Matt assisted Doc across Front Street and over to Ma Smalley's boarding house. Billy hovered on the front porch waiting for the doctor to arrive. As Doc approached he stopped and looked at the young man. With a tick of his head and a pat on he shoulder Doc only uttered the word "sorry" squeezing the young man's broad shoulder. Confused, Billy looked up to the tall marshal beside him. "James is dead. He broke into Doc's office looking for Lilly and pulled his gun on Festus. I'm sorry son..." Matt's voice was low and calm.
Billy could hear himself swallow. In one way he was saddened and angered at the news, and yet in another way he wasn't surprised to hear it, let alone feel somewhat received that now he and Lilly could get on with their lives. "Thank you marshal for telling me...I'll look after the arrangements after Lilly has the baby."
"Fine. I asked Festus to see that James is taken to the undertakers. I'll take you there in the morning." Matt placed a hand on the young man's shoulder and then the two of them followed Doc into the room where Kitty and Ma were caring for Lilly.
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Festus walked slowly to the livery stable - the place he called home and held his bed for the past year or so. His heart was heavy with mixed emotions and unsaid farewells. Without a word, he saddled Ruth and mounted his mule. A quick look back over his shoulder and he prodded the animal with his spurs. The coolness of the night stung his wet cheeks as tears streamed down them.
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Doc stood and stretched his back and scratched the nape of his neck. Quietly he walked tot he window and peeked out. He had removed the bandage that Kitty place on his eyebrow as it seemed to have done its job and stopped the bleeding. The morning sun was breaking over the hills and the dark of night was fading. A slight smile creased his lips under his greying moustache as he looked back into the room and say Billy resting his head on the bed next to Lilly and her new born baby. It was a boy and both Lilly and Billy decided to call him James.
With a swipe of his cheek and across his chin, Doc realized that he surely must look quite the sight. His white shirt still stained with blood and his bruised face which now sprouted whiskers. He made a face to himself and shook his head while walking back to the bedside. Gently he picked up Lilly's hand and held her wrist and took his watch out of his vest pocket. He adjusted the instrument to the light and watched the little hands move. He was satisfied that Lilly and the baby would be just fine.
It then struck him...Lilly and the baby were find, and so was Billy. James was dead. And then there was Festus - his arm. Doc frowned and gathered his instruments and place them in the medical bag. He was received that Kitty had taken the time in the early hours to see that they were clean and sterilized.
Billy heard the doctor opened the door and he was quick to his feet. "Doc?"
Doc blinked at Billy. "She's just fine, Billy. So is the baby. You go back and be with them. I have someone else to look at, but I'll be back later." Doc placed his hand gently on Billy's upper arm and smiled. Billy nodded and returned to the chair and watch Doc leave he room pulling the door behind himself.
Doc sauntered out into the board walked and decided to check in on Percy Crump before he tracked down his deputy friend. The physician meandered over to the undertakers and entered the dark building - it gave him the creeps every time. The undertaker poked his head out of the back room, "Oh, hello Doctor Adams."
"Percy." Doc moved into the centre of the room. "I take it you have the Charles boy back there."
"Yes. Yes I do. Festus told me he was up in your office before he said that he had to leave town." Percy entered the main room cleaning his hands with a cloth.
Doc looked at his strangely. "What do you mean by leaving town? Who?!" Doc shot back.
"Why Festus. That's what he told me last night...er, this morning." Percy looked hurt.
"Well where was he going?" Doc leaned forward in question.
Percy shrugged, "He never said. Should he have?"
Doc frowned and looked back to Percy. He didn't say anything to the undertaker and simply left in search of Matt.
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Doc finally found Matt over at the Long Branch where he and Kitty were enjoying a cup of coffee. The old doctor bust through the swing doors and swiftly over to the end of the bar where they were standing. "Festus left town..."
Matt pulled himself straight, "Huh?" he looked from Doc to Kitty.
"You heard me. He left. He told Percy Crump that he was leaving...and he did..." Doc's eyes drifted down to the bar.
"Where did Percy say he was going?" Matt asked.
"He didn't."
"Why?" Kitty asked quietly.
"Don't know that either...but I suspect that it has to do with Billy and Lilly."
Matt started to leave, but Doc clutched him by the arm. "Let him be, Matt. He'll be back when he wants to be..." The words that the doctor just spoke stuck in his throat like mud. "I'm sure he will be..." Doc looked up to Kitty Russell who's eyes were almost as moist as his own. "Oh, Doc...Poor Festus..." Matt sighed and looked to the door of the saloon.