"Guess it's time for me to head out and make the rounds," John said standing.

"Yep, I guess I gotta get to work too, can't afford to sit around nursing a hurt arm," Jim said with a grin.

"I'll just sit here, nursing my hurt arm and feeling sorry for you two," Adam said with a raised eyebrow and a grin.

John stepped into his office to grab his medical bag before heading out to begin his rounds. The day passed quickly and before he realized it, it was time for him to go home. As he walked in the door, Ruth came over to give him a kiss as Sally ran out of her bedroom.

"John, John, guess what?"

"What?" he asked picking her up in his arms and moving towards the sofa.

"I liked school today."

"Oh, Sally, I'm so glad. I knew you would," John said with a smile.

"And guess what else."

"What else?"

"Lizzie and Jenny had lunch with me and Mr. Hanson made sure that Jimmy Phillips didn't pick on me for being a bastard."

"Illegitimate Sally. Bastard is a word I don't want to ever hear you use," John chided.

"Yes, Papa…and you know what else?" Sally said excitedly.

"No, Sally what else?" John said and looked over to grin at Ruth who was tearing up at hearing Sally call John, papa.

"Lizzie sits behind me. I picked a good desk,"

"That's wonderful, Sally," he said with a grin. "What else?"

"That's all," Sally said.

"I had a good day too and now, I think it's time we washed up for supper. I think your mama has everything ready," he said as he brushed the bangs out of her eyes.

"All right, John," Sally said as she climbed out of his lap.

"Well, that papa didn't last too long," he said as he wrapped his arms around Ruth's waist and kissed her cheek.

"No, but I bet it'll become a habit now that she's started thinking of you as her papa," Ruth said with a smile.

When Sally ran back into the room he held the chair out for her and took his place at the head of the table.

"It's stew," Ruth said as she set the pot on the table. "We don't have serving dishes, so I left it in the pot." She looked at John to see if that was all right.

"Take a seat, Ruth, I'll serve," John said standing and taking her hand he led her to her place and held out her chair. "It smells good."

"I used the venison and a little of every vegetable you had. I didn't know about seasoning, but I just kept putting things in until it tasted right," Ruth said tentatively. "I hope it's all right."

"I am sure it will be more than all right," John said heartily. "Right, Sally?"

"What's venison?" Sally asked screwing up her face.

"Venison is a type of meat, try it and see if you like it," John said, putting some on the plate for her.

"It tastes funny," Sally said as she took a bite.

John didn't say anything as he served Ruth and himself before returning the pot to the stove.

"Put you napkin in your lap and eat up, Sallygirl," John said, as he took a bite of the stew. "This is really good, Ruth," he added, as he took another bite.

"Thank you, I think I'm finally getting the hang of things, but you'll probably be eating the same things over and over," Ruth said with a laugh.

"If it tastes like this, that's okay with me," John said smiling.

"Well, I don't like it," Sally said.

'Then you don't have to eat it," John said, taking another bite.

Sally began to smile.

"I believe one of the rules was that you are to eat what's on your plate without complaint, isn't it?" He continued.

Sally's face fell.

"Well, I had a good day today, so I figure I'll let you choose, eat your dinner or go to bed now." John said lightly, taking another bite.

"But why can't I have something else?" Sally whined.

"Because we eat what you mother prepares and tonight it's stew, so eat up, or say good night."

Sally sighed loudly, but began eating.

Ruth looked at Sally eating and then caught John's eye, who had a small smile on his face before she said, "So, tell us about your day, John."

Later than evening, Ruth sat in bed watching John wind his watch. "You were really good with Sally tonight,"

"Thank you," John said with a smile as he turned out the lamp, climbed into bed with her and took her in his arms. "How are you doing with her?" John asked and felt her stiffen in his arms.

"Fine," Ruth said softly.

"Ruth, I expect you to be honest with me, did something happen this afternoon?" John asked, reaching out to tip her face to look up at him in the moonlight.

"Nothing important," Ruth said even more quietly.

"Good, so what did happen?" John asked, dropping his hand.

"After we walked home from school, I asked Sally to change her clothes and make her bed since she didn't make it this morning." Ruth reached out and began playing with the buttons on John's nightshirt.

