At first, Robert didn't think his mentor would make it and he really didn't know what to do when his heart stopped or why he massaged the heart to start it again. Nothing in his training had ever told him to do that, but something, whether it was instinct or something else, something made him try it and he was really glad he did because Doc was still alive because of it.

He'd sent Newly out to tell Julie and the rest of his family and friends what happened because, he not only wanted to personally keep an eye on Doc, but the alone time gave him a chance to reflect on what happened during the surgery. He stood next to the table where Doc continued to lay sedated as Robert watched his chest rhythmically rise and fall with each breath. Placing the diaphragm of his stethoscope against the older man's chest, he grinned. The heart beat was strong and even just as it should be. All of Doc's vital signs indicated the damage had been repaired. The only worry Robert had now, was making sure his Doc took it easy long enough to completely heal from the surgery.

"Can I bring in Miss Julie?" Newly asked popping his head though the doorway.

Robert nodded as Newly opened the door for Doc's wife. When she rushed to his side, he stepped away to give her a little privacy.

"Everyone wants to know how he's doing?" Newly asked when the younger physician came to stand beside him.

"Tell them, he's going to be just fine," Robert replied with a weary smile. "I'm going to keep him sedated and here for the night. Tomorrow, I'll let them see him after we transfer him back to the ward."

"Alright," Newly said slipping out the door.

Robert turned around and smiled when he watched Julie lean in to kiss Doc on the cheek. He came up behind her and put both hands on her shoulders. "He's doing just fine, nothing to worry about."

"Oh, Robert," she whispered turning around in his arms. "Newly told us what happened and what you did. You saved his life! I'm so grateful! I can't ever thank you enough for that."

Robert didn't expect thanks for doing what he loved most, his job. But, it was nice to hear. "Your welcome," he said graciously.

Stambridge opened the front door of the old Deems place and cringed. The vacant house was in complete disarray and quite dilapidated and he wondered if it was even worth fixing up or if he should just try to sell it as it was. He reached down to pick up an over turned chair with his maimed hand and stopped when he realized what he was doing. "Dammit!" he yelled angrily before he kicked the chair out of the way. There was no way he was going to be able to put the house back to livable condition with his hand the way it was.

Matt and Kitty along with Festus and Abelia all headed to Delmonico's to have supper while Newly went to the jail to check on things there. Word was quickly getting around town that Doc had survived the surgery and was well on his way to a full recovery, which was nothing short of miraculous as far as the town was concerned.

As they ate, Will Stambridge entered the restaurant alone and sat down at a table near the window. His presence wasn't lost on anyone at the table, especially Kitty. It had been years since she had even thought about the man she had fallen for while she and Matt were still trying to figure out whether or not they wanted to be together. After Matt refused to fight for her, she had considered marrying Will Stambridge. He'd even bought a house for her outside of Dodge. But now as she meet Matt's intense gaze, she blushed, because she knew, she'd made the right decision to let Will go all those years ago.

"We should bring Julie and Robert some supper," Abelia said as Festus nodded. "Since Althea left town, he hasn't been eating the way he should."

"I don't know why that youngin can't seem ta keep a gal," Festus said with a smirk. "He don't get that from me. I never had that problem."

"Oh, really?" Abelia said giving him a look that instantly made the hill man regret his words.

"I mean, since I met you, Bee," Festus hurriedly stated as Abelia shook her head.

Stambridge watched the four friends leave the restaurant as he lingered over his dinner. He regretted not fighting harder for the red headed saloon owner when he had the chance. He never even got her into bed. The closet they came was a few passionate kisses when they borrowed a buggy for a picnic on the prairie. He never forgot those few days he'd spent with her or the fact that she once wanted him. If he ever got the chance to rekindle their feelings for each other, he wouldn't make that mistake again.

Robert went over his notes on Doc's surgery before he checked the time on his pocket watch. Standing up to go check on Doc, he glanced over at the cot where Julie had fallen asleep a few hours ago. The sedative he had given Doc could last any where from four to six hours but he had made it a habit though out the night to check on him every three hours. Robert didn't want to run the risk of the sedative wearing off and Doc coming around before he'd had a chance to recover from the effects of the surgery. It was going to be painful enough when he finally did come around.

Taking Doc's wrist, Robert checked his pulse before pulling the blanket down and using his stethoscope to listen to his heart. Encouraged by the steady rhythm, he patted Doc's arm. "You gave me quite a scare, old man," he whispered.

"It's nothing short of what you've done to me before," Doc replied softly before opening one eye.

"Doc!" Robert said smiling broadly. "You shouldn't be awake. How do you feel?"

"Like a gutted fish," Doc replied drawing in a deep breath. "What did you do?"

"We'll talk about that later," Robert replied as he picked up a syringe from the tray at his side. "I just want you to rest right now." Doc nodded gently as he closed his eyes and Robert injected the contents of the syringe into his arm. Bringing the blanket back up to Doc's neck, Robert waited until he was sure Doc had fallen back to sleep before he returned to his seat and updated his notes.