{"id":3562,"date":"2004-02-11T00:31:37","date_gmt":"2004-02-11T05:31:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3562"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:22:15","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:22:15","slug":"moving-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3562","title":{"rendered":"Moving On (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>A What Happened In Between for the episode A Time To Step Down. This is what I think happened between Joe and Dan leaving the cave and the final scene.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0(8,055 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

 <\/p>\n

Moving On – \u201cMissing\u201d scenes for the episode A Time To Step Down<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As Dan Tolliver stepped into the cave, Joe Cartwright looked at him with disgusted disbelief. He could see that Dan had managed to get the money from Joe\u2019s father, Ben, Dan\u2019s long-time employer and friend. Joe could scarcely believe that Dan had betrayed the family like that and with two good-for-nothings like Temple and Sand.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny trouble?\u201d asked Sand.<\/p>\n

Throwing down the saddlebag, Dan shook his head. Temple snatched the bag up and opened it, rifling through the money, grinning broadly. Urgently, Joe continued rubbing the ropes that bound his wrists against the rock at his back, feeling the strands parting.<\/p>\n

Picking up his knife, Dan walked over to Joe, who looked up at him blankly. \u201cHold it,\u201d Sand ordered. \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to cut him loose,\u201d Dan replied, looking bewildered. Joe rubbed harder and with relief felt the last strands of the rope parting. He tensed. \u201cThat\u2019s what we agreed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Sand nodded. \u201cAnd we couldn\u2019t a done it without you, Tolliver. But we ain\u2019t lettin\u2019 him go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe agreed we\u2019d set him loose and by the time he got back, we\u2019d be long gone and they wouldn\u2019t catch us,\u201d Dan protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about next week, or next month or next year?\u201d Sand demanded. \u201cWe\u2019ve changed our plans.\u201d He drew his gun as did Temple. Dan looked from one to the other and his knife dropped from his hand.<\/p>\n

Before any of them could react, Joe launched himself across the space at Sand. He caught the outlaw around the waist and they tumbled to the ground. Dan took immediate advantage of Temple\u2019s distraction to grapple with him.<\/p>\n

For all Dan\u2019s boasting that age wasn\u2019t slowing him down, Temple was younger and threw Dan off. The older man landed heavily on his back and fumbled for his gun, vaguely aware that Joe and Sand were still wrestling furiously. He heard Joe grunt as a blow struck him in the stomach, then Sand shouted, \u201cShoot him, Temple!\u201d<\/p>\n

The other man fired and Dan shot at him, sure that Joe was dead. As Temple fell, his finger convulsed on the trigger and from behind Dan, Joe cried out in pain and fell to the ground, writhing in agony as the bullet burned into his side.<\/p>\n

For a moment, Dan just stared at Temple, then glanced over at Sand.\u00a0 Realizing that Sand was also dead, from Temple\u2019s first bullet, Dan scrambled to his feet and hurried over to Joe, who had managed to prop himself on his elbow, his right hand clamped to his side. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean for you to get hurt,\u201d Dan apologized. \u201cWhere\u2019d it take you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the side,\u201d Joe replied. There was a covering of sweat on his face as he fought to control the pain. \u201cI\u2019ll be all right.\u201d Joe looked up at Dan. \u201cWhat\u2019re you waiting for? You got all the money now. That\u2019s what you wanted ain\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Dan replied. \u201cIts all you left me with. What you forced on me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Dan,\u201d Joe retorted, scathingly. \u201cNo one forced you to anything. You did that all by yourself. You think you\u2019re the only person to ever get old? It happens to lots of people. Only difference is, they adjust to it; find work they can handle. Good, honest work and they take pride in it. Not you. You\u2019re too proud to work for my father, but you\u2019re not too proud to steal from him.\u201d Joe\u2019s face twisted with momentary pain. \u201cI feel sorry for you. You\u2019ve a lot to offer. Fifty years experience on the trail; something you could\u2019ve passed on. But you just quit! Go on, take the money! Try and buy yourself a friend like my father!\u201d Joe caught his breath as another jolt of pain shot through him.<\/p>\n

Turning, Dan moved away. Joe bit his lip, wondering how on earth he would get to his feet, far less reach the wagon and somehow drive home. But Dan wasn\u2019t leaving. Joe\u2019s words had hit home. \u201cLet me help you,\u201d he offered and all but lifted Joe to his feet, leaving him leaning painfully against the rock wall while Dan retrieved Joe\u2019s hat and the saddlebag with the money.<\/p>\n

Slowly, he helped Joe to walk outside and then get into the wagon. He climbed up beside Joe and shook up the team. Joe leaned back and tried to pretend that he wasn\u2019t in agony. Dan would get him home, he knew, and there they would patch things up with Ben. More than anything, Joe wanted to see his father.<\/p>\n

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

As dawn lit the sky, Ben went out into the yard. He crossed to the bunkhouse, and roused the hands who were sleeping there. \u201cOne of you go and get Hoss from the herd and bring him back,\u201d Ben told them. \u201cI may need one of you to ride to town later.\u201d<\/p>\n

He went back to the house, where he paced up and down the room while he waited for Hoss to arrive. After what seemed like an eternity, he heard hooves in the yard and moments later, the door opened and Hoss strode in, anxiety written all over his face. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Pa?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Joe,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cHe was kidnapped yesterday by Dan Tolliver and a couple of others. I don\u2019t know who. Dan wanted the payroll money, so I gave it to him. I told him I\u2019d forget about it if Joe got back here safe this morning, but there\u2019s been no sign, and I\u2019m worried.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDadburnit, I wish I\u2019d come home last night when he never showed!\u201d Hoss cried. \u201cWhat d\u2019ya want me ta do, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing, Ben rubbed the back of his neck. He didn\u2019t really want Hoss to do anything right that moment, he\u2019d just needed someone to share the load with. But if Joe didn\u2019t show up soon, he would ask Hoss to track Dan and see if they could find Joe. He sighed again, but before he could say anything, he saw the wagon pulling into the yard.<\/p>\n

