Watching from the Long Branch as Festus guided his lover down the boardwalk, Matt ached to be with her himself. But the Stroms were due any minute and he had to be in position when they arrived.

At least, he thought with a heavy sigh, the barroom was empty. He and his deputies had worked all afternoon to make sure people stayed away tonight. Even Doc had been convinced to lay low until he was needed.

They were out of sight when the gunshots rang out and the Marshal quickly blew past Thad even though the deputy had a head start from down the street. Rounding the corner, they found Festus on his knees, holding his bloody side with gritted teeth.

"I'm sorry, Matthew…" His voice was hoarse, "Those doggone boys—"

"Take it easy, Festus." Matt put a hand on his friend's back as rage and panic mounted inside him, "It's alright. It's alright. We'll—" He bit the inside of his mouth to keep a monstrous roar down.

"Thad, go see what's holding Doc up."

Scanning the street, he saw a few heads peering through windows but, as they'd asked, no one ventured out.

"You go on, Matthew." Festus understood what he was going through.

"Just sit tight, Festus." Matt shook his head, "They won't get far."

Thad was back in less than a minute. "He's not there, Matt! And the office is a mess!"

"They sure covered their bases." the Marshal snarled softly, "But I'd bet they don't cover their tracks so well."

Nodding at his young deputy, he braced to help the other stand. "Help me get him up to Doc's and tell Ma Smalley to come help me. Then tell Burke to watch our prisoner and get Sam to help round up as many people as you can to search the town top to bottom. We got here so fast they're probably sheltering somewhere close."

"No, Matthew!" Festus protested loudly as his friends gingerly guided him forward, "You go on. If anything happens to Doc or Miss Kitty because you were tending me...why, I'd-I'd never forgive myself!"

"We won't let that happen, Festus." Matt answered with stubborn determination, "I've got full faith in 'em."

"We'll do our best, that's for sure." Thad assured them.

"You're best ain't good enough if you don't bring 'em back whole."

"That's what we'll do then." the young man answered seriously, "I promise ya both that."

"Go to it, Thad." Matt shook his hand. His voice caught for a moment, "I-I'm countin' on you guys."

*⁓8⁓*

Kitty came too some yards behind the train depot, finding herself bound and gagged. Remembering the gunshots and Festus going down as she was being dragged away, she instinctively tried to fight. Then her eyes found Doc's steady gaze. He was shaking his head.

Nodding at their captors, he tried to reassure her that he wouldn't let anything happen to her.

"Wh-what'd you do with Festus?" Her temper surged.

"Just be still, honey," Doc put a hand on her shoulder.

"That's where you're wrong…" Cal shoved him back, "We gotta get on the road. We're running late as it is." He gave Kitty a toothy grin, "Don't worry about the deputy, pretty thing. The Marshal can take care of him."

He gave her a leering once over, suddenly desiring to finish what his brother started, before roughly hauling her into his arms.

"Hey, now!" Doc surged up, "Keep your hands off her!"

"She has a court date to keep, old man."

Mark pushed him away and leveled his rifle as Cal carried his thrashing victim to a hidden wagon and unceremoniously dumped her into the hay. Licking his lips as he watched her floundering to turn over, he grinned again, "I'm sure lookin' forward to the sentencing too!"

"Well, that sounds like a real fair trial."

Doc was furious as Mark forced him to mount the horse tied behind the wagon.

"Shut up, old man." the Stroms climbed into the driver's seat, "You don't have anything to say here."

"I don't?" Doc tried to make as much noise as possible, "What about Kitty? Does she have a say? Last time I checked, the Constitution guarantees the accused gets a defense. Is anyone going to defend Kitty at your little kangaroo court?"

Mark Strom moved fast. Jumping down from the wagon, he yanked Doc off the horse and hit him in the gut with the butt of his rifle. Doc fell hard but was still fighting when both boys shoved him into the wagon. He crashed into Kitty then rolled off spitting hay while the Stroms ran the horse off.

"Oh, Doc…" Kitty's eyes glistened with tears, her muffled voice choking, "I'm so sorry…"

"I'm alright, Kitty." He gripped her arm, understanding the look in her eyes more than her words. Blood trickled down his head and face, "This is the Stroms' fault, honey. Not yours."

As the wagon bounced along, the cool night air worked to clear the hostages' minds and Doc managed to push the hay off them.

"Don't worry, Kitty, " he continued whispering encouragement, "Matt knows how to take bullets out. I betcha he's already sent Thad with a posse and they'll catch up with us before we get where we're going. These crackpots wasted a lot of time."

"Welcome, Miss Russell, Doctor…" Judge's Strom's triumphant voice finally smashed that hope, "It's good of you to join us..."

Doc didn't hesitate to make himself heard again. They were beside an abandoned sod house in the middle of nowhere but his voice boomed across the prairie.

"Judge, what in thunder—"

"Please, Doctor…" Strom held up a hand, "Miss Russell has been brought up on charges and I intend to hold her accountable. It's no less than my sworn duty to do so."

"That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!" Doc shot back, "If you—"

"Doc, are you lookin' for headache this time?" Cal hurled the threat, gripping his rifle, "Nobody, and I mean nobody, tells Pa how to run his courtroom!"

"Oh, I have a lot of respect for the judicial system." Doc returned fire with fire, "But I'll never put up with a kangaroo court! Especially one that's set up against one of my dearest friends!"

"Doc!"

Kitty ungracefully heaved into a sitting position. Adrenaline fueled her body now and the ropes weren't tied well. She managed to break free and yanked the gag off. Furiously tugging at the ropes around her ankles, she pleaded with her old friend, "Could you just please be quiet."

"Smart woman…" Strom's mouth twisted into a sneer, "Too bad you weren't thinking so clearly the night you drugged and tried to rob my boy."

"I did nothing of the sort!" Her temper surged more.

"Now…" Strom's tone was business-like as he turned towards the house "I'd like to get started. Will you please bring the accused inside, Cal?"

"With pleasure…"

Reaching for her, he received racking nails across the face. He reeled back, slapping her hard in the same motion.

"You little hellcat!" His roar drowned out her yelp.

Springing forward again, he seized her arm before she could move again and dragged her down into the house.

"When Matt Dillon gets here," Doc bellowed with all his might, fighting with Mark in an attempt to reach her, "there won't be enough of you Stroms left to saddle up and ride out!"

"Mark, go get your brother." The Judge nodded at his youngest son once both prisoners were in chairs. He turned towards his captives, "While he's gone, Cal can tell the court what happened that night."

Giving Kitty a small condescending smile, he added, "Don't worry, Miss Russell, the Doctor is correct. You'll have a chance to say something before I pass judgement."

"Judge!" Doc's tone could've blistered skin, "What kind of ridiculous—"

"Would you like to stand as her attorney, Doctor?" Strom's voice was pleasant.

Doc's heart dropped like a stone. "Me?"

"Why, yes…I don't see why not."