After Doc filled him in on what Marshal Sanders had done, Matt shook his head before he spoke. "As soon as Newly can go, I need him to send a couple of telegrams for me."

"Alright," Doc said patting Matt's shoulder. "Afterward, I want you to get some sleep. That's about the only thing that's going to heal that wound and replenish your blood."

"Alright," Matt said closing his eyes meekly as Doc left the room to check on Festus.

But the Marshal's mind wasn't resting. The first thing he needed to do was let the US Marshal service know he was back and prepared to take over as Marshal of Dodge once again.

The other telegram he wanted to send was to Judge Brooker about getting Mike released from jail.

"All done here," Newly said wrapping the hill man's head in a clean bandage.

"Thank you, Newly," Doc replied. "Matt wants you when you get a chance."

"Yes, sir," Newly said with a quick nod and headed for the spare room.

Matt heard the floorboards creak as someone came into the room and opened his eyes. "Newly," he said lifting his head as the younger man sat down. "I need you to send off some telegrams for me but tell Barney not to let Marshal Sanders know."

"Yes, sir," Newly replied with a knowing nod.

"I don't know how to thank you," Mike said taking the clean blanket and pillow.

"You don't have to," Kitty said evenly. "I'm going to check in on Matt and I'll bring you something to eat from Delmonico's later."

"That would be more than I could ask you to do," Mike replied shaking her head no.

"No?" Kitty said. "Isn't an answer I'll take."

"Please tell Matt, when he wakes up that I'm sorry for getting him into this mess," Mike said guiltily.

"I won't do no such thing because it's not your fault or his," Kitty said quietly. "You did what you had to do!"

Newly bounded down to the bottom of Doc's stairs as Kitty came out of the jail.

"Newly," Kitty said as the man approached her. "Everything alright?"

"Yes, ma'am," Newly said looking around before he spoke. "Matt is awake and wants me to send a few telegrams for him."

Kitty smiled at the mention of Matt's name. "I'll go up to sit with him."

Newly nodded as he headed toward the telegraph office and Kitty headed up Doc's stairs.

Festus looked up from the chair beside Doc's desk as Kitty walked in. "Festus," she said gently. "How are you feeling?"

"Been better, Miss Kitty," the hill man replied slightly disoriented.

"He'll be alright," Doc said stepping out of the spare room. "Matt's been asking for you."

Kitty nodded. "I got Mike a few things to make her more comfortable but I hate that she's down in that jail cell."

"So do I, Kitty," Doc said swiping at his mustache. "But there's not much we can do about it right now."

"I know," Kitty said stepping into the spare room.

Matt snored softly as Kitty sat down beside him and gently caressed his hand which made him awake.

"I didn't mean to wake you," Kitty said gently.

"It's alright," Matt said looking around. "How's Mike?"

"She's...alright?" Kitty said softly.

"Kitty," Matt said quietly. "I'm really sorry about Mike!"

"It's not your fault," Kitty said slowly. "I understand how and why it happened and I think we should just accept that it's over and move on."

Matt nodded as Newly entered the room. "I have your reply to the telegrams, Marshal."

"Thank you, Newly," Matt said meeting his eyes. "Can you read them for me."

"Yes, sir," Newly said opening the first one. "US Marshal service would like to inform you that Marshal Sanders will retain his position until further notice."

"Damn," Matt said taking a deep breath. "Which means they aren't completely confident in my abilities."

"Matt," Kitty said sternly. "We don't know what that means yet. Go on Newly, what's the other one say."

"From Judge Brooker," Newly said meeting Matt's eyes again. "Will be in Dodge by the end of the week."

"Good," Matt said with a nod. "Now we just have to wait."

Mike looked up from where she sat on the cot inside her cell as Sanders stopped in front of it.

"Something I can do for you, Marshal," Mike said as the man sneered.

"To bad Starcourt's dead," Sanders said unlocking the woman's cell. "But that won't stop me from being able to collect on the money he put on your head."

"What are you talking about?" Mike said angrily coming up off the cot.

"Les Dean was hired to get rid of you but he just couldn't do the job," Sanders said towering over her. "His son, Hasty Jr. wants me to do it instead and he's offered me more money."