Outside of the infirmary while Adam was watched over by his love and her father, Ben received the report he wanted from Hoss on the whereabouts of Roy Coffee. Upon talking to Clem, Hoss had gathered the information that the sheriff had stayed behind to personally take charge of the guard duty protecting the ranch house and its precious occupants. Ben was relieved to hear that the sheriff was safe and had not met with some calamity as well. There was already too many problems for one body and mind to take in one day. Once Hoss was again finished recounting the details of his errand, he sighed and scuffed a boot on the floor. He met his pa's tired gaze.
"Pa, what are we going to do now?"
Ben turned his body slightly, angling it so that the closed door was brought into his peripheral vision. "I don't know, Son...I really don't know. But at least the threat has been defeated and now we can try to focus on what is truly important. We will have to be there for your brother and Angie more than ever. This is no blasted way to start a married life together."
Wincing at the pain in his father's voice, Joe stared at the floorboards, a scowl on his bruised face. Guilt was still in the forefront of his mind and he couldn't help the fresh wave washing over him. His shoulders drooped and a deep ache entered his heart. He pondered over the last words spoken and a brief thought entered his mind. So tired he was that he almost allowed it to pass through but then he couldn't find a reason to not suggest it. Pulling his head high, a wisp of a hopeful smile crossed his face and he placed a hand on Ben's shoulder.
"Pa? I know that Adam may be pretty bad off but we have to carry on with the wedding plans, at least for Angie's sake. The guests will be arriving in town and she can't do all of this by herself. I know her and she won't be leaving his side anytime soon."
Ben tilted his head as he regarded the sincere, green eyes of his youngest. "What do you have in mind? We can't very well assume Adam will be on his feet at all in time for Saturday."
"No, but Hoss and I will go home and if you can hold off in bringing Adam home until noon tomorrow then we could take care of getting the ranch ready for them. Just taking the sheets off the furniture, picking fresh flowers and whatever else needs doin'..." Joe shrugged helplessly, his voice trailing off, "If nothing else...they'll know that their home is waiting when...if he is alright and can...run it."
With one tug, Ben pulled Joe into his arms and held him while the tears flowed. They clung to each other, letting two months of tension flow out of his body and dampen his father's shirt. Hoss wrapped his arms around them and together, they found strength in their closeness. Joe pulled back first, wiping his eyes and trying to smile but failed. Ben reached out to grip the back of his youngest's neck but then remembered the bruises and changed direction, raising his hand to cup Joe's right cheek. Staring again into the expressive green eyes, Ben smiled this time, understanding the panic present there.
"Joe, you need to do what you think is best but I think we should wait until tomorrow afternoon and see how he is in the morning. We still have over two days until the wedding and a lot can happen in that time. I know you want something to do, to somehow spare him all of this but you can't spare him. None of us can, Joe. Evangeline needs us to stand by her and let her make the next move. Alright, Son?"
Joe didn't answer but his head lowered in a solemn nod. Ben gripped his shoulder lightly and turned to Hoss who also received the solace of Ben Cartwright's fingers pressing into his muscle. The moment was shared among the threesome, treasured beyond measure and then it passed and was gone. Ben released his sons and smiled at them both.
"Now, I do think you both need to go home and get some real rest and some fussing by Hop Sing. Adam will sleep for most of the night and I will be here when he does wake up."
Hoss shook his head hard. "You need sleep too, Pa. You go home and I'll stay."
"I won't take any argument. I have one son in dire straits and I don't need any more but I promise that I'll find some sleep somewhere," Ben smiled as he walked them into the waiting room and to the door. "Besides, I need Abel, Hop Sing and Roy to be informed in a tactful manner instead of Clem bungling his way through and leaving way too many questions like he always does. Can you both do that for me?"
"Sure, Pa, we'll take care of them all. Make sure you keep your promise though," Joe said, a thin smile lighting his lips, "We'll be back early in the morning."
Ben patted Joe's back and then his two sons were swallowed up into the gathering darkness. He watched them go with a fond love in his chocolate eyes. He stood as if in a trance, staring at the door and listening to the firm footsteps retreating into the night...and his sore heart was warmed. The way that his two youngest were supporting Adam and showing their affection toward him provided Ben with a satisfaction that only a parent could ever feel; the revelation that one's children have learned the lessons that have been diligently taught through the years and have followed through, becoming the kind of adults that make other parents jealous. As Ben turned to intrude on the cozy scene in the room so he could be with his eldest son, he thanked God for his family and prayed that they could all weather this latest storm. He exhaled as his hand came to the infirmary's doorknob...we all have to be due for some happiness...don't we?