For a moment, anger blazed white-hot through Ben, for Joe was clearly anything but all right. His son was slumped down in the wagon seat, leaning heavily against Dan Tolliver, who was driving. Ben hurried forward, anxiety and anger warring for the upper hand within him.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Dan apologized, before Ben could speak. \u201cI tried to keep him safe, honest I did. But they were going to kill us both.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDan saved me,\u201d Joe whispered, opening his eyes. His face was a mask of sweat and pain dulled his usually sparkling green eyes.<\/p>\n

It was only too obvious that now was not the time to deal with this. Ben shot Dan a look. \u201cLater,\u201d he warned, and beckoned to Hoss to help him lift Joe from the wagon seat. \u201cGet the doctor!\u201d he called, and one of the hands mounted up and rode off at a gallop.<\/p>\n

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

Up stairs, Ben supported Joe while Hoss unbuckled his gun belt and belt before gently lowering his son onto the bed. Joe\u2019s right hand was still clamped to his side, where a circle of red was spreading slowly. \u201cPa,\u201d Joe whispered, urgently. Ben leant over to better hear what Joe had to say. He stroked the curls back from Joe\u2019s damp forehead. \u201cDon\u2019t be\u2026mad at\u2026 Dan,\u201d Joe panted. \u201cHe was\u2026frightened. Foolish.\u201d Joe bit back a groan.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, son,\u201d Ben soothed, although right now he wasn\u2019t in the mood to think about Dan Tolliver one way or the other. \u201cDon\u2019t worry about Dan.\u201d He began to straighten up, but Joe caught at his shirt with weak fingers.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026you don\u2019t\u2026understand,\u201d Joe gasped. He swallowed desperately against the pain. \u201cDan\u2026didn\u2019t\u2026shoot\u2026me.\u201d He dragged in more air. \u201cTemple\u2026did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTemple?\u201d Ben repeated. Then the name clicked and he glanced at Hoss. \u201cOne of those two who beat you up?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded, exhausted. The pain was very bad now and he just wanted to sleep and not feel anything. Every breath was agony, for the bullet was still in his side. \u201cDan\u2026killed\u2026him,\u201d he concluded. He blinked the sweat out of his eyes and squinted at his father to see how Ben was taking the news.<\/p>\n

It was almost too much for Ben to think of at that moment. Joe was seriously injured and required medical attention right away, but at best, it would be two hours before the doctor arrived. Ben was angry with Dan, furious that he hadn\u2019t kept his word to keep Joe safe, and yet Joe had just told Ben that Dan had saved his life. Ben didn\u2019t know what to think. He rubbed his forehead, trying to help the thoughts settle, but his emotions were too raw and confused to allow him that peace. \u201cI understand,\u201d he told Joe and hoped that would be enough to allow his son to rest. \u201cYou take it easy, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Satisfied that he had done what he could for the moment, Joe glanced at Hoss, who was standing at the bottom of the bed. Hoss\u2019 troubled blue gaze met Joe\u2019s pain-filled green one and the big man nodded. He had heard what Joe had said and would remind Ben of it later. A faint smile drifted across Joe\u2019s face as he finally let go and drifted into unconsciousness.<\/p>\n

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

It was an anxious wait for them all. Ben and Hoss did what they could for Joe, bathing him to try and keep down his growing fever and offering him sips of water. Outside in the yard, Dan leant against the corral fence and prayed. He couldn\u2019t believe the results of his stubborn pride. He had never meant for Joe to be hurt. Why had he not listened to what Joe and Ben were suggesting? He was afraid, he supposed, of growing old. Stretching his hands out in front of him, Dan looked at the wrinkled skin. There was no denying it \u2013 he was old! Fifty years he had been wrangling, and Dan didn\u2019t care to figure out how old that made him. Old enough not to fall in line with stupid schemes, he chided himself. Glancing over his shoulder, Dan looked up at Joe\u2019s window. He hoped the boy would be all right. Why had he thought robbing Ben would make him feel better? The money was back in the safe now, but Dan knew he would always have an unease of conscience over it, even when he was paying for his crime in jail.<\/p>\n

A buggy rattled into the yard, and Doc Martin got out as one of the hands went over to take the horse\u2019s head. Dan looked at the man, envying his cool confidence. He hadn\u2019t seen Joe; he didn\u2019t know the state the boy was in. Paul Martin was a good doctor, but would he be able to help Joe now? As Paul\u2019s back vanished into the house, Dan started praying again.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cPaul, thank goodness!\u201d Ben exclaimed as Paul let himself into Joe\u2019s room.<\/p>\n

\u201cI came as soon as I could, Ben,\u201d Paul Martin replied, patting his friend\u2019s arm, even as his eyes sought the young man on the bed. \u201cTell me about it.\u201d He crossed over to sit lightly on the bed.<\/p>\n

Quickly Ben told him the little he knew, and Paul nodded as he listened. \u201cYou did the right thing keeping him quiet,\u201d Paul told him. \u201cBut now I need to get these clothes off him and get a look at that wound. Can you give me a hand?\u201d<\/p>\n

