While the fire chased the cold out of the cabin, Carson sat by the bedside, keeping vigil on his patient. He had both Nathan and his own blanket over Gabriel, whose skin had been cold to the touch because of the lack of heat in the cabin. Carson knew the lack of consciousness was also a mechanism for the body to cope. With the cold and the lack of water, Gabriel's body had started shutting things down, conserving what it could to keep vital functions going.

Carson kept giving Gabriel small sips of water at steady intervals. He needed to hydrate his patient but he did not want to upset his patient's stomach in the process. When the cabin had warmed up, the doctor shed his coat and went about further assessing his patient's condition. There was little voluntary response from Gabriel as Carson went about the process. There were however more muscle spasms and vocalization of discomfort. As much as he hated seeing a patient in pain, Carson knew that even that response was a good sign.

Finding the rope with the slip knot still secured around the back post of the head of the bed frame had caused Carson some concern. When an examination of Gabriel's neck had revealed no abrasions or bruising, the doctor was satisfied that whenever and however it had been used, it had not caused the Mountie any injury.

Gabriel was responsive to pain and had tried to open his eyes several times to Carson's words. That and the fact that he continued to swallow the water that Carson tipped into his mouth from the canteens, gave the doctor hope that Gabriel's recovery would be relatively quick. Perhaps being cold had been a bigger issue than the dehydration.

Having had to stop several times to try to massage away cramps as Carson had examined Gabriel, Carson was now tending to the abrasions on his wrist. The right wrist had already been cleaned, a medicated ointment applied and bandaged. Carson was now cleaning the abrasions on the left wrist. Other than some minor bruising, Carson hadn't found any other physical injuries in his examination which told him that whatever had happened, Gabriel had been taken by surprise and unable to put up much of a fight.

Another exclamation of pain was followed by Gabriel trying to pull his hand out of Carson's grasp. Carson let go of Gabriel's wrist knowing that trying to hold on would probably only lead to further struggles. Looking up to Gabriel's face Carson found the man had his eyes open, a look of panic in his expression.

"Leave me alone."

The voice that spoke the words was weak but Carson didn't miss the fear and the plea behind them. They were the words of someone who had come to the realization that they were helpless to resist but whose spirit had not yet been broken.

"Gabriel, it's okay. You're safe," Carson said, his voice low and calm even as he refrained from touching his patient. Given the words spoken, the doctor was afraid that any touch might increase the distress.

The words seemed to reach the Mountie as he asked, "where am I?" as he looked around the room.

"In a hunting cabin outside of Brookfield," Carson told him. Given the haphazard route they had taken since leaving the cabin this morning, he was unsure of exactly how far from Brookfield they were. "Nathan and I found you."

"Where is Nathan?"

"He went into town for some things," Carson replied, still keeping his voice calm and steady. It was good that Gabriel was more alert but he did not want the Mountie too anxious. "He'll be back soon," Carson promised. "I'm Dr. Shepherd. You met me when you were Hope Valley," he added, slowly reaching out.

Gabriel put his hand on the mattress he was laying on and tried to push himself away. Still too weak for even that movement he was successful in only causing himself more pain.

"Take it easy," Carson told him even as the doctor stood up and took a step back. He hoped the added distance would help calm Gabriel. "You're dehydrated and weak. You need to rest. I'm here to help you."

"Please, just leave me alone," Gabriel pleaded, his voice trembling.

Carson was torn. His instinct was to try comforting his patient but right then he felt the best thing might be to keep his distance for a bit. He retreated to the table, turning one of the chairs from the table so he could sit in it and face the bed.

"Do you remember what happened, Gabriel?" Carson asked. He was hoping that asking questions might help ground his patient. He also knew it could have the opposite effect but for now he was not sure what else to try.

Gabriel did not reply. Carson saw the man's hand ball up into fists as he closed his eyes. The doctor had a feeling that he did remember but that he did not want to talk about it.

"It is okay. You do not need to talk about it, right now," Carson said quietly. "Just try to relax."

