{"id":3136,"date":"2004-11-10T23:34:17","date_gmt":"2004-11-11T04:34:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3136"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:09:20","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:09:20","slug":"resolution-from-despair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3136","title":{"rendered":"Resolution from Despair (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>A WHN for the episode Shanklin, tying up some of those loose ends.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 (10,215 words)<\/p>\n

Disclaimer:\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/p>\n

RESOLUTION FROM DESPAIR<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shanklin, a former Confederate officer, arrives at the Ponderosa with the intent to take $25,000 from Ben Cartwright. In trying to stop him, Hoss is shot and seriously injured. Shanklin, while constantly threatening to kill Hoss, allows Ben to summon a doctor for him. Ben gets the money as asked and while Doc Ingram is operating on Hoss, Joe and Jamie return to the ranch with the intention of freeing their family. When they burst into the house, Shanklin himself is operating on Hoss, fed up with Ingram\u2019s incompetency. Shanklin is angry that Joe killed one of his men and tells Joe that he must retrieve his gun and kill or be killed. Shanklin\u2019s bullet hits Joe in the chest; Joe\u2019s bullet ricochets off a mirror and hits Shanklin in the back. Shanklin dies. At the end of the episode, we see Ben, Joe and Jamie gazing down on the dead man. There seemed to be a lot of loose ends\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

For Janet \u2013 I hope this lives up to your expectations. And as ever, for Claire. Who can tell where you find your family?<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The shots fired almost simultaneously. Ben Cartwright flinched as he saw his son, Joe, get hit in the right side of his chest. And yet, even in the moment that he was hit, Joe fired back at Shanklin. The outlaw looked surprised and staggered forward a step before collapsing to the floor. Ben snatched up the shotgun Irons had dropped and aimed it at the man. \u201cHop Sing!\u201d he hissed and the Chinese housekeeper hurried forward to take the gun. Ben immediately hurried over to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben pushed aside the desk chair to reach his injured son. \u201cJoe!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right, Pa,\u201d Joe panted, despite the fact that the force of the bullet had knocked him over the top of his father\u2019s desk, where he had crashed off the chair to the floor. He groaned as he allowed Ben to help him to his feet. Somehow, Joe sensed that Ben had taken all he could for that day and he got to his feet.<\/p>\n

Looking over, they saw that Doc Ingram was kneeling beside Shanklin. Joe frowned in perplexity. Shanklin had, by his own admission, shot Hoss, and yet when Joe and Jamie had burst into the house, he was operating to save Hoss\u2019 life. Even so, when Shanklin discovered that Joe had killed one of his men, he insisted that Joe should try and retrieve the gun taken from him, so that Shanklin could kill him. It made no sense at all to Joe. Why was Ingram so worried about Shanklin?<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Glancing down, Joe tried to smile into Jamie\u2019s eyes. He wasn\u2019t sure he had succeeded very well, for his newly adopted younger brother snuggled close into Joe\u2019s side, ostensibly to offer his adored older brother physical support, for Jamie had seen what Ben hadn\u2019t \u2013 Joe was anything but all right \u2013 but also to gain some comfort on this confusing, never-ending day.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m\u2026 all right,\u201d Joe assured him, but he was feeling less all right by the second. The shock was hitting him now; the shock of learning that Hoss had been gunned down in the doorway of their own home, that Ben was giving the outlaws $25,000, seeing Hoss stretched out there, unconscious and being operated on. It was all becoming too much for Joe, as he stood there. His knees buckled suddenly and if Ben and Jamie hadn\u2019t been supporting him, Joe would have fallen to the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor!\u201d Ben hissed, suddenly realizing that Joe was not all right. He helped his son to sit in the nearest chair, horrified as Joe\u2019s head lolled on the back, his eyes barely open. \u201cDoc!\u201d Ben\u2019s faith in Richard Ingram had been badly shaken that afternoon, but there was no one else around.<\/p>\n

Lifting his head, Ingram focused his gaze on Joe, but his heart quaked at the thought of performing more surgery that day. If Shanklin hadn\u2019t been such a great surgeon, Hoss would surely have died. Ingram swallowed, suddenly desperately wanting another whiskey to steady his hands and nerves. Rising to his feet, he tottered over to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid\u2026 did the bullet go through?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so,\u201d Ben replied, frantically searching for an exit wound. There wasn\u2019t one. \u201cNo, it\u2019s still in him.\u201d Ben stroked the curls off Joe\u2019s forehead. He glanced at Ingram. \u201cWhat are you going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026 I don\u2019t\u2026 don\u2019t know,\u201d Ingram admitted.<\/p>\n

Horrified, Ben stared at him. He could feel his hands shaking and he sat down abruptly beside Joe. He didn\u2019t think he could take any more that day. Hoss was still unconscious from his surgery and now Joe needed an operation, too. Could he allow Ingram to operate on another member of his family? After the man had carelessly applied too much ether and stopped Hoss breathing?<\/p>\n

Unaware of the difficulties that Ingram had faced, but not wanting him to do the necessary surgery, Joe forced open his eyes. For all that Ingram was Paul Martin\u2019s partner, Joe didn\u2019t like him. He had seen him in the saloon, worse for drink, too many times to want him to be the man wielding the scalpel. Unwittingly, he solved Ben\u2019s problem. \u201cJamie, go into town\u2026 and get Doc Martin\u2026 and Clem.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment, the ginger-haired youth blanched. He was exhausted by the events of the day, but he knew that there was no one else to go. \u201cAll right, Joe,\u201d he agreed and hurried out of the door to go and get his horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cI tie this one up,\u201d Hop Sing offered, clearly getting tired of holding the shotgun on Irons.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are others\u2026tied up in\u2026 the barn,\u201d Joe explained. He saw Hop Sing shepherd Irons out. His eyes dipped closed again.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe.\u201d Ben\u2019s low voice made Joe open his eyes again. \u201cThere were a lot of men with Shanklin. Did you\u2026?\u201d He couldn\u2019t quite bring himself to finish the question.<\/p>\n

\u201cI took\u2026 all of them\u2026 out,\u201d Joe replied. He tried to ease his position, but moving hurt. He groaned unintentionally and saw his father\u2019s weary face pale. \u201cPa, I\u2019m all right,\u201d he insisted, knowing that he was lying. He glanced at Doc Ingram and saw that the little man was gazing at him with a glazed expression. Joe didn\u2019t want him going after the bullet, but he had rather hoped that perhaps he might have stopped the bleeding or given him something to help with the pain. Joe had no idea how he was going to cope with the pain until Doc Martin arrived, but recalling what Jamie had told him about Hoss, he vowed that he would bear it as bravely as his brother had, although Hoss\u2019 injury had been much more serious.<\/p>\n

As though Joe\u2019s thoughts had called to him, Hoss moaned and moved slightly. Ben sat up straight, as if stung, and he exchanged a glance with Ingram, who also seemed more alert. Then, as Hoss moaned again, Ben leapt to his feet and hurried over to where Hoss was lying. \u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

There was another groan as an answer. Hoss was not yet awake, but was coming out of the anesthetic. This was a huge relief for both Ben and Ingram, given that Hoss had stopped breathing earlier. Ben bent over Hoss, murmuring something softly to his son.<\/p>\n