Entering the room as quietly as he could, Ben stood with his back against the door, watching Frank and Evangeline standing by the bed, deep in an embrace. Ben watched as she was released from the hug being given her and she sat on the edge of the bed, grasping Adam's hand and sliding her other hand up and down his wrist. Frank gripped her shoulders and turned, meeting Ben's gaze and the two fathers smiled from across the room.
I* * * * *I
The cool, evening air greeted the brothers when they stepped outside of the doctor's office. Almost as one, they heaved a sigh, more than grateful to get a break from the stuffy and claustrophobic walls. Still, no contentment could be found in this night. The two men, who had collectively raised the younger Cartwrights, were still inside and in pain; one was in physical discomfort while the second was distraught with worry. In silence, Joe led the way to the livery stable and their horses were looked in on before they hitched up their buckboard and began the long ride home out of town towards the Ponderosa. The stars were beginning to come out and shone down alongside the curved moon. As the noise of Virginia City faded into the distance, Hoss gripped the reins firmly and he took comfort in the gentle beauty of the night. He glanced at Joe and a smile flitted to his mouth before he returned his gaze to the clear heavens.
From the right, one particular star broke from its bonds of tangible form and streaked across the sky, surpassing its companions in brightness until it lost strength and faded. Hoss frowned, something about that falling star reminding him of his big brother. Adam was a fighter, a doer; he was always pushing himself and constantly testing the limits of his health but it was bound to catch up to him eventually and it had. Hoss felt torn in two, afraid of the future and what it could hold. The last time they had been alone together had been their argument in the bathhouse and that encounter had not gone well. He desperately wanted to be there when Adam woke up and to show his older brother that, despite their disagreements, he was there for him. On the other hand, Joe needed that same reassurance but in more measure. Hoss sighed and nodded to himself, deciding that he was doing the right thing. He knew in his bones that Adam would want him to be with Joe but, for some reason, that didn't help the conflict eating him up because the truth was, he loved both of his brothers equally.
In another hour, the ranch house was coming into view. Both men were relieved and made quick work of putting the horses away and making sure the rest of the animals were fed. Looking forward to a refreshing snack and then a soft bed, the brothers locked the barn doors and started toward the warmth awaiting them. The door opened, light spilling forth and a small man was silhouetted in the cheery brightness. Hop Sing came running toward his two charges, his hopeful grin fading as he failed to see the other two men of the family arriving home. Then he saw Joe's bandages and began chattering in his native language, agitated at his world being turned upside down yet again. Holding up his hands to get a word in edgewise, Hoss explained as best he could while Hop Sing ushered the young men into the house. The cook was informed of the events of the morning then the onset of Adam's condition and he also was told that Ben was staying back in town for the night.
Stunned by all that had happened in so few hours of the day, Hop Sing was more than upset but soon found his stride anyway. He ushered his charges to sit by the fire while he bustled around, pouring two small glasses of brandy to warm their bellies while he prepared food. Hoss sipped his glass gratefully while glancing around and just now realizing that Abel, Katherine and Jody were nowhere to be seen. He asked after them but Hop Sing only shook his head.
"Captain, Missy and Jody gone to bed. Let them sleep and get rest. Morning will be soon enough for worry."
"Guess you're right," Hoss sighed, burying his face in his glass and then he leaned his head back. Just as well that Adam's kin and Jody are in bed, he mused, his eyes closing, I don't think I can say those words again that Adam has taken ill. I just can't say it again...not tonight anyway.
The talk fading away as there was nothing more to be said, the room grew quiet, only the tick of the clock disturbing the ambiance of the peace. While Joe and Hoss stretched out long legs and rested weary eyes, the cook hurried to portion out two bowls of stew that had been kept warm and he grabbed a few thick slices of bread to go along with it. The brothers found that they were famished, having not eaten since the morning, and they gulped down the food, despite the Chinaman's disapproving clucks as he checked Joe's wounds. As if the doctor hadn't been competent in caring for the young man, Hop Sing checked the cuts and bruises, satisfied at last that all was well. He returned to the kitchen and retrieved a container of herbal salve. Gently, he applied the soothing oil to Joe's neck and then redressed the purple marks with soft bandages. By the time he was done, Hoss had fallen asleep in the blue chair, his arms dangling over the armrests. Stretching his tired body out on the settee, Joe wasn't far behind as Hop Sing finished and stood, hovering over his charges with a sad smile making lines around his eyes.
Going to the credenza, he retrieved two wool blankets from within and covered each man in turn. The lights were doused and only the fire created flickering hues to bounce off the sleeping men's outlines. Hop Sing glanced back once more before popping into the guest bedroom to check on George Meeker. The man was sleeping full and deep and his fever seemed to have left for his skin was cool to the touch. The last of his duties completed and feeling quite tired himself, Hop Sing quietly left the room and entered his own bedroom. Collapsing on the bed, he fell into a restless slumber until the cheerful rays of morning woke him the next day.