Matt and Doc rode up Front Street – there were only a few lights along the darkened street that remained lit. The marshal's eyes spotted the warm glow from within the Long Branch Saloon, "It looks like Kitty is still up," he said to his riding companion.

Doc harrumphed, "Maybe I can get a night cap to take this chill off," he mumbled.

"It's after hours," Matt stated, "but I'll make an exception this time," he said as he pulled his tired horse to a stop at the hitching rail in front of the saloon. Matt waited until Doc slid down off the horse before he swung his leg over and dismounted the animal. The marshal tied the reins to the rail and stepped up to the boardwalk with Doc next to him.

Doc shuffled to the doors of the saloon and peered over the top. Matt stood behind him with a slight smile on his face.

Kitty, Newly and Sam sat at a table near the back of the saloon. Most of the lights at the front of the house were turned down which cause the glow of the lamps near the table to take on more warmth.

Doc slowly pushed through the swing doors and entered the establishment. Kitty's head lifted and looked over to the door, "Doc!" she said and quickly stood. Sam and Newly also looked up and watched Doc, who stood at the door.

Doc felt his face growing red and brushed his hand across his moustache as he ambled across the floor toward the table. He still had Matt's blanket over his shoulders. He hated being the center of attention, "What?' he asked gruffly trying to avoid any awkward outpouring of feelings.

"Are you all right?" Kitty asked as she pulled a chair out for the doctor to sit on.

"I'm fine," the doctor grumbled as he took the seat. "I'm cold, though," he added.

Kitty patted Doc on the shoulder, "Sam, pour Doc a drink," she smiled and looked over to Matt who nodded in agreement. Sam stood and walked to the bar and poured the doctor a good amount of whiskey.

"Where's Festus?" Newly asked.

Matt moved further into the room, closer to the table, "He's still tracking the two men. I'm going to join him when I can. We needed to get Doc back to town," the marshal said.

Newly's eyebrow rose, "How did you get Doc away from them?" he asked looking over to Doc who was now enjoying his drink.

The doctor sat down his glass, "They ditched me," he snorted. "And rather unceremoniously at that," he huffed and picked up his drink to take another sip from the glass.

Newly exchanged glances with Kitty, "You mean they threw you off a horse?" she asked in concern as he gaze shifted to the doctor.

"You might say that," Doc replied. "In the middle of nowhere. And then I was practically attacked by two lawmen," he said looking over to Matt.

"Sorry Doc. We thought you were one of the men and where lying wait for us," the marshal shrugged.

Doc continued to look at Matt. "Huh," Doc grunted and continued with this drink. His gaze shifted to Kitty who still wore a worried look. "I'm fine, Kitty," he winked. Kitty wasn't so sure the doctor was telling the truth, but there was no use arguing with him.

"Well, I'm going to get another horse and join up with Festus," Matt stated as he thumbed over his shoulder.

Newly stood, "Do you want me to go with you?" he asked the marshal.

Matt shook his head no, "We'll be fine. I figure that the man that Doc was treating will not be in any condition to put up a fight, from what Doc told me on the way back," he stated. "We only have the other one to deal with," the marshal said as he moved to the door of the saloon. "I'll see you all later," he waved and left the establishment.

Newly looked around the room, "I guess I'd better make my rounds then," he said and walked to the door.

"I'll be closing the Long Branch after Doc finishes his drink," Kitty smiled.

"If you don't mind, Miss Kitty. It's been a long day," Sam said as he stood.

"Goodnight, Sam," Kitty sighed. "Thank you for your help. I'll see you in the morning," she said. Sam nodded and left the saloon.

With a sigh, Kitty looked over to Doc, "Are you sure you are all right?" she asked.

Doc slowly put the glass back down to the table, "One of them wrenched my shoulder and then pushed me off his horse. Other than what has already happened to me, I think I'm doing okay," he stated.

Kitty shook her head in amazement, "You are quite the man," she smiled.

Doc tried to hide his slight smile and finish his drink.

Matt had another horse pulled from the livery and was just finishing with this saddle when he heard Festus' voice in the distance.

