Author's Note: I am glad you guys are enjoying reading this story as much as I like writing it! I was nervous, honestly; Adam is kind of a hard character for me to write. I hope I am doing him justice! Reviews are welcome!

Disclaimer: I do not own Bonanza or any recognizable characters/places.

Little Joe woke with a pounding headache. He knew instantly that he was hung over, and he knew that Adam would be angry. He already started concocting an excuse for his drunkenness as he sat up and looked around the room, trying to place where he was. His eyes alighted on the tin of salve and it all came rushing back. This previous night was mostly a blur; he could remember Adam taking him to the saloon, he remembered drinking, and he remembered that he saw something that scared him. But he couldn't remember that that thing was…

He looked over at Adam's bed and was surprised to see his brother still sleeping. Adam was always the first one up in the mornings; Joe could count on one hand the times he had ever even seen Adam truly asleep. He smiled slightly, amused at how childlike Adam's face appeared when he slept.

Little Joe quietly dressed and debated waking his brother. Adam took the choice away from him and sat up sharply, eyes whipping around the room. Seeing Little Joe, Adam relaxed.

"Morning, brother." Little Joe smiled, noticing the dark circles under Adam's eyes. How late was he up last night? Joe suddenly felt guilty. Because he had been so drunk, he had had no recollection of his nightmares, but Adam would have sat with him if he had had them…

"How is your back?" Was the first thing out of Adam's mouth as he swung his legs onto the floor, reaching for his boots.

"Just fine, Adam. How'd you sleep?" Joe asked, concerned at the paleness of his brother's face.

"What about your chest? Did any of your ribs get bruised or cracked when they kicked you?" Adam continued as if Joe hadn't asked him a question. He finished putting on his boots and stood.

"Adam, my ribs are fine. Are you alright?" Joe pressed. Adam didn't answer, merely looked over Joe as if his brother was on inspection. In a way, Joe guessed, he was. Seeming not to find what he was looking for, Adam strapped on his gun belt and picked up his hat.

"We have time for breakfast before our appointment with Mr. Walker." He spoke tersely; Joe could tell Adam would need a cup of coffee before he would carry on a semblance of a conversation. "Let's go."

Joe followed his brother as quickly as he could, trying to ignore the fact his head ached and he really didn't feel like eating anything. When Adam got in these moods, it was best just to say yes, sir and do as he said. There was a dining room right off the Hotel foyer, complete with a warm breakfast. The smell of bacon and eggs made Joe's hung-over stomach churn, but he attempted to do the plate justice. Adam downed an entire cup of coffee in one gulp, then refilled it and sipped it normally. Joe could practically see the stoniness melt from Adam's face with each sip of caffeine. Joe filed that away; next time Adam was angry with him, distract him with coffee. He hid his smile behind his own cup of steaming liquid, looking around the dining room casually. Suddenly, Joe felt his muscles go rigid.

Four men were walking through the front lobby of the Hotel, grinning and laughing at some unheard joke. They were certainly cleaner and less menacing then the last time Little Joe saw them, but he would know them anywhere. In a flash he remembered what had scared him so badly the night before; he had seen one of the men at the bar in the saloon.

Joe hissed, putting his cup down sharply. The clink of the chinaware made the youngest looking man of the four turn his head. Recognition spread over the young man's face as he and Little Joe locked eyes for a few heartbeats. Then he turned away quickly and followed the other men.

"Joe? Are you alright?" Adam was asking…Joe could hear him as if they were underwater. But he could not find his own voice; he kept watching as the four men walked out the front hotel door onto the boardwalk outside. Joe couldn't even open his mouth. He knew it was just a matter of time before they found him...before they finished what they started. And he had nowhere to run.

BNZ BNZ BNZ

Adam had been watching his brother for several moments. Joe had been acting normally, if a little sluggish, but suddenly he had gone rigid and pale, eyes transfixed on something. Adam looked up to see what Joe was so focused on and saw the Hotel door closing. Adam stood and hurried out the door himself, looking around for anything suspicious, but only saw the normal, bustling town. Frowning, the oldest Cartwright turned to go back to the Hotel and almost crashed into a frightened looking Joe.

"Joe, why did you-" Adam started, then stopped as Joe cut him off.

"Where were you going?" Joe asked tightly, eyes wide.

"I was seeing if I could find the ghost you just saw." Adam motioned to his brother's unnaturally pale face. "Why don't you tell me what is going on?"

