Here it is, the final chapter! I hope ya'll have enjoyed this story. Now you know what I was saying in the first chapter when I said "This probably won't follow the story line because I don't really know when..." Now I can finsh it. Because I don't really know when Joe killed his first man. Thanks for reading. Disclamer: I still own nothing.

CHAPTER 7 Home Sweet Home

Joe could barely remember the ride home. He had been out cold most of the time. All he could remember was Adam's worried face and Jasmine fussing over Jason and Jasmine's wounds.

It had taken them two hours to get home he was later told. Ben had been worried sick and he showed them the ransom note.

"What happened?" he had asked as he hugged Adam and Joe.

Adam had told Ben everything that had happened and Ben had thanked Jason and Jasmine over and over for trying to save his sons.

Joe had just stood their, staring into the distance. He didn't even hear when Hoss asked him if he was all right.

Ben had sent a ranch hand after the doctor. After checking on Jason and Adam's wounds, he declared that they would be all right in a few days.

"But I'm worried about Joe." Doctor Paul Martin told Ben as he exited Joe's room. "He's been through a lot. He's in shock."

"But he'll be all right. Won't he Paul?" Ben asked worriedly.

"Hard to say Ben." Paul said honestly. "He's a strong young man. But this just might push him over the edge. It could take days, months, even years. Or he may never get over it."

"You mean," Hoss spoke up from beside Ben, "He'll just be a shell living, but not here."

"Yes Hoss." Paul nodded sadly, "That's just what I mean."

"What can we do to help him?" Ben asked.

"Show him love and talk to him is all I can suggest."

"Thanks Paul." Ben sighed.

"You're welcome Ben. I hate to run off, but I have other patients."

"Bye Paul." Ben and Hoss said, walking into Joe's room.

Joe was lying on his bed, but he turned toward Ben and Hoss as they walked in.

"How are you feeling Joe?" Ben asked, sitting beside his sun.

"Fine." Joe replied. "But Pa, I keep seeing that man as I killed him!"

"It's all right Joe." Ben replied, pulling Joe into his arms. "We're here for you."

The sound of someone on crutches came to their ears and they all looked as Adam hopped in. He sat down beside Hoss on his bed.

"You ok Joe?" he asked.

"I'm fine." Joe replied with a small smile. "I am now at least."

And he was as he sat on his bed with his family. The shock was still their, but he felt much better. The pain would never fade from the man he had killed, but he would soon go back to normal.

But he would always remember his first man.

THE END.