It suddenly occurred to Joe to wonder what on earth Hoss was lying on, and he glanced carefully around the room, blinking the sweat out of his eyes. Almost all the furniture had been moved and every mirror in the house seemed to be here in the great room. Looking at the lamps placed in front of each mirror, Joe guessed that they were there to shed more light on Hoss for the operation. The room was a mess and there was a drum \u2013\u00a0a drum?<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 sitting on the sofa. Joe frowned. He could vaguely remember seeing the drum in the attic. Had the men even gone there?<\/p>\n

The dining table. Hoss had to be lying on the dining table. Joe\u2019s breath hitched in painfully as he twisted a little too far. A fresh wave of blood spilled over the hand he had clamped to his injured side. Why wasn’t the doctor doing something? \u201cDoc, I\u2019m\u2026 bleeding,\u201d Joe whispered, but Ingram didn\u2019t seem to hear.<\/p>\n

On the table, Hoss began to move. Ingram hurried to his side and lifted the sheet that covered Joe\u2019s older brother. Ben looked across anxiously. \u201cHow\u2019s he doing?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt looks good,\u201d Ingram replied. \u201cShanklin sure knew what he was doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

There it was again, Joe thought. Why did Ingram sound as though he admired Shanklin? Yes, the man had saved Hoss\u2019 life and for that Joe would be forever grateful. He shot a glance at the dead man on the floor. But Shanklin had shot Hoss in the first place and from what he could piece together, had continually threatened to kill Hoss. Joe was confused.<\/p>\n

The front door opened, causing them all to tense, but it was just Hop Sing returning. \u201cBad men all tied up tight,\u201d he assured them. He looked around the room in disgust and started to tidy things up. Joe watched him in a desultory manner. Suddenly, Hop Sing stopped and looked right at Joe. \u201cLil Joe \u2013 you all right?\u201d he asked and hurried over. He began to cluck worriedly as he saw the spreading stain on Joe\u2019s shirt front. Turning, he snatched up one of the cloths left for Ingram to use and gently placed it on the wound. Joe winced.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Ben was back at his side, peering worriedly into Joe\u2019s face. \u201cThat bullet needs to come out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot\u2026 by\u2026 him,\u201d Joe panted. The room seemed to be growing very warm, and yet he was shivering. \u201cI\u2019ll wait\u2026 for\u2026 Doc Martin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat bullet needs to come out!\u201d Ben repeated, allowing his worry to masquerade as anger as he saw Joe shiver. Ben suddenly found himself facing the horrifying prospect of maybe nearly losing another son to one of Shanklin\u2019s bullets. \u201cJoe, please!\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Joe could say anything in response, Hoss moaned loudly and said, \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben was torn. Much as he wanted to go to Hoss, he knew Joe needed him too. Seeing the indecision on Ben\u2019s face, Joe made it easy for him. \u201cGo to him, Pa,\u201d he breathed. \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a liar,\u201d Ben told him lovingly and rose to go back to Hoss. \u201cI\u2019m here, Hoss. Just take it easy. You\u2019re going to be just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShanklin,\u201d Hoss mumbled. \u201cPa, don\u2019t. Don\u2019 give him\u2026 the money.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShh,\u201d Ben soothed. \u201cIt\u2019s all over, Hoss. The money\u2019s safe and you\u2019re going to be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Opening his eyes, Hoss stared at Ben, confused. \u201cHow?\u201d he slurred, still groggy from the anesthetic. \u201cShanklin\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShanklin is dead,\u201d Ben told him. \u201cJoe and Jamie took care of his men.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Hoss grunted, with decided satisfaction. His eyes drifted closed for a moment. He felt a little better than he had before; well maybe not better exactly, but not as bad. Then it fully registered with him what Ben had said and his eyes opened again. \u201cJoe an\u2019 Jamie. Is they\u2026 all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

It was the hesitation that told Hoss that they weren\u2019t. He made a move to sit up, but discovered, to his shock, that he was too weak. \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight here, big brother.\u201d Joe peered down at Hoss, hoping that the older man wouldn\u2019t notice anything out of the ordinary. Getting up from the chair had cost him a great deal in pain and further blood loss, but if it prevented Hoss getting anxious, then it was worth it to Joe.<\/p>\n

The groggy blue eyes turned towards Joe and a smile flitted across Hoss\u2019 face. \u201cYa all right, little brother?\u201d Hoss asked and Joe nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust fine. You get some rest now.\u201d Joe smiled, although stabs of pain were rocketing through his chest. He watched his brother\u2019s eyes close before he turned away.<\/p>\n

Instantly, Ben was at his side, supporting Joe as he stumbled back to the seat. \u201cWhat were you thinking?\u201d Ben hissed, keeping his voice low so as not to disturb Hoss. \u201cJoe, you\u2019re bleeding heavily!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u201d Joe squeezed his eyes shut against the pain as Ben took the cloth and put pressure on the wound. \u201cBut if Hoss rests easily, then it was worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben scolded, but the pride in his voice spoke louder than his annoyance. Trust Joe to think of Hoss before his own comfort. It was quite true. Hoss would have worried if he hadn\u2019t seen Joe and there was no way the big man was going to be getting up any time soon. \u201cYou stay put this time,\u201d Ben went on in a low voice. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Ingram taking a good solid slug out of the whiskey bottle.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why I won\u2019t let him touch me,\u201d Joe commented. His hand involuntarily gripped Ben\u2019s wrist as the pain increased for a moment. Ben didn\u2019t let up the pressure at all. \u201cHe\u2019s a drunk.\u201d Joe\u2019s hand slid off Ben\u2019s wrist. His black glove left a sticky, bloody handprint on Ben\u2019s wrist. \u201cDon\u2019t let him\u2026 touch me.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the first time, Ben realized that Ingram hadn\u2019t saved Hoss\u2019 life. Shanklin had. Ben frowned. Ingram hadn\u2019t even looked at Joe and Joe was bleeding badly. Everyone could see that. Ben glanced over his shoulder at the table of blood-covered medical implements and wondered, sickly, if he would have to perform surgery on Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing,\u201d he called. \u201cBoil some water and put those instruments in it, please. Doctor Martin will need them when he comes.\u201d<\/p>\n

At once, the Chinese cook scurried away to put the water on. Ben returned his attention to Joe, who had his eyes closed again. It hurt Ben\u2019s heart to see his son sprawled there so pale and still. This was what Ben had been afraid of \u2013 that Joe and Jamie would burst into the house to save him and Hoss and be hurt. That was why he had asked Clem to arrest them and lock them up until this was over. And yet Ben couldn\u2019t find it in himself to be angry. Joe had managed to save them a whole lot of money and he himself wasn\u2019t facing the prospect of a long ride as a hostage. How could Ben be angry? He couldn\u2019t. Yet he wished fervently that this had all been accomplished without Joe and Hoss being hurt.<\/p>\n

Cautiously lifting the cloth, Ben peered at the hole in Joe\u2019s side. The bleeding had almost stopped and Ben resumed the pressure on it. Joe groaned deeply and writhed in the seat. Desperate to have his mind distracted, Joe asked, \u201cPa, how come\u2026 Shanklin was\u2026 operating on Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

