Doc watched Matt, Newly and Sam ride out of Dodge and ticked his head – he knew he asked Fort Dodge to send men, but he was still very concerned about Matt's shoulder, and all of their well-being. The doctor paused and looked over to Wilbur Jonas and with a simple wave, the turned back into his store. Doc, on the other hand, looked down at his medical bag he held in his right hand and then up to the window of the Long Branch that over looked the alley – He saw Kitty at the window, and sighed.

Doc slowly walked across the alley and stepped up on to the boardwalk and was greeted by Louie Pheeters, "Hi Doc! My cat and kitten are doing just fine!" he smiled.

Doc smiled back, "Well, I'm glad to hear some good news fro a changed, Louie," he patted the old rummy on the shoulder. "You looking after the Long Branch again?" he asked as he pushed through the swing doors.

"Yup! Sam asked me to be in charge!" Louie smiled broadly. Doc often wondered about Pheeters' past but never asked the man – he was clearly a very clever man. "Kitty is grateful, I'm sure," he said as he walked to the stairs.

"I only do what I feel I can' Doc," Louie stated and watched the doctor climb the stairs to the upper floor, "And you just keep that up," Doc pointed down to Louie and smiled.

"You bet I will!" Louie chortled back continuing on with what he was doing.

Doc smiled to himself and paused at Kitty's door. With a quick swipe of his hand across his moustache, he rapped lightly, "Kitty?" he called through the door.

Kitty turned from the window, "Its open Doc," she said flatly.

Doc took the door knob and expected to find Kitty in the bed where he left her, but to his surprise, she was seated in the big armchair at the window. Doc entered the room, closing the door behind him as he placed his medical bag down onto the chair next to the bed, "Now which doctor gave you permission to leave that bed?" he asked setting his medical bag on the chair before he hooked his thumbs into this vest pockets and walked toward the window.

Kitty looked up at the physician, "I'm just as sore here as I was over there," she quipped, lacking any expression.

Doc nodded, "I know," he sighed, looking down onto the street. He knew Kitty had seen the small posse leave, but waited for Kitty to raise the issue. There was an awkward silence for a moment when both Kitty and Doc stared out the window, "How's Matt going to handle Jared's gang with only three of them and him being hurt?" Kitty looked up at Doc.

"Funny you should ask," Doc mused. "Newly and I had the same question, but Matt assured me that he's got a few men from Fort Dodge joining the posse before they reach old Dodge Town," he said watching Kitty for any reaction.

"I hope that Jared's gang left a trail that a blind man could follow," Kitty hissed.

Doc patted Kitty on the shoulder, "Let's get you back to bed," he said cupping Kitty's right elbow and helping her stand. "Oooh," she murmured.

As Doc walked her to her bed, he watched her, "Are you feeling any better?" he then asked as she sat on the edge of her large bed and Doc helped her with is legs. Kitty looked at her friend, "The swelling has gone down and bruises are mostly yellow now," she stated.

Doc nodded in approval, "Good. Physically you are on the mend, but what about mentally?" he didn't mince words as he sat next to Kitty on the edge of the bed. He looked deeply into her somewhat vacant eyes.

Kitty drew a deep breath, "I'm still having nightmares," she confessed. "Every male voice makes me jump, including yours" she sighed.

Doc swallowed. He wanted to make Kitty's pain go away – all of it. He wanted Kitty back to being herself – the strong woman that ran a saloon. "I suppose that will take time," he said lowering his eyes.

Kitty knew her words hurt the doctor, but she had to let him know how deeply she too hurt. It wasn't the physical anguish that scared her, it was the mental anguish – every time she closed her eyes she could see each of the men's faces as they assaulted her on the dusty floor of the old saloon. "It will take time, Doc," Kitty mustered up enough strength to reassure her dearest friend.

Doc lifted his eyes, "I'm sorry you have to suffer," he said – his voice tender. "I just want to do the right thing for you," he said choking back tears of pain and anger.

Kitty tried to smile and placed her hand on the doctor's cheek, "I know, Doc. And you are," she moved her thumb gently across his face and could feel Doc lean into her hand and sigh. "I couldn't ask for anything more," she said with her voice breaking. Doc's eyes again cast down to the bed as he took in Kitty's words. Doc slowly took Kitty's hand and held it between his two, "If you need anything, let me know," he said looking Kitty in the eyes.

Kitty nodded knowing what the doctor meant.

"In the meantime," Doc said pulling himself together, "I think it's time you had something to eat," he said standing up from the large bed and readjusting Kitty sheets.

"I'm not hungry, Doc," Kitty tried to protest.

"No, either am I, but you have to get something into you," the doctor stated without argument. "I'll get some toast and bacon from Ma," he said as he grabbed his medical bag, feeling slightly awkward.

"That would be fine, Doc. And maybe some tea," Kitty weakly smiled at the doctor who seem to sputter over the last few minutes. He nodded and opened the door, "I'll be back in a few minutes," he said as he quickly stepped out onto the landing, pulling the door behind him. Doc reeled, wondering what had just come over him. The doctor shook himself and ambled across the landing and down the stairs to get some food for Kitty.

Once out onto the boardwalk, Doc felt a sense of shame – one he really couldn't figure out, but as he cast his eyes back into the saloon, he felt that somehow he wasn't doing enough for Kitty Russell, and he then felt dread for Matt and the posse, "Matt, I hope you find them for all our sakes," the physician said under his breath as his eyes then drifted down the street where he's last seen the marshal.