As they lifted Joe carefully, the movement evoked a long groan of pain and Joe\u2019s eyes flickered open. \u201cPa,\u201d he whispered and Ben reacted instantly, leaning in to sooth his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Joe,\u201d he replied. \u201cThe doctor is here and we\u2019re just getting these filthy clothes off so he can examine you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes flicked to the doctor\u2019s face and a small grin appeared. \u201cHi, Doc,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNice to have you with us, Joe,\u201d Paul replied. He stripped the shirt away from Joe\u2019s back and looked in vain for an exit wound. \u201cYou can tell me, since you\u2019re awake. What happened here?\u201d He listened as Joe repeated essentially the same story as Ben, not because he didn\u2019t believe Ben, but to check that Joe hadn\u2019t had any kind of head injury. Gently he eased Joe back onto the bed and took his first good look at the wound.<\/p>\n

Even if he hadn\u2019t known that there was no exit wound, Paul would have known from just looking that the bullet was still in Joe. The wound was red and swollen and it was bleeding sluggishly again. \u201cI\u2019ll have to operate,\u201d Paul announced, his words aimed as much at Joe as at Ben. With a martyred sigh, Joe nodded. Paul couldn\u2019t hide a grin. Joe might not be at all well, but he wasn\u2019t that far gone if he was prepared to give them a display of petulance.<\/p>\n

After Joe had succumbed to the ether, Paul ushered Ben and Hoss out of the room. Ben hesitated, looking at the closed door for a moment. Hoss put his hand on his father\u2019s shoulder. \u201cWhyn\u2019t ya go an\u2019 see Dan?\u201d he suggested, gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, why not?\u201d Ben agreed and he made his way outside on slow feet, most of his mind up in the bedroom with Joe.<\/p>\n

Dan was still leaning against the corral. He looked up when Ben approached and for a moment, he looked almost frightened. Then he swallowed. \u201cHow\u2019s the boy?\u201d he asked, nodding towards the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe doctor\u2019s operating now,\u201d Ben replied. He looked up at Joe\u2019s window. He hesitated, not sure what else to say.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was right foolish, Ben,\u201d Dan stated, quietly. \u201cJoe showed me that. I\u2019m real sorry I done what I did. I never meant for Joe to be hurt. My pride was hurt an\u2019 I didn\u2019 know how to take what you was offerin\u2019 ta me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t offer it very well, did I?\u201d Ben reflected, ruefully. Once more, his attention strayed to the house. \u201cIt\u2019s over; let\u2019s leave it that way.\u201d He thrust his hands into his pants pockets and hunched his shoulders, trying to ease the tension out. \u201cI\u2019ve got to go back inside in case the doctor needs anything.\u201d He left, not looking back.<\/p>\n

Grasping the rail of the corral, Dan watched as his knuckles grew white. Ben was not going to give him a job now, he realized. He wasn\u2019t going to turn him over to the law, or that was how it seemed, but there wasn\u2019t going to be a job that he could do here. Dan resolved that as soon as he knew how Joe was, he\u2019d leave.<\/p>\n

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

The operation was comparatively short and Paul was back downstairs within the hour. \u201cJoe\u2019s been lucky,\u201d he told Ben, bluntly. \u201cThe bullet missed his bowel by less than an inch and was within an inch of his kidney, too. There must have been a guardian angel up there looking out for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill he be all right?\u201d Ben asked, his face pale as he heard of his son\u2019s close brush with death.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, in time,\u201d Paul agreed. \u201cHe should be up in a few days, but he\u2019ll have to be careful that he doesn\u2019t overdo it too soon. Time is the only cure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Paul.\u201d Turning away, Ben tried to hide the relief that swept through him, but he failed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have to tell Roy about this, but from what Joe says, it was Temple that shot him.\u201d Paul took a step closer and looked at Ben. \u201cWhat do you want me to say about Dan?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust say he brought Joe home,\u201d Ben responded. \u201cDan didn\u2019t mean to do anything like this. He was hurt and reacting against it. He did the right thing in the end. No, leave Dan out of it, Paul. He didn\u2019t shoot Joe.\u201d Ben\u2019s eyes were drawn to the stairs once more and Paul smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou go to your son, Ben and I\u2019ll see myself out.\u201d He patted his friend on the shoulder and went towards the door. Hoss went with him, although Paul could see that he, too, would be heading to Joe\u2019s room as soon as he was gone.<\/p>\n

Dan was still standing by the corral. He turned as Paul Martin came and felt a wave of relief sweep over him as he saw the amused smile playing over the physician\u2019s lips. \u201cDoc, is Joe\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s going to be fine, Dan,\u201d Paul replied, patting the old man on the arm. \u201cGood thing you were there to bring him back. I know Joe\u2019s a stubborn cuss and doubtless told you he was all right, but he\u2019d never have got home alone.\u201d Still smiling, Paul got into the buggy and snapped the reins. Dan watched the buggy go and then went over to his horse. Mounting, he rode quietly away.<\/p>\n