Quickly, Ben explained how Ingram had wanted to amputate Hoss\u2019 leg because of the damage to his femoral artery. Joe\u2019s eyes opened wide at that. \u201cOh, Pa!\u201d he breathed, horrified. His eyes raced to look at his older brother, lying so still on the table. At that moment, Hoss issued a very reassuring snore.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben replied, also looking at Hoss. He then carried on with the story, explaining that Shanklin had seemed affronted by Ingram\u2019s incompetency and had taken over the tricky surgery, retrieving his bullet almost casually at the end. \u201cI don\u2019t understand him at all,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cI know his experiences in the Civil War saved Hoss\u2019 life, but they also warped Shanklin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did he come to you for money?\u201d Joe asked. He was beginning to feel quite light-headed.<\/p>\n

Shaking his head, Ben replied, \u201cI don\u2019t know, son. He must have heard that I have money \u2013 and sons that I love enough to sacrifice anything for.\u201d Ben smiled as Joe\u2019s eyes slit open, but he was concerned that Joe didn\u2019t lift his head from the back of the seat.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou must be\u2026 exhausted,\u201d Joe commented. He was worried about his father, but the worry was muted and distant. Joe recognized the signs of shock and blood loss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Ben assured his son, untruthfully. He was exhausted \u2013 emotionally and physically.<\/p>\n

Joe glanced at the clock, but time had lost all meaning. He didn\u2019t know what time it had been when Jamie left, so he had no idea how much time had passed. Not enough, he suspected, for Jamie to have reached town, never mind be on the way back.<\/p>\n

So it was a complete surprise when the door opened a minute or two later and Jamie staggered in. Joe simply blinked, unable to believe what he was seeing. Ben had whirled, regretting that he didn\u2019t have a gun close by, but relaxing slightly when he saw his youngest, adopted, son.<\/p>\n

Rising, Ben exclaimed, \u201cJamie!\u201d He was suddenly terrified that Joe hadn\u2019t managed to take out all of Shanklin\u2019s men.<\/p>\n

Behind Jamie a shadow moved. Ben\u2019s heart started racing at three times its normal speed and he glanced around frantically for a weapon, but there was nothing to hand. But then the shadow came into the light and Ben recognized Clem Foster, sheriff of Virginia City and behind him came Paul Martin.<\/p>\n

They were truly safe now.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2026?\u201d Ben asked, unable to articulate his question.<\/p>\n

\u201cClem and I decided not to wait for you to ask for help,\u201d Paul Martin replied, brushing past Jamie and Ingram to crouch by Joe\u2019s side. \u201cWe decided, as friends, that we didn\u2019t have to wait for you to come to us. We decided that we would help you regardless.\u201d He took Joe\u2019s pulse and peered into his face. \u201cJoe, what happened to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShanklin,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cHe shot me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you lost consciousness at all?\u201d Paul went on. He pried Joe\u2019s hand away from his side and lifted the bloody cloth.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe breathed. He suddenly felt that he might pass out right there and then and wondered why he had to do it now that they were safe. He didn\u2019t realize that the adrenaline had exited his body, leaving him feeling weaker than he had before. He began to shake again.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat bullet has to come out right now,\u201d Paul declared. He glanced around at the makeshift operating table. \u201cI\u2019d better do it here,\u201d he decided, giving Ingram a hard look. \u201cHoss might need some attention. Ben, could you rig up something to cover the sofa with? I\u2019ll operate there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Ben replied, looking round rather wildly. But the faithful Hop Sing was there, rushing up to strip the sheets off one of the spare bed and placing them on the sofa. He brought more boiling water from the kitchen and showed Doc Martin the instruments, still in the tub of water. They didn\u2019t look as clean as Paul preferred, but time was now beginning to be of the essence and he didn\u2019t quibble.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Joe.\u201d Paul carefully helped Joe to his feet and Ben hurried over to take his other arm. Joe could barely shuffle now and he could hardly believe that a little while before, he had been able to get up and walk over to reassure Hoss that he was all right.<\/p>\n

The bustle around him disturbed Hoss, who grunted as he moved slightly. \u201cPa,\u201d he called, weakly.<\/p>\n

Half turning, Ben hesitated, still supporting Joe by the arm. \u201cGo to him,\u201d Joe breathed. A wordless apprehension was now gripping Joe and he desperately wanted Ben\u2019s loving support, but Hoss needed their father, too, and Joe wasn\u2019t selfish enough to deny Hoss anything that would help him in his long fight back to health. \u201cGo on,\u201d he added, when Ben hesitated.<\/p>\n

Still torn, Ben did as Joe urged and hurried back over to Hoss. \u201cI\u2019m here, son,\u201d he soothed. \u201cIt\u2019s all right.\u201d He touched Hoss\u2019 cheek, not only to give some comfort, but to determine if Hoss was running a temperature. He glanced at Paul anxiously. Hoss was warm to the touch.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s happenin\u2019?\u201d Hoss mumbled.<\/p>\n

This time, Ben was torn between telling Hoss the truth and telling him something that would allow him to go back to sleep. This time, the lie won out. \u201cWe\u2019re just tidying up a bit,\u201d he replied. \u201cWe didn\u2019t mean to disturb you, Hoss. Go back to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Joe?\u201d Hoss asked. \u201cAn\u2019 Jamie?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s busy right now,\u201d Ben told him evasively. \u201cJamie\u2019s helping Hop Sing.\u201d It was quite true. As Clem dragged Shanklin\u2019s body out of the house, Hop Sing had taken Jamie under his wing and given him a few small jobs to do to stop the boy brooding on what had happened. \u201cYou just rest now and let us clear up, all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Hoss sighed. His eyes, which had never fully opened, drifted shut again and his breathing deepened almost once. Ben stayed another minute, making sure that Hoss was soundly asleep before hurrying back over to Joe.<\/p>\n

During those few minutes, Joe had been divested of his shirt and jacket and Ben could see the red, angry, bruised wound on his chest. To Ben\u2019s inexperienced eyes, it seemed to be perilously close to one of Joe\u2019s lungs and the grim expression on the doctor\u2019s face told Ben that Paul was not happy with the situation either.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe.\u201d Ben took Joe\u2019s hand as Paul produced the ether. He felt a moment\u2019s panic, remembering Shanklin coolly telling Ingram that Hoss had stopped breathing, but this wasn\u2019t Ingram, he reminded himself. This was Paul, whom he had known for many, many years. He trusted him and his own words came back to mock him. \u2018I trust Doctor Ingram\u2019<\/em>, he told Shanklin, only for Ingram to announce that he was going to amputate Hoss\u2019 leg.<\/p>\n

Giving Ben a weak smile, Joe closed his eyes as the ether mask was applied. \u201cJust breathe, Joe,\u201d Paul told him and again, Ben was assailed by memories. When Joe began to cough, Ben\u2019s heart skipped a beat. But after a few moments, Joe was laying peacefully, his breathing and pulse regular. \u201cI don\u2019t think you want to help me with this, Ben,\u201d Paul commented. \u201cRichard will assist me.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was true Ben didn\u2019t want to help, but he wasn\u2019t sure that he wanted Ingram to help either. \u201cBut\u2026\u201d he began.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d Paul put his hand on Ben\u2019s arm. \u201cYou\u2019re exhausted, Ben. Rest while you have the chance. Talk to Jamie and make him rest. It\u2019s been one hell of a day for all of you and I suspect it\u2019s not over yet. Now rest. I\u2019ll hear the full story later.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeing the sense in that, Ben nodded and relinquished his position by Joe\u2019s side. After a final glance, he went to find Jamie.<\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

