Denver in the late 1800's was a busy place. Although Kitty was originally from New Orleans and Newly hailed from Pennsylvania, both of them had been in Dodge long enough to get used to a smaller town and the sheer bustle of Denver was slightly overwhelming.

"I don't think I've ever seen such wide streets," said Newly. "They must be twice as wide as Dodge."

Kitty sniffed. "They're still dirt and when it rains you'd still have to wade through the mud."

"I've never seen so much traffic," Newly went on. The streets were packed with vehicles-everything from elegant pony traps to heavy wagons pulled by teams of draft horses. There was a constant hum as drivers encouraged or reined in their horses and traded greetings or insults.

Kitty looked uneasy. "It is slow going, isn't it? I was hoping we'd be at the clinic by now." She leaned forward and tapped the driver on the shoulder. "How much farther is the Harrington clinic?"

The man looked around and smiled reassuringly. "Can't be more than another few minutes, ma'am."

"That's what you said the last time I asked and the time before too!" Newly put a hand on Kitty's arm and she shrugged him off. "Newly, don't..." The young man said nothing and Kitty bit her lip. "I'm sorry, Newly. I'm just tired." She raised her voice. "And I'd like to get to the clinic sometime today!"

The driver nodded. "Just a few more minutes."

Kitty wanted to scream. Had it really been less than a week ago Matt was well and strong, striding around as if nothing could touch him, Festus at his side? She had nursed both men through enough mishaps to know neither was invulnerable but this incident had strained her nerves to the breaking point. Kitty didn't know what had shocked her more-the fear Matt might never walk again or Doc's lack of confidence in himself. Now they were rattling along in a strange city to a doctor none of them had ever heard of because of the old man's doubts, and Kitty wanted nothing more than to just gather her men and go home. She sat back, tapping her fingers, and Newly remained silent.

Had they talked, they would have learned Newly was of much the same mind as Kitty. Doc had safely removed the bullet from Matt's spine and there was every reason to believe the marshal would make a full recovery. He already had feeling in his legs again and was able to move them and he would probably rather turn right around and go home than stay in a strange hospital. Festus, though...Newly frowned. The deputy might not be up to traveling for days and while it was probably a good idea to take both men to the clinic, Newly couldn't believe the people there were any more capable than Doc. Like Kitty, he just wanted to go home as soon as possible.

"There it is!"

The driver was pointing with his whip at a building up ahead and Kitty and Newly leaned forward to get their first sight of the Harrington Clinic. Set back from the street and surrounded by a fenced expanse of bright green lawn, it was an impressive structure-two stories of red bricks with a three gable roof and a balcony over the huge front door. Women in white uniforms and caps pushed patients in wheelchairs or supported those able to walk as they moved about and there was a general air of subdued activity.

"Looks like a nice enough place," Newly commented. Kitty gave him a look and he said defensively, "I'm not saying it's any better than Doc's office. I'm just saying it looks nice."

The driver stopped the cab and Newly got out, then helped Kitty down. They hurried to the ambulance and watched as Matt and Festus were taken out on stretchers. The marshal smiled as Kitty came up, Newly right behind her.

"Well, Kitty, this looks like quite a place, doesn't it?" asked Matt. Kitty stared at him in disbelief and he motioned her closer. She bent over and he went on softly, "Do you think you could convince Doc to let us go home now we've seen it?"

Kitty smiled back. "You took the words right out of my mouth, Matt, but I don't think Doc is going to let you go anywhere until you can walk out the door all by yourself."

Matt sighed. "I know." He looked over at the old man as he supervised two attendants with Festus. "Newly, why don't you go help Doc with Festus?"

Newly went over to Doc and Kitty took Matt's hand as the attendants, three in his case, carried him into the clinic. They took him to a small room and transferred him to one of the two beds on either side of the single window. It was wide open and the scent of freshly mowed grass mingled with the heady fragrance of honeysuckle and roses.

The attendants left and Matt and Kitty exchanged a puzzled look. She went to the door and looked out, then came back shaking her head. "I don't see anybody."

Matt shifted in the bed, turning halfway on his side and craning his neck to try and look out himself. "Seems like a funny way to run a hospital, doesn't it?"

They heard voices in the hall and a moment later Doc and Newly came in with Festus. The two attendants carrying him laid him on the bed and took the stretcher away, leaving the five travelers alone.

Doc looked around. "Where's Dr Harrington?"

Kitty shrugged. "I don't know. Those men just left Matt here without a word."

Doc frowned and bent over Festus. "Festus?" The deputy was still unconscious but he mumbled something as the old man checked his pulse. Doc gently shook his friend's arm but there was no further response and he ran his hand over his face. "I need Dr Harrington to set up an operating room." He went to the door, then looked around, scowling. "Where in thunder is that man anyway?"

A middle-aged woman in a white uniform walked in and said disapprovingly, "Dr Harrington doesn't see anybody until they've had an examination."

Doc's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. "I sent a message from the train station we had arrived with two very sick patients! I assumed he would be waiting for us."

"And you are..."

The old man's face darkened. "Dr Galen Adams. May I ask your name?"

"I am Nurse Gridley, sir." She shook out a thermometer and stuck it in Matt's mouth.

Kitty took a step forward. "See here, Miss..."

"Nurse."

If looks could kill the woman would have been blasted to a cinder and Doc moved in hastily. "Nurse Gridley, we seem to be getting off on the wrong foot." He gave Kitty a warning look and she remained silent, but her blue eyes continued to flash dangerously. "We've had a hard journey and we're concerned about our friends here. Can you tell me why Dr Harrington is waiting to see them?"

Nurse Gridley removed the thermometer from Matt's mouth and recorded his temperature, then took his wrist. She made a note of his pulse, then moved to Festus and pulled back the blanket. "You must understand this is a modern facility and we have certain procedures we follow." She prodded the deputy's chest and he twitched fitfully, moaning.

Doc's jaw tightened. "Nurse, may I speak to you for a moment?"

"As soon as I have finished examining this patient."

"You are finished." She stared at Doc as he came over and gently tucked the blanket back around Festus.

"Really, Dr Adams, this patient..."

Doc took a deep breath. "This patient has a name. It's Festus Haggen. It so happens that other patient has a name too...Matt Dillon. Now get Dr Harrington."