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

Joe was awake when they went up. He found a small smile for them both and Ben returned it, sitting on the edge of the bed, careful not to jostle the injured man. \u201cHow do you feel?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSore,\u201d Joe replied, truthfully. It was more than just sore, but he knew the painkiller he\u2019d been given would start to work soon. \u201cGuess I\u2019m not going to be trail boss after all, Pa.\u201d The smile Joe essayed didn\u2019t hide his pain at missing out. \u201cSorry, Hoss. I know you weren\u2019t expecting to be landed with this again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw hush up,\u201d Hoss scolded gently. \u201cWe can hang on a week or two fer ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood try, big brother,\u201d Joe replied, moving slightly on the bed and wincing as he did so. \u201cBut we both know you need to set off tomorrow to get to market on time. Don\u2019t try to con me. But next year, for sure, I\u2019ll be trail boss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Troubled by the depth of his brother\u2019s disappointment, Hoss frowned. \u201cJoe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, please, just go like we planned. Everything is organized. I\u2019ll be here when you get back, all better again, I promise.\u201d Frustration, pain and disappointment combined to bring tears to Joe\u2019s eyes where they glittered, but didn\u2019t fall. \u201cPlease, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Hoss capitulated. \u201cI\u2019ll leave at first light tomorra.\u201d He smiled for his brother, but it wasn\u2019t convincing. Joe smiled back, but after a moment, his eyes drooped closed as the drug started to work.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake care,\u201d Joe whispered, and slipped into slumber.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn\u2019 ya,\u201d Hoss replied, softly.<\/p>\n

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

First light saw the men starting the big cattle drive to Sacramento. This year, Ben had a contract with one of the biggest beef buyers in the country, who wanted to buy every single beast Ben could provide. The money was excellent, too. It meant that there was less pressure to get the herd there early, but from Ben\u2019s point of view, the sooner they were away, the sooner the ranch had the money in the bank. Ben saw Hoss off and returned home to have breakfast with Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s Dan this morning?\u201d Joe asked, as he ate. \u201cI thought he might have come up to see me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s funny,\u201d Ben frowned. \u201cI thought I\u2019d see Dan either down at the camp with the boys or up here in the yard and I didn\u2019t see him at all. I wonder where he is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did talk to him, didn\u2019t you, Pa?\u201d Joe enquired, anxiously. \u201cYou told him you forgave him and wanted him to stay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course I did,\u201d Ben responded. He thought back to the conversation the previous morning. He met Joe\u2019s eyes. \u201cI don\u2019t know that I said it in so many words,\u201d he admitted. \u201cI was worried about you, Joe, and I maybe didn\u2019t make myself clear enough.\u201d He squirmed uncomfortably under Joe\u2019s very direct green gaze. \u201cI think I\u2019d better look for him,\u201d Ben decided and saw the relief on his son\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

It was a while before Ben was back and Joe was dozing when he returned. However, he jerked awake as he heard his father\u2019s step and blinked sleepily. \u201cWell?\u201d he asked, eagerly. \u201cDid you find him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben sighed, sinking down into a chair. \u201cDan\u2019s disappeared. Nobody\u2019s seen him since Doc Martin left here yesterday afternoon. He isn\u2019t with the trail riders and he wasn\u2019t in the bunkhouse last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, go after him,\u201d Joe urged. \u201cYou said yourself, he taught you everything, and you\u2019ve been friends since before I was born. You can\u2019t let him go now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meeting Joe\u2019s pleading green eyes, Ben wasn\u2019t sure what to do. He wanted to go after Dan, but he knew that Joe needed looking after, too. \u201cBut you need me here,\u201d he protested. \u201cOr I would go after Dan.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing is here,\u201d Joe reminded his father. \u201cAnd if you go now, you\u2019ll catch up to Dan today and you can be back here tomorrow at the latest, both of you.\u201d Seeing that Ben was wavering, Joe added, \u201cPa, please. He saved my life and we can use him here to teach these young guys to wrangle cattle the way he did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d Ben acknowledged. \u201cI\u2019ll go and fetch him back. Are you sure you\u2019ll be all right, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be fine,\u201d Joe assured him. He gave his father a smile. \u201cYou hurry and find Dan, and I\u2019ll be good until you get back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be as quick as I can,\u201d Ben promised and hurried off to make his preparations.<\/p>\n

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

Wakening from a deep sleep, Joe stared uncomprehendingly at Hop Sing as the Oriental gibbered at him. It took Joe several minutes to realize what the cook was saying and when it did sink into his tired brain, Joe felt a surge of adrenalin charge through his system; Hoss had gone off and left behind the contract for the sale of the herd!<\/p>\n

\u201cSlow down,\u201d Joe pleaded. \u201cLet me think.\u201d<\/p>\n

His first thought was that he should mount up and ride after his brother but as he tried to push himself further up the bed, the twinge of pain from his side reminded him forcibly that he was in no condition to go riding off across the country. If he had been, then he would be riding off as trail boss.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe contract was on Pa\u2019s desk, you say?\u201d Joe questioned, trying to force his brain to work.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, yes,\u201d nodded Hop Sing impatiently. \u201cI dust father\u2019s desk. See it there.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was no other choice. \u201cHop Sing, you\u2019ll have to ride after Hoss and give this to him,\u201d Joe told the housekeeper. \u201cThe men who were left here will be off doing chores and I don\u2019t know where they\u2019ll be. If you leave now, you should be back tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing frowned. \u201cNot leave Lil Joe alone,\u201d he protested. \u201cLil Joe not able.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll manage,\u201d Joe assured him. \u201cHop Sing, I promise, I\u2019ll be just fine. Pa will be back by morning at the latest. He\u2019ll probably be back tonight, for you know he hates sleeping on the ground.\u201d Joe fixed his pleading eyes on his friend, for he knew Hop Sing was no more able to resist them than Ben was. \u201cIt\u2019s really important, Hop Sing. We don\u2019t want Hoss to turn tail and come back for that. Think of the time he\u2019d lose, and we can\u2019t entrust a contract to just anyone, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, I go,\u201d agreed the housekeeper, against his better judgment. He did know how important it was for the Cartwrights, and knew that Joe had been thinking of going himself. Hop Sing would not put it past Joe to try and go after Hoss, and he didn\u2019t want that happening! \u201cI bring some food up an\u2019 you stay in bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI promise,\u201d Joe vowed, holding his hand up, palm out. He was sure Ben would be back by night fall.<\/p>\n

