall and falling helplessly to the ground. "I dunno. I hope so. Right now I feel as trapped as cornered fox." No more was said, as eventually, both brothers made it up to Adam's room and joined their father in waiting.
~oOo~
Author's note: If you have forgotten what the episode "She Walks in Beauty" was about go to You Tube and type (Bonanza) and ("She Walks In Beauty") into the search bar. It will bring it up, and you can watch it again. That is, as long as whoever put it up there doesn't take it down.