Kathryn trudged back to the camp, sick at heart.

She hadn't found the cattle, had found no trace of them and they were gone because of her.

This was all her fault. She should have—

"Miss Kathryn!"

She whipped her head up and breathed a sigh of relief as Jesse ran toward her, mile-wide smile bright.

She hugged him close. "Glad to see you, pup; safe and—" She noticed the small bandage on his head. "What happened?!" She tried not to screech as she gently turned his head this way and that, performing her own examination.

"Based on what the young man can remember, I'd say he ran into a tree branch."

Kathryn's smile was one of relief, reflected by the tears welling in her eyes.

That meant—

"There you are!"

Jarrod ran to her and, before she could even protest, enfolded her in a hug. "We were getting worried. John told us everything; any luck?" He peppered her as he pulled out of the hug.

She shook her head "no" as she profusely apologized.

He gave her a kind smile. "Kay, it's alright; we're not worried about them. However, we are worried about the fact that you've apparently been taking watch shifts every night this week, meaning you've not been getting much sleep, if any!"

"And look what happened!"

Jarrod's eyes widened at Kathryn's outburst.

She sighed heavily, bowed her head and pinched the bridge of her nose. Yes, she was tired, frustrated and mad, but that wasn't Jarrod's fault. Before he could reply to the apology she offered, Heath strode up, his huge smile splitting his face as he beamed happily. "Kathryn, there you are! We were getting worried. We've got everything about packed up and are almost ready to leave. We didn't want to leave without you."

"Well you're going to have to because I'm not coming back with you."

There was a long pause as Heath and Jarrod stood frozen in shock.

"Now, Ms. Quinn, I know you feel responsible for the heads that were lost, but that in no way jeopardizes your employment. There is no need to leave."

She gave, what she hoped, was a reassuring smile. "Sorry for the confusion, Mr. Barkley. I will be returning to the ranch, just not now. I'll finish the drive. With the new men — I hope — you've brought, you'll want someone who is... quite familiar with the temperament of this particular herd."

"But, Miss Kathryn, you're as banged up as the rest of us!" Jesse exclaimed in horror and, though she was fond of the boy, that was not the thing that needed to be shared.

Merar arched a brow and gone was the grandfatherly countenance, instead replaced with the cool, professional demeanor of one who has dealt with many a difficult patient.

Kathryn heaved a dramatic sigh. "If you'll follow me, Doc, I'll let you conduct your examination to your heart's desire, just so you can inform everyone that I am indeed able to finish this drive and receiving a professional diagnosis, there will be no objection to keep me from staying." She leveled Nick, Heath, Jarrod, John and Jesse with a pointed glare, before stalking away, Dr. Merar in her wake.

"Young lady, I made an examination of everyone caught in the stampede and, apart from Nick, you have the most, the truly severe and undoubtedly extensive injuries."

As she gingerly redressed, she mumbled "Nick and I are the worst off — Thank God — because when he was thrown, I did my best to shield him."

Hearing a dramatic sigh, she turned back around to see Dr. Merar shaking his head in exasperation, with a fond smile crinkling the corners of his eyes.

"Well, you weren't wrong; other than being mottled black and blue, and the stiffness and tenderness, there is nothing preventing you from completing the drive, if that's what you want to do." There was something in his voice that she knew meant he wanted her to return with them.

She gave him a gentle smile. "I'm seeing this through."

He sighed in resignation as he gathered up the instruments of his trade. "In that case, I'll leave some arnica. Please do not hesitate to use it."

As they returned, Nick greeted them with a broad smile.

"So, Doc, what's your decision?"

Though he couldn't rub his hands together the way he wanted to in wicked glee, his eyes shone bright with it.

It was Kathryn's turn; she smiled beatifically as Merar conceded his resignation. "Unfortunately, Mr. Barkley, there is nothing to stop her from finishing this drive."

Nick... was speechless; Kathryn wanted to cackle in triumph.

"Now... now, Doc, what, what about her injuries?!"

He shrugged helplessly. "If she wants to deal with the pain and stiffness, she's free to do so. She may not enjoy it, but it won't kill her."

"It may not, but I'm sorely tempted to."

"Nick," Jarrod reproved, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose. "Stop that. Not only is it an empty threat, but I'm pretty sure between the two of you, people like Kathryn more. Forget about everyone else, Audra likes her more. That threat alone should cool that famous hot-headedness."

Nick reluctantly backed down, if the glare and set of his jaw — trying so hard to keep his mouth shut — were anything to go by.

