The Cartwrights sat silently in the den. Several moments of terse silence passed, until Adam spoke. "I just don't like it at all." Ben frowned, sipping at his coffee. "I don't either, son, but what can we do? Hoss is old enough to decide for himself who to court, and she's got no one to tell her what to do. Besides, we can't just throw her and the boy out into the streets." Joe smiled. "I think they're kinda...cute, in a way. Why, if I-" He was cut off by a blood-curdling shriek. Ben, startled, threw his cup and saucer to shatter upon the floor. Hoss raced in from the kitchen. "What's wrong?! What's wrong?!" Joe pointed upstairs. "Mama, Mama! Please, Mama, stop! It hurts, Mama Rose!" Michael's shrieks resounded throughout the home. Without another word, the Cartwrights raced up the stairs, Hoss in the lead. Reaching the child's door, he slammed it open and was stunned at the sight that met him. The child shrieked and tore at the sheets as Rose flexed his leg. Tears cascaded down both their cheeks, his of pain and hers of pity. They all gasped at the sight of his afflicted limb. Scarred from the knee down, his foot missing two toes, it was a painful sight to behold. However, Hoss was undaunted. He cursed under his breath and made his way towards them. "Six...seven...eight...nine...ten!" Countdown complete, Rose gently eased his leg back to the bed. Hoss sat gingerly beside him. "Hey, lil' buddy. I see your leg's doing a lot better than when I last saw it." The child whimpered in response. Hoss cradled his head in his lap. As he comforted him, Rose explained her actions. "Physical therapy. The doctor back home said it'd help to keep his leg from stiffening up under all of the scar tissue forming there. It hurts him bad, but it's better than being a complete cripple. I apologize for disturbing you." Ben cleared his throat in an futile attempt to dislodge the lump forming there. "No problem, Miss Gentry. You and Hoss had told us he was injured in the fire, but I had no clue it was this bad." Rose dabbed her eyes with the corner of her dress and replied. "Sir, if this looks bad, you'd hate to be in my shoes. I've had to look at it every day." Ben nodded and sighed shakily. Gesturing to his eldest and youngest sons, he turned and led them from the room. All that remained were Hoss, Rose, and the child. Hoss forced a smile to his face."Say, buddy, do you like candy?" Michael nodded eagerly, and he continued. "How's about you and your ma and I head into town today, if you feel up to it? I've got a hankering for the biggest sack of candy that money can buy! Besides," he grinned, turning to Rose," You two need some new clothes, shoes, and the like. How bout it, Rosie?" She smiled and hugged him tightly. "Oh, you mean it, Hoss? Oh, I haven't had a new dress in ever so long!" "Well, it's settled then. Get dressed and eat a quick breakfast while I hitch up the team. We're heading to town!"