Joe looked like he was going to refuse, but then something seemed to deflate in his manner. "I saw four of the five men that…I ran into."

Adam suspected as much. "Do you see them now?" Adam was surprised at the actual venom in his voice. He knew Joe had heard it too and prayed his brother knew it was directed at him.

Joe looked around carefully, paused, then shook his head. "No. But I do see Mr. Walker's offices, and we don't want to be late for our appointment."

Adam almost smiled at his brother's effective change of subject. Almost. "Alright, we will keep our appointment. Then we will go and see the Sheriff."

Joe's eyes went wider then Adam had ever seen them. "No, Adam, we can't!"

"And why not?" Adam fell in step with Joe as they walked across to their father's patron. "Don't you want those men punished?" He barely kept his voice down. He knew how stubborn Joe could be, and he was not in the mood for an argument.

Joe paused. "I could be wrong. And there is no proof; how can we expect the Sheriff to believe me?"

Adam shook his head in frustration. "Joe, he can't very well believe a story he has never heard. It is our civic duty to report your attack."

"It's all well and good for you to quote civic duty at me, but it isn't your back torn to shreds." Joe snapped, causing a passing man to flinch and cross to the other side of the street.

"That is why you should want to talk to the Sheriff even more than I do. Don't you want them to pay for what they did?" Adam asked patiently.

"We're here." Joe pointed to the painted sign in the window, proclaiming the building to be Walker's Development Office. Adam reluctantly stopped the conversation and he and Joe delivered, witnessed, and signed the contracts with the aging Mr. Walker. The friendly but clearly lonely developer kept the boys tied up in friendly conversation. Adam politely participated in the chat, although he was chafing to drag his stubborn, mule-headed brother to the Sheriff's office. Although, he suspected the real battle would be getting his brother to the Doctor's office to have his back checked. As the two bid Walker goodbye, Adam mulled over which fight he wanted to pick first. He decided on the Doctor. Joe might change his mind about the Sheriff given time.

Adam was correct; Joe protested visiting the Doctor violently. It was only when Adam threatened to carry him over his shoulder did Joe simmer down. Even then, he growled the entire way.

Adam resisted the childish urge to roll his eyes at his brother when Joe slunk in the door to the Doctor's office. The friendly looking, snowy haired physician shook hands with both Cartwrights and introduced himself as Dr. Bronson.

"I can cure anything except a broken heart." He grinned slightly, folding a bandage. "What can I help you boys with? I don't suppose one of you wants to apply for the nurse's position?"

Adam shook his head, laughing a little. "No, no. We were wondering if you could take a look at my brother."

"Pity. I am short-staffed right now. What seems to be the problem?"

"His back got pretty torn up a week or so ago; we wanted to make sure it was healing alright."

The doctor nodded. "If you could go through the second door over there." He motioned. "I will ask you to keep your voices down, however. I have a gunshot victim in that first room and he needs his rest."

Joe looked at Adam desperately, but Adam was unrelenting. Joe followed Dr. Bronson miserably into the second room. Adam debated following his brother, but decided against it. Joe could handle a doctor examination by himself; goodness knows he had had enough of them. Adam fought the urge to pace and sat patiently until Dr. Bronson came out. The man looked grave. Adam stood and waited for the report.

"He has no broken bones and your brother's back is healing nicely. In fact, most of those stitches could come out today; they won't even scar. Only one is seriously deep, you will have to have it removed at a later time." The doctor paused. "However, I feel that the main damage has been mental. Your brother was jumpy the entire time I was examining him, and actually cried out when I touched his shoulder." The doctor paused again. "Do you know how he got these injuries?"

Adam nodded. "Mostly."

Dr. Bronson relaxed. "Then he has talked about it?"

Adam nodded. "Yes. Reluctantly, but he talked about it."

"That will help him more than anything. I will remove the stitches that should come out today, and give you some tablets that will ease the pain he must be feeling. The rest is up to him."

"Thank you, Doctor." Adam said, reseating himself to wait for the doctor to finish up.

A little later Dr. Bronson was handing Adam a bottle of pills and Joe was shrugging on his coat a little stiffly.

"I'm glad I could help; feel free to drop by again." Dr. Bronson smiled. "I hate to duck out, but I need to check on my other patient." He bide his goodbyes and went into the first room, closing the door behind him.

The door opened behind the boys and Adam turned. He saw Joe stiffen again and his brother's face went pale. "You!" Joe gasped out.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" A low, rumbling, threatening voice said.