"Don't you want her to make her bed before she leaves for school?" John asked with a frown.

"Yes, but it was the first day of school and I didn't want to ask too much of her," As she began to twist the button. "She was nervous and…oh," she said with a blush, when the button came off in her hand.

"Ruth…" John said shaking his head.

"I'll have her do it tomorrow, I promise," Ruth said in a rush.

"All right, love, go on," John said taking the button from her hands and reaching across her to put it on the nightstand.

"She said she didn't want to and when I insisted…she threw a tantrum," Ruth said in a rush.

"And you put her in the corner," John said firmly.

"John," Ruth said, reaching for his buttons again.

John put his hand over Ruth's and repeated, "You put her in the corner."

"No…" Ruth said, glancing up at him.

"Ruth…" John said shaking his head.

"It was her first day at school. I didn't want to be too hard on her," Ruth whined.

"Ruth, we agreed," John said, taking his arms from around her and laying back on the pillows. "We agreed that we would expect Sally to mind us and punish her when she didn't. There is no way we are going to stop the tantrums if she gets away with them.

"I know," Ruth said softly. "I'm sorry."

"All right," John said as he kissed her cheek. "Good night."

"Are you angry with me?" Ruth asked quietly.

"No, love," John said with a sigh, "but I want you to keep trying to be the mama that Sally needs and I want you to keep your promises."

"I'll try," Ruth said in a hitched voice.

John sighed again before he took her in his arms and said, "I know you will, Ruth."

The next morning, John woke up to find Ruth already out of bed. He closed his eyes and listened to the voices he could hear through the slightly open door.

"Sally, you need to make your bed every morning," Ruth said sternly.

John smiled.

"But, Mama…" Sally whined.

"Sally, do as I'm telling you," Ruth said.

John folded his arms over his chest and listened more closely.

"I'll put you in the corner if you don't," Ruth scolded.

John smiled again and sat up.

"You can't, Mama," Sally whined louder.

"I can and I will," Ruth said loudly.

John listened to some scuffling, then heard.

"How long do I have to stay here, Mama?"

"Until I tell you you can come out, and you'll be back in the corner if you don't make your bed."

John got out of bed with a hop and quickly dressed.

John leaned in the doorway of Sally's bedroom watching Sally make her bed under the watchful eye of Ruth.

"Morning, ladies," he said jovially. "I'm glad to see you making your bed this morning, Sally."

"Mama said I had too," Sally complained.

"Yes, Sally, I did and I expect you to do it every morning." Ruth said returning John's smile.

Putting his arms around Ruth he said quietly in her ear, "I'm glad to see you too, Mama."

Later that morning, John came into the clinic and began to restock the supplies he'd used from his bag. As he walked back to his desk he discovered a small boy, crouched in the corner, trying hard not to be seen.

"Hello, were you waiting for me?"

"No, Sir, I'm sorry, I was…I was…" Paul said, trying to get out the door as quickly as he could.

"No need to rush off. I don't think we've met, I'm the new doctor in town: John Fellows." John reached out to put a hand on his shoulder to turn him back around and heard a hiss.

"You're hurt; let me help. I'm sorry, but I don't know your name," he said kindly.

"Paul Hamilton and I'm fine," Paul said, trying to get free of the hand that had tightened on his shoulder.

"All right, then at least tell me why you're in here instead of in school," John said, dropping his hand and moving around in front of Paul to block the door.

"No reason," Paul said, looking around for another way to leave.

"Test or trouble?" John asked.

"Huh?"

"Test or trouble? When I was growing up, those were the only two reasons I thought about skipping school and trouble is the only one that I actually did skip school over," John said with a laugh. "So, test or trouble?"

"Trouble, I guess," Paul finally admitted.

"Is your pa like mine was: trouble at school, trouble at home? Maybe trouble on top of the trouble that had you hissing when I touched you?"

Paul glanced at him sharply before, turning his gaze the floor.

"Believe me, I have been where you are. I have something that can help with the pain a bit and then you can rest here until school's over, not much point in going back now, right?" John said, reaching out his hand to begin unfastening the buttons on the front of Paul's shirt.

"I need to go back," Paul said, reaching up to hold his shirt closed.

