Doc finished suturing Matt's shoulder closed and then gently wrapped it with clean dressing. The old doctor ticked his head and wondered how many more time was the marshal of Dodge going to be shot and when will be the last time. But Doc knew, just as himself, he was proud of what he did and didn't want to retire. He reflected on his own life, wondering why he himself would place his medical bag in the back closet and close the door for the last time, having found a new doctor, of course.

A groan from the outer office prompted Doc to finish with Matt and check on Festus.

The hill man wiggled around on the examination table, looking like he was trying to sit up, "Just what do you think you're doing?" Doc barked and he placed his hand on Festus' shoulder, gently pushing him back to the table.

"I gotta find Miss Kitty," the deputy mumbled.

Doc glanced to the back room and hoped that Matt was still under the effects of the ether. He was satisfied for the time being and looked back at Festus, "Newly and Sam are looking for Kitty. And you can't go. I just spent two hours repairing your leg," the physician pointed to the hill man's swollen limb.

"But, Doc! I have to help!" Festus protested.

"I know you want to help. So do I, but I can't!" Doc grumbled, feeling helpless. "I have you and Matt to take care of," he stated as he plunged his hands deep into his trouser pockets. "Newly and Sam will bring her back," he said with his voice trailing. In the back of his mind he feared the worst for Kitty – the men that took her were ruthless. Doc sighed, "Get some sleep," he said then pulling a sheet up under the deputy's chin. There was no more argument from Festus – he had passed out again.

Doc drew his right hand down over his face and looked around his office – it looked like a scene from some battle as there were bloodied cloths piled everywhere and surgical instruments heaped up in bloodied basins. Days like this, Doc wondered why he hadn't retired, but he looked back at his friends and remembered why, "Dang you two," his eyes filled with unshed tears. "Going and getting yourselves all shot up and letting them take Kitty," he bit his bottom lip knowing that really it wasn't their fault nor could they have prevented it the way things played out on Front Street.

Doc looked down at his shirt and decided that if he wanted to get something to eat at Del Moninos' it was best that he changed – he himself looked like a walking wounded.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Charles Downie came out of the old saloon, "it's your turn now Bret," he smiled at the young man.

Bret Ashley looked up though his golden locks, "I don't much feel like it. My leg hurts too much," he said looking down at the crease across his thigh caused by Festus' bullet.

"Good enough," Jared barked. "Get on your horses and let's make tracks," he ordered.

"What about her," William Mathias asked. "Can't we take her along?"

Jared laughed, "She's no good to me now! Come on they will have a posse on us in no time," he said as he spurred his horse and galloped out of old Dodge Town; the other men were soon followed.

Kitty rolled on to her side and pulled her feet up under what was left of her skirt – all she could think about was what she saw of Matt as the men carried him off the buckboard, and Festus laying on the dusty street bleeding. Although she was bleeding and beaten, she chose not to think of herself.

Kitty struggled to pull herself up from the floor, but the pain in her sides and elsewhere where too great. She now hoped that if there was anyone looking for her that they would stop at the old Long Branch. Repressed tears began to trickle down her cheeks as she thought more of Matt – they cut through her makeup and the dust. Kitty shook her head in despair and curled up on the floor covering her face with her arms.

Newly, Sam and Jonas approached old Dodge Town and slowed down as they grew closer, "It sure looks like their tracks lead here," Newly stated. "Stay alert," he cautioned as they approached the main street.

"We'd better spread out," Sam suggested.

"Yeah," Newly agreed and moved across the street before he dismounted.

"I'll check the other end," Sam said as he pulled his rifle from the boot on the saddle. The barkeep's eyes narrowed in hate as he grip grew tighter on the firearm.

Jonas swallowed and pulled his wagon to a halt near the old saloon, "I'll look around here," he said pulling a shotgun from under the seat of the wagon as he climbed down.

"Just be careful," Newly cautioned.

"You know I will," Jonas' voice quivered slightly as he held the gun tight in his hands as he looked around the street. He paused as he watched Newly work his way up the far side of the street and he could see Sam at the far end of the street moving slowly back. There were many buildings left in old Dodge Town.

Jonas stiffened his back and stepped up onto the old boardwalk in front of the saloon. The boards creaked below his feet and he looked down wondering if he was going to go through, when he saw the boot marks in the dust. The store owner swallowed and slowly turned toward the open door. He squinted his eyes into the darkness within the old building, "Miss Kitty?" he said in a caring tone as he stepped though the door.

Kitty slowly looked up and saw the figure of a man in the doorway – she couldn't bear anymore, "Leave me be!" she shouted out.

Jonas froze. "Miss Kitty! It's me. Wilbur Jonas," the store owner said.

He could hear Kitty crying and placed his gun down against the door jamb as he inched his way into the dark saloon. A lump formed in his throat as he saw Kitty curled up on the floor, half naked, "Oh, dear God," he whispered and quickly pulled his suit coat off to cover her, "Here, now," Jonas said as he knelt down and placed the coat over Kitty.

Kitty looked up at the store owner and grabbed tight of his vest, "Please take me home," she whispered.

Jonas slowly and carefully wrapped his arms around Kitty, holding her to his chest, "Easy now. Newly and Sam are here too," he said rocking her gently hoping to take some of the pain away. He could feel Kitty trembling in his arms. "What kind of men would do such a thing," he said holding Kitty tight.

It seemed like forever, but Sam and Newly finally made their way back to the saloon and were in equal shock at the sight of Kitty.

Newly entered the saloon, followed by Sam, "Miss Kitty?" he asked.

Kitty shook her head, not wanting to talk.

In a rare occurrence, Newly's eyes blacked with hate, "Let's get her to Doc," the young deputy said as he help Jonas move Kitty to the buckboard.

"I'll pull their throats out with my bear hands," Sam growled.

"I'll hold then for you," Newly huffed as he helped cover Kitty with a blanket in the back of the buckboard.

"I'm sure we all have our thoughts about what to do with those men, but right now, we have to get Miss Kitty back to Dodge for Doc to look after," Jonas reminded the men.

Not one of them said another word, as they mounted their horses and wagon to head back to Dodge and non to soon as the sun began to dip below the horizon.