Stambridge left the hospital feeling more positive and happy then he had in a long time. Crossing the street, he walked down the boardwalk to the Bulls Head saloon and went inside. "Bartender," he said going straight up to the bar. "Whiskey and keep them coming!" The bartender brought over the glass and whiskey bottle and took his money.

"Will Stambridge!"

Will lifted the glass of whiskey to his lips but stopped as a man in a dark coat and hat stepped into the saloon.

"I'm calling you out, Stambridge!"

Will gulped the glass of whiskey in one swallow before slowly putting the glass on the bar. "Sorry, mister," he said turning around to face the man as he came up behind him. "My gunfighting days are over!"

"I'd heard ya went yellow," the man said snidely. "But, I didn't believe it till now."

Will smirked as the man stood firmly in place. Balling up his left fist, he distracted the gunmen with his right. Before giving the him a hard left hook.

Robert leaned against the wall in the ward where Doc was sitting up in bed eating a bowl of chicken soup that Abelia had brought. He watched happily as Doc's four friends and his wife teased and interacted with their friend.

"That was some good soup, Abelia," Doc said handing the bowl back to Festus wife.

"I'm just glad you're feeling up to eating, Doc," Abelia replied with a broad smile.

Robert checked the time on the clock before stepping closer to Doc's bed. "I hate to break this up but I've got to change Doc's bandages. If you'll all give us a few minutes, I'll let you come back in to say goodnight."

"Alright," Julie said quietly before leaning in to give Doc a kiss. "I'll be back in a little bit."

"I'll be here," Doc replied ruefully.

Robert waited until everyone left before bringing over a tray ladened with bandages and salves. "I'll have to lay you down flat to do this, Doc," Robert said as the older man nodded. Removing the pillow from behind Doc's back, Robert gently lowered him to the mattress. "You want something for the pain before I start?"

"I'm alright," Doc replied with a gentle smile as Robert unbuttoned Doc's pajama top.

Cutting away the old bandages, Robert inspected the surgical incision for any signs of infection. Luckily, there was no redness or drainage. Cleaning the surgical site with carbolic acid first, he then applied a healing salve. "We need to talk," Robert said meeting Doc's eyes. "I have to tell you about the surgery."

"I kinda had a feeling you were holding something back from me," Doc said with a slight grin. "I'm not going to fall apart, Robert."

"Doc," Robert said with a heavy sigh. "You died on the table. I didn't know what to do! But, I also knew, I couldn't lose you. I don't know how or why, but something led me to take your heart in my hand and I squeezed it several times and it started to beat again."

"Robert," Doc said putting a hand on his. "I would never question anything you do in order to save my life."

"I know that, Doc," Robert replied with a sigh. Applying the fresh bandage to Doc's chest, he continued. "There's more that I need to tell you. The Kansas City newspaper has gotten a hold of the story and it's being reported like, I brought you back from the dead! Can you believe it?"

"Don't worry about it," Doc said with a grin. "It's just hearsay. You've exceeded any teachings, I could have ever taught you. Let people think what they want to!"

"I'm glad you think so but I know, you've got plenty more to show me," Robert said with a smile. "You feeling okay?"

"Yes," Doc said with a nod. "I feel very lucky."

"Good," Robert said getting to his feet. "I'll let everyone back in for a little while but I want you to get some sleep. Tomorrow we'll get you on your feet." Doc made a sour face as Robert smirked. "It won't be that bad," he said opening the door to find Matt waiting.

"Robert," Matt said breathlessly. "Newly needs you downstairs! He just brought Will Stambridge in!"

Robert looked back at Doc who nodded before he raced downstairs to the clinic and went inside. Newly and Abelia worked over Stambridge. "What happened?" Robert said looking down at the man.

"I found him in the ally outside the Bulls Head," Newly said looking up at Robert. "He's in bad shape!"

"Yeah," Robert said absently. Running his hands over Stambridge's body with an ease that came from experience, he felt for broken bones. "Damn," he said looking up at Newly. "Ribs are broken and his right arm and I don't even know about internal injuries."

"Is he going to make it?" Newly asked as Robert grabbed a stethoscope.

"I don't know," he said listening to Stambridge's chest. "There's fluid in the lungs, could be blood. I'm going to have to open him up to see!"

"I'll have Vera assist you," Newly said looking over at Matt. "I've got to find the man that did this!"

"What's going on?" Doc asked as Kitty and Julie stepped into the ward.

"Will Stambridge is back in town Doc," Kitty said quietly. "He's been beaten bad from the looks of it."

Doc frowned as Kitty looked hurt. "Why's he here?" Doc asked as Kitty looked up.

"He helped Matt when Festus got shot. If it hadn't been for him, Matt might have been killed!"