Hoss concentrated on the rhythmic rumble of the wagon along the dirt road. Helping Sylvester load up the coffin for Adam's body was more than Hoss could handle. He knew he was the one the family was counting on to be strong and to see them all through this, but he was having strong doubts that he could do it. Adam was gone. His protector, confidante and second father. Adam had always been the one he could count on for anything if his father wasn't available. His father. Pa was in a complete state of emotional distress. Hoss couldn't recall a time he'd seen his father weep so openly. Except at Marie's funeral. It scared him to see his father in such an unsettled state. And now Joe. Hoss was trying to be sympathetic to his little brother and what he must be going through. Hoss wished it was as simple as knowing that David Fairchild was responsible for the death of their brother, but it wasn't. There wasn't any proof and they were going to have to live with the fact that it was simply an accident. A stupid, senseless fire that had taken his brother's life. He missed Adam already. Adam would've been strong in this situation. Hoss needed to use that knowledge to give him the strength to get through this day. For his entire family.

Joe was angry. He couldn't seem to shake the feelings of torment from the confrontation with David Fairchild. How dare he look so smug. How dare him even act like he didn't even know what he was talking about when he approached him. His gut told him the Fairchilds were involved and he wouldn't stop looking into it until he was absolutely sure they weren't somehow entangled in his brother's death. He knew he should've kept his cool and not let David get to him, but he just couldn't seem to control his emotions. The fatigue and irritation regarding the events of the last day were taking their toll on him. He knew if he let his anger subside then he'd start crying and wouldn't be able to stop. Hoss had done the right thing to keep him from fighting David, but it didn't quench the burning rage that still lingered inside him - a rage that was making it difficult to keep a level head.

"Joe, I don't blame ya' for being so angry," Hoss finally spoke up. "It tears me up inside to think of our lives without Adam. But you ain't makin' it any easier by tryin' to get yourself thrown in jail. Whatever's eatin' you, you best control it, you hear me? For Pa's sake." Hoss lowered his head and gently snapped the reins. "We're buryin' our brother and I really don't have the strength to worry about you going off half-cocked because you want to blame someone for all this."

Joe listened to his older brother, taking every word to heart. He wanted to explain to Hoss what was going on his head. He wanted Hoss to be just as angry so they could punish the Fairchilds for Adam's death.

"Pa needs…" Hoss swallowed the hard knot that had formed in his throat, the tears threatening to spill forth. "Pa needs us to be strong, Joe, that's all."

Joe couldn't even look at his brother. Crossing his arms he turned away so that Hoss wouldn't see the fresh tears rolling down his cheeks. "I know they had something to do with it, Hoss."

"You keep that crazy talk under your hat, Joe," Hoss stated. "Pa's upset enough as it is."

Joe dropped his head. "I know. You won't have anymore trouble from me, Hoss. I promise."

"Thanks, Joe," Hoss responded somberly. He stopped the wagon and turned towards his little brother. Reaching into his vest pocket he pulled out the watch that Roy had handed him to pass onto their father. "Joe, I want you to be the one to give this to Pa, all right?"

Joe wiped the tears from his face and turned towards Hoss who was holding the watch in the palm of his hand. "You want me to..." he looked into his Hoss' face then rested his hand on top of his brother's. "I will. Thank you, Hoss."

Hoss nodded knowing that Joe understood the importance of the task at hand. This day was about focusing on their father's well being; their time to avenge their brother's death would be later. Hoss gave the reins a snap and continued their trip home.

The rest of the trip home was spent in silence, both brothers lost in their thoughts, dealing with their grief. As they pulled up to the front of the Ponderosa two of the hands came out along with Hop Sing. Hoss turned around slowly and looked at the coffin for Adam's body. Joe had immediately climbed down and was headed inside the house.

"Everything okay in town, Missa Hoss?" the Chinese cook asked.

Hoss watched his brother disappear in the house. He let out a sigh, laid the reins down and climbed off the wagon. "Everything went fine." Hoss looked towards the carriage house. "Where's Pa?"

"Missa Cartlight visiting grave site," Hop Sing responded. "I fix big lunch. You eat now?"

Hoss shot a look towards the coffin. "Not right now, Hop Sing. I got to take care of this."