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

Finding Dan was not proving as easy as Ben had expected. He followed a trail for a while, then lost it. Unsure where else to go, he headed into town and went to see Beth, who owned the caf\u00e9. He knew that Dan was a friend of hers, and knew, too, that Beth still held a candle for Dan.<\/p>\n

The caf\u00e9 was quiet when Ben went in and he was glad of the offer of coffee. \u201cSit down, please, Beth,\u201d he urged. \u201cHave you seen Dan today? I\u2019m looking for him. I think we\u2019ve had a misunderstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking at him levelly for a moment, Beth asked, \u201cWas that money yours?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben was startled, but he pretended not to know what she meant. \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d he replied. \u201cWhat money?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo it was. Is the law looking for Dan?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Beth, of course not!\u201d Ben denied, vehemently. \u201cI\u2019m looking for Dan because we had a misunderstanding. I want him to come back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whether it was Ben\u2019s reputation, or the honesty in his eyes, Beth was never sure, but she decided then and there that she believed him and that Dan wasn\u2019t in trouble, as he had told her he was late the night before. Beth loved Dan and would have married him in an instant, but she had known that he was not the kind of man to marry and settle down. \u201cHe\u2019s heading down to Arizona,\u201d she told Ben. \u201cHe left at first light, so you should catch him fairly quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Beth,\u201d Ben replied, warmly, grasping her hand. \u201cBless you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have nothing to thank me for,\u201d Beth smiled. \u201cJust bring him back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI intend to,\u201d Ben told her and hurried out to his horse.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t difficult after that to find the trail that Dan had taken. In fact, Roy Coffee told Ben which direction Dan had taken. He had hailed the other man as Ben left the caf\u00e9. \u201cBen! Paul Martin told me Joe had been shot by that good-fer-nothing Temple. That true?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course it\u2019s true!\u201d Ben snapped. \u201cDidn\u2019t Paul tell you all the story?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure did,\u201d Roy agreed. \u201cHe said Dan brought Joe home. How\u2019s the boy doin\u2019? He gonna be all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he\u2019ll be fine,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cSay, Roy, have you seen Dan? I need to speak to him. It\u2019s kind of important.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, seen him this mornin\u2019,\u201d Roy replied, looking confused at the sudden change of subject. \u201cWhy? He done somethin\u2019 wrong, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben scoffed. \u201cWe had a few words and I need to speak to him to apologize properly. With Joe being hurt, I didn\u2019t get the chance yesterday and he was gone this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Roy replied. He sensed that Ben wasn\u2019t telling him the whole truth, but knowing that Ben was a law-abiding citizen, he trusted that it was nothing that had anything to do with him. \u201cHe went that-a-way.\u201d He pointed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Ben called, as he mounted Buck. \u201cSee you, Roy.\u201d He touched his heel to his horse and rode out of town at a gallop.<\/p>\n

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

While Ben headed out after Dan, Hop Sing rode in search of Hoss and the herd, confident that he would find him soon and be headed back home. Leaving Joe alone had not been part of the plan and the little Oriental was uneasy.<\/p>\n

However, at that point in time, he had nothing to be uneasy about. Joe was sleeping peacefully, secure in his hopes that both father and housekeeper would be back before dark. And even if they weren\u2019t, Joe was blithely certain that he would manage without them.<\/p>\n

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

It was late afternoon before Ben spotted the man he was searching for. \u201cDan!\u201d he cried and saw the older man hesitate and look over his shoulder. \u201cDan, wait, please!\u201d he shouted. He made Buck break into a lope and for a moment, he thought Dan was going to ride off, but to Ben\u2019s relief, he saw the other man stop his mount.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a hard man to track down,\u201d Ben panted, when he reached Dan.\u00a0 The other man said nothing, merely looked at Ben. \u201cLet\u2019s get down so we can talk,\u201d Ben suggested and dismounted. After a moment, Dan copied him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have nothing to say,\u201d Dan stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen listen,\u201d Ben proposed. \u201cDan, I\u2019m sorry. I didn\u2019t make myself clear back at the house. I meant to say that I forgive you; that I know you didn\u2019t intend for anything to happen to Joe. I want you to stay at the Ponderosa. Please say you\u2019ll come back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere ain\u2019t a place for me there, Ben, you made that clear,\u201d Dan replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course there is!\u201d Ben cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Dan demanded. \u201cWhat can I do, Ben? You said it yourself \u2013 I\u2019m an old man! What use am I?\u201d<\/p>\n

Controlling his temper, Ben took a deep breath. \u201cThere is work you can do,\u201d he replied quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going to be a ranch hand!\u201d Dan shouted. \u201cI\u2019m a wrangler, Ben! I always have been!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that!\u201d Ben snapped. \u201cAnd I wasn\u2019t about to suggest you become a ranch hand. I did that before and I know I was wrong! Dan, please, listen to me.\u201d He saw the other man nod and drew another deep breath. \u201cDan, you taught me everything I know,\u201d Ben went on.<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember,\u201d Dan replied, softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a good teacher,\u201d Ben praised him. \u201cBut who taught you what you know?\u201d<\/p>\n

For a long moment, Ben thought Dan wasn\u2019t going to answer. The older man\u2019s eyes were unfocused, looking back over 50 years of hard work. \u201cAn old wrangler,\u201d he replied at last. \u201cSomeone like I am now. He taught me everything he knew.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben nodded and waited.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could do that,\u201d Dan murmured. He looked at Ben, his face suddenly animated. \u201cI taught you; I\u2019ve taught your boys, too. I could teach those smart-alecky young\u2019uns that come every year and don\u2019t know nothing. I could do that!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you could,\u201d Ben replied. He put his hand on Dan\u2019s shoulder. \u201cWill you come back? Please?\u201d<\/p>\n

