Doc slowly ambled down the boardwalk toward his office, his medical bag swinging slightly in his right hand. Kitty stepped out of the Longbranch and saw him heading her way.

"Mornin' Doc...you're up early on a cold morning."

The old man stopped in front of her and gave her riding outfit the once over. "No. You're the one who's up early; I'm up late."

Kitty examined him more closely then, and noticed the deep circles under his eyes, and the slightly disheveled condition of his clothing. "Yeah, handsome, you are lookin' a little worse for the wear..." Doc glared at her, and she started giggling. "Oh don't take it so much to heart, I'm just teasin' a little..."

"Uh-huh. I was gonna offer to buy you a cup of coffee over at Delmonico's before your ride, but I think now I'm just gonna go up to bed and let you fend for yourself!"

He walked off in a huff, and Kitty yelled after him, "That cranky ol' doctor routine doesn't fool me one bit you know." She laughed to herself as he waved her off. "You're just a big softie inside," she whispered aloud.

As she passed by the Marshal's Office, Matt was coming out, a cup of coffee in hand. "Well, good morning, Kitty."

"Hiya Matt."

"Goin' out for a ride?"

"You bet. Seems like a good day for one."

"A little cold, isn't it?"

She shrugged. "Maybe. But I kinda like to ride in brisk air."

Matt smiled at her. "Wanna cup of coffee?"

"Chester make it?"

The big marshal laughed. "No, no, he stayed out at Jeff and Jim Spencer's last night, something about the three of them testing out some new rifles Jim picked up in Wichita."

Kitty's eyes danced with amusement. "You didn't buy that one, didja?"

"No. The question is how much corn liquor do you think they're drinkin' and how long will it take us to get Chester back?"

Kitty chuckled. "I wouldn't wanna put any money it, that's for sure!"

The sound of pounding hooves and a fast-moving wagon interrupted them. They looked up Front Street to see Chester bounding toward them in a buckboard.

"Mr. Dillon! Mr. Dillon! I need some help here..."

Matt met the wagon as Chester pulled it to a stop in front of the jail. Dillon glanced at the two battered women and frowned at Goode.

"Chester, what happened?"

"I was comin' back from the Spencer's early this mornin' when I run across Mary and Cassie Stevenson huddled by the roadside, as cold as two little birds in a frozen pond."

"Why in the world were they out in the cold, barely dressed?"

"I don't know, Mr. Dillon. All Mary's been sayin' is that they had some kinda accident..."

Matt reached for Cassie, while Chester took charge of Mary. "Come on, let's get them up to Doc's...Kitty, can you help us?"

"Of course, Matt, I'm right behind you."

Doc pulled the stethoscope from his neck, and set it in his bag. He stood, swiping a hand across his mustache and chin, and then walked through the door, and out into his main office. He shoved both his hands in the pockets of his pants as he began to pace.

Matt's voice was gentle, but held a note of impatience. "Doc?"

The old man growled, "Mary's gonna be fine, Matt."

Kitty's voice was filled with concern, "What about Cassie?"

Doc shook his head. "I don't know, Kitty. She hasn't woken up yet, and well...I don't know."

Matt folded his arms across his chest. "Did Mary say why they were out on the roadside?"

"She just said that they had a buckboard accident, and I don't want to push her right now, Matt, she's been through a lot."

Dillon studied his old friend for a long moment, and picked up on the fact that the man was holding back. His shimmering blue eyes held Doc's pale ones, and Matt could see the trepidation in them. He waited a moment, and then let it go, at least for the present.

"I'll need to speak with her later."

"I understand that," Adams snapped. "When I say it's all right."

One of Dillon's eyebrows shot up slightly at the unusually sharp tone, but he simply nodded. "That's fine, Doc." Kitty and Matt exchanged an uneasy glance, and Matt turned to Chester. "Did you find a wagon or a horse out there, Chester?"

Goode scratched his head in thought. "Well no, Mr. Dillon, I didn't...I had ta ride back to the Spencer's place and borry their buckboard ta bring them women into Dodge."

Matt looked over at Doc, whose eyes stonily indicated his anger. Matt kept his voice even, "It doesn't make a lot of sense, does it?"

"Makin' sense out of it is your problem, Matt; takin' care of Mary and Cassie's mine. And in that interest, I think it's best if all of you clear out and let me do just that."

Matt put his hat on. "Come on Chester, let's take a ride out to the Stevenson place and have a talk with Dell."

"Gee whiz, Mr. Dillon, ain't there even time to have a little coffee?"

Matt shook his head slightly. "We can have some later, come on..."

Kitty watched the two men leave, and she turned to Doc who suddenly reminded her of a coiled snake about to strike. She frowned slightly at him.

"Doc?"

"What is it, Kitty?"

"What didn't you say just now?"

His fiery eyes bore into her like fire. "I don't know what you're talkin' about."

"Now Doc--"

"--I can't just stand around here talkin' I have some patients to look after..."

And before Kitty could say another word, Doc Adams walked through the door leading to the bedroom, closing it and any further questions, behind him.