Doc and Newly took turns keeping an eye on Festus condition as Kitty slipped out and brought back a tray from Delmonico's.

After handing Newly a sandwich, Kitty brought one to the Doctor. "Here Doc," she said handing him the food. But he just waved her away.

"Thanks Kitty," he said standing next to where Festus lay. "But I'm not hungry."

With a not so silent sigh, she looked the man in the face that was like a father to her. "Now listen here Doc," Kitty said pushing the sandwich at him. "You will take this and eat it!"

Doc flashed an angry look in her direction but decided it just wasn't worth the argument. "And further more," Kitty continued in a hushed tone. "You will stop beating yourself up over this."

"I just..." Doc said as his voice cracked with emotion. "I just should have done something sooner."

Kitty sighed as she gently squeezed the old man's arm. She knew above anyone else in town how much Doc cared for Festus, of course he would never say it to anyone least of all the hill man himself but Kitty knew and it wounded him greatly to think that he could have done something sooner to help his friend.

Kitty knew it wasn't Doc's fault but as she watched the doctor sponge off Festus feverish forehead, she found it hard to figure out how she was going to convince him of that.

"Any change," Matt asked stepping into the office.

Kitty shook her head no as Doc turned around. "Newly," he said swiping at his mustache. "You can go on home and get some rest. I'll send for you if I need you. You to Kitty."

"But Doc," Kitty protested as Newly started to speak up as well.

"Please," Doc pleaded. "His condition hasn't changed, he's still comatose. At the moment we've done all we can. There's no reason why you two shouldn't go get some rest."

Newly nodded before leaving the office, he didn't like the idea but he felt Doc was right.

Kitty wasn't quite as easy to convince however, she gave Doc a look that he knew all to well. "Now don't go giving me that look young lady," Doc said. "We've been up all night, let Matt take you back to the Long Branch. If I need you, I will send for you!"

"Alright Doc," Kitty replied finally relenting, she followed Matt out the door.

Doc closed the door behind them and then turned back around to his patient. As day fell into night he was afraid to admit it to anyone but himself that Festus had yet to show any improvement.

Picking up his stethoscope, he listened to Festus lungs, although the fluid was draining off at a steady pace it did little to improve his rapid heart rate or the fever and chills that plagued him.

Taking a seat at his desk, he poured over the latest text on pneumonia treatments but it did little to ease his mind that they had done all they could. Returning to Festus side, he pulled out his pocket watch and checked the hill man's pulse for any sign of improvement.

After finding nothing had changed, he put the watch away. Taking a clean sheet from the other room, he brought it out to cover the hill man up hoping the added insulation may help break the fever.

As he brought the sheet up to Festus neck, he layed his hand on his chest and closed his eyes. Doc wasn't a deeply religious man but he believed in a higher power and at times like these, well you just needed to have a little faith. "Festus ol boy," he said wiping a tear away. "I'm sorry, I let you down and if you don't make it, I'll never forgive myself!