A smile spread across Dan\u2019s weather-beaten face. \u201cI will come!\u201d he declared. \u201cBen, I will!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so glad to hear it!\u201d Ben cried.<\/p>\n

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

By the time Hop Sing caught up with Hoss, the herd was stopped for the night. Not being completely familiar with the trail Hoss was following, Hop Sing had had to follow the herd\u2019s trail instead of cutting across country as he had planned to do. Riding wasn\u2019t one of Hop Sing\u2019s favorite occupations and he was exhausted as he drew his horse to a stand still. \u201cMistah Hoss!\u201d he cried.<\/p>\n

Looking over, Hoss\u2019 genial face was a picture of confusion as he saw Hop Sing. \u201cWhat cha doin\u2019 here, Hop Sing?\u201d he asked, as he helped the tired man down from his horse. \u201cJoe ain\u2019t no worse, is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLil Joe just fine,\u201d Hop Sing panted. He hunted through his clothes until he found the precious contract. \u201cMistah Hoss left this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking the contract, Hoss peered at it for a moment. \u201cDadburnit! How\u2019d I leave that behind?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing no know,\u201d the other replied. He was immensely relieved that he had found Hoss and didn\u2019t have the responsibility weighing on him any more.<\/p>\n

Tucking it safely away inside his vest, Hoss smiled at Hop Sing. \u201cYa\u2019d better have somethin\u2019 ta eat an\u2019 a good night\u2019s sleep afore ya try an\u2019 go home,\u201d Hoss suggested. \u201cIt\u2019s a long ride.\u201d<\/p>\n

A thread of worry crept through Hop Sing\u2019s stomach as he thought of Joe alone at the ranch, but there was no way that he was going to attempt to make his way back to the ranch in the dark. \u201cI stay,\u201d he agreed tiredly and went off to get something to eat and complain to the cook about the food.<\/p>\n

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

Darkness caught Ben and Dan less than half way back to the Ponderosa. They made camp and Ben brought Dan up-to-date on Joe\u2019s progress, blithely unaware that Joe was alone at the ranch. The two old friends reminisced about the days gone by. Dan had already been an experienced wrangler when Ben bought his first piece of land, and Dan had taken the young man under his wing.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou never think of marrying again, Ben?\u201d Dan asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never dismissed the idea, but I never really found anyone else,\u201d Ben replied. He\u2019d fallen in love a few times, but somehow, the relationships had come to nothing. \u201cI still miss Marie,\u201d he confided.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe was made for you, Ben,\u201d Dan agreed. \u201cAnd she was so good to those boys of yours. Treated them like they were her own, even after Joe came along. Never made any difference between them.\u201d Dan shook his head. \u201cIf Adam had been half as rude to me as he was to Marie in the beginning, I\u2019d have tanned his backside,\u201d he confided.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe surely wasn\u2019t that bad!\u201d Ben protested. \u201cOr I would have tanned his backside!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon that little wife of yours didn\u2019t tell you everything,\u201d Dan retorted. \u201cShe just kept on being nice and kind to him, and he come around. It must a been a shock to him when you brought her back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose it must,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cI didn\u2019t think about it at the time. All I knew was that I had found love again \u2013 and I felt as though I had never loved before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI never found me a woman like that,\u201d Dan mourned.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe might be nearer than you think,\u201d Ben told him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019d ya mean?\u201d Dan asked, frowning over the fire at his friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeth?\u201d Ben suggested gently. \u201cShe loves you, Dan. She always did. She was only waiting for you to ask.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNaw,\u201d Dan denied. \u201cI ain\u2019t the right kind for Beth. She needs someone to look after her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe needs someone to love her,\u201d Ben corrected him. \u201cAnd she loves you, Dan, whether you believe me or not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do I have to offer?\u201d Dan growled, clearly uncomfortable with the direction the conversation was taking. \u201cI\u2019m an old man, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to offer what you always had,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cYourself. If a woman is looking for more than that, then she\u2019s not worth it. It doesn\u2019t matter to Beth that you aren\u2019t rich. She never expected you to be. She just wants you the way you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t so sure,\u201d Dan muttered, but he was obviously thinking about it.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t know till you ask,\u201d Ben agreed and rolled himself in his bedroll. Dan was still staring into the fire, thinking about Beth, when Ben fell asleep.<\/p>\n

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

Joe was lonely. The most gregarious of the Cartwrights, he was frequently content with just his own company, but confined to his bed, Joe found it difficult to entertain himself and wished that his family would hurry back. He had expected Ben back the night before and Joe began to worry that Ben had not found Dan, or that Dan had not been willing to come back.<\/p>\n

And then there was Hop Sing. Joe hoped that nothing had happened to his friend. It was a long ride for someone who usually drove a wagon and Joe felt guilty that he had been unable to go in Hop Sing\u2019s place. He was also disappointed that he had missed out on being trail boss. There would be other years, he knew, but still, the disappointment was keen.<\/p>\n

Still, Joe managed to while away the morning, and as he ate the last of the cold food Hop Sing had left for him, he hoped someone would be home before supper time. Joe was feeling much better and his appetite was returning. He really didn\u2019t fancy missing a meal.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile Ben, Dan and Hop Sing were making their way back. None of them were traveling very fast. Hop Sing\u2019s horse had lost a shoe not long after he left Hoss and the herd and he was forced to dismount and lead the animal back, thereby slowing his traveling down immensely. Ben, of course, didn\u2019t know that Joe was alone, and thought it wouldn\u2019t matter if he didn\u2019t get home until afternoon.<\/p>\n

