The blaze in the fireplace warmed the chilly cabin, but only slightly. Dillon sat in a chair by the bed, holding his bandaged leg, silently looking on, while Chester hovered near the end of the bed, wringing his hat in his hands. Kitty sat on the bed's edge, gripping one of Doc's pale hands in her own.

Matt licked his lips before he softly spoke, "Kitty? How is he?"

She shook her head. "I don't know, Matt. Bullet went into his forearm, and while it probably hurts like hell, it isn't bleedin' a lot. But he's still so cold and pale."

"And unconscious," Matt added.

Kitty nodded. "And too weak for Timmonds to manhandle him like he did..."

The fear in Chester's voice reflected the unspoken dread in the room. "Is he...is he gonna die, Miss Kitty?"

Russell bit her lower lip to keep the tears from coming. "I don't know, Chester."

Sensing that Kitty needed a moment, Dillon turned to Goode. "Chester, we're gonna need a wagon to get both me and Doc back to Dodge."

"Yes sir, Mr. Dillon. I was thinkin' on that...I saw one when we passed a farm on the way here, just a few miles back. I'm sure they'd let us borry it if we promise to brang it back."

Matt nodded. "Okay, Chester, why don't you see if you can get it. I'll wait here with Kitty, in case Doc needs something."

Goode nodded. "Sure thang, Mr. Dillon." He turned to go, and then looked back. "Miss Kitty, you keep a careful watch on ol' Doc, now. I'll feel better knowin' your with him."

There was a quiver in her voice, but she managed to say, "I'll do my best, Chester."

Chester quietly closed the door behind him, and Matt sighed deeply before speaking.

"Kitty?"

She didn't face him, and her voice was soft, "Yes, Matt?"

"Can you check my leg for me?"

Recognizing the distraction for what it was, she couldn't help but love Matt Dillon that much more. She gently set down the large, caring hand she'd been holding, and adjusted her seat on the bed so that she could face Dillon. Without a word she checked the bandage she'd put on his leg, and then looked up into his soft eyes.

"It's fine, cowboy. The bullet went clean through, I sterilized it, and the bandage is unsoiled." She smiled very slightly at him. "But then you already knew that."

Dillon grinned shyly. "Guess I just wanted some attention."

She outlined his face with her finger, as a lover would. "Doc's always maintained that you're a tiny bit jealous of him."

Matt chuckled, despite the grim air in the room. "I've always known he'd be my competition if he were about twenty years younger!"

Dillon winked at her and Kitty laughed slightly. "He's been proposin' to me for about that long! He always tells me that I should support him in his golden years, in his rockin' chair--"

Kitty's throat tightened up with emotion, and tears flooded her eyes. Matt put his arms around her and pulled her into himself, holding her closely.

"He's a tough old bird, Kitty, if anyone can pull through this, it's Doc."

"Oh Matt, I'm so scared."

Dillon tightened his arms around her a little more. "Me too, Kitty. Me too."