The teenage boy was understandably upset by the day\u2019s events. He had seen first Hoss and then Joe gunned down in their own home, had had a gun shot out of his own hand and Jamie was about at the end of his tether. He was sitting on the porch rocker, shivering with cold, but reluctant to return inside. The great room of the house had never, in his short experience, looked the way it did now and Jamie didn\u2019t know what to make of it. He had heard the stories from Joe and Hoss about the things that had happened to them over the years, but he hadn\u2019t entirely believed them. He had never been able to picture the Ponderosa any way but the way it had been since he\u2019d arrived. Now, he could all too easily picture the way the house had looked after General Diaz and his Mexicans had broken in and shot Joe in the back, or the way it had looked when Joe, Hoss and Candy, the foreman, had been kept prisoner overnight by a group of bank robbers. Would it have made any difference if Candy had been home at the moment and not away on a cattle buying trip?<\/p>\n

Watching as Clem prodded the prisoners out of the barn, Jamie shivered again as he remembered Joe fighting with these men. His admiration for his big brother rose, but Jamie was now realizing how dangerous a situation it had been for Joe. If something had gone wrong, they could both have died.<\/p>\n

\u201cJamie?\u201d Ben was looking down on the youth with compassion. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d Ben had barely seen the boy since he had ridden into town to tell Ben about Shanklin.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Jamie replied, unconvincingly. \u201cHow\u2019re Joe an\u2019 Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss is asleep,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cDoc Martin is operating on Joe right now.\u201d Ben drew Jamie to his feet and gave him a hug. \u201cCome on, let\u2019s get you something to eat and then you can go to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not hungry,\u201d Jamie replied, horrified to find himself near to tears. While all had been mayhem and trouble, Jamie had been coping. Now that things were almost back to normal, kindness had him crying. Jamie didn\u2019t understand.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou should eat something,\u201d Ben coaxed. \u201cTry, for me. I\u2019m going to need your help over the next few days, son.\u201d He put his arms around Jamie\u2019s thin shoulders and drew him towards the kitchen door. \u201cIt\u2019s good to know that I can rely on you. That takes a weight off my mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d Jamie gasped. He frequently felt quite inadequate compared to Joe and Hoss, although he had never admitted it. He comforted himself with the thought that Joe and Hoss had once been young, but the age gap between them was such that Jamie felt he would never grow up, never know as much as his brothers. Jamie didn\u2019t resent the fact that Joe and Hoss seemed to know much more than he did. He idolized both men and was striving to be just like them, although he didn\u2019t think he would ever know as much about nature as Hoss, or ever be such a good rider as Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally,\u201d Ben assured him. He looked down into the boy\u2019s wide eyes. \u201cJamie, you kept your head today. Although I might wish that you and Joe had stayed out of this mess, you did what you thought was right and it\u2019s turned out for the best. Hoss is going to be fine, and so is Joe. You acted to save your brother\u2019s life and I\u2019m proud of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Suddenly, Jamie felt about a foot taller and his stomach rumbled loudly. \u201cThanks, Pa!\u201d he exclaimed, his face alight with new-found pride. \u201cI guess I am hungry after all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing, Ben was surprised to feel his own stomach rumble and realized that he hadn\u2019t eaten anything since that morning. \u201cI think I might join you in supper,\u201d he smiled.<\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

\u201cJoshua, I\u2019m not sure that this is a good idea,\u201d Ingram whined.<\/p>\n

Already sweating, Paul gave Ingram a black look. \u201cI wish to heaven I\u2019d never told you what the \u2019J\u2019 stood for in my name,\u201d he grated. \u201cEveryone round here was quite content knowing me as Paul!\u201d The worst bit, he reflected, as he paused to draw in a calming breath, was that Ingram had had \u2018Joshua\u2019 painted onto their shingle and now everyone in the town knew of his hated first name.<\/p>\n

Leaning over the somnolent Joe once more, Paul followed the path of the bullet with care. It was indeed resting very close to Joe\u2019s lung. In fact, Paul was beginning to fear that it was actually in Joe\u2019s lung and was the only thing preventing the lung from collapsing. Despite the fact that the entire contents of his office appeared to be in the Ponderosa\u2019s great room, Paul wasn\u2019t sure that he was equipped to deal with a punctured lung that night!<\/p>\n

There was silence while Paul probed further. Ingram was now convinced that the bullet had passed into Joe\u2019s lung and was rattling about in it. That meant a certain death sentence for Joe, although quite when the bullet would move enough to kill him was another matter. Paul was praying that the famous Joe Cartwright luck would hold out.<\/p>\n

And suddenly, there it was. The squashed piece of metal had chipped a bit off Joe\u2019s top rib, but that had slowed its travel enough that it hadn\u2019t quite reached Joe\u2019s lung. However, it was still in a dangerous position. Without saying a word to Ingram, Paul took the forceps and reached for it.<\/p>\n

For a horrible moment, Paul thought it was going to spring out from his grasp and enter Joe\u2019s lung. Holding his breath and consciously steadying his hand, Paul reached for it again. This time, he got a solid hold on it and began to draw it out of the wound.<\/p>\n

He almost had it out when Ingram leant over him and jostled his elbow. The bullet slipped from Paul\u2019s grasp and went back inside the wound. Stifling a curse, Paul glared at his colleague, wondering why on earth he had asked this man to be his partner. \u201cRichard! Get out of my way or so help me\u2026\u201d He couldn\u2019t finish the threat, but the look on his face was enough to get his point through. Ingram retreated and when Paul glanced up a minute or so later, he saw Ingram was ensconced in the whiskey bottle.<\/p>\n

It was harder finding the bullet second time around, since there was a much larger incision for it to get lost in, but patience and perseverance won the day and at along last, Paul Martin triumphantly drew the bullet out of Joe\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n

There was no one to share his triumph with immediately. Ingram was frankly drunk; Hoss was sleeping and Hop Sing was in the kitchen with Ben and Jamie. Dropping the offending bullet into the dish beside the one retrieved from Hoss, Paul sighed and patted Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cJoe, I don\u2019t blame you in the least for waiting for me,\u201d he admitted quietly. \u201cAnd let\u2019s just hope that you make a quick recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reaching for a needle, he began to suture closed the incision.<\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

