Matt stood and examined the interior of the saloon. He concluded that aside from the hole in the roof and the mess the fire made, the rest of the structure was sound. He stopped a volunteer fireman and asked him for his opinion. The fireman drew his arm across his forehead and looked around. "To tell you the truth, Marshal, I think Miss Kitty could get it fixed up, just like before. I noticed that the large beam that came down was pretty much rotten to begin with. Yeah. I think it can be saved."

Matt thanked the young man and headed back to his friends with the encouraging news.

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Festus busied himself and gathered what he could find that Hootie needed. Newly stepped through the door of the office. "Festus! Miss Kitty and Doc, are they okay?"

Festus stooped and looked at Newly. "Miss Kitty is fine. But ole Doc got a heap of soot in his eyes. That's what I need these fer. Aunt Hootie is with him and Miss Kitty now. Where can I find some salt?"

Newly looked through the medical cabinet. "Here."

Festus headed to the door. "Bring it along, come on!" He took two steps at a time. Newly watched him and shook his head. He decided to be a little more careful and just hurried down the steps after Haggen.

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Sam approached Miss Kitty, Hootie and Doc. "Miss Kitty! Doc! Thank Heavens you're alive! I tried to get to you, but the fire..."

Kitty stood and moved to her friend the barkeep. "Sam what happened to your arm?" She took his hand and looked at the bandage that was neatly wrapped around his forearm.

"I got burned moving tables. Aunt Hootie, here, fixed me up." He smiled at the woman who was busy picking small ashes off Doc's cheeks.

Matt then rejoined the small group. Kitty looked up at him. "What's the verdict?" She braced herself for the worse.

Matt adjusted his hat back on his head. "I was just talking to a young fella. One of the firemen. He says that the Long Branch can be saved." He smiled as the news sunk into Kitty and she smiled broadly. Sam's face also brightened with a smile.

With kettle, basin and cloth in hand, Festus made his way passed the slowly dispersing crowd, back to Hootie and Doc. Newly followed closely behind with the bottle of salt.

"Here ya go, Aunt Hootie." He set the basin and kettle down.

Where's the salt?" Hootie looked at her nephew. "Right here, Aunt Hootie." Newly finally reached the group and handed the bottle to Hootie. She removed the top and poured a small amount into the basin and then added water. Doc just sat patiently and every now and again went to touch his face and Hootie would swat his hand away.

"Now, Doc...let's clean those crystal blues, of yours..." Hootie dipped a cloth into the salt water and then gently wiped it over Doc's eyelids to wash way the soot. With another cloth she soaked more water up and with her free hand tilted Doc's head back. "You sit just like that..."

"It's not like I can see were else I can go..." Doc said dryly.

Carefully Hootie used her forefinger and thumb to pry opened Doc's right eyelid. She squeezed the cloth over his eye allowing the water to flow. The white of his eye was red from irritation and he blinked furiously at the water. "For Heaven's Sake...are you trying to drown me?" He grumbled as the extra water ran down his face and neck.

Hootie smiled at the comment and continued with his left eye. After a few more washes, Doc looked bleary eyed at Hootie and his other friends. "Good to see you again..." Hootie finished wiping Doc's face clean. And once finished stood back to admire the job she did.

Doc slowly pushed himself up off the steps. Festus helped him. He looked at Hootie and smiled warmly. "Thank you very much. If you're ever looking to settle in a town, I hope you make it Dodge."

Hootie couldn't resist and gave Doc a kiss on the cheek. Festus felt a little awkward having just witnessed the scene. He was blushing in fact. Doc caught the look on the deputy's face. "I don't want to hear a word from you. Not one!"

"Doc. Hootie...everyone. Let's go see what we can find at the Long Branch. I sure could use a drink." Kitty smiled at the people who meant the most in her life.

Everyone agreed and followed her back to the saloon. Part way there they all stopped in their tracks as Hard Luck Henry approached them. Beside him, holding his hand was Nosy, the chimp. "Howdy everybody."

"Henry? What one earth are you doing with that monkey?" Hootie asked sternly.

"I found this little fell and when I took him back to the circus, they gave me a job. I'm gonna play with the monkeys at the circus. Everywhere they go!" A big smile spread across his face. "Well, Ma. I have ta go. I came to say good bye to ya all!"

"You behave yourself!" Hootie hollered after her son as he and the chimp left.

The rest of the group looked at one another with raised eyebrows. It was Doc who spoke up. "I've seen a lot of things in my life...but that just about tops them all. Kitty. I need that drink!" He wiped his moustache. The others all laughed and continued to the Long Branch.

The End