Doc shivered as the time grew short. He glanced out of the small window of the jail cell, and saw the fresh snowflakes falling gracefully down from the darkened heavens. And he wondered if he had done enough good in his life to warrant entrance into that sacred of all places. Had the good outweighed the bad? He honestly didn't know, or couldn't remember. Or perhaps he didn't want to remember. Doc pulled his feet up to his chest, wrapping his arms around his knees. He was cold, but he didn't want to call for another blanket; he didn't feel like talking to anyone. He twisted the gold band around his ring finger, an old habit from years past, and he closed his eyes. He could still picture her as clearly as if he had seen her yesterday, his Maggie. And he was still as much in love with her as the first day he'd ever laid eyes on her.

It occurred to him then, that if he was lucky, he might just see her again before the night was over, and a small smile curled his lips. But it lasted only a moment as another redhead very dear to him came into his mind. The anguish in Kitty's eyes was still fresh, and the fact that she still needed him, stung like an open wound. He knew the misery of loss well, and could feel only regret at being the cause of it for the people of Dodge who had become his family.

The hand shaking his shoulder caused him to jump, for he hadn't heard the man come in.

"Easy, Doc. You all right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Dillon's eyes showed concern. "You're shaking like a leaf...here..." Matt put a blanket around Doc's shoulders. "The temperature has dropped a good twenty degrees outside, it's snowin' again."

"Yeah."

Matt knelt next to Adams. "It's about that time, Doc."

The old man nodded. "I know." He allowed Matt to pull him up to his feet, and followed the marshall out into the office. Doc then patiently let his dear friend put his coat, scarf and gloves on him, followed by his hat. "It seems a little silly to dress a man up with this many clothes on the way to his own hangin'..."

Matt tried to keep his voice even. "It's cold outside, and it's a little bit of a walk."

As Dillon started to put on his own coat and gloves, Doc noticed his shaking hands. He placed one of his hands over Dillon's, halting the tremor. "Matt? You okay?"

Dillon couldn't look at Adams. "I don't know, Doc. I feel kinda sick inside."

Doc pulled a glove off his own hand and placed it on Dillon's forehead. "No fever... Your belly hurtin' ya?"

"It feels tight like it's in knots."

Doc nodded, and pat the marshall on the back. "It's just nerves, Matt. You'll be fine in a little while."

Matt grabbed Doc's arm. "No I won't, Doc."

He pat Dillon's back again. "Yes you will, Matt. I promise you, ya will." Doc looked around the office then. "Where's Taber?"

"He's lettin' us walk over there alone."

"After that stunt you pulled earlier? Man's got a nut loose..."

"Or a big heart..."

"We've already been through this, Matt."

Dillon took a deep breath. "It's just so damned hard, Doc."

"I know that." When Dillon was dressed and heading for the door, Doc stopped him. "Matt, if this is too much for you, I'll understand."

A knowing smile lit his lips. "Kitty said you'd try this..."

"She did, did she?"

"Yeah. I'm in this with you, Doc, all the way. If you need me to, I'll walk up the stairs with you."

"And if the court would letcha, you'd take the noose for me too. I know that." He cleared the lump from his throat. "Tom McClennan has my will, you two can take care of that when you get back to Dodge. And Matt, don't let them bury me here." The steely blue eyes locked with the electric blue ones. "When it's over, I wanna go home." And Doc's façade of strength finally cracked with his voice. "Please take me back to Dodge..."

"I promise you, Doc, I'll take you home."

Matt put his arm around Adams, and together they walked out of the jailhouse, and started up the street in the snow. It was the last walk they would take side by side, but Doc took comfort in Matt's strong presence.