When Paul went through, Jamie was drowsing at the kitchen table. Ben was nursing a cup of coffee and looking as weary as Paul had ever seen him. He sat down next to Ben and gratefully accepted the cup of coffee Hop Sing handed him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d Ben\u2019s voice was low, but the intensity roused Jamie to full wakefulness.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got the bullet out and stitched him up. His lung was intact, but I had to remove some slivers of bone off one of Joe\u2019s ribs. His flesh looked rather inflamed, but he had a bullet in him and I had to dig quite deeply for it. I\u2019ll stay tonight, of course, and keep an eye on both him and Hoss. But I fully expect Joe to be all right. He\u2019s lost a lot of blood, so he\u2019s going to be weak for a while.\u201d Paul drank deeply from the cup. \u201cHoss\u2019 fever is climbing right now, but that\u2019s no surprise.\u201d He sighed and rolled his head around his shoulders. \u201cYou\u2019re in for a hard time of it, Ben. Both the boys will be off their feet for a good while, Hoss particularly. And with him being so big\u2026\u201d Paul made a face. \u201cHe\u2019s going to find it hard to get back on his feet, I fear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you telling me?\u201d Ben asked, while Jamie\u2019s face blanched, leaving his freckles standing out in stark relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m telling you that Hoss is going to find it hard to get back on his feet,\u201d Paul returned, mildly. \u201cI\u2019m not suggesting for a single minute that he\u2019s going to become an invalid, or even lose that leg. All I\u2019m saying is that Hoss is not going to get over this and be fine in the morning, Ben. He\u2019s older and heavier and that\u2019s going to make it a bit harder for him. Even Joe might take a day or two longer to bounce back this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut they\u2019ll be all right?\u201d Jamie asked, his voice sounding young, thin, high and scared.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019m pretty sure that they\u2019ll be all right in time,\u201d Paul agreed. \u201cNow, young man, I think you ought to get a good night\u2019s sleep, as your Pa here will need your help in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can help now,\u201d Jamie insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, by going to bed,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cJamie, you\u2019re tired and I\u2019ll most likely be up all night. If you get a good sleep, then you can help Joe and Hoss in the morning while I sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was logic there, even if Jamie was initially reluctant to see it. But he could hear the iron in Ben\u2019s voice and he knew better than to argue. Rising, he made his way out of the kitchen to go to bed.<\/p>\n

Left alone, the two old friends sat on. Ben was bone weary, his thoughts flitting from one son to the other. Paul was thinking that he would have to find another partner. Ingram was not fit to doctor animals, he thought. Right now, he was passed out, snoring, in the great room.<\/p>\n

Abruptly, Paul said, \u201cI\u2019m sorry about Ingram, Ben. I don\u2019t know exactly what he did today, but I\u2019m sorry I ever clapped eyes on the man. No wonder Joe didn\u2019t want him to get that bullet out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Quietly, Ben told Paul exactly what had happened that afternoon and evening. He kept his eyes on his coffee cup and his voice dispassionate, as though that would take the pain out of the recitation for him. It didn\u2019t work and Ben blinked back tears of anger.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I suppose we ought to be grateful to Shanklin for the surgery he performed on Hoss,\u201d Paul commented softly after Ben had finished speaking. \u201cBut that doesn\u2019t make up for what he did initially.\u201d He shook his head. \u201cWhere is the money now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStill through there, I think,\u201d Ben replied. It hadn\u2019t occurred to him to wonder about the money when he had his sons to worry about.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you put it into your safe and in the morning, Clem can take it back to the bank.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I should,\u201d Ben agreed, but it was only when Paul rose that Ben heaved himself to his feet. He felt old. Keeping that disquieting thought to himself, Ben went back through to the great room.<\/p>\n

The money was sitting where it had been left, on the round table by the foot of the stairs. Ben glanced at Joe first, then Hoss, before going over and putting the coins back into the bags. One by one, he carried them over to the desk, then knelt to open the safe. Thinking back, he remembered one of Shanklin\u2019s men trying desperately to break into the safe and he wondered why Shanklin hadn\u2019t asked for the safe to be opened.<\/p>\n

Shanklin was such a mass of contradictions that Ben didn\u2019t think he would ever be able to understand his motivations.\u00a0 He had wanted $25,000 from Ben, yet didn\u2019t want the money from the safe. Looking at the small pile of bills in there, Ben guessed that it was because he thought the currency might well be US paper dollars, not gold and silver coin.<\/p>\n

Securing the money at last, Ben straightened wearily, feeling his joints popping. He turned round to see Paul leaning over Hoss and a momentary panic touched Ben\u2019s heart. \u201cIs something wrong?\u201d he whispered, moving closer.<\/p>\n

Smiling, Paul shook his head. \u201cNo. Look.\u201d He gestured to Hoss, who turned his head and looked at Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Pa.\u201d The big man\u2019s voice was weary, but somehow stronger than it had been the last time he had spoken. His eyes looked brighter and his color had improved, although he was still pale from blood loss. But there was an air about him that suggested now that he would live \u2013 something Ben hadn\u2019t been too sure of up until that point.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi yourself,\u201d Ben smiled. He cupped Hoss\u2019 cheek in his hand and felt that the fever had gone down. \u201cHow do you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m plumb wore out,\u201d Hoss replied. \u201cBut it don\u2019t hurt so much as it did.\u201d He glanced around. \u201cWhere\u2019s Joe? I thought I spoke ta him afore\u2026\u201d Hoss big blue eyes turned up to Ben, beseeching his father to tell him that Joe was all right.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s sleeping,\u201d Ben replied, steadily. \u201cWhich is what you ought to be doing, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYa need ta git some sleep, too, Pa,\u201d Hoss murmured in return, but obediently closed his eyes and drifted off.<\/p>\n

Wearily, Ben sat down in the nearest seat and closed his eyes for a moment. He fell asleep at once.<\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

\u201cBen!\u201d The hand shook his shoulder again and reluctantly, Ben Cartwright opened his eyes. For an instant, he couldn\u2019t remember why he was sleeping in a chair, but as he straightened his stiff limbs, his eyes fell on the shambles in the room and memory flooded back.<\/p>\n

More awake now, but still feeling tired, Ben looked at Paul. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d he asked. \u201cJoe? Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s still asleep,\u201d Paul replied. There were dark circles under his eyes, testifying to his sleepless night. \u201cBut he\u2019s pretty hot, Ben. It looks like there might be an infection started up. Hoss is awake. I thought it might be an idea to get him into his own bed. He\u2019ll be more comfortable there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t carry him alone,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cI\u2019ll go and get some of the men\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaking his head, Paul put up a hand to stem the flow of words. \u201cWe need to get Hoss on his feet as soon as possible, Ben. Now is as good a time as any. Between us, we can manage. Then, when Joe wakes up, we can get him settled into his own bed, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Quaking at the thought of causing his son pain, Ben protested, \u201cI don\u2019t know if their rooms are habitable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Hop Sing took care of that before he went off to bed.\u201d Paul looked exasperated. \u201cCome on, Ben, quite stalling. Yes, it\u2019s going to be uncomfortable for Hoss to get up, but if we don\u2019t get him moving now, it\u2019ll be much harder later. And don\u2019t tell me you like the room like this?\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling at how well his old friend knew him, Ben got to his feet. \u201cNo, it\u2019s not my first choice of furniture order,\u201d he agreed. He followed Paul over to Hoss and smiled down at his middle son. \u201cI hear you\u2019re going to your own bed instead of taking up the table,\u201d he teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn\u2019 right good it\u2019ll be, too,\u201d Hoss smiled. \u201cThis here table\u2019s all right fer eatin\u2019 off, but it ain\u2019t so comfortable fer lying on.\u201d<\/p>\n

It took a bit of doing to get Hoss onto his feet, but once there, he limped carefully towards the stairs, leaning heavily on Ben and Paul. Given how much blood he had lost, Hoss felt remarkably good, but by the time he had reached his bed, he was exhausted. He managed to stay awake long enough to eat a plate of broth, then snuggled into his pillows contentedly and fell asleep again.<\/p>\n

