Matt loaded the Judge into the back of the wagon next to his two accomplices and his son.

"You might aught ta have Doc take a look at him when we get back, Matthew," Festus said climbing onto Matt's horse. "He kept ta saying he was a dying man."

Matt nodded as he looked at Kitty beside him. "You ready to go home?"

"More than ready, cowboy," she said putting an arm around his.

Doc agitatedly checked his watch again as he stood outside the jail. He looked up shapely at the sounds of horse's coming down front street.

"Burke," Doc said opening the door to the jail. "Here they come!"

Matt stopped the wagon in front of the jail as Burke raced out to help the Marshal with the outlaws.

"Did he hurt you," Doc asked helping Kitty down from the wagon.

"No," she said hugging the man that was like a father to her. "Matt and Newly got there just in time!"

"Well," Doc said looking at Festus. "What happened?"

"That crazy ol coot was thinking ta try and hang us again," Festus said curtly. "And he almost did if Matthew had a been just a tad bit late..."

Doc shook his head as Matt ushered the outlaws inside the jail. "Doc," Matt said watching Newly struggle with Judge Strom. "You might want to take a look at the judge."

"Let me take Kitty home," Festus said as Doc nodded. "Where's Abelia?"

"She's at the Long Branch," Doc said evenly.

"Thanks Doc," Festus replied putting a hand on Kitty's back they walked together.

"Festus," Kitty said stopping the hill man. "Do you think it's over this time."

"Yep," Festus replied slowly. "I guarantee you this is the last time we'll be a dealin with any more of them Strom's."

Abelia looked up from the table where she and Sam were seated and broke into a broad smile.

Rushing into Festus arms, she sighed deeply when he squeezed her tight.

"It's alright, Bee," Festus said softly. "Its over, I promise."

"I was so worried about both of you," she said breaking the embrace. "Are you both alright?"

Kitty nodded as Abelia gave her a hug. "We're just fine!"

(Two weeks later)

"Wal, he kept sayin he was a dyin," Festus said holding Kathryn while Doc watched Abelia struggle to pick up Galen who started to fuss.

"Yes," Abelia said as Doc picked up the boy. "But who knew it would be so soon and in our town no less."

"Cancer is like that," Doc said playfully teasing the boy. "You could have months and die in days."

"Well, it seems to me he just gave up after Matt locked him up again," Kitty said evenly. "I can't say that I'm sorry!"

"Me either," Festus replied slowly. "Excepting for the fact that he's a gonna be buried here!"

Doc nodded as he turned Galen around to look at him. The baby babbled before grabbing his tie and muttering, "pappy."

"What did he just say," Abelia asked a smile on her face.

"He didn't say a thing," Doc said handing the boy to Festus.

"Wal, I heard it to," Festus said juggling both babies as once.

Galen babbled at Kathryn who babbled back before both started reaching for Doc.

"Pappy," Kathryn said clearly while Galen did the same.

"You taught them that!" Doc said angrily pointing at Festus.

"I swear I didn't," Festus replied mischievously. "If I'm lying, I'm dying!"

"Why I aught to," Doc said agitated.

"Do what...pappy!" Festus said laughing as Doc headed for the door.