Templeton Brown sat at his camp fire. He was tired and wanted to go home, but with Jed in jail he couldn't leave Dodge. His eyes scanned his men. Everyone of them now looked guilty to him. He wasn't even sure that his own life was safe from whomever tried shooting Doc Adams.

As ha sat with his arms crossed and his eyes watchful, he caught notice of Pip, Chuck and Clarke. He seem to think all of a sudden Pip had taken on two new friends, which wasn't like him. He was more or less a loner and chose to stick with Jed, if anyone. Brown continued his watch and tried not to be too blatant about it.

After five minutes, he got up and moved around the camp. He hoped to pick up anything that might be going on, especially with the three young cowboys. As he walked by their small huddle he thought he heard Doc's name. The he noticed that Pip kicked Chuck in the foot. Brown kept strolling through the other small camps. Once he reached his own again, he sat down and thought about what to do next. Every now and again his eyes slid over to watch the three men. They were doing the same.

With night coming on, Brown stood and asked one men to keep watch on the camp as he had business at the freight office. His man was none the wiser that he was going to see Matt Dillon. However, Pip and his little group noticed. And as soon as Brown was out of sight, they too moved out of camp, unnoticed.

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Matt and Festus sat and listened to Templeton Brown. Kitty joined them with another round of drinks. "You really think that they would try and get Doc again?" She said as she set the drinks our around the table. Her eyes were fill with concern and fear of the unknown. She looked to Matt for support and reassurance as she sat down next to the lawman.

Matt sat quietly for a few minutes and then looked up at the small group. "I have a plan...but we need to go up to Doc's office and talk to him. Brown, I want you to stay neutral. I may need you later." Matt said to the cattleman as the stood up. "Kitty, Festus. Come with me."

Brown watched the three leave the Long Branch. He had no idea what the marshal was planning, but he hoped it was going to work and that the doctor's life would be spared.

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With their plan in place, Matt, Festus and Kitty left the doctor's office. Newly was soon to follow and he spotted the three cowboys across the street. Tring to look as nonchalant as possible he caught up to Matt, Kitty and Festus.

Festus stood and look at Matt. With a wink of an eye he made sure that he was noticed and made his way back to the doctor's office. With loud grumbles he climbed the stairs and entered the office. He took a quick peek over his shoulder and noted the three men. Sure enough they were waiting for their moment.

Pip nudged the other two to step back further into the shadows as they waited for the deputy to leave the office.

After about an hour, the door at the top of the stairs opened. Pip shoved Chuck. "Look. The deputy is leaving...get ready..." Then he held his men back as he noticed Matt leaving the Long Branch. The marshal slowly walked toward the staircase and spoke loudly, "Hi Festus. How's Doc?"

Pip and his men were leaning forward to hear but couldn't quite make out what the deputy was saying. All they saw was him shaking his head and joining the marshal while they turned back toward the Long Branch.

"I don't know how Festus walks in these darn boots with these spurs...I almost broke my neck coming down the stairs..." Doc sputtered from under the deputy's hat. Matt almost laughed at the sight of Doc dressed in Festus' clothing. But his laugh was shortened when he caught a glimpse of the men waiting in the shadows. "Come on Doc. We'll go up the back stairs of the Long Branch. Kitty's waiting for you there." Matt placed a friendly hand on the doctor's shoulder and they disappeared into the night.