Back downstairs, Ben was surprised to see Jamie starting to put the room to rights again. Paul was sitting on the coffee table by Joe, listening to his heart. Ben smiled at Jamie and gave the youth a hug before going over to see Joe.<\/p>\n

It was plain to anyone with eyes that Joe was very ill. His face was deathly pale and his breath came in gasps. Ben felt a renewed stab of worry. \u201cIs it an infection?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d The one word answer was not the reassurance that Ben wanted.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut why Joe?\u201d he demanded. \u201cHoss had the bullet in him longer.\u201d He blinked and realized what he\u2019d said. \u201cNot that I want Hoss to have an infection, but Ingram said last night that there was some gangrene in his leg.\u201d He bit his lip, remembering Joe\u2019s nasty brush with gangrene a couple of years before.<\/p>\n

Knowing what Ben was thinking, Paul put his hand on his friend\u2019s arm. \u201cThe gangrene in Hoss\u2019 leg is gone, Ben,\u201d he soothed. \u201cIt went when the artery was repaired and the blood started getting through again. Hoss is fine; you saw that for yourself. But the instruments that I used on Joe weren\u2019t as clean as I would have liked. I had no choice but to use them, but I think that\u2019s where the infection came from. I\u2019m sorry, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking at his friend\u2019s contrite face, Ben forgave him without any hesitation. \u201cIt\u2019s not your fault, Paul,\u201d he assured him. \u201cBut\u2026 Is Joe going to be all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d Paul sighed. \u201cI\u2019m doing everything I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

************<\/p>\n

It took remarkably little time to set the room to rights again. Ben and Jamie worked steadily and quietly, so that they wouldn\u2019t disturb Joe, but it seemed to Ben that every time he looked at his son, Joe was so deeply unconscious that he wouldn\u2019t have wakened if they\u2019d dropped everything.<\/p>\n

After a time, there was little else to do but wait. Ben knew he would have to take the $25,000 back into town, but he couldn\u2019t leave while Joe was so ill and there was no way he could entrust that amount of money to a youngster like Jamie. He took over bathing Joe\u2019s head with cool water, allowing Paul some much-needed rest.\u00a0 Ingram had roused from his drunken stupor and tottered outside earlier and hadn\u2019t returned. Ben hadn\u2019t spared him a single thought.<\/p>\n

Hooves outside suddenly snapped them all to attention. Clem had taken Shanklin\u2019s men into town, but he had been alone and it might just be that they were returning. Snatching up his holster, Ben drew his gun, noting that Jamie had a shotgun. He motioned the boy back as he rose, watching the door intently.<\/p>\n

There was a brisk\u00a0rat-tat-tat<\/em>\u00a0on the door which opened to show Clem Foster and the banker. They both looked rather startled to see Ben and Jamie so obviously on the defensive and froze in place for a second until the weapons were lowered.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverythin\u2019 all right, Ben?\u201d Clem asked.<\/p>\n

Sighing and relaxing, Ben shrugged. \u201cI suppose so,\u201d he agreed, sitting down to tend to Joe once more.<\/p>\n

Concerned at the fatigue he saw on Ben\u2019s face, and wondering who was lying on the sofa, Clem exchanged a glance with the sleepy Paul Martin and walked across the room to look down on Joe. What he saw was not reassuring.<\/p>\n

When Clem had first come to Virginia City as deputy to Roy Coffee, he and Joe had not got along particularly well. When Joe\u2019s erstwhile girlfriend, Ann Wilson, had been raped and murdered, Joe had thought that Clem \u2013 alone since Roy was out of town \u2013 wasn\u2019t doing a good enough job. Later, once everything had calmed down, Joe had apologized to Clem, but it had been a while before they really grew to be friendly.<\/p>\n

But they were friends now and Clem was shocked to see how ill Joe looked. When he had last seen him the evening before, Joe had been bleeding, shot, wounded, but essentially all right. Clem was saddened by Joe\u2019s decline but it wasn\u2019t really a surprise to him. He had seen too many men laid low by gunshot wounds and knew that general good health before such an injury meant nothing. Infection was always a danger and killed a vast number of men. Clem just hoped that Joe wouldn\u2019t be one of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs Richard out there?\u201d Paul asked and received a nod in reply. He got to his feet and went outside to talk to his colleague.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, we came to take the money back to town,\u201d Clem explained. \u201cAnd to see how the boys were. Where\u2019s Hoss?\u201d As soon as the words left his mouth, Clem regretted asking. What if Hoss had died during the night?<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s upstairs, asleep,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cHe\u2019s much better, thanks.\u201d He soaked the cloth he had in his hand in a basin of cold water and put it on Joe\u2019s forehead, then rose. \u201cI\u2019ll get the money. It\u2019ll be much safer back in the bank than here in my safe. I\u2019m sure half the county knows what happened here last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cQuite likely,\u201d Clem agreed. He knew the gossip-spreading propensities of the neighborhood as well as Ben did. \u201cHow\u2019re you doin\u2019, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d Ben replied, kneeling wearily in front of the safe. In truth, he was exhausted, despite the sleep he had had. Once he knew that Joe was going to be all right, he would be fine, he knew. Until then, he was only going to shut his eyes when he had to.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf ya need any help, jist holler,\u201d Clem advised him, as he hefted the bags of coins that Ben handed to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, I will.\u201d Ben stood watching as Clem and the banker loaded the money onto a buckboard and then rode off cautiously. Now that the cash was gone, Ben was relieved to have it off his hands and he felt less tense.<\/p>\n

As he turned to go back inside, Ben saw Paul and Ingram standing over by the corral. Paul was talking and Ingram was listening and Ben guessed that Paul was ending the partnership. Ben had wondered how long it would last when he saw the new shingle outside the office. He had known for many years that Paul\u2019s never-used first name began with a \u2018J\u2019, but until the shingle went up, he had never discovered what that name was. Ben could see nothing wrong with the name Joshua, but clearly Paul didn\u2019t agree with him. It was something that Ben would keep in his memory to tease his friend with on a later date. But not now. However Paul and Ingram\u2019s partnership ended, Ben had more important worries \u2013 Joe and Hoss. Turning, he went back into the house.<\/p>\n

*************<\/p>\n

Lunch appeared and was eaten and still Joe writhed in fever\u2019s grip. Ingram had gone back to town to cover anything that arose there. Paul had elected to stay on the ranch until such times as he knew how Joe was going to be. He dozed in Ben\u2019s red leather chair, rousing every now and then to check on Joe, administer the quinine he was hoping would break the young man\u2019s fever and going up to check on Hoss.<\/p>\n

The only plus was that Hoss was making a good recovery. He was still weak from blood loss and would be for some time to come, but he was already sitting up and eating well. The most difficult time for Hoss would come when he was getting back onto his feet. The damage to his leg was fairly extensive and Hoss was no light weight. The muscles would need a lot of work before they were back to normal. Hoss might never lose his limp.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you go and sit with Hoss?\u201d Paul suggested, meeting Jamie lingering at the foot of the stairs. \u201cHe\u2019s awake and could use the company.\u201d He patted Jamie on the shoulder. \u201cTake the checkers board and let him win a game or two.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Jamie agreed, but his tone was listless and he moved slowly as he found the gaming board and started climbing the stairs. He paused at the top and looked down and Paul knew that he was another who would suffer badly if Joe died.<\/p>\n

