Eric Fowler stood on the boardwalk across from the saloon. He remembered it being there, and next to the general store which shared the building with the town's doctor. Fowler noticed that Adams' shingle was still hanging off the wall so he surmised that the doctor was still alive.

It was cold and dark and the hour was nearing eleven in the evening, The ride into Dodge wasn't too difficult, but Fowler expected the ride out of Dodge to be more taxing - for one, the weather was getting worse and secondly he had the responsibility to get both the doctor and the saloon owner back out to old Dodge Town.

Fowler pulled his coat collar tighter and lowered his hat to try and stay warm. He was thinking hard on how to convince both the saloon owner and the doctor to go with him. His eyes lifted as he heard a male voice across the street, "Good night Miss Kitty," the tall barkeep stated and closed the door - he too adjusted his coat as he walked toward his home.

Just as the barkeep stepped down into the adjoining alley, Doc wheeled his buddy into the alley. The night was crisp enough that a normal conversation could be heard across the street. "You're late tonight, Doc," Sam Noonan stated.

"And you're early!" Doc quipped as he stepped down from his buddy, "Business must be slow, if Kitty let you go at this time of the evening," he joked.

"It's nonexistent tonight, Doc," Sam smiled. "Are you heading back out?" the barkeep looked at the rig parked in the alley.

"No, I told Hank I'd park it here and he said he'd pick it up later," Doc explained. "It makes it a little easier to get my things up to the office," he said. Sam nodded, "That makes perfect sense to me," he smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow," the barkeep said and continued on his way.

Doc ticked his head and decided to go to the saloon to see if Kitty would take pity on him for being out so late.

Fowler smiled and watched as the old doctor made his way to the saloon and opened the front door. As soon as Doc entered the establishment, Fowler looked around to see if anyone was watching. He saw no one. Fowler bit at his lower lip and stepped down off the boardwalk and crossed the street, pulling his horse behind him. Fowler looked around again as he tied the animal to the rail.

Doc was perched at the long dark wooden bar, "I know, Kitty. But I just couldn't leave them like that," he tried to explain why he was out so late.

"Well they at least could have put you up for the night," Kitty grumbled as she poured two drinks, one for Doc and one for herself. He slid Doc's drink across the bar, "This will warm you up. Guaranteed!" she said with a wink.

"Oh?" Doc looked at the glass of amber liquid.

"It's my best brandy. It will heat you right down inside to the core," Kitty smiled and lifted her glass.

"Aren't you sure you should take over my business?" Doc asked as he lifted his glass to his lips.

"What do you mean by that?" Kitty chuckled.

"With advice like that, you could put me out of business!" Doc quipped. Kitty broke into a laugh but it wasn't long lived as the door of the saloon opened. Eric Fowler stood in the doorway with his gun out and pointing at the two.

"Now, here...what's this all about?" Doc asked as he sat his drink down and faced the gun man.

Fowler said not a word as he slowly and quietly moved further into the room.

Kitty moved and began to reach for the gun under the bar. "I wouldn't do that, Miss Russell," he said in a calm tone. "In fact, I would rather you move out front next to Doc," he said. Kitty sallowed and nodded.

Doc's eyes narrowed as he studied the man, "I know you from somewhere," he pointed slightly.

"Maybe. But you'll have time to mull that over as you and Miss Kitty join me for a little journey. And I see your buggy is outside," he motioned with his gun to make Doc and Kitty move to the door.

Kitty looked at Doc who looked like he was ready to blow, "Come on Doc," she said.

Doc stopped, "You can't go out there dressed like that," he looked at Kitty.

"Quickly find something to wear Miss Russell," Fowler pointed his gun directly at the doctor. "And no funny business, of Doc gets it," he stated and rolled the hammer back on his gun. Doc wet his lips and looked quickly over to Kitty.

"Just hold on," Kitty said and scrambled to her office to grab her coat. Within seconds she came back into the main room of the saloon, "Just where are we going?" she asked as she pulled in the coat.

"No questions. Just follow," Fowler said and motioned for both Doc and Kitty to leave the saloon. Doc glared at the man and continued to study his face - he was certain that he'd seen him somewhere, sometime.

Once out on the boardwalk, Fowler closed the front door of the saloon and quickly untied his horse and followed Kitty and Doc to the doctor's buggy, "Not a word," he warned. "Now get moving," he pointed up Front Street, away from the jail house.

Doc backed the rig up out of the alley and clipped the reins over Popcorn's rump, and as the gun man said, they didn't speak a word. Kitty held onto Doc's arm and worry washed over her face. Doc could only shake his head as he had no idea about what was happening. The trio rode out of Dodge and into the cold snowy winter night.

"Doc. What's happening?" Kitty whispered.

"I honestly don't know, Kitty. But there's something about that man that is all too familiar," Doc whispered back as he steered the buggy along the snow-covered road. "It will come to me, but right now, he has a gun and we don't," he said in a hushed tone.

"Where do you suppose he's taking us?" Kitty quietly asked.

Doc looked over to his travel companion, "My guess would be Old Dodge Town," he said. Fowler looked down at the buggy, "I said no talking," he warned. Doc pursed his lips, "If it wasn't snowing and it wasn't night, I'd make a run for it," he whispered.

Kitty rolled her eyes, "A sure way to get both of us killed," she sighed under her breath.

As Doc surmised, within the hour, they were on the out skirts of Old Dodge Town. Both Kitty and Doc could smell smoke in the air, "We're not alone," Doc said.

Kitty held the doctor's arm tighter, "Oh, Doc, I'm scared," she said looking around at the abandoned buildings. The only one to have a little light coming from it was the old general store.

Eric Fowler stopped in front of the old store, "Get in there," he ordered both Doc and Kitty. Doc pulled his buggy to a halt and stepped out. "Take your medical bag too, Doc," Fowler stated as he watched the doctor and saloon owner get ready to enter the old store. Doc heard Kitty swallow and gently he placed his hand on her shoulder, "Just do as they say," he said. Kitty nodded as they both entered the store where they found William Hatton and the wounded Royce McClellan.

Hatton smiled at Fowler, "You did it!" he said looking at the doctor and the saloon owner. Hatton stepped forward and looked Doc in the eyes, "You are here to fix that man up," he pointed to Royce. "And if you don't, this pretty lady will be the price you pay," he growled.

Kitty gasped as Hatton to Fowler to tie Kitty up.

Doc's eyebrows knitted together, "I think I know you too," he sneered as he walked over to McClellan who was stretched out on the floor.

"Don't get foxy on me, Doc," Hatton warned. "Miss Kitty is relying on you," he smiled.