Kitty Russell sat quietly in the buggy next to deputy Festus Haggen. Slowly her eyes turned to him, "How's Doc?" she asked.
Festus didn't answer right away and he sighed, "Last I saw, Miss Kitty, was Newly taking care of him," he said. It was now almost dark. Matt and a few of the other men followed the buggy in the dusk and moonlight. Suddenly, Kitty felt cold. Her not knowing how Doc really was an unsettling feeling for her.
As the group rounded a bend in the road on their way back to Dodge, they ran into Pratt deputy, Burt Morrison and his posse, "Hold on there!" Morrison ordered.
Matt rode passed the buggy and stopped next to Morrison, "What's up?" he asked.
Morrison looked at the string of men, "Are you marshal Dillon?" Matt nodded.
"I'm on my way to old Dodge Town to arrest the man responsible for shooting sheriff Paxton," Morrison stated.
"Turn your men back to Dodge. We've got the men you are looking for, but I'm not turning them over to you," Matt stated.
Morrison's eyebrows knotted together, "They shot my boss," he stated.
"And they shot my doctor, and my deputy and they kidnapped the doctor and Kitty Russell, here," Matt motioned. "Judge Brooker will be the one to decide where they are tired," he stated and spurred his horse, "Come on Festus," he said, "Kitty must be cold," he said as he rode passed Morrison and his men.
Morrison swore under his breath, "Dillon had better not be pulling a fast one on me," he said looking over to one of his riders, "The people of Pratt deserve to see them hanged," he snorted as he pulled hard on his reins and turned his horse back to ward Dodge City. None of his men commented, they just followed.
By the time the two posses reached the outskirts of Dodge, it was completely dark and the slight glow of the coal oil lamps in windows and the street lights were the only sign of life. Front Street was abandoned and only a few lights from inside buildings were lit. Festus pulled Doc's buggy to a stop in front of the Long Brach Saloon, where lights were still burning inside. Kitty glanced over to Festus before she stepped down and walked to the front door of her establishment.
There was only a hand full of men in the saloon, the only ones that Louie Pheeters allowed in. Kitty pushed through the doors and walked to the bar, "Louie?"
"Miss Kitty!" Louie's face lit up. "You're home!" he smiled widely with every wrinkle on his craggy face deepening.
"What are you doing?" Kitty asked in astonishment.
"Trying to run your saloon," Pheeters said sheepishly. He'd done in the past, so he thought it was still alright.
Kitty smiled. She walked over to the bar and placed a kiss on Louie's cheek, "Thank you," she whispered with a wink. Louie blushed.
Kitty began to walk to the door, "I gave Mr. Jonas a bottle," Louie said.
Kitty stopped and frowned, "You what?" she asked turning back to Louie.
"Mr. Jonas and Newly have been working on Doc all day and he asked for a drink for him and Newly," Louie stated.
Kitty nodded, "Thank you, Louie," she said with a slight smile. She didn't like hearing that Newly had been working on Doc that long, and now she needed to find out why. Kitty quickly left the Long Branch and started up the stairs to Doc's office. She met Matt as she crossed the alley. Without exchanging words they both climbed the stairs.
Newly was sitting on Doc's chair at this desk, while Jonas sat on the wooden chair next to the roll-topped desk, against the wall just inside the door. Both men held empty glasses in their hands, while the mostly filled bottle sat on the desk. They both, also, stared down at the floor, until the door opened and they both quickly looked up.
Kitty Russell stood in the doorway with Matt Dillon behind her. Quickly they stepped into the warm room, and both Jonas and Newly stood.
"How is he?" Kitty cut to the chase.
Newly shook his head, "Not very good, I'm afraid," he said placing the empty glass down on the desk. "I had a terrible time finding where he was bleeding from," the young deputy's voice trialed off.
"Newly did every thing he could," Jonas stated in a hushed voice. "He worked hard," he then looked over to Doc, "He said it's up to Doc now," the store owner said with a sigh. Newly nodded.
Kitty and Matt looked at the two men. They were covered with dried blood, "Why don't you both take a break and get cleaned up. Kitty and I'll spell you off," Matt said.
Newly was about to protest when Kitty spoke up, "Newly, I'm fine. And I'll call for you if I need help," she said as she walked over to Doc and placed her hand on the doctor's shoulder. He even seemed cold so she pulled the blanket a little further up under the unconscious man's chin with a silent sigh.
Newly looked at Jonas and then to Matt, "I'll wash up and grab a nap and back," he said.
Jonas didn't know what to say, "Jonas, thank you for what you did. You can go home and rest," Matt said with a slight smile as he tried to imagine Jonas helping Newly.
Newly smiled, "I couldn't have done it without him," he winkled at Kitty. Kitty had an odd look on her face and she looked over to Matt who was equally perplexed. Once again, Wilbur Jonas surprised them.
The store owner noted the look, and walked to the door, "I'll be at home if you need anything," he said. His voice matched his body, and he looked and sounded exhausted.
Matt stepped aside, "Thanks Jonas," he said as he watched the store owner leave. Newly followed and looked back to Kitty, "You look tired yourself, are you sure you want to stay here?" he asked.
"A team of horses couldn't pull me away from here right now," she said looking down at Doc and fussing with his hair.
Newly acknowledged and nodded, "Just call on me if you need to," he smiled.
"Thanks, Newly," Matt said as the young deputy closed the door. Matt looked over to Kitty and it was th e first time he noticed the bruise on the side of her face, "What happened," he asked as he walked over to Kitty and looked more closely.
Kitty looked up, "Oh, don't worry Matt," she huffed. "It was nothing," she said and replaced the damp cloth on Doc's forehead.
Matt pursed his lips, "One of them hit you, didn't they?" he asked.
"Matt. They are in enough trouble without this. I need to look after Doc," she stated.
Matt nodded, "Find. But once Doc is on his feet again, we're going to talk about this," he said. Kitty slowly looked up at the marshal, "He is going to get back on his feet again, isn't he?" she asked before looking down at her dearest friend.