One of the ranch hands stepped forward. "Uh, we could handle it for you if you'd like, Hoss."

Hoss shook his head. "I wouldn't want to put you through that."

"It's no problem, Mr. Cartwright," the other hand spoke up. "My father was an undertaker."

A wave of guilt washed over Hoss. He knew he should be taking care of this, but he also knew he wasn't going to be able to handle it emotionally. He was relieved these two were volunteering, they were a godsend. Tapping the side of the wagon he nodded. "All right boys. I'll make sure you're compensated for it."

The two hands unloaded the coffin and headed towards the carriage house.

"Now, you eat lunch," Hop Sing stated.

Hoss smiled lightly, he was hungry. "All right."

Joe came walking back out of the house. "Hop Sing, where's Pa?"

"He at grave site of your mother," the cook responded.

Joe shot Hoss a grim look then continued on his way. Hoss snagged his youngest brother's arm, forcing him to turn towards him. "Joe, you remember what we talked about."

Joe nodded his head and started to leave, but Hoss didn't let go. Joe turned back towards him. "I'm not going to say anything to upset Pa. I promise." The irritation was thick in his voice.

"You better not," Hoss replied, then slowly released his grip. He watched as Joe made his way towards his horse, mounted and rode away.

Joe was very familiar with the site where his mother had been buried. He spent most of his pensive moments here; it helped him feel close to her. Now she would be sharing it with his brother. Joe didn't want to think about that right now. He rode up to the grove of trees that marked the entrance to the pathway to the grave. Tying up Cochise, he gave her a gentle rub to the nose and made his way down the path. When it opened up he spotted his father sitting on a rock and staring at the lake. Ben didn't acknowledge Joe's presence and it made him feel like an intruder. He pressed his hand to his jacket and felt the firm roundness of the watch in his pocket. He didn't know what to say so he just moved over to his father and knelt down beside him.

"It's a beautiful spot," Ben mumbled and dropped his head. "Your mother loved it and so did Adam." He turned his gaze to Joe. "Did you and Hoss take care of everything in town?"

"Yes sir," Joe responded. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the watch. Pausing to rub his thumb along the smooth surface, he finally handed it up to his father. "Roy thought you'd like to have this."

Ben slowly took the watch and stared at it. Popping it open he read the inscription. At the time the words had seemed so important. Now they seemed so trivial. "There's so many things I should've said to him," he mumbled. "You would think I would've learned when I buried your mothers. Our time on this earth is a precious thing. Not to be wasted."

"Adam knew you loved him, Pa," Joe said quietly. "That's the most important thing."

"Did he?" Ben questioned. "Did I tell him enough? Was I a good father? Did I give him all the advantages that he deserved? I keep asking myself if I would really listen to him when we argued or was I just so determined to be right." Ben gazed off towards the lake. "This is going to sound crazy, but I heard him, Joe."

Joe laughed uncomfortably. "You what?" His father was obviously mentally exhausted.

"I heard his voice talking to me, making promises," Ben responded quietly.

"What kind of promises?"

Ben could tell his son thought he was talking crazy. He laughed as he broke his gaze. "Oh nothing. I'm sure it was nothing. I just miss his voice, that's all." Ben bowed his head. "I miss him so much, Joe."

Joe stood up and moved to his father where he placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Ben reached up and held it. There was a long pause as they stood and listened to the sounds of the woods. "A father shouldn't bury his children. It isn't suppose to happen that way." Ben stood up and moved over by Marie's grave. With his index finger he traced the words on the stone. "It hurt so bad the day we buried your mother, I don't know if…" Ben fell to his knees. "Oh God, my son is dead!" His heart-wrenching sobs echoed through the pines. "I want my son back."

Joe could feel his heart constricting, making it difficult to breathe. It broke his heart to watch his father express his grief so openly. Racing to his side Joe knelt down and hugged his father's back, "We're going to get him, Pa, I promise. It's going to be alright, I promise." Joe couldn't stop the tears any longer and let them pour without concern down his face. He continued to rest on his father's back, rocking them together as one unit. Joe was hoping that somehow it would ease their pain. That somehow this was all just a terrible nightmare and this crippling pain in his chest would soon disappear. "Don't worry, Pa, everything's going to be all right. I promise."