Robert smiled broadly when Festus woke up and looked around before locking eyes with Abelia. "Ya sure had me worried," he said as his wife smiled sweetly.
"How'd I get here," she asked wearily before looking at Robert. "What happened?"
"You don't remember?" Robert asked concerned before meeting Festus eyes.
"Remember what?" Abelia replied quietly. "Sorry, just so tired."
"Wait," Festus said worriedly as Abelia closed her eyes again.
"It's alright, Pa," Robert said putting a hand on his arm. "She's just going to sleep. I promise, she's not going to lapse back into a coma."
"Ya, sure?" Festus asked as Robert nodded.
"Sure, I'm sure," Robert continued, "all her vital signs indicate she's getting better."
Festus breathed a sigh of relief as he watched Abelia sleep. "She shore had me worried."
"I know," Robert replied evenly before gently squeezing his father's arm.
Doc finished his exam on Matt as Kitty eagerly watched. "How are you going to get him back on his feet, Doc?" Kitty asked looking at Matt. "He still can't feel anything on his right side."
"Well," Doc said shoving his hands into his pockets. "That's where Matt is going to have to rely on himself. I'm not going to sugar coat it and tell you it's going to be easy because it won't but if he wants to walk bad enough, it's going to take everything he's got to walk again."
"Don't worry about me," Matt said sternly before looking from Doc to Kitty. "I'm not going to let something like this get the best of me!"
"Doc!" Robert yelled outside the ward as he and Kitty both looked toward the door.
Robert rushed though it and grabbed Doc's arm. "You might want to come with me!" he said.
"What is it?" Doc said allowing Robert to lead him toward the hall. "Is it Abelia?"
"Yes," Robert replied excitedly. "She just woke up, but she don't remember the stabbing!"
"Well," Doc said following Robert to the other side of the hospital. "She's been though a traumatic experience. Some memory loss could be expected."
"Yeah," Robert said stopping outside of Abelia's room. "I know, but after I questioned her, I realized, she don't remember much of the last few years."
"Years?" Doc said swiping at his mustache. "Well, now that could be a problem for sure."
Kitty met Newly's eyes as the deputy entered the ward a short time later. "Marshal," Newly said handing Matt an envelope. "I received a reply from Washington."
"Thank you, Newly," Matt replied looking at Kitty who smiled reassuringly. "Open it for me."
Newly nodded as he opened the envelope and pulled out the message within.
Matt took the paper and quickly scanned it before passing the message back to Newly.
"It's official," Matt said with a weary grin. "I'm no longer the Marshal of Dodge but you are!"
"Congratulations, Newly," Kitty said with a smile.
"Thank you," Newly replied with a boyish grin. "I also received a telegram from Judge Brooker. He'll be here tomorrow to hear the case against Pickett."
"Good," Matt said with a quick nod. "I'll be glad to get that part over with."
Festus stepped aside when Doc came though the door of Abelia's room.
Putting his glasses on, the physician sat down next to Abelia and took her wrist to check her pulse.
"Doc," Abelia said opening her eyes as Doc smiled.
"Well," he said with a nod. "You're looking pretty good to me."
"I feel good," Abelia said looking up at Robert and Festus. "Only I can't remember what happened and Robert told me what I do remember is from a few years ago."
"Well," Doc said patting her hand. "I don't want you to worry about that now. Your memory may improve with time, it's probably an effect of the coma you were in."
"Alright," Abelia said as Doc got up.
"You get some rest," he said turning to look at Robert and Festus. "Why don't you two come with me so she can get some sleep."
"Good idea," Robert replied meeting Festus eyes as the hill man nodded.
Once all three men were out of hearing range of Abelia's room, Robert stopped Doc and Festus.
"What do you think, Doc," Robert asked as the older man tugged on his ear.
"I think her memory may return," Doc said thoughtfully. "Given time, I think it's possible."
"But if not," Festus asked worriedly. "What do we do then?"
"Nothing," Doc said quietly. "There's nothing we can do."
"But, Doc," Festus said in frustration. "She don't even remember havin Abby!"
"I know," Doc said nodding.
The next morning, Newly met the stage as a frail Judge Brooker departed with Burke's help.
"Good morning, Judge," Newly said as the older man hunched over a walking cane.
"Morning, Marshal," Brooker said looking up at Newly. "And congratulations."
"Thank you, sir," Newly replied walking with the judge down the boardwalk. "Marshal Dillion wanted me to bring you to see him as soon as you arrived."
"Thank you," Judge Brooker said as they arrived at the Adams Medical Center. "I'd like to speak to him as well."
"How's that," Kitty asked tucking in another pillow behind Matt's shoulders.
"Much better now that I'm on my back again," Matt replied with a grin.
"I'm sure," Kitty said with a smile.
"Matt," Doc said entering the ward with Newly and Judge Brooker following. "You've got a visitors."
"Judge," Matt said with a slight nod in greeting as Brooker sat down next to Matt's bed.
"Matt, I've been told by Doctor Adams that you're making good progress," Brooker said evenly.
"It's slow going, Judge," Matt said firmly. "But it's going to be alright."
Kitty nodded as Matt took her hand. "And, I've got good help."
"I'm sure," Brooker said looking at Newly. "And, I think you made a good decision in choosing you're replacement."
"Thank you," Matt said with a nod. "I know I did."
"That's one reason why I wanted to come see you this morning," Brooker said leaning forward. "I've been thinking about 'my' replacement and I'd like your opinion."
"My opinion," Matt replied thoughtfully. "Why would you want mine?"
"Well," Brooker said sitting back. "I thought that since the person I've chosen to replace me is you, I just assumed you'd want to give me your honest opinion on my choice."
"What did you say?" Matt asked as Brooker smiled.
"I've seen the potential in you for years, Matt," Brooker said knowingly. "You'd make an excellent circuit court Judge."
"I'm flattered, Judge," Matt replied quickly. "But, I'm in no position to accept a job like that."
"Maybe not right now," Brooker said with a nod. "But what about your future?"