"As soon as I help ease your pain a bit," John said, stilling his hands on the buttons, "Will you let me?"

Paul looked at John trying to decide if he could be trusted, before he slowly peeled off his shirt and turned around. John resisted the urge to react negatively to the bruises he saw on the boy's back and instead walked over for some cream to put on the bruises and some sleeping powder to give the boy.

"I have something that will fix you right up," John said in an overly cheery voice, "Want to tell me what happened?"

"I got in trouble with my pa," Paul said.

"Yeah, I've been there," John said, as he gently began to put the cream on Paul's back. "My pa could sure swing a belt." John said, silently asking his father for forgiveness for making him sound harsher than he was. "Is that what happened to you? Your father's belt?"

"Yes, Sir, I hadn't finished my chores before I went fishing," Paul said hanging his head.

"Those chores sure can get in the way of a good day fishing, can't they?" John said with a laugh. "Hopefully your pa doesn't have to take his belt to you too often."

"No, Sir," Paul said and got very quiet.

"Glad to hear it. All finished," he said, holding out the shirt for Paul to put back on, "you look like you didn't sleep very well last night, were you worried about school today?"

Paul stepped away from John, eased himself down into the corner, and didn't answer.

"I'll respect your privacy. Paul, but if you want to tell me about it, maybe I can help, that's what doctors are supposed to do: help." John said as he sat down on the floor next to Paul.

Paul looked at him with weary eyes, before he said, "There was a test today and I wasn't ready."

"I'll bet you're a good student too, aren't you?" John said, nodding.

"Usually," Paul said, "I had too many chores to do and I didn't get time to study."

"Too many things to do and not enough time to do it all, huh?"

"I guess so, I just wanted to do well and I knew my pa wouldn't like it if I didn't do well," Paul said picking at his pants.

"So, that's why you're not in school? You didn't want to take the test because you were worried that you wouldn't do well?" John asked quietly.

"Not exactly…" Paul said, blushing.

"Oh?" John asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Yes, Sir, actually, I took the test," Paul said quietly.

"And it didn't go well?"

"No, Sir, I couldn't remember how to do it…and I cheated on the test…Lizzie and I, we got caught," Paul blurted out.

"I'm really sorry, Paul," John said sympathetically. "I hate to say it, but I probably wouldn't have stayed either."

"You wouldn't have?" Paul said, glancing up at him quickly.

"Caught cheating and knowing the trouble I would have been in with not only the teacher but my pa?" John said nodding, "I would have been embarrassed and worried and probably wouldn't have stayed."

"But, I left Lizzie there to face Mr. Hanson and her pa too, she said he'd spank her if we got caught," Paul said in a worried voice.

"Yes, I expect she's right," John said in a sympathetic voice. "She's a good friend. I'm sorry you're in this mess."

"What should I do?" Paul asked looking up at him. "I don't want her to get in trouble because of me."

"I'm afraid it's probably too late to do much about that," John said. "All you can do now is go and face Mr. Hanson and your pa."

"I know," Paul said nodding. "I'm just worried…"

"And scared," John added.

"Yes, sir," Paul said nodding. "My pa's going to tan me sure."

"Well, you're going to have to face them sometime, but maybe not right now. School doesn't let out for a while. I have lunch here that we can share and you can stay here and think about things and make a plan about what to do. How does that sound?"

"I don't know," Paul sighed.

"Food always makes things better," John said, "my wife is learning to cook, so everyday is a great surprise. Want to see what she packed for me today?"

Paul looked at him skeptically.

"It's not bad really, she tries really hard," John laughed. "She sent some cornbread and cheese, not bad, right?"

"Ma gave me a lunch…" Paul said.

"Want to share?" John asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Okay," Paul said, pulling his lunch pail out from behind him, "Ma's a good cook. I think she sent leftover chicken and bread."

"I have some salt water taffy too," John said, standing up, pulling down his own lunch pail and reaching into his desk for the candy. He sat back down next to Paul, spread out a handkerchief on the floor and began laying out the food.

"So, fishing, huh? Is there is good spot around?" John asked as he divided the cornbread and cheese. "When I was growing up, I loved to go fishing, unfortunately, I grew up on a dairy farm which meant I usually only got to go fishing on Saturdays after the milking was done."

