Matt removed the ring of keys and stepped forward, "I'd like to see how your going to take the keys and still hold Festus and the gun," Matt's voice was filled with irritation.

"First you're gonna take your gun belt off and kick it out into the other room, and then you are gonna unlock the door, real careful like cause my finger is getting itchy on this trigger." Josh spoke calmly which was eerie.

Matt huffed, and pursed his lips before he removed his gun belt letting it slide to the floor.

"Now kick it out to the other room, just like I said," Josh again pushed the gun into Festus' neck causing the deputy to flitch. Festus tried to free him as he worked his hands around Josh's arm, but the cowboy kept screwing the gun into his neck, "Easy does it, Whiskers . . . "

Matt glared at Josh and then kicked his gun belt out into the other room, but not too far that with a few good strides he'd be able to scoop it up.

"Now that?" Matt asked knowing full well what was next.

"Now you just mosey over here and unlock this door. Nice and slow." Josh watched Matt carefully. Matt quickly looked down at the ring of keys and found the one for the door and then stepped next to Festus, "You all right?" Festus just nodded. Matt inserted the key and turned it until he heard the tumbler click. "Now stepped back over there," Josh indicated with his eyes and Matt slowly did what he said.

With a quick change of hands, Josh still held Festus and the gun but this time not through the iron bars. Josh stepped out of the cell and held the deputy in front of his still with his arm wrapped around his neck, "Come on now, you're with me until I'm clear of this place," Josh poked Festus again and nudged him to the door.

"Don't do it Josh. You're only making matters worse," Matt ordered.

"As I said earlier, it don't make no difference to me. I am still not gonna hang for that miserable farmer," Josh pulled Festus to the door and then ordered him to open it. Festus looked at Matt and knew what the marshal was thinking, and then reached for the clasp to open the door. Purposely Festus fumbled and caused Josh to look and with two long strides Matt grabbed his gun and held it straight out to Josh. "Let him go and drop it," Matt ordered.

Josh pushed Festus away and attempted to open the door and shot at Matt at the same time. Matt's bullet was true and Josh staggered and then the gun rolled off his hand, "Ha...see, I told you I wasn't gonna hang..." and then he pitched forward and dropped at Matt's feet.

Festus stood near by rubbing his throat, "That was a close one, Matthew."

Matt sighed, "To close," he said and walked back to the cells where Massey and Peter stood watching the whole event unfold, "Massey, if I weren't wearing this badge, I'd open up this cage and beat you until tomorrow."

Massey's mouth hung open, "How dare you."

"Look whose calling the kettle black," Matt said in disgust as he started to turn away, "I hope you know a good lawyer..."

Massey huffed and turned from the bars as he contemplated his future.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Festus combed his hair and pat the few errant hairs on the top of his head down. "Festus, I can't remember the last time I have ever seen you so dressed up!" Matt smiled.

"Well golly bill, Matthew, Doc's coming home today and I just want to be looking proper fer the occasion, that's all."

Matt smiled, "You look fine. Now come on, Kitty wants us all over at the Long Branch to wait for Doc's arrival."

Festus smiled, "I'll be there in a tick, I jist has to fetch something!" the deputy said as he scurried out of the office and across to the livery stable. Matt laughed and shook his head, "What is he up too now?" Matt's eyebrows lifted as he walked to the door of the jail and stepped out to the boardwalk. It seems that there was a new life in Dodge with Josh gone and his uncle sentenced to life in prison - Matt saw to it that Massey had enough time to suffer and think about what he'd done.

Matt walked up the street and entered the Long Branch. "Kitty you've out done yourself!" he smiled at the large banner she has made and strung across the balcony. Kitty smiled, "I could do more..."

Matt laughed, and then entered the saloon. "Where's Festus?" Kitty soon asked as she looked at the clock, "Doc's is suppose to arrive in ten minutes."

"I know, but he went off to his room in the livery stable and I haven't seen him since."

Kitty placed her hands on her hips and chuckled, "well he'd better get here and soon!"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Doc sat quietly with White and if truth were to be known, he was a little bit nervous and wondered what had happened while he was gone. Reginald smiled, "You look apprehensive."

Doc's eyebrows lifted, "I was never good at hiding my thoughts," he smiled and gently drew his hand across his moustache, "These folks are the best there is..."

White smiled as the stage rolled to a stop, "That's what Judge Brooker says too."

Both men stepped down from the coach and Doc looked around. He began to wonder if he'd gotten off at the wrong stop - there wasn't a soul there to greet him. Reginald placed his hand on the doctor's shoulder, "I've been instructed to take you to the Long Branch." Doc looked up to him, "Oh?" White smiled and nodded yes. Doc seemed to relax slightly, "Well it's right down this street here." And the two men walked in the direction of the saloon.

Doc still wondered why his friends didn't greet him at the stage stop and then he further wondered where everyone was as he and the young barrister walked down the street.

Sam peeked over the swing doors and the looked back to the crowd, "He's here!"

Kitty and Matt smiled and moved to the doors and waited. Within the moment Doc still talking to White pushed open the swing doors and the room erupted into a joyous cheer. Doc stood speechless and tears fill his eyes as Kitty and Matt moved to him. Kitty wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek, "Oh, Doc! I was so afraid I'd never see you again," she sobbed happily into his shoulder. Doc was equally happy and gently pat Kitty on the back, "I was getting pretty scared too, honey."

Matt stepped up and placed his hand on the doctor's shoulder, "Welcome home, Doc," Matt smiled.

Doc pulled himself from Kitty and greeted some other folks and then noticed the absence of one person, "Where's Festus?"

Matt was just about to say something when the deputy appeared at the door, "Doc..."

Doc walked back to the door, "Well, what are you doing out there?" Doc quipped.

"I have something fer ya. Something I made jist fer you." Festus smiled and the warmth in the hill man's eyes melted every bad thought Doc had at the moment.

Doc stepped forward as Festus opened the swing doors and handed Doc a fishing pole, "I sure hope you get to try it soon, Doc. The cat fish at Miller's Pond have been waiting for you."

Doc held the fishing pole and he smiled. It ment almost more to him than party that Kitty was holding and with misted eyes Doc looked at Festus, "I'll try it tomorrow." And a cheer rose from the Long Branch as finally everyone was there to celebrate Doc's homecoming.

The end