Hearing noise outside, Carson hoped that Nathan had returned. Keeping an eye on Gabriel, not wanting him to try to get out of the bed and fall, Carson moved to the door. Opening it, he saw that Nathan had returned with a wagon. Hope Valley's Mountie was climbing down from the seat.

"Nathan," Carson called out beckoning him over.

"What's wrong?" Nathan asked as he hurried over.

Carson lowered his voice so hopefully only Nathan heard him. "Gabriel's awake but he's disorientated and frightened. The added stress is not good for him. My presence is upsetting him more. Hopefully he'll be receptive to you. There was recognition at the mention of your name. Approach slowly though."

Nathan nodded, stepping pass Carson. In the bed, Gabriel was looking in their direction.

"Nathan," Gabriel said, as soon as he spotted his friend. Relief was evident in his voice, as he struggled to sit up.

Closing the door, Carson stayed near it as Nathan crossed over to his friend.

"Relax, Gabe. You are safe," Nathan told him as he sat down on the edge of the bed. He placed one hand on Gabriel's shoulder to dissuade him from continuing to try sitting up and took one of Gabriel's hands with the other. "Everything is going to be okay," he assured his friend.

"They were waiting in my apartment when I returned from the hotel. I was grabbed from behind," Gabriel said, telling Carson that he had been right about the man's reaction to his question. "An arm across my neck kept me from shouting. I was forced to my knees, and then someone held a cloth over my nose and mouth. I remember them saying they needed me out of the way. Whatever was on the cloth made me feel tired and disorientated. I couldn't resist them."

"There were more of them then you. You did what you could, Gabe," Nathan said calmly.

"What happened? What did they do?"

Nathan shook his head. "It doesn't matter right now," he told his friend, trying to keep Gabriel calm as he remembered Carson's words about not wanting to put more stress on Gabriel by moving or upsetting him right now.

"Nathan, please," Gabriel said, the plea clear in his voice. "I heard them making plans. I know they had something planned but they were careful about naming places and directions."

"The Royal Brookfield was robbed yesterday morning by three men. That's when your disappearance was noticed. No one was hurt but the men got away."

"Billy?" Gabriel said, suddenly remembering his young charge. He had been with Henry Mendelson the night the men ambushed him. For that he had been thankful. "Is he okay?"Gabriel asked, trying to sit up.

Nathan put a hand against Gabriel's shoulder to restrain him. "Billy is fine. He's with Lillian at the orphanage. I spoke to both of them while I was in town."

"With Lillian?" Gabriel asked, confusion in his eyes. "I figured either Maggie might take him if he didn't stay with the Mendlesons."

"He stayed with Maggie last night," Nathan explained. "However, when I told him he couldn't come out with me, he asked to stay with Lillian. He said she would know what he was going through. I didn't think you would mind."

"It is fine," Gabriel said, relaxing against the pillows, relief clear on his pale features. "I am just surprised," he admitted. Gabriel closed his eyes as he continued. "There were so many times I wanted to just give up but I couldn't. I knew I had to hold on for Billy and Lillian."

"You will see them both soon," Nathan told him, giving Gabriel's shoulder a pat before lifting it from Gabriel's shoulder. Reaching down, Nathan picked up one of the canteens. Letting go of Gabriel's hand, Nathan reached down to lift his friend's head slightly. "Gabe, take a drink for me," he instructed his friend.

Gabriel followed the instructions. As Gabriel seemed calmer now, Carson felt it best to have Nathan stay at his friend's side for now. After hearing the ordeal that Gabriel had been through, the last thing Carson wanted to do was take a chance of upsetting Gabriel again. Bandaging the second wrist could wait for a bit.

Carson quietly got his coat and slipped it on. Even so, the movement caught Nathan's attention. Catching Nathan's gaze, Carson mouthed the word 'stay' to him before heading for the door. He would get the supplies and take care of the horses. That would give Gabriel a bit more time to calm down before Carson approached him again.

