Kitty walked across Front Street from Del Monicos. She wasn't paying too much attention to the goings on up and down the street, instead she was thinking about the orders she need to place by the week's end.

A slight commotion down the street finally caught her attention. Matt had just ridden Buck up the street and stopped in front of the general store. He was followed by Festus who had Doc on the back of Ruth with him, and Newly with Jonas.

Kitty made a puzzled face and began to walk toward the group. As she got closer, she watched as Matt assisted the doctor down from the mule; her pace quickened as she noted the bandana wrapped around Doc's leg and the pained look on his face.

"Doc?" Kitty said as she reached the group. Festus was now off his mule and assisting Jonas down from Buck's horse. "What happened?" she asked.

Matt made a face, "It seems that these two decided to play deputy," the marshal said with an irritated tone to his voice as his eyes locked onto Doc and Wilbur Jonas. Kitty's left eyebrow arched as she looked at the two men.

Doc moved passed Kitty to his stairs where Festus attempted to assist Doc to the stairs, "I can make it up there on my own!" he grumbled. Festus huffed, "I'd likely keel over dead if you were ever nice to me," his twang was especially thick as Doc shot a glare back in the hill man's direction for the comment.

Jonas sheepishly followed the two men up the stairs; he chose not to say anything. Newly and Matt followed the store owner. Kitty stood on the boardwalk and watched the procession and still not satisfied with the curt answer Matt had given her, she followed everyone up to the doctor's office.

Doc eased himself down on his chair and carefully removed the bandana. Newly knelt down next to the doctor to have a look. As Doc took a closer look at his wound, he grit his teeth, "I suppose it should have a few sutures," he sighed and looked at Newly. The young deputy nodded and stood, "What can I do for Mr. Jonas?" he asked as his eyes looked over to the store owner who was standing next to the examination table holding his shoulder.

Doc shifted in his chair, "You'll have to pull on his arm until the ball goes back into the joint," he said to Newly. Newly didn't like the thought of that and could only imagine the pain that Joins would suffer. "Once you've done that Newly, he'll need a sling," Doc concluded.

Newly moved next to the store owner who still said nothing, however, he watched Newly with some trepidation in his eyes. The young deputy placed his one hand on Jonas' shoulder and with the other he pulled gently on the man's arm. Jonas bit his lower lip trying not to yelp in pain. With another gentle tug, an audible pop was heard and a slight look of relief washed over Jonas' face. Newly smiled slightly as he pulled a cloth out of the drawer and fashioned a sling for the store owner.

Matt, Festus and Kitty watched on. "Jonas, once Newly is through with you, I'd like to see you in my office," Matt said as he stepped to the door. Jonas nodded and swallowed as he watched the tall marshal leave with Festus on his heels.

Newly gently patted Jonas on the shoulder, "He's only concerned about you," the deputy offered. Jonas' blue eyes held fear and yet he tried to smile, "I'm sure," Jonas whispered and moved to the door. "Thank you Newly," he smiled as he opened the door.

"I'll talk with you later Jonas," Doc called after store owner. "Sure, Doc," he acknowledged the doctor's comment. Jonas stepped out onto the landing and drew a deep breath. He thought for sure matt was going to read him the riot act. Jonas pursed his lips and slowly made his way down the stairs toward the jail house.

Matt sat on the edge of his desk, facing the door. His arms were firmly crossed over his chest as he waited for Wilbur Jonas to arrive. He saw the dishevelled store owner walk to the door of the jail house. Jonas opened the door and stepped down into the office.

Matt motioned with his sweeping arm for Jonas to take a seat at the small table in the centre of the room. Jonas moved slowly keeping his eyes on the marshal as he sat down.

The store owner could see the frustration in the marshal's face as the tall man stood before him. Matt chose his words carefully in his mind, but when he opened his mouth words spilled out, "Just what on earth were you and Doc thinking?!" he said loud enough.

Jonas sat back in his chair and gulped. He could only stare at the marshal as Matt continued on. "Do you have any idea how dangerous a thing you two have done?" Matt said now with his hands firmly on his hips. Matt waited for Jonas to say something - anything.

Finally Wilbur Jonas shifted and moved slightly forward, "Marshal," he said with his eyes blinking, "I know what Doc and I did was risky, but I was so dang mad that those two did what they did!" Jonas flexed his jaw and continued, "With all the law out of the town, we just didn't know what else to do!" he sighed and sat back. "Doc's idea seemed sound at the time," he said casting his eyes to the floor.

Matt pursed his lips and relaxed slightly, "Tell me about it," he sat back behind his desk. He realized that Jonas knew he and Doc were not only in hot water, but had made a bad judgement in their actions.

Jonas sighed and launched into the story right from the start.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ed Foster sat rubbing his aching ankle while Walter Bower tried to wring out his shirt, socks, pants and vest. "I sware I'll get that mercantile owner yet," Bower growled as he watched the water drip to the ground as he twisted his socks tighter.

"Why don't we just move on?" Foster asked. He'd had enough.

Bower looked over his shoulder and the blanch which held his clothing, "I don't give up that easily, and you know it," He said to his friend.

Foster fussed slightly, "I know that. But don't you think it might be harder to do anything in Dodge now that the marshal is back?"

Bower smiled, "You might like to think so, but I have plans," he said looking back to his soggy socks and gave them another ring and the water ran through his clenched fists.