Paul and Molly looked up as he heard foot steps outside. He and Molly were bending over Joe busy wiping down the boy's body with cool rags. "Good, you're here," Molly said before Paul could speak. "You can help us get him cleaned up and changed."
Paul laughed at the baffled look on Ben's face, "His fever's just broke. Help Molly get him changed."
Ben did as instructed and found himself amazed at how cool Joe's skin was now and was over joy to see the red patches that had dotted the boy's face were now beginning to fade. Molly left the boy in the care of Ben and Paul as she went in search of a new night shirt.
As Ben wrapped the frail body in a blanket, he heard a weak moan that made his heart flutter. "Joseph?" Ben said glancing up at Paul, "Joseph, enough of this. It's time to wake up. Come on son, open your eyes."
There was another moan from the boy in response.
"Joseph Francis that is enough. Now I gave you an order young man. Open your eyes," Ben said, a little sterner then before.
Joe groaned and twisted in his father's grip slightly, but still he refused to open his eyes.
"You heard Pa Joseph. It's time to get up," Adam said, startling Ben for he hadn't noticed his eldest sons enter. "For once do as you're told and wake up."
"Yeah Short Shanks, Hop Sing's shur gonna be mad ifin ya miss another meal. Sleepin' all day and night, who's heard of such a thing?" Hoss added.
Joe groaned and twisted again, but this time his eyes started to flutter.
"That's it boy, that's it. Come on Joseph, time to wake up," Ben encouraged as he shook the boy gently.
"Slowly, painfully slowly, Joe's eyes began to open. The flash of hazel, though glossy and unfocused, was worth more to the men gathered around him ten a hundred Ponderosas.
"Joseph, can you hear me?" Ben asked with a bit of hesitation. Paul had said that if the boy did manage to survive there was a strong chance of brain damage.
Joe's eyes focused on his father and Ben was reveled to see that they were now clear and fever free. "Papa…" Joe whispered breathy and flinched as the words passed his raw throat.
Paul quickly handed Ben a glass of water and signaled for him to replace Joe on the bed. Ben, again, did as instructed and then held his son up so he could drink. The boy drank greedily and had, had half the glass before Paul took it away.
"Not to fast son, you'll make yourself sick," Paul said lightly.
Joe just watched him wryly and snuggled down deeper into the covers.
"How are you feeling Joseph?" Paul asked while he examined the boy with a keen eye.
"Tired…" Joe said with a noticeable slur, and yawned to emphasis the point.
"How can you be tired Short Shanks? You've bin sleepin' fer the last few days," Hoss teased.
Joe turned his hazel eyes to his brothers and gave them a puzzled look, "Aren't ya suppose to be on the drive?" Another yawn escaped the boy and his eyes fluttered.
"We came home to see you," Adam said with a wide smile that he didn't even bother to try and hide.
Joe returned the smile and nodded. He was too tired to care what was going on, all he knew was that everyone was home and everyone was smiling. Another yawn escaped followed by a gargled and slurred, "I'm tired…."
"Just a minuet Son, are you hungry? Think you'd like to try some broth?" Paul asked before the boy could shut his eyes.
"Not really…" Joe mumbled as he drifted off.
Paul shook his head and said, "Ben, keep him awake until I get back. The boy needs something in him.