"Yes, Sir, there's a great fishing hole near here and I usually only get to go on Saturdays too and some Sundays," he said earnestly.

"You probably have the chore rule too…" John said rolling his eyes.

"Yes, Sir, but I thought I could sneak away on Saturday and get back before my pa noticed I was missing," Paul said taking a bite of the cheese.

"But he noticed," John said with a laugh.

"Boy, did he ever!" Paul said smiling tentatively.

"So, you got tanned on Saturday?" John asked nonchalantly.

"Yes, like I said, I went fishing," Paul said looking down at the chicken leg and losing his appetite.

John cringed inwardly and tried to make a decision about what he should do. He wasn't sure what kind of man Paul's father was, but he was worried if he tried to interfere, Paul would pay for it. He considered walking over to the general merchandise and getting some advice from Jim Mason, but he didn't want to leave Paul alone for fear he would bolt.

"Well, I guess all you can do is move on," John said. "That's what my pa always said, move on and try to avoid the belt in the future."

"Yes, Sir," Paul said sadly.

"The other thing my pa always said is that when a problem presents itself, if you take some time and sleep on it, things will usually work themselves out."

"I don't think there's much to work out, Dr. Fellows. My pa's gonna tan me for cheating and I don't think sleeping is going to stop it. I probably couldn't sleep anyway. I should just go back to school and face Mr. Hanson," Paul said wearily.

"Well, I can help with part of that, Paul. I mixed up something that will help you sleep," John said as he placed a beaker down in front of Paul. "I suspect you didn't sleep very well last night and at least you'll be well rested when you go to face up to what you've done."

Paul looked at the beaker and then back up at John, "You don't think I should go back to school?"

"Of course, I think you should go back to school, I just think you might want to wait until school's out so there won't be an audience," John said kindly.

Paul sighed and picked up the beaker, "Will you wake me up when school's out?"

"Absolutely, now drink up and you can sleep on my couch in there. It's fairly comfortable, I've spent a night or two on it myself." John nodded as Paul drank the sedative, and standing he reached out a hand to pull Paul to his feet and directed him to the couch.

Paul shifted uncomfortably until he settled and fell into a deep sleep. After John was sure that Paul was soundly asleep, he began to undress him so he could take a good luck at the damage Paul's father had dealt out. He sighed when he saw that the bruises were not confined only to Paul's back, but spread down his legs as well. He softly spread more of the cream on all the bruises and redressing Paul, he sat down to think about the best way to address the situation.

He sat for hours trying to decide the best course of action. He didn't know Paul's father and so was unsure of how he would respond to direct confrontation. He didn't want to betray Paul's confidence, but John couldn't in good conscience send him back to a bad situation. He stood and was staring out the window when he saw Ben, Joe and Lizzie Cartwright walking past with Mr. Hanson. John took a big breath and deciding that the wrong action was better than no action at all, he took a quick glance at Paul's sleeping form and opened the door.

"Mr. Cartwright, may I have a moment of your time?"

"I'm afraid I don't have the time right now, doctor, can it wait?" Ben said with impatience.

"No, Sir, I'm afraid it can't" John said as he motioned Ben and David in the door.

He explained what had happened as he lifted the shirt on the boy's back. They both looked at the bruises on Paul's back, and then with sick looks on both of their faces, they turned to walk back out the door. John listened to their plan to take care of the situation and it was with relief that he watched them ride away. Less than an hour later, John watched as Paul went off to the Ponderosa and he turned to walk home.

"Glad to see that Paul's going to the Ponderosa," Jim Mason said as he stepped out of the store.

"Yes, I wasn't sure what I was going to do with him, I was very relieved when I saw Ben and Joe walking past," John said, turning in the direction the Cartwrights had ridden off in.

Jim nodded, "They're good folk." He, too, looked in the direction of the Ponderosa, before saying, "Time I closed up shop and headed up to dinner."

"Me, too," John said heading towards home.

John walked in the door just as Ruth was pulling dinner out of the oven. He smiled at Sally and gave Ruth a peck on the cheek.

"I'll go wash up," He said tiredly.

When they were seated at the table, Sally said triumphantly, "Guess what? Lizzie and Paul got in trouble today."