If Joe died.<\/em>\u00a0It was the first time Paul had allowed himself to think that. He had known at the time that he was taking a risk using dirty instruments. Unlike many of his profession, Paul firmly believed in the relationship between dirt and infection. But needs must when the devil drives, and Paul had had to operate, or Joe would have bled to death.\u00a0Caught between a rock and a hard place<\/em>, Paul thought. He grimaced and tried to shake the gloomy thoughts from his head. But they, like the guilt, refused to leave.<\/p>\n

************<\/p>\n

Night time came again. Joe still fought, but his struggles seemed to be getting weaker. He had taken water regularly from Ben, but in his stupor, they had been unable to get anything nourishing into him. Now, he no longer moaned or thrashed about. His face was deathly pale, his features waxen, his skin clammy and burning to the touch.\u00a0 As Joe deteriorated, Ben also went down hill, his eyes becoming sunken, the lines around his mouth deepening. He had not been talkative all that day, but he was completely unforthcoming now.<\/p>\n

Paul knew that the loss of any of his sons would be a blow that Ben would be hard pushed to recover from. But there was a special bond between Joe and Ben, one that no one could deny. It wasn\u2019t that Ben played favorites with Joe, for he treated all his sons fairly and equitably \u2013 some even said he was too fair, in that Adam still stood in line to inherit a share of the Ponderosa, when he had been gone for years. But there was just something about the relationship between Ben and Joe that lifted it out of the ordinary. Paul had seen evidence of it many times over the years as he treated Joe for this illness or that injury, but he still didn\u2019t know quite what made that difference. If Joe should die, Ben might never recover. For that matter, Joe\u2019s death would leave Hoss and Jamie utterly devastated. Would any of them recover, should Joe die?<\/p>\n

Lifting his head, Paul saw Ben\u2019s anxious face only inches away from his. \u201cBen, we need to pack Joe in ice,\u201d he told him. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to get his temperature down. If we don\u2019t, he might have seizures.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get the ice.\u201d Fear shortening his breath, Ben went into the kitchen, grabbed a bucket and the ice axe and hurried off to the spring house.\u00a0 Paul, meanwhile, stripped the blankets off Joe and removed what was left of his clothing. The sweat glistened on Joe\u2019s naked body, highlighting his impressive musculature. Grabbing the sheet, Paul took it into the kitchen and soaked it in cold water.<\/p>\n

Packing the ice around Joe\u2019s body, Paul took especial care to make sure there was some put into his arm pits and around his groin, two areas where the ice would work even more quickly. Then he placed the soaked sheet over Joe and tucked it in firmly.<\/p>\n

As the cold hit his fevered body, Joe let out a great shout. His back arched as he bucked, trying to rid himself of the painful, penetrating cold that seemed to burn hotter than the fever did. This was the most dangerous moment, Paul knew. This was the moment when the shock of the cold could stop the heart. He held his breath, crossed his fingers and prayed as hard as he could.<\/p>\n

Up and up Joe\u2019s back arched until Ben was forced to reach out and hold him down so that he wouldn\u2019t tumble off the sofa. \u201cEasy, son, easy,\u201d Ben whispered, his heart rising to choke him as he finally faced the prospect of losing his son.<\/p>\n

Abruptly, shockingly, Joe\u2019s eyes sprang open, but there was no recognition in those fevered depths. In fact, Joe\u2019s green eyes seemed to be blind as he looked through his father and let out another inarticulate shout. He twitched once, then collapsed limply to the sofa, unmoving, his head dangling grotesquely off the side.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben\u2019s eyes filled with tears as he groped for Joe\u2019s pulse, sure he had just seen his son breathe his last. \u201cJoe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other fingers were there before him, resting on Joe\u2019s exposed throat. Ben could only stare at them, wondering whom they belonged to. It wasn\u2019t until the fingers gripped his arm painfully tightly that Ben was able to move his stricken gaze from his son\u2019s body and face Paul Martin. Paul\u2019s lips were moving, but Ben couldn\u2019t hear what he was saying.<\/p>\n

Trying to swallow down the lump in his throat, Ben forced his ears to work and then wondered if he could believe what he heard. \u201cHe\u2019s alive, Ben! Alive!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlive?\u201d Ben echoed, still unwilling to believe, lest the doctor be wrong in his diagnosis.<\/p>\n

Realizing that Ben was in shock, Paul grabbed his hand and guided them towards Joe\u2019s throat. The pulse beat was actually visible at the base of his throat, but Ben was too shocked to notice that. But the reassuring beat throbbing under his fingers, steadying down to a regular rhythm, brought Ben to overflowing tears.<\/p>\n

For a time, it was all Ben could do just to sit there and hold Joe\u2019s hand. But he was made of stern stuff and soon gathered himself together, ready to face the next challenge thrown at him, whatever it might be.<\/p>\n

Sensing the change, Paul put a hand on his shoulder. \u201cLet\u2019s get Joe upstairs to a dry bed, shall we?\u201d he suggested. Hop Sing had the room aired and the bed turned down and ready.<\/p>\n

Stripping off the wet, clammy sheet, Ben brushed the melting ice onto the floor and gathered his son into his arms. Joe was no longer the skinny kid of Ben\u2019s memory, but he was still light enough that Ben could carry him with little trouble.<\/p>\n

Standing, he met Paul\u2019s gaze. \u201cLead the way,\u201d he ordered.<\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

Opening his eyes, Joe looked around his bedroom with surprise. This wasn\u2019t where he last remembered being and he frowned. How\u2026? Joe tried to sit up, but discovered two things; that he was too weak and his right side hurt. He let out a grunt of mingled pain and disgust.<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, Joe, just take it easy,\u201d Ben soothed, leaning into Joe\u2019s line of sight and putting a big warm hand onto Joe\u2019s chest. \u201cDon\u2019t try to move about too much. You\u2019ve had a hard time of it and you\u2019re not quite out of the woods yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Joe breathed and wondered at how raspy his voice was. His mouth was dry and he licked his lips, trying to find some moisture. \u201cWhat\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sliding his hand under Joe\u2019s shoulders enough to lift his head off the pillows slightly, Ben tilted a glass towards Joe\u2019s mouth. Joe wanted to gulp the water down all at once, but he was too weak. So he sipped instead, holding the marvelous liquid inside his mouth for several seconds before swallowing. It tasted great.<\/p>\n

