The night had gotten cooler and the rain had stopped. The street was muddy. Doc reached the alley between his office and the Long Branch Saloon and the stairs that lead up to his office. He looked up to the top of the staircase just as Ellen Jonas entered the building, so she could be with her husband.

Doc's shoulders slumped and he sighed before he stepped down into the muddy alleyway and continued to walk to the stairs where he decided his feet felt heavier than usual. Slowly Doc climbed the stairs and quietly opened the door and stepped through into the room. He noted the two deputies near the side window.

Ellen Jonas was sitting in the chair she moved over next to the examination table where Wilbur Jonas still lay unconscious. She held Wilbur's hand and didn't take her eyes off him. She watched his chest rise and fall and each time she willed him to wake up.

Festus and newly remained silent and stood by the wood-stove watching Mrs. Jonas. Newly looked over at the hill man and saw the sadness in his eyes; not for just the Jonas' but for Doc as well.

Doc felt even worse but quietly walked over to Wilbur Jonas and gently lifted his wrist, while pulling his watch from his vest pocket. Doc seemed satisfied that the store owner's pulse was more regular than it was previously.

Doc slowly walked past Ellen Jonas and then gently placed his hand on her shoulder, "You have all the right in the world to be angry with me," Doc said just as Matt opened the door to the office. The marshal removed his hat, "How is he, Doc?" he asked of Jonas.

Doc looked down at Ellen whose eyes were glued to him, "His pulse is better, but I won't know more about his leg until later."

Matt nodded," Let me know if you need anything."

"I will Matt," Doc said and then looked over to Festus and Newly, who stood by the window, "You can both go for the night, too." Festus was about to say something when Newly noticed, "Good night Doc," the young deputy said as he grabbed Festus by the arm and moved to the door. The three lawmen left the office quietly.

Doc nodded and walked to his desk and pulled his chair over to where Ellen Jonas sat. He slowly sat down, "Mrs. Jonas, you have all the right to be angry with me..." he looked her in the eyes.

Ellen Jonas looked her clutched hands over her husband's, "I shouldn't have hit you Doc. I know you are doing everything you can."

"Your husband showed great courage," Doc smiled slightly.

Ellen's eyes lifted, "Wilbur? Courage." Ellen almost laughed herself," I can't imagine that. He's too timid for fighting"

Doc smiled a little bit more and nodded yes, "Well it's true. But I think you might have underestimated your husband. Jonas took it upon himself to escape. Unfortunately that's when one of them shot him. But he didn't cower to them. He stood his ground even when one of them threatened to do some nasty things to both of us," Doc looked over to the store owner, "I don't even know if I could have stay as calm. And I thank him for standing up for me, as well..."

Ellen smiled, "He's a good man, Doc. I know he can be a handful about things and the way he'd like to see things done. I guess you might say he's a little old fashioned."

Doc almost chuckled, "He is particular in the way things should be, that's for certain. And that's not a bad thing."

Ellen looked up to Doc, "What are his chances. I mean with his leg?" her lips quivered.

Doc pursed his lips and stood. He walked to the side of the examination table and folded back the sheet that cover Jonas' leg. Carefully the doctor lifted the gauze and looked at the incision. He moved his hand down Jonas' leg and it was feeling warm. Doc smiled, "I think his chances are good."

Ellen Jonas caught herself and fought off tears, "I hope you are right, Doc."

Doc swallowed as he too hoped he was right, "Mrs. Jonas, why don't you go lay down on the bed in the back room. I'll watch over your husband," Doc said as he assisted Ellen up from the chair and guided her to the room.

Ellen sat on the side of the bed and there was enough light from the other room to light her face, "Those cowboys wont be back for Wilbur, will they?"

Doc gulped as he didn't know what to say, "No, I can't imagine they would. I'm sure by now they know that the marshal is out for them," he said trying to reassure Jonas' wife. Doc made sure that the woman layed down and he pulled a quilt over her. Ellen's eyes closed and she quickly fell asleep. Doc sighed before he walked back to the main office to sit with Jonas.

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Matt stopped Festus and Newly, "I would like one of you to watch Doc's office tonight. From what Doc told me, one of those cowpunchers still might make a move on Jonas."

Festus' eyebrows furrowed, "But Matthew," he looked at his boss, "Ifin that was the case, how come they didn't finish Jonas off back there in the mill?"

Matt shook his head, "Doc told me one of them got cold feet and may have convinced this on call Parker, that he had the wrong man. He's the one I'm concerned about," Matt concluded.

Newly shook his head, "I'll take the first watch, marshal," he smiled. Newly had almost taken the doctor as a surrogate father. Matt smiled, "Thanks, Newly. I want you to get Festus or me if any thing happens."

"I will, marshal," Newly smiled as he watched both Matt and Festus turned and walked to the jail-house. Newly drew a deep breath thought his nose and then looked up to the doctor's office as he slowly released the breath. He knew Doc would be mad at the marshal if he found out that a watch party had been placed on the doctor's doorstep.

Despite the cool wet night, Newly tucked in under the staircase and sat on a crate, in watch for anyone going to see Doc.