At that moment, Heath walked up. "Are we all set?" He asked innocently, looking from face to face in the gathered group.

With a departing snarl, Nick turned to face his brother and throwing his hands up in the air "informed" Heath "We're good to go; Miss Quinn is being a stubborn, mule-headed, st—"

"Nick..."

At Jarrod's growl, Nick clapped an alarmed Heath's shoulder and muttered angrily "Doc gave her the OK, so she's staying and finishing up the drive."

When Heath looked at her for confirmation, she gave a small nod of her head in affirmation.

Heath blew out a breath as he removed his hat and ran anxious fingers through his hair — damp with sweat — messing up a few strands to stick up. "Well... can't say I'm surprised." Donning the hat again, he walked up to her. "But if you're sure." Kathryn froze as he gently embraced her, no doubt mindful of her injuries. "Be safe. Mac and the others know what they're doing; trust them and let them take some of the weight." Pulling back, he gave an impish smile that matched the mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "And for all our sakes, get some sleep! I'm leaving Mac with orders that if you don't, he has permission and a pardon to do whatever he can in his power to make sure you do."

Kathryn rolled her eyes and swatted his forearm, delighted that even though that d**n smile didn't leave his face, he was rubbing at the spot. "You're in no position to make such promises as the assaults would be against me and I have not given consent. Right, Jarrod?"

Jarrod was grinning widely at her addressing him so informally. "Sorry, Heath, she's correct; Mac would be arrested and convicted if she pressed charges." At her triumphant smirk, he leaned forward and, eye to eye with her, he plastered on his best, charming "lawyer" smile and informed her "However, I agree with Heath and whatever Mac does, it would be my absolute pleasure to defend him if he manages to get you to sleep."

Before Kathryn could inform him what kind of trouble that line of thinking would get him into, Nick hollered "If we're good to go, let's move out! No sense in wasting daylight."

Before she could stop him, Heath gave her a quick, light hug. "I better go find Mac before we head out," and hopped out of reach with a delighted, boyish smile as Kathryn swiped her hat from her head and attempted to swat him with it.

Jarrod gently grasped her shoulders. "We're serious, Kay; get some rest. We've got the wounded so you don't have to worry about them. And we've got the... difficult hands coming back with us. You've got very capable men here, relax."

As Kathryn walked with him to the group of departing men, Chuck met them. "Are you riding in the wagon or on Cowboy?"

Kathryn smiled gently. "I'm riding Vacquero; but we're staying here."

Chuck's vivd blue eyes widened in shocked... was that terror? "Well, then, I'll stay behind, too."

Kathryn opened her mouth to answer his declaration.

"No, you will not." Cody beat her to it. As she made to give him a grateful smile, he added "Because, I'm staying behind." Walking forward and clapping his friend firmly on the shoulder, he continued "And we both can't stay behind; one of us has to see if the Barkleys are willing to take on more hands past this drive." He directed the statement at Jarrod.

"I'm sorry, I don't believe we've met."

"This is Cody and Chuck. When we got to Hanford, they were lounging about so we hired them to keep them out of trouble." She teased, her eyes a bright green to match her playful smile.

Jarrod arched a brow, his face one of curiosity. "Nick hired them... just like that? Who vouched for them?"

Kathryn hesitated a little in her tracks. "Chuck vouched for Cody and I vouched for Chuck since he's the one who helped me with Mr. Heath to the doc in Niles."

At that, Jarrod grinned broadly. "Well, in that case," turning to Chuck he extended his hand and shook Chuck's when it was reciprocated. "We do greatly appreciate the aid you gave in getting our brother back to us in one piece. Since Mac, our foreman, is staying behind with this group, I'll help get the process started when we get back to the ranch. When he gets back, we'll see if there's any work we can find for you. If not, and if you want to stay in Stockton, we'll do our very best to help you find work around. It's the least we can do."

"That settles it then." Cody's tone brooked no argument; though from the look Chuck was giving him, that's exactly what Chuck wanted to do.

Kathryn watched as the company plodded out; Nick and Sid in the wagon, with Luther and Jesse occupying the bench seat with Heath, Charger keeping pace with the wagon he was hitched to.

"Katie?"

She turned around to see Mac, Cody, Ben, Frank, Will, Cecil, Fred, Jasper, Virgil, Simon, Morris, Aaron, Adam and Gus staring at her expectantly.

She gave a fortifying smile and squaring her shoulders announced "Let's get that pen taken down; we've got a drive to finish"