When Carson headed inside, with his arms loaded down with the extra blankets and food that Nathan had brought from town, he saw that Nathan had changed positions. Nathan was now sitting on the bed, his back against the headboard. Gabriel was in a more upright position as he rested against him. A canteen sat on the bed beside him.

Carson placed the supplies on the table and then went about heating up the chicken soup that had been sent out to them. After being out on the horses all day, hot soup would be good for both him and Nathan. The soup was also a good choice as if Gabriel wasn't quite feeling up to eating yet, the broth would be good for him.

When he had the soup on the stove heating, Carson made his way over to the bed.

"Is he sleeping?" Carson asked quietly, not wanting to disturb Gabriel if he was. Rest was always good for a body in need of healing.

Nathan shook his head, even as Gabriel replied, 'no'.

Carson grabbed a chair and brought it close to the bedside. "How are you feeling, Gabriel?" Carson asked, ready to give treating his patient another try.

"Cold, exhausted, my head hurts, and I just hurt in general," Gabriel said, opening his eyes. "I'm sorry about earlier," he added.

Carson shook his head. "You were disorientated and after what you went through, the reaction was normal. The way you are feeling right now is to be expected as well."

Getting to his feet, Carson retrieved one of the blankets Nathan had brought with him. Unfolding it, He draped it over Gabriel before sitting back in the chair. Carson the retrieved his black bag, placing it on the bed next to Gabriel. "I'll give you some aspirin, which should help mask the headache and the muscle pain, though rest and getting you hydrated again is the real cure," Carson told him.

Gabriel nodded his consent, taking the pills from Carson and drinking from the canteen that Nathan held for him once again.

Telling Gabriel what he was doing, Carson checked his pulse again and listened to both his heart and lungs with the stethoscope. With Gabriel now able to give him more information, Carson went about moving arms and legs, checking for less subtle injuries. The movement caused a couple of muscle cramps again. Carson simply massaged the affected area until the cramp passed.

"Well, the good thing is that the raw wrists seem to be the worst injury, though you are going to be sore for the next day or so. Just like if you start an exercise program and over do it at first."

"It will be like the way we all felt that first week of Mountie training," Nathan joked.

"Your humor is not welcomed at this time," Gabriel murmured, his eyes closed as he rested his head back against his friend.

"Sorry," Nathan told him as he gave the hand he was holding a reassuring squeeze.

Checking Gabriel's pulse, Carson noted that it was elevated along with an increased respiratory rate. Deciding to give Gabriel a bit of a break, Carson picked up the second canteen from the floor which was empty.

"I am going to fill this and I will be right back," Carson said, the commented directed more at Nathan than Gabriel.

Nathan nodded

Carson took his time refilling the canteen, wanting to give Gabriel a break from his prodding. Returning, he placed the canteen on the bed next to the other one as he sat back down in the chair.

"Gabriel, I still need to treat and wrap your left wrist," Carson said, gaining the man's attention. "Are you feeling up to it?"

"Just get it over with," Gabriel replied.

"Okay," Carson replied. He retrieved the supplies he had placed aside from earlier. "What is that?" Carson asked, noticing that Gabriel had switched something from his left hand to his right.

At the question, Gabriel opened his hand to reveal the garnet heart he had given Lillian last November. "Lillian sent me the necklace I gave to her as a reminder that she is waiting for me to come home. She sent it out with Nathan."

Carson smiled. "I think that is exactly the type of message from home that you need right now," he commented as he went about making sure the abrasions were properly cleaned before wrapping a bandage around it.

Billy opened his eyes and took in the strange surroundings lit up by moonlight. Seeing bunk beds, he felt a panic clench his chest. For a moment he thought he was back at the Home of Mercy. However, there were multiple sets of bunk beds in that room.

As the panic subsided, it came back to him. He was at an orphanage. He was at Miss Lillian's orphanage. Gabe had been found but he was ill or hurt. Billy was not sure how to describe it. All he was sure of was that they would not let him see Gabe yet. He remembered asking to stay with Miss Lillian and Constable Grant carrying him as they walked Miss Lillian home.

