Festus gently settled Dillon on his cot in the jailhouse, and covered him with a blanket.

"Doc said I was ta take good care of ya, Matthew, that I have ta feed ya right, and keep ya in bed." Festus squinted an eye at Dillon. "And you're gonna just lie there in that bunk 'til Doc says you can get up and walk around a little. He said it'll be awhile afore ya have any strength back in ya a-tall."

Dillon looked up at Haggen. "I have to admit, I'm feelin' pretty tired." Festus pat him on the arm, and Matt struggled to keep his eyes open. "Festus, next time you check in with Doc, ask him about Kitty...she's awful sick."

"Try not ta be worrisome, Matthew, it ain't good fer ya after ya been down like this. Besides, you know ol' Doc'll never let nothin' happen ta Miss Kitty."

"Doc didn't letcha help him at all, did he?"

"No sir. He wouldn't let me near him, just yelled at me from the second floor balcony of the Longbranch while me and Burke cleaned up downstairs. He said it's too dangerous ta be around him or Miss Kitty."

Dillon frowned. "Almost sounds like he thinks he's gonna come down with it himself."

Haggen nodded. "Poor ol' scudder's tired enough that's fer sure. He looks like he ain't slept in over a week, nor been eatin' too good neither."

Dillon took in a deep breath, his eyes becoming heavy. "Make sure some food is sent over there a few times a day, Festus. I don't want Doc to have to worry about that on top of everything else."

"I'll do her, Matthew, you can count on it."

Matt smiled at his deputy as his eyes closed. "I always do, Festus. I always do..."

Kitty moaned painfully in her sleep, tossing with discomfort. Doc sat down on the edge of the bed, put a dampened cloth under the back of her neck, and wiped another one across her brow.

He softly stroked her forehead with his hand. "Easy honey, easy now." She groaned again, and he leaned in closer. "It's all right, I'm here."

Tears rushed down her face as she cried out. "It's so hot, I feel like I can't breathe..."

Doc wet another cloth and wiped her face with it, gently rubbing it over her brow. "Shhh, I know, I know honey..."

"Doc..." her cries became more intense, "help me, Doc...please."

Adams swallowed hard trying desperately to clear away the depth of feeling from his throat and eyes; but for a long moment, he couldn't say anything. Kitty reached out for him then, afraid, her voice a forlorn wail.

"Doc... Doc..."

He took the hands reaching for him, and scooped her upper body into his arms, pulling her tightly into his chest. "Don't be afraid, Kitty. I won't leave you. No matter how tough this gets, I swear to you, I'll be here."

She buried her face into Doc's chest. "Matt...where's Matt?"

He pat her gently on the back, like he would a small child. "He's gettin' some rest, honey, so I'm afraid you've only got me. Go to sleep now, just close your eyes, Kitty, and get some sleep."

After awhile, her tears and cries began to lessen, and finally, she fell into a troubled sleep. And as tired as he was, Doc held her through the night.