Doc yawned as he pulled his buggy to a stop just at the foot of the stairs. Slowly stepping out, he climbed the stairs and opened the door to his office. Placing his black medical bag upon his desk, he slid into the chair and took off his glasses.

Rubbing the bridge of his nose, he quietly debated to himself, whether or not he wanted to go downstairs and visit Kitty in the saloon or just go to bed.

The thought of a small amber glass of brandy won out as his tired and cold body longed for something to warm it.

Ambling toward the door, he slowly made his way downstairs and across the street. Stepping into the quiet saloon, he headed to his usual spot at the end of the bar. "Evening Sam," he said nodded at Kitty's long time bar keeper.

Sam looked up from wiping out a glass. "Doc," he said setting the towel down. "When did you get back."

"Just now," the older man replied with a yawn. "Just about to head up to bed, thought I'd stop in for a night cap first.

Sam turned over an empty glass and picked up a bottle of brandy. Knowing Doc's preference for the amber liquid, he filled the shot glass to almost full.

"Thanks Sam," Doc said with a wink as he picked up the shot glass.

Putting the rim to his lips, the liquid burned slightly as the doctor sipped it. "That's just what I needed," he said putting the glass back on the bar.

"Anything going on," Doc asked looking around. "Kinda quiet, where is everyone?"

"Miss Kitty's in the back taking stock," Sam replied. "I believe the Marshall is over at the jail, he hasn't been in yet tonight and I haven't seen Festus all day."

"Is that a bad thing," Doc said with a light laugh.

"Is what a bad thing," Kitty said stepping out of the back room with a ledger in her hand. "Here Sam," she said handing the book to the man.

Sam took the book and set it behind the bar as Doc spoke.

"I was talking about Sam not having to be bothered with Festus all day today," the older man stated. "Where is he anyway?"

Kitty sided up to the doctor and put her hand on the old man's arm. "That's what I was waiting to speak to you about Doc," the woman said slowly. "I'm worried about him."

"For what," Doc stated slightly irate. "He comes in here, free loading off you and everyone else and the moment he gets himself into trouble, we got to bail him out."

"It's not like that Doc and you know it," Kitty said with a slight smile. "I think he's sick and he just wont admit to it."

Doc took a swipe at his mustache before he replied. "I told him, I told him," the cranky old man said evenly. "But you know what," Doc said stepping away from the bar.

"I'm going to bed, if he needs me, he knows where I'm at. I shouldn't have to go chasing around after folks to treat them when they are sick or wounded."

"But Doc," Kitty said.

"Don't say it," Doc said replied giving Kitty a look.

Kitty shrugged her shoulders and shook her head as Doc stepped though the door.

Turning toward Sam, she said. "Will they never know how much they mean to each other."

Sam smiled as he took up his rag and picked up a glass.