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

The skies began to darken after lunchtime. Joe was woken from sleep by a crash of thunder right overhead. His room, despite the open window, was oppressively close and the air seemed to be charged with electricity. A flash of lightning illuminated the sky and Joe could smell the burning air. The\u00a0bang<\/em>\u00a0as it struck close by made him flinch. He remembered the saying that if you heard the bang, it hadn\u2019t struck you. Still, it had been very close. As Joe debated getting up to see if he could see any signs of where it had hit, he heard the barn door banging as the wind got up.<\/p>\n

It was the first time he had got up for more than a moment, and Joe\u2019s head swam dizzily. He drew in deep breaths, calming the pain in his side. He had not taken a single pain powder since Hop Sing left, and felt that his head was much clearer for not doing so. Now, he wondered if he had been wise, but he was only going to his window to see if anyone was closing the barn door. It wasn\u2019t as if he was going anywhere.<\/p>\n

There wasn\u2019t a soul in the yard. The horses in the corral, including Cochise, milled about anxiously. But Joe\u2019s eyes weren\u2019t on the banging barn door, or even on the horses. They were riveted to the burning pine tree that stood just at the back of the barn.<\/p>\n

There was no time to lose. Joe sat heavily on the edge of the bed and dragged on his pants and boots. There was no time to waste hunting for a shirt. If that tree came down, there was a fair chance it would come down on the barn, and they couldn\u2019t afford to lose the barn now!<\/p>\n

Cursing his weakness, Joe forced his aching body to hurry as he went to the door, along the hall and down the stairs. The great room was naturally deserted and the fire had burned out. Joe didn\u2019t care. He struggled over to the door and went to the fire bell, a big iron triangle that hung near the kitchen door. Grabbing up the piece of metal that they used to strike it, he began to ring the bell for all he was worth, panting with the effort and hoping desperately that the men who had been left behind were somewhere close by.<\/p>\n

Pain forced him to stop. Joe clasped his right hand to his side and felt a warmth under it. Glancing down, he saw a small spot of blood blossoming on the bandage round his middle. He had burst the stitches. He grimaced with the pain, but there was no time to waste. He had to start tackling the fire. There was no guarantee that the men were anywhere nearby and had heard the bell. Joe snatched up the nearest bucket and hurried around the back of the barn.<\/p>\n

He knew it was a useless effort \u2013 one man against a burning tree. Yet he had to try. He had to save the barn if he possibly could. He staggered back and forth to the water trough, emptying bucket after bucket on the tree, to no avail. Joe tottered back round to the yard and collapsed in a heap by the trough as his strength ran out.<\/p>\n

Moments later, the heavens opened and rain poured down, dousing the fire before it could cause any further damage. Joe lay oblivious.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cThere\u2019s weather coming in,\u201d Dan reported.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben agreed. He had been watching the clouds gathering over the hills for miles now. \u201cLet\u2019s pick up the pace a bit. We don\u2019t want to get soaked.\u201d Dan grunted agreement, and the horses stretched out into a ground eating lope.<\/p>\n

The thunder and lightning began a few minutes later. Ben gasped as he saw a tree suddenly flame into life. Dan flicked a glance at him. \u201cWhat is it, Ben?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not 100% certain,\u201d Ben replied, \u201cbut I think that tree is by the house!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s hurry,\u201d Dan replied, and they kicked their horses into a gallop. A few minutes later, the ringing of the fire bell could be heard. Ben blessed Hop Sing\u2019s quick thinking. He could still see the tree burning fiercely.<\/p>\n

Again, the thunder rumbled around them and then the storm broke in drenching torrents of ran. With relief, Ben saw the flames on the tree flicker before they were extinguished by the rain. He heaved a sigh of relief. He hoped that the barn was still all right and they didn\u2019t slow their horses at all.<\/p>\n

Thundering along the road, Ben was relieved when the barn came into sight and it was unscathed. He slowed his horse and they peered at the burnt tree as they rode past. Ben knew it would have to come down, but that was a problem for later. Right now, he just wanted to get out of the rain and dry off.<\/p>\n

As he trotted Buck round the corner of the barn, a cry escaped Ben\u2019s lips, for Joe lay face down in the yard. Ben was off his horse in an instant, kneeling by his son\u2019s side. \u201cJoe? Joe, can you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen?\u201d Dan said, from over his shoulder. He bent to see what Ben was looking at, not having seen Joe, and caught his breath. \u201cWhat\u2019s Joe doing out here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cJoe?\u201d He was rewarded with a groan. Gently, Ben turned Joe over. His son\u2019s face was pale under the dirt that caked his cheeks, and the bandages around his waist were dirty, too, but the dirt didn\u2019t hide the blood stain that was spreading across them. \u201cHe\u2019s bleeding!\u201d Ben exclaimed. He didn\u2019t hesitate any longer, but slid one arm under Joe\u2019s knees and the other under his shoulders. Moments later, other hands joined his and together, he and Dan carried Joe into the house, out of the soaking rain.<\/p>\n

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

The ringing of the fire bell had brought the few hands who had stayed behind and one of them was dispatched to bring the doctor from town.\u00a0 Dan fetched Ben some water and Ben washed the dirt from Joe\u2019s face, which brought him back to consciousness. \u201cThe fire!\u201d he whispered as his eyes opened.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts all right, Joe, the fire\u2019s out,\u201d Ben soothed. \u201cWhat were you doing out there? Where\u2019s Hop Sing?\u201d<\/p>\n