"Sally, you don't know the whole story and I don't like you gossiping," he said angrily.

"But they did get into trouble!"

"I don't want to hear another word about it and if you don't mind me, I'll spank you," John said, and throwing his napkin on the table, he shoved his chair back and strode out onto the front porch.

"Eat your dinner, Sally," Ruth said distractedly as she stood to follow John.

"John?" Ruth called, stepping timidly out onto the porch. "Is everything all right?"

"Things are fine, Ruth, go back inside," John said sternly.

"John, what happened? Why are you so angry?" Ruth asked taking a step towards him.

"Just do like I ask, Ruth. Go back inside!" John fairly shouted at her.

Ruth turned quickly and fled back inside. John strode across the yard and picking up an axe he began to cut firewood in a flurry of action until he exhausted himself and his anger. Turning to go back inside, he found Ruth quietly doing the dishes and Sally sitting on the couch reading.

"I put your dinner in the warmer, if you're hungry," Ruth said, not meeting his eye. She turned to get his plate and carried it over to the table.

Walking up behind her, he put his arms around her from behind, and said, "I'm sorry, Ruth, I'm not angry with you and I'm sorry I took it out on you."

When Ruth turned in his arms, he saw tears in her eyes. He reached up to cup her cheek and wiped away the tear on her cheek with his thumb. Then, holding up one finger, he walked over to where Sally was looking up at him.

"I'm sorry I lost my temper with you, Sallygirl. Will you forgive me?"

"Yes, John," Sally said, nodding timidly. "Am I in trouble?'

"No, honey, I don't want you gossiping, but you are not in trouble and I shouldn't have shouted at you. I'm sorry," he said as he reached out to stroke her hair. "I need to talk to your mother, will you be all right reading in here for a little while?"

When Sally nodded and turned back to her book, he stood up and taking Ruth by the hand, he led her out to the porch.

"I'm sorry, Ruth. Sally touched a nerve and I didn't handle it very well."

"I didn't mean to make you angry, John. I was trying to help."

"I know you were and I should have let you," he said kissing her.

"What happened today to upset you so much?"

"The Paul that Sally mentioned, who got into trouble?" John said looking up for acknowledgement from Ruth. "He was in my office today with bruises on his back, put there by his father."

"Oh, John!" Ruth said putting her hand over her mouth.

"The reason Lizzie got in trouble at school is because she let Paul cheat off her test hoping to keep Paul from another beating at the hands of his father."

"Oh!' She said stepping away from him "Well, we need to do something."

"The Cartwrights took Paul back to the Ponderosa with them and they talked to Paul's father. I think everything's going to be all right for him, but when Sally announced so gleefully that Lizzie had gotten in trouble, it rubbed me the wrong way."

"I can understand why," Ruth said coming to put her arms around his waist.

"I don't like gossip, and especially in this case, because Lizzie did what she thought was right and got herself into trouble for trying to protect a friend," John said firmly.

"Oh, you don't think she'll be in trouble with Adam…" Ruth said with a frown.

"I hope not, Adam's a fair man," John shook his head. "I just didn't handle this very well and I shouldn't have snapped at you and Sally. I want her to share what happens at school even if it's about the times that her classmates got into trouble. It was just in this case…"

"It was just in this case, she didn't have all the facts and she was just a little too happy about it," Ruth interrupted.

"Yes, thank you for understanding," John said kissing her again. "Do you think there's any way to salvage the evening?"

"I made dessert," Ruth said with a grin, "Sally and I waited so we could eat it with you."

"Dessert? What a wonderful surprise!"

"Well, it's just fruit with sugar on it, but I'm calling it dessert," Ruth said as she took his hand and pulled him back into the house.

"Come on, Sally, time for dessert!" Ruth called as she brought the bowl of fruit to the table.

"Tell me about the rest of your day, Sally," John said, taking his seat at the table.

"Really?" Sally asked tentatively.

"Really, Let's just not talk about Lizzie or Paul, all right?"

"Yes, Papa," Sally said as she began eating her fruit. "Well, we had a math test today, it was really hard…"

Ruth and John exchanged a smile over Sally's head and felt the tension leave the room as they too began to eat their dessert.