He must have fallen asleep.

Sitting up in bed, Billy noticed the head on his mattress near his legs. Miss Lillian was kneeling next to the bed. She had fallen asleep with her head pillowed on her arms.

Reaching out, Billy gently brushed some hair back away from her face. Even in the moonlight, he saw the glint of red. Like his mother's hair. His mother who had sat with him until he fell asleep to keep the monsters away. Who had never left his side the time he was sick.

Billy had thought no one could love him like his mother had. However, Maggie had sat in the rocking chair last night to comfort him and let him sleep. Now, Miss Lillian had fallen asleep at his bedside. They were things his mother would have done were she still here.

"Billy?" Lillian said sleepily, lifting her head from her arms. "Are you okay?"

Billy nodded, hoping the moonlight provided enough light for Miss Lillian to see the gesture. He was not quite ready to trust his voice.

"I meant to just stay here for a few minutes to make sure Vincent and Christian going to bed had not disturbed you," Lillian explained, getting to her feet and sitting on the side of the bed. "I guess I was more tired then I thought."

Billy's stomach rumbled.

"Sorry," Billy murmured the grumbling seeming awfully loud in the silent of the night. He looked toward the bunk beds that Christian and Vincent used, expecting to have woken them up.

"You do not need to apologize," Lillian told him in a whisper, aware that the other two were still sleeping. "How about we go down stairs and I make you a sandwich? ," she suggested, remembering that the boy had simply nibbled at food all day.

"I do not want to be any trouble," Billy told her. "I can wait until breakfast," he said, though his stomach stated otherwise as it grumbled again.

Lillian smiled. "It is no trouble at all," she told him, reaching out for the blanket and pulling it back. "We will go downstairs," she told him, holding out her hand.

Billy reached out for the hand and climbed from bed, realizing that he was still in his clothes. It was the first time he had slept in his clothes since Gabe had let him start staying with him instead of the jail cell.

Gabe.

Billy wondered how the man who had taken him in was doing? Constable Grant had said he was weak. Had Constable Grant and the doctor been able to help him at all yet? Would Gabe come home tomorrow or would he and Miss Lillian end up out at the cabin?

Lillian was leading him down the stairs now. Billy could not remember having ever gone to the kitchen at this time of night. There had never been a reason when his parents were alive and he doubted any of the other women running the orphanages he had stayed at would have offered to feed him in the night. They were expected to eat at meal times and if they didn't that was on them.

"Miss Lillian, do you think Gabe will be okay?" Billy asked as they walked into the kitchen.

"I think Dr. Shepherd and Constable Grant are taking good care of him," Lillian said, as she pulled out a chair at the table for the boy. As Billy sat down, she lit a lamp. The details Nathan had given her made Lillian careful not to commit to something she could not be sure of.

"What would have happened if I had not been staying with the Mendelsons that night?" Billy asked as Lillian started gathering things to make the sandwich.

"We might never know," Lillian replied slowly. "The fact that you were with friends though does not make you responsible for what happened though. It still could have happened if you were there. Perhaps you would have been hurt."

"Or Gabe could have been hurt worse trying to protect me?" Billy suggested, thinking of Gabe's response when they had come home from Hope Valley.

Lillian put down the knife she was using and moved to Billy's side.

"Gabe would do anything he could to protect you. Just like I would," Lillian told the boy, taking his hands in hers. "Thinking about what ifs will not help anyone. We just need to help each other in the days to come."

Billy nodded. "I am happy I found my way to Brookfield even if I am not proud my actions when I first came here."

"You have a good heart, Billy," Lillian told him. "That is what is important, not that you have made bad decisions in desperate moments."

"Thank you, Miss Lillian," Billy said, the kind words easing his conscience even as his stomach rumbled again.

Lillian laughed. "Let me finish that sandwich," she said getting to her feet and returning to the counter.