When at length Joe was finished drinking, Ben put the glass aside and picked up a cloth, which he used to wipe Joe\u2019s face. That his son was exhausted was clear to see. Ben smiled at him. \u201cHow do you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo\u2026 weak,\u201d Joe replied, sounding puzzled. \u201cWhat happened\u2026 to me? I remember being downstairs\u2026\u201d Joe frowned again as he tried to piece his memory together. \u201cHoss! How\u2019s Hoss?\u201d Joe tried to sit up again, but once more failed, the pain shooting across his chest. Joe tried to lift his right hand to touch the sore spot, but his right arm wouldn\u2019t move. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeing that Joe was getting upset, Ben put his hand on Joe\u2019s arm and began to rub his thumb in small circles. \u201cEasy, Joe. Let me explain. Hoss is fine. He\u2019s sitting up and eating well. His leg is healing nicely. Now, as for you.\u201d Ben fixed him with a mock glare. \u201cWhat do you think you\u2019re doing, scaring me like that?\u00a0 Getting shot and refusing the doctor? Getting a nasty infection? Being so ill and then sleeping for another two days straight? Joe Cartwright, no wonder I\u2019ve got grey hair!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember being shot,\u201d Joe replied, his eyes wide. He lifted his head slightly and squinted down at himself, but his body was hidden beneath the blankets. \u201cBut I don\u2019t remember the rest.\u201d He frowned as he once more tried to raise his right arm, and failed. He winced as pain once more flashed across his chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me explain.\u201d Ben lifted the covers so that Joe could see down the length of his nude body. His chest was wrapped in bandages and his right arm was carefully bandaged to his side. \u201cThe way the bullet went, inside your chest, it ended up chipping a bit off your rib.\u201d Ben lightly touched Joe\u2019s chest. \u201cThe wound got infected, Joe and for a while, we didn\u2019t think you were going to pull through. You lost a lot of blood.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid I hurt my arm?\u201d Joe asked, still confused.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d Tucking the covers over Joe again, Ben smoothed them down. \u201cYou were so restless during the night that we packed you in ice. When we brought you upstairs, you were bleeding again, having torn the stitches. So Paul decided that the best way to stop it happening again was to bandage your arm down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t remember any of this,\u201d Joe said, flatly. He dropped his head down, exhausted by that small effort.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, no, you wouldn\u2019t,\u201d Ben remarked. \u201cYou see, you went off to sleep, Joe and although we\u2019ve fed you regularly and you\u2019ve been mighty cooperative in other ways,\u201d a blush rose in Joe\u2019s cheeks as he realized what Ben meant, \u201cwe just haven\u2019t been able to waken you completely.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long since I was shot?\u201d Joe asked, trying to get his head around what had happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cThree days. If you count the night you were shot, this is the fourth night.\u201d The teasing was gone now. Ben\u2019s sober tone and somber face told Joe exactly what his father had been going through while he slept seemingly endlessly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa,\u201d Joe muttered. \u201cYou\u2019ve had enough to do with Hoss being laid up without me copying him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve nothing to be sorry for,\u201d Ben chided him. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t your fault.\u201d He didn\u2019t want to admit to Joe that he had barely closed his eyes for the last few days, still terrified that Joe somehow would slip away from them if Ben wasn\u2019t watching over him personally. Hoss had also needed a lot of help, although he was fast regaining his strength now.<\/p>\n

\u201cStill,\u201d Joe persisted. \u201cI know how tough it is when one of us is stuck in bed without both of us being ill. Are you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine, thank you and your little brother has been a great help.\u201d Ben smiled. \u201cHow about I get you something solid to eat and see how you feel after that? The doctor should be out later.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe agreed slowly, although he wasn\u2019t sure he was that hungry.<\/p>\n

However, when the smell of scrambled eggs and newly ground coffee wafted in through the door, Joe\u2019s stomach gave a healthy rumble of hunger. He made a vain attempt to sit up by himself, but given that one arm was strapped down and he was as weak as a kitten, he didn\u2019t get very far.<\/p>\n

Ben helped Joe sit up as Hop Sing arranged a tray on his lap and Jamie came in to visit while Joe ate. The only person missing was Hoss \u2013 Joe had long ago schooled himself not to think of Adam at these times \u2013 but Joe knew that his older brother was making progress and they would see each other soon.<\/p>\n

As Joe ate, Ben brought him up to date on what had been happening. \u201cClem took the money back to the bank the next day,\u201d he began. \u201cHe had those men you\u2019d tied up in his jail, although there had been some excitement in getting them there in the first place, I hear. Apparently, from the stories they\u2019ve been telling Clem, they\u2019ve done this sort of thing quite regularly. They come to an area, find out who the richest men are and take them for a lot of money. We\u2019ve been lucky, Joe; they\u2019ve killed hostages before now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were lucky,\u201d Joe agreed, thinking back to Hoss lying so still and pale on the table. \u201cDid they really think they could revive the Confederacy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey really did,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026 the war\u2019s been over for years,\u201d Jamie blurted.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot in Shanklin\u2019s mind and he had convinced his followers that it could happen.\u201d Ben quickly sketched in the details that Shanklin had confided to him about the death of his wife and child. \u201cI think that warped his mind forever,\u201d he concluded sadly. In a way, he could understand it; in another way, it was a totally alien concept to him. He just hoped and prayed that his sons would never have to face that kind of situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we survived,\u201d Joe said, quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, we survived,\u201d Ben agreed.<\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

Over the course of the next few weeks, both Joe and Hoss gradually regained their strength, but they would never forget Shanklin and his men.<\/p>\n

*****End*****<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 A WHN for the episode Shanklin, tying up some of those loose ends.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 (10,215 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":3717,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,41,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3136","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","category-whn","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id","wpcat-13-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2806,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ontheporch.jpg?fit=400%2C320&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14368,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14368","url_meta":{"origin":3136,"position":0},"title":"Shanklin: The Unedited Version (by Robin)","author":"profrobinw","date":"January 1, 2000","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A missing scene that ended up on the cutting room floor of Shanklin. Rating: \u00a0T \u00a0(2,233)","rel":"","context":"In "Humor"","block_context":{"text":"Humor","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6768,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6768","url_meta":{"origin":3136,"position":1},"title":"A Deadly Day (by rosecartwright)","author":"rosecartwright","date":"November 4, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe is home sick, but things go downhill for this young Cartwright. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (635 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/2-joe.jpg?fit=237%2C221&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3993,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3993","url_meta":{"origin":3136,"position":2},"title":"Nod or a Wink (by Writing Woman)","author":"Writing Woman","date":"April 27, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Hoss struggles to understand why a woman is gunned down on the streets of Virginia City. Rated:\u00a0T \u00a0WC \u00a0750","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":11320,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=11320","url_meta":{"origin":3136,"position":3},"title":"Blink of an Eye (by Cheaux)","author":"Cheaux","date":"December 21, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Missing scene from Season 7\u2019s \u201cThe Fighters\u201d written by Robert L. Goodwin Rating: \u00a0T \u00a0\u00a0Word Count:\u00a0 792","rel":"","context":"In "Ben \/ Joe"","block_context":{"text":"Ben \/ Joe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1015"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/The-Fighters.png?fit=929%2C608&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/The-Fighters.png?fit=929%2C608&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/The-Fighters.png?fit=929%2C608&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/The-Fighters.png?fit=929%2C608&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6325,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6325","url_meta":{"origin":3136,"position":4},"title":"Best Laid Plans (by Cheaux)","author":"Cheaux","date":"May 3, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0A rift between father and sons is healed in an unexpected way. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0 T -- WC \u00a0650","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza16.jpg?fit=334%2C425&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5650,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5650","url_meta":{"origin":3136,"position":5},"title":"Eyes of an Angel (by DanceDiva)","author":"DanceDiva","date":"May 2, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Twelve year old Joe is bitten by a rattlesnake, but things get uglier faster than expected. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K \u00a0(500 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3136","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3136"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3136\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3717"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3136"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}