Two

Kitty's absence and the voices in the next room drew Matt Dillon from sleep. He strained his ears to hear what they were saying. Using his arms he attempted to pull his body to rest higher on the pillows at his back. He was to weak to do more than slightly change his position. He ran splayed fingers through his sweat-moistened hair. The effort left him exhausted, but he was composed when the door opened and Dr. Harrington entered followed by Doc, Newly, Dr. Bledsoe and finally Kitty.

Harrington walked straight to Matt with an outstretched hand, "Marshal Dillon it is good to see you again, although I regret the circumstances."

Even the effort to say more than a few words sapped him of strength, "Thank you for coming." His voice a ghost of it's former self.

"Matt, as Doc Adams may have informed you earlier, I'm here to evaluate your condition, after which, I shall hopefully be able to propose a treatment plan to get you back on your feet. I'm going to examine you. I'll try to cause you as little discomfort as possible." Harrington turned to Kitty, "It may be best if you were to wait in the other room Mrs. Dillon."

Kitty shook her head, "No, I'll just stay back here by the window, out of everyone's way." Bracing herself with fingers wrapped around the back of a chair, Kitty watched as the specialist began his examination of Matt. She gritted her teeth as she observed Matt stoically wince, but when a groan escaped from his lips, she stepped forward and said, "Please stop, can't you see you're hurting him?"

Adams placed his arm around her waist, and said in a low voice, "Kitty, I want you to wait in the other room." She ignored Doc, her eyes remained focused on Matt. His pain was evident in the set of his jaw and the sweat beaded on his forehead. "Please… he's been through enough, please just let him rest." She begged.

Doc's hand slipped to her back as he applied pressure to make her move in the direction of the doorway, "Why don't you start a pot of coffee for us?"

Kitty flashed an angry look at her old friend, she was ready to give him a piece of her mind, when Matt said, "Go on now Kitty; it's alright." He smiled in an effort to reassure her.

"You're sure Matt?" she asked, and he nodded. She moistened her lips and replied, "all right then…" and left the room without a backward glance. Once the door was closed behind her, she leaned back against it with her arms folded across her chest rigidly. Finally she forced her tense muscles to relax and went about making the coffee. She found she was grateful for the task. Several times she heard the sound of Matt's groans coming from behind the closed door. Sitting down she fixed her gaze on the wall clock willing the hands to quicken their journey to lessen Matt's time in pain. Finally the door opened and the doctors walked out. Back on her feet, Kitty quickly poured and served the coffee while the medical men discussed her husband's case.

"There has been nerve damage, but it is always difficult to ascertain to what extent." Dr Harrington stated. Heads nodded around the room as Dr. Harrington continued, "Response to stimuli below the lumbar sacral spine is minimal at best. Given that, I still believe there is a good chance for a significant improvement."

"Define significant in this case." Doc requested.

"Galen, we have been studying the effects of a program of exercise and heat treatments along with deep massage of the tissue surrounding the injured area. We have observed marked success." Dr. Harrington said.

John Bledsoe's voice was controlled enthusiasm; "I've read something about that in my last medical journal, physiotherapy. It's still considered controversial, standard practice for this type of injury historically dictates complete rest, allowing the affected area time to heal."

Doc took off his glasses to study Harrington and then asked, "Do you think Matt would benefit from this aggressive treatment as opposed to a more conservative approach?"

"I am not one to use this word lightly but, yes Galen, I have seen it work miracles – even in cases where we thought there was no hope we have seen dramatic improvement. But – and I must be honest here – there have also been many cases of no improvement and the patient was forced to endure the sometimes painful treatment." The specialist admitted.

"Just a minute here!" Kitty finally spoke up, "What exactly are you going to do? Can you help Matt?"

"My dear, I am sorry. We did not intentionally mean to leave you out of this conversation." Dr. Harrington moved toward Kitty and placed his arm around her shoulder leading her to a chair. "Let me explain in more detail what I am proposing. The wound itself is healing nicely, however the bullet did a great deal of damage. The nerves in Matt's lower back have been injured. This is clear from my examination. He has most likely suffered several small fractures of the vertebral canal surrounding his spinal cord. Initially he lost a great deal of blood and there was much swelling. His condition in that respect has stabilized, although I fear the swelling has not completely subsided. My treatment plan would involve stimulating the nerves in his spine, and exercising the muscles so they do not weaken excessively due to inactivity."

Kitty lifted her chin and narrowed her eyes, "What did you mean about this being painful? Don't you think he's suffered enough?"

Doc stepped forward to answer Kitty's question, "How much more painful would it be if he were to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair?"

"Have you discussed this with Matt?" she asked.

Harrington nodded.

"And…?"

"He is willing to do anything that will give him a chance at walking again." Harrington disclosed.

She looked around the room at the faces of the men and noted their single-minded determination. With some effort she asked, "What can I do to help?"

GS GS GS

It had become part of Christopher's routine, as soon as Miss Burrow dismissed school, he would run to Hank's stable to check on Buck. At first Hank had kept a close eye on the little boy and the big horse, but it soon became evident a certain kinship existed between the two and he felt comfortable leaving them alone together. He had shown Chris how to apply the compresses to the horse's wound and liniment to his strained muscles. He encouraged him to talk to the horse. "Sometimes the most important thing about healing has nothing to do with medicines," the wise old horseman revealed. "Horses and people are a lot alike … both need to know someone cares they get better." Chris nodded in understanding. He was determined to make sure ol' Buck knew he cared about him.

The infection had sapped the strength from Dillon's horse. He stood in his stall with his head down, and his eyes drawn at a dull half-mast. At the child's voice he raised his head and his ears twitched forward in greeting. This day Hank had been working on a buggy harness, and was close enough to hear bits and pieces of the one-sided conversation Chris had with the old buckskin.

"Miss Kitty says he is a very important doctor, he's probably checking on Marshal right this very minute, and maybe he'll be all better by tonight!"

Hank's wrinkled brow deepened in a frown as he listened to the child's words. He had heard the rumors surrounding the arrival of G.L. Harrington, as well as the extent of the Marshal's injuries. Hank was well aware of Matt Dillon's chances of being healed anytime soon. The old man didn't feel it was his place to interfere, but he had grown fond of the youngster. He put down the harness and walked to the corner where the gelding was housed. Leaning against the stall door he said, "You know, sometimes it takes a while to heal…" Hank rubbed at his whiskered chin and then continued, "Look at ol' Buck here, you've given him the best care, but sometimes it just takes a mighty long time."

Chris was standing on a stool brushing the horse. He paused with the currycomb in mid-air to look at the old man. "I know, Mr. Hank," he admitted in a soft voice, "but Buck seemed mighty low and I just wanted to give him a happy thought to hang on to."

Wisely Hank realized the child was searching for something to hang on to as well. He smiled and replied, "I guess we could all do with a happy thought."