Matt watched as the Judge got unsteadily to his feet. "Just think about it, Matt," Brooker said before heading to the door. "I'd rather not give the job to just anyone."

"Thank's Judge, I will."

Kitty grasped Matt's hand once Brooker was out of the room. "Well, Cowboy," she said with a grin. "You wouldn't have to worry about providing for your family."

"That's if, I took the job," Matt said with a sigh. "I haven't decided yet."

"I don't think you should wait to long," Kitty replied taking a seat by his side. "The Judge isn't looking well at all."

Newly smiled when Brooker met him outside the ward. "Can I walk you to the Dodge House, Judge?"

"Thank you," Brooker replied leaning heavily on his cane. "But, I can make it on my own."

Newly nodded as the judge started for the doors of the hospital but stumbled just as Robert walked in.

The physician caught hold of the Judge and pulled him back as Newly sprinted toward them.

"Your honor!" Newly said as Robert watched the older man struggle to catch his breath.

"Let's get him into the clinic," Robert ordered when the Judge suddenly went limp in his arms.

Festus quietly entered Abelia's room with Abby as his wife slept. Taking a seat beside her bed, he gently cradled the month old baby as Abelia woke up and looked toward him.

"I brung ya the baby," Festus said showing Abelia the infant in his arms.

"That's Abby?" Abelia asked as Festus nodded.

"You remembering anything?" the hill man asked as Abelia shook her head no.

"Can I hold her?"

"Course ya can," Festus said handing off the baby to his wife. "She's your youngin, ain't she?"

Abelia smiled as she took the baby and cradled her. "Abigail Rose," she whispered as Festus grabbed Abelia's arm.

"I didn't tell ya her whole name," Festus said softly as Abelia looked up at him.

"I just knew it," Abelia said with a wiry grin. "I don't know how but I did."

Robert pulled his stethoscope off before he covered the Judge with a blanket. Turning around as Doc walked into the clinic, Robert quickly approached his mentor.

"What happened?" Doc asked looking beyond Robert to the prone form lying on the exam table. "Newly told me that the Judge collapsed!"

"Doc," Robert said quietly when the older man approached the exam table. Robert's eyes softened as he spoke. "He's dying, Doc."

"Dying?" Doc said swiping at his mustache.

"Lungs are full of fluid, heart rate is weak and his blood pressure is falling," Robert said as Doc took the Judge's pulse.

"Heart failure?" Doc asked as Robert nodded.

"That would be my diagnosis," Robert said evenly.

Doc shook his head as the Judge opened his eyes. "Doctor Adams," he said with a slight nod. "I have to hear this case!"

"You don't have to do anything, Judge," Doc said as the older man struggled to sit up.

Robert put a arm under the Judge's shoulders and supported him as he looked at Doc. "Have to," he said breathlessly. "It'll take months to get a new Judge in place."

Robert met Doc's eyes as the Judge looked from Robert to Doc. "Please," he pleaded. "I have to do this one last case, for Matt."

Doc sighed before he spoke. "We could give him a stimulant for his heart," Doc said thoughtfully as Robert nodded.

"And steep some Violet's to help clear his lungs so he can breathe easier," Robert replied as Doc tugged on his earlobe.

"Thank you," Judge Brooker said before closing his eyes.

"We should contact his next of kin," Robert said as Doc watched the Judge fall into a deep sleep.

"I think that's a good idea," Doc replied with a nod. "Take care of him while I see to Matt's therapy."

"Alright," Robert said as Doc headed for the door. "Good luck."

Doc left the downstairs clinic and climbed the stairs to the second floor of the hospital where the wards were located. With a nod aimed at Kitty, the physician stopped in front of Matt's bed.

"I was wondering when you were going to come by," Matt said with a mischievous grin. "Kinda thought you were going to put me off."

"Oh, I'd never do that," Doc said swiping his mustache. "Robert and I were dealing with Judge Brooker."

"Brooker?" Matt said looking at Kitty. "He just left here not to long ago."

"And he didn't look well," Kitty said as Doc shook his head.

"He's not," Doc said gently. "The fact is, he's dying Matt!"

"Dying," Matt said shocked as Kitty drew in a sharp breath. "So that's why he was so eager to see me."

Doc nodded. "He's begging Robert and I to allow him to preside over Pickett's case, as a personal favor to you," Doc explained. "Even though it could kill him for sure."

Matt shook his head in disbelief. "And that's not all," he said meeting Kitty's eyes. "He wants me to take over his job when he's gone."

Robert gathered together the necessary ingredients to make the powder for the heart stimulate. Not unlike what he already took, the physician only needed to refine it in order to fit the Judge's symptoms.

Once the medicine was complete, Robert mixed a dose in some water and brought it to the Judge to drink.

"It's not going to taste very good," Robert said holding the cup to the older man's lips. "But it'll at least get you back on your feet."

Judge Brooker sipped the liquid until it was gone and then gave Robert an appreciative smile.

"Now," Robert said checking the Judge's pulse. "Let's see what we can do about clearing up those lungs."