Early one morning a few weeks after their return from rescuing Kitty and Robert, Doc stopped off at the post office and picked up the mail for him, Robert and the hospital. Opening the door, he almost got plowed down by Matt.

"Oh, sorry Doc," Matt said stepping aside.

"Well, Matt," Doc said with a mischievous grin. "Why the hurry?"

"I got the results of the Judge's exam!"

"Well," Doc replied impatiently. "What's it say?"

"Not much," Matt said shrugging his shoulders as he passed by the older physician.

"What'd ya mean, not much! Did you pass or didn't cha!"

"I did," Matt replied with a broad smile. "On the first try to!"

"You could always ask to take it again, you know," Doc said with a laugh as Matt grinned.

"No thanks," he said firmly. "Once was enough!"

"I agree," Doc said shaking his head as he remembered how vigorous the physician's exam had been. "Once was enough for me as well," he said looking though his pile of mail. "Well, I'll be!"

"What?" Matt asked as Doc read the first page of The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal.

"My successful blood transfusion between Robert and Festus made the front page," Doc said handing Matt the paper.

"Doc, this is incredible," Matt said handing him back the paper. "How's he doing?"

"I let him out of bed today," Doc said swiping at his mustache.

"You think he's strong enough for that?"

"Since when did you start practicing medicine, Judge!" Doc said walking toward the hospital as Matt followed. "I don't think there's to much mischief he can get into while I'm gone."

"Speaking of mischief," Matt said with a nod as Doc looked up to see Festus walking toward them.

"Where you going?" Doc said once the hill man crossed their path.

"I was thinkin of checking in at the jail with Newly before I went ta see Robert, why?"

"Well, Newly can wait," Doc said grabbing his arm. "I got something to show you and Robert. C'mon!"

"What is it?" Festus said distrustfully.

"I'll tell you when we get to the hospital, let's go!"

Robert sucked in a deep breath and contemplated waiting for someone to come to help before climbing onto a step ladder to reach the top shelf of the storage cabinet. Doc kept Robert's extra supply of heart medicine up there so that it wouldn't accidentally get used in the confusion of helping patients.

Tottering on the edge of the ladder, he was almost about to reach it when he heard the door to the clinic open.

"Robert, what in the hell are you doing!" Althea said as he grabbed the shelf for support.

"I almost got it," he said shooting her a dirty look as the door opened behind her. "Uh oh," he mumbled when Doc, Matt and Festus walked in.

"What in thunder are you doing up there, Robert!" Doc yelled before looking at Matt. "Get him off that ladder!"

Matt grinned as he grabbed Robert's arm and helped him down. "What were you after?"

"There's some vials on the top shelf," Robert said as Matt easily reached up and got the medicine. "Thanks," the physician said sheepishly.

"Next time," Festus said with a nod of thanks toward Matt. "Ask for help. Doc just let you out of bed!"

"I know but no one was here," Robert replied with a mischievous grin. "Besides, I can do for myself. I'm just a little weak that's all."

"Well," Doc said handing him the journal. "That'll pass. In the meantime, take a look at this!"

Robert opened the paper as he sat down and read the article on the front page. "I still can't believe you did it," he said looking up at Doc. "Every patient we tried to do a transfusion on at school eventually died."

"I know," Doc said meeting his eyes. "But we had nothing to lose and for whatever reason, it worked!"

"Yes," Robert replied thoughtfully. "But it has to have a scientific reason behind it."

"Maybe we should study it some more," Doc replied excitedly as Robert nodded in agreement.

"All we need is a few samples of blood from different people to compare," Robert said turning around as the door to the clinic shut behind them leaving the two physicians alone.

"Well," Doc said looking at his protégé. "I guess it was something we said."

Robert laughed as he nudge Doc's arm. "C'mon, let's go have some lunch. I'm actually hungry!"

"Good," Doc replied grabbing his hat as he headed for the door. "And, we need to talk about a celebration. Matt passed the exam!"

"He did!" Robert said with a broad smile. "That's great!"

*Ending this here for now but will revisit the story soon!*