Jude paced the camp outside of Dodge like a caged animal. The anger he felt of not getting to the Marshal was palpable. Hearing a horse approaching, he picked up a home-made spear and waited for the rider to appear. "Lafitte," he said throwing the spear into the ground. "Tell me brother, you found them!"

"I did," Lafitte said bending down to pour a cup of coffee before standing up to face his brother. "They're in town, he's not the Marshal any more from the talk I heard but they are in Dodge!"

"I figured as much," Bonner said angrily. "I knew that whisker faced deputy was lying! At least, I took care of him."

"No you didn't," Lafitte said with quiet reserve. Afraid of Bonner's anger, he looked down as he spoke. "He's still alive!"

Bonner let out a blood curdling scream as he grabbed Lafitte by his shirt. "You lie!"

"No, I don't," he said snidely. "And if you go back to that town, they'll be waiting for you. We should pack up and get!"

"No!" Bonner said angrily pushing his brother backwards. "I want my revenge on him and then, I'll take his woman! But this time, she ain't coming back!"

"She's carrying his child!" Lafitte said taking one step back as Jude turned around to glare at him.

"Well," Jude said with an evil grin. "I can easily fix that!"

Robert shook his head worriedly as he took Vera's pulse before removing a thermometer from her mouth.

"Any change?" Doc asked when Robert made a notation in Vera's notes.

"Her fever is still climbing," Robert said standing up, looking down at the woman, he spoke candidly . "As much as I hate to do it while Newly's gone, I don't know how much longer we can hold off the surgery."

"I agree," Doc said swiping his mustache. "But I can't leave Festus long enough to assist you. Without knowing what the problem is, we don't know how long we'll be in there."

"I can help," Kitty said looking at Doc. "You stay with Festus and I'll help Robert."

"I don't know," Doc said thoughtfully. "You sure, you're up to it?"

"Doc, I've got to have something to do, this waiting is killing me," Kitty replied totally flustered.

Doc nodded. He was sure that Kitty was just as worried about Matt's safety as Matt was worried about hers. But at least the ex-lawman was doing something about, the best Kitty could do was watch and worry. "Alright," he said patting her arm. "You assist Robert for me."

Robert looked at Kitty. "I'll go scrub up and get everything ready, then I'll come back for her."

Matt rode Buck though town while Newly, Sam, Burke and the other men canvased the streets and ally ways on foot and in pairs for safety reasons. He wasn't about to let Bonner hurt anyone else in the process of trying to get to him and Kitty. If Bonner wanted him, he was damn sure going to make himself available by being visibly seen on the streets of Dodge.

Now as the sun slowly peaked over Dodge's tallest buildings, his only concern wasn't if the half-breed would strike but when and where. He had to be prepared for any situation.

Bonner knew to just ride into Dodge was tantamount to suicide but that didn't stop him from getting as close as he could. Observing Main Street from a discrete distance away, he sneered when he see Matt ride by on his horse.

"See," Lafitte said looking at Bonner. "I told you he was still there!"

"Yeah," he replied never taking his eyes off the man on the horse. "But where is she!"

Robert gently palpated Vera's abdomen before making an incision just below the belly button. "I'm going to try and keep the incision as small as possible. I don't want to leave her with a large scar."

"What do you think it is?" Kitty asked watching the young physician expertly search for what may be troubling Vera.

"If I had to venture to guess," Robert said looking at Kitty. "I would say a tumor or a cyst perhaps."

"Thank you for your help," Robert said after the surgery was complete.

"I didn't do much," she said crossing her arms against the chill of the sterile surgical room. "Certainly nothing more than I've done for Doc countless times," she said looking down at Vera. "She's going to be alright?"

"I think so," Robert said covering Vera with a blanket before turning back to Kitty. "I got the tumor and repaired the damage. That's about all I can do the rest is up to her body now."

Kitty nodded. "I don't know about you, Doctor but I'd like some coffee."

"That sounds great," Robert replied. "Let me get her settled back into bed where Doc can keep an eye on her and I'll go downstairs and help you."

Kitty stifled a yawn while she waited for the pot of coffee to boil.

Meanwhile, Robert quickly put together some sandwiches to take upstairs to Doc and Abelia.

"No, thank you," Kitty said waving the food away as Robert gave her a look.

"Doctor's orders," he said as Kitty relented and took a sandwich from the tray.

Kitty placed a fresh pot of coffee onto the tray as Robert gave her a quick nod. "I'll be right back," he said heading upstairs as Kitty prepared a second pot of coffee.

Nibbling on the sandwich while she waited for Robert to return, she sighed as the knob on the back door shook. Figuring it was one of the men Matt was using as guards, she went to open the door.

"I'm coming!" she said going to the door. Twisting the knob, the door suddenly swung wide open and before she could let out a scream, the man grabbed her around the waist and started to pull her outside but Kitty reached out and grabbed the door way.

"Doc, said," Robert stated walking calmly into the kitchen. "That was exactly..."

"Robert!" Kitty yelled in alarm as Lafitte raised his gun.