"Judge Brooker is ready," Newly said a short while later opening the door to the Judge's office.

Joe, Mark and Hal went in first followed by their fathers as Festus hung back with Robert.

As the boys took seats in front of Judge Brooker's desk, Matt and Festus along with the boy's fathers waited near the door.

"Who's responsible for these boy," Brooker said looking at the four young men.

"Governor Adam Cooper, your honor," Cooper said putting a hand on Joe's shoulder. "My son Joseph."

"I'm Harold Holland, sir," Holland said stepping forward. "These are my boys, Mark and Hal."

Brooker nodded as he turned to Robert. "And this young man?"

"He's my ward," Holland said taking out a package of papers, he handed them to the Judge.

"Since when," Robert said jumping up. "I never agreed to that!"

"You didn't have to," Holland said angrily. "With you mother being deceased and having no father to speak of, someone has to take responsibility for you!"

"That's where yer wrong," Festus said tensely stepping forward. "Robert is my son, Judge!"

Holland's eyes widened in surprise as he focused on the deputy Marshal's badge. "Since when?" he asked incensed.

"Deputy Haggen," Brooker said slightly surprised. "You have proof of this?"

"Yes, sir," Festus said handing the Judge April's letter. "That there letter is from his Ma ta me."

Brooker quickly scanned the letter before passing it to Holland. "Well, Mr. Holland," Brooker said evenly. "Would you like to contest Deputy Haggens challenge of paternity."

Holland read the letter before passing it back to the Judge. "What difference does that make," he said harshly. "Anyone could have written that letter, it don't prove anything. That boys been under my care his whole life."

Brooker took a moment to consider the circumstances before speaking. "What about you, young man," Brooker said speaking directly to Robert. "Your old enough to make your own decision. If you had to choose between going back to Colorado with Mr. Holland or staying here in Dodge with Deputy Haggen, which would you prefer?"

"I'd like to stay here, sir," Robert said looking at Festus. "With my father!"

Festus nodded as Robert retook his seat.

"Alright," Brooker said tearing up the papers Holland gave him. "I'll issue a new order of custody to Mr. Haggen by the end of the day. But first, there's a little matter of theft and kidnapping charges to deal with," he said making eye contact with all four of the boys. "Since you all are under sixteen, there isn't much the law will allow me to do but make you pay restitution for what wasn't recovered when you were arrested."

Joe, Mark and Hal all smiled at one another as their fathers nodded.

"Marshal Dillion has the final count of how much will be needed to clear this matter up, however," Brooker said sternly. "Make no mistake, this doesn't mean your getting off easy. I'm going to send a telegram to the courts in your Home Counties. Any more incidents of trouble from any of you and you will face jail time, understand!"

"Of course, your honor," Cooper said with a grin. "But boys will be boys, it's no different than when we were young and wild."

"While that's true Governor," the Judge said harshly. "Only children of lesser means resorted to stealing when I was growing up!"

Matt grinned as the Judge gathered up his papers and then turned to the Marshal. "I'm though here Matt," he said with a wave of his hand. "You may release these boys to their fathers now!"

Robert stood up and turned to face Holland. "I will see to it that your held accountable for what happened to my mother," he said quietly. "And don't think I've forgotten about my grandfather's house and land."

"You obviously abandoned it," Holland said with a grin. "I took that over after you left! It's all legally mine now!"

"I hate you," Robert said vehemently stepping up to meet Hollands eyes. "I should have killed you that day!"

"Get out of my face boy!" Holland said putting a hand near his revolver.

Matt stepped between them as Festus took Robert's arm.

"You pull that gun and you'll be dealing with me," Matt said shooting the man an angry look.

Holland returned the look before taking Mark and Hal's arm's. "Let's go to the hotel," he said seething with anger as he pushed the boys out the door.

"Governor," Matt said with a nod as Cooper and Joe followed Holland out the door.

"Now," Festus said looking at Robert. "Ya want ta tell me what all that was bout?"

"The house we lived in and the land belonged to mother's parents," Robert said sadly. "When she went home, only her dad was living. After he died, she inherited it. I think the reason why Holland was so interested in helping us and giving her a job was so he could get his hands on the house and land."

"Wal," Festus said thoughtfully. "Why didn't he just offer ta buy it?"

"Mother wouldn't sell," Robert replied evenly. "She was keeping it for me."

"Why was it so important to Holland then?" Matt asked curiously.

"The water for his ranch, Marshal," Robert said quickly. "It came from an under ground spring on our land. Without that water, Mr. Holland would be out of business."

"Don't ya worry bout it right now, son," Festus said with a nod. "We'll get it taken care of."

"Yeah," Matt replied tipping his hat up. "Perhaps, Newly could look into it, he's been studying the law."

"Sure can," Festus said patting the boy on the back. "But I think it's time ya met the rest of yer family now."

"Family," Robert said with a grin. "I never had any family but mother."

"Boy," Festus said with a nod. "Yer in fer a big surprise!"

*I have to take a minute here and remember hurricane Katrina! It changed my life and it was 10 years ago tonight that we watched and waited for it to turn and it didn't! Now as we watch Erika, I wonder the same thing tonight! Pray for the gulf coast and my home in Mississippi!*