Matt stepped away from the horse and walked toward the hill man's voice. His mouth dropped open slightly when he saw the deputy and the two men. "Matthew," he ticked his head at the marshal when he saw him.

"I told you to wait for me," Matt said as he walked toward the three men as they stopped in front of the jail house.

"I know you did, Matthew. But I was certain that these yahoos where going o make another run for it is we gave them time to rest," the hill man explained.

Matt pulled Clive down off his horse, "Inside," he shoved the man toward the door.

"This one here could use ol' Doc," Festus said as he slid off Ruth. Emmett was slumped over his saddle and moaning in pain. Festus pulled Emmett down from his horse and assisted him into the jail.

Matt had already locked Clive away in one of the holding cells, "Put him in the other one. I'll get Doc," he said and left the jail house.

Festus settled Emmett down to the cot. The man clutched his hand to his chest and rocked trying to ease the pain. Festus could only shake his head. He looked over to the other man who sat with his elbows on his knees and hands hanging down to the floor. His head was tilted forward and he stared at the lower half of the iron bared door.

Festus walked back to the other room and waited for Matt and Doc. He sighed, knowing that Doc was going to be safe again and that the two men would soon get what's coming to them.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Judge Brooker brought the gavel down onto the block of wood with such force, the block jumped. So did Clive and Emmett Kempenfelt as they remained seated in the prisoner box. The two brothers exchanged looks, "I never would have thought that they would have figured us for the gold robbery," Emmett whispered.

"Take the prisoners to the waiting prison wagon," Brooker ordered.

Clive looked thoroughly unimpressed, "This ain't the way it was supposed to be," he growled in a low voice. "It's all that damn doctor's fault," he said leering across the room at Doc.

"Well there isn't anything we can do about that now," Emmett reminded his brother as he held up his shackled wrists.

A guard nudged the Kempenfelt's "There will be no talking. Get on your feet," the guard ordered. With the courtroom still packed, the two prisoners rose to their feet and were escorted out to the paddy wagon.

Doc sighed, "I'm glad that's over," he said placing his black felt hat onto his head in its familiar jaunty tilt.

"You can say that again," Festus snorted. "I still think they should have been given longer sentences," he grumbled.

"Ten years is a long time where they are going," Doc reminded everyone.

Slowly the room began to empty and the town folks poured out into the street to watch the wagon leave Dodge.

Kitty turned to Doc, "You know you should really try and get away for a few days," she smiled, placing her hand on Doc's forearm. "You've had a rough few days," she stated.

Doc screwed his finger into his ear and thought, "I don't know," he hesitated.

Matt stood next to Doc with this thumbs tucked over his belt, "Kitty's right Doc. You should take some time to relax. Why don't you go back out to that camp site and take a few days off," the marshal urged.

Doc twisted his mouth and looked over to Festus Haggen who was busy watching the crowd and the prison wagon, "I might if I had someone to go with," Doc said to no one in particular.

Kitty and Matt exchanged looks, "Why don't you ask Festus?" Matt asked. "He could use some rest too," Matt said with this tongue in his cheek.

Doc twisted his mouth in thought, "Are you sure?" he looked up at Matt.

"Yup," Matt smiled.

Doc ticked his head and walked over to where Festus was standing. The deputy had his back to him, "Festus?" the doctor called.

Festus turned around, "Doc?" he said noting the look on his face. "What's wrong?"

Doc stopped and looked the hill man in his hazel eyes, "Do you want to go fishing?" he blurted out.

Festus looked at the doctor and then over to Matt and Kitty who were motioning for him to say yes. The hill man's eyes came back to the doctor's; "You bet I would!" he smiled broadly.

"I'll meet you at my buggy," Doc said and hustled off for his fishing equipment.

"Well, I'll be!" Festus laughed. "Doc wants me to go fishing with him!" The hill man turned toward the livery stable to get his bamboo fishing pole and to ready the doctor's rig. He was smiling so wide that one could almost count all his teeth. Matt and Kitty watched and laughed. "Come on cowboy, let me buy you a drink," she said and the two walked to the Long Branch Saloon.