A grimace of pain passed over Joe\u2019s face. \u201cThe tree was on fire,\u201d he explained. \u201cHop Sing went after Hoss; he forgot the contract. I saw the fire and had to try and do something. There was no one else here.\u201d Joe grimaced again as he tried to make himself comfortable. \u201cI must\u2019ve passed out.\u201d He shivered suddenly and Ben drew the covers up around Joe\u2019s bare shoulders. The storm had taken the heat out of the day.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was very brave of you,\u201d Ben commented, and Joe\u2019s eyes suddenly twinkled.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean foolish, don\u2019t you?\u201d he teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat too,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cJoe, you\u2019ve hurt yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Joe agreed and the pain passed across his face again. \u201cBut there was no one else here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow could Hop Sing go and leave you alone?\u201d Ben scolded, his worry getting the better of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told him to go,\u201d Joe confessed. \u201cI didn\u2019t know how long you would be gone and the men were off out somewhere, and it seemed easier for Hop Sing to go. I was all right, and I wouldn\u2019t have got out of bed if there hadn\u2019t been that fire.\u201d Joe winced again. \u201cI don\u2019t regret it,\u201d he lied unconvincingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you?\u201d Ben asked, bluntly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe just a little,\u201d Joe agreed, smiling. Then he sobered. \u201cBut if that tree had fallen, we could have lost the barn. Maybe there wasn\u2019t anything I could do, Pa, but I had to try.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, and I\u2019m proud of you, son,\u201d Ben told him. \u201cYou rest; the doctor will be here soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe closed his eyes and a few minutes later, his even breathing told Ben he slept.<\/p>\n

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

The damage Joe had done to his wound was easily repaired with a few stitches. He was told to stay in bed for a few more days, and then he could get up and sit downstairs for a few hours at a time. \u201cBut no more fire-fighting!\u201d Paul warned, wagging his finger at Joe. \u201cYou take it easy until I tell you otherwise, you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, all right,\u201d Joe grumbled, smiling. He had had to put up with a lecture from Hop Sing, too, when the little Chinaman had arrived home, footsore and tired.\u00a0 Joe wondered what they would have said if he\u2019d allowed the barn to burn down. How was he to know that the rain would douse the burning tree?<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll make sure he behaves,\u201d Ben promised, moving in to smile at Joe. \u201cWe won\u2019t go leaving him alone again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad to hear it,\u201d Paul joked and left them alone.<\/p>\n

Joe was tired but there was something he had to find out before he slept. \u201cPa, what about Dan?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Dan?\u201d Ben replied, sitting on the edge of the bed and smiling down at Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you find him?\u201d Joe asked, impatient with the prevarication. \u201cDid he come back?\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Ben nodded. \u201cSure did,\u201d he replied. \u201cHe helped me carry you inside, as it happens. He\u2019s settling back into the bunkhouse as we speak.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo he\u2019s going to stay?\u201d Joe asked, determined there would be no misunderstanding.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he\u2019s going to stay,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cHe\u2019s going to teach what he knows to those young lads who come every year and don\u2019t know anything. With his help, we should have a bunch of good wranglers coming along.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI\u2019m sorry this happened, Pa. It was all my fault. If I hadn\u2019t been so determined to get Dan off the trail, none of this would have happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHush, Joe,\u201d Ben soothed. \u201cThis isn\u2019t all your fault. I was at fault, too, for the way I told Dan I wanted him to stay here. I didn\u2019t think it through properly. I should never have asked him to be a hand; I knew he wouldn\u2019t do that. And Dan was at fault, too, for not admitting that he was finding the work too hard. This was not one person\u2019s fault, Joe. We were all to blame. Let\u2019s be thankful that we\u2019ve found our way through it and come out safely on the other side.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

A month later, Joe was back riding. He still had to be careful, but day by day he felt his strength coming back. He and Ben were riding back from town when they heard shouting. Going over, they saw Dan trying to teach one of the new young hands how to rope a horse. To say the youth wasn\u2019t having much success was an understatement.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter with ya, boy? Can\u2019t ya see that horse standin\u2019 there as big as life?\u201d Dan yelled.<\/p>\n

Again, the young cowboy threw the rope and again he missed. Dan\u2019s scathing comments cut the air, even as he explained again how to throw the rope.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts good to have him back, isn\u2019t it?\u201d Joe asked, a catch in his voice. Dan had settled in better than they had hoped and he was seeing Beth regularly, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it is,\u201d Ben agreed fervently and both he and Joe began to laugh as Dan\u2019s comments reached a new pitch of disbelief. Hearing the laughter, he turned round and looked at his boss and he began to laugh, too. The young cowboy gave them a bemused, embarrassed grin, and this time, to Dan\u2019s delight, he roped the horse.<\/p>\n

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

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 A What Happened In Between for the episode A Time To Step Down. This is what I think happened between Joe and Dan leaving the cave and the final scene.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0(8,055 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":2568,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_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":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1015,23,41,61],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3562","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-joe-pa","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","category-missing-scene","wpcat-1015-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id","wpcat-61-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2244,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe.jpg?fit=720%2C576&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":11320,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=11320","url_meta":{"origin":3562,"position":0},"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":841,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=841","url_meta":{"origin":3562,"position":1},"title":"Damned (by the Tahoe Ladies)","author":"Tahoe Ladies","date":"October 19, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"A WHN for A Time To Step Down Rated T\u00a0\u00a0 Word Count:\u00a0 38816","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\/coming-soon-5.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/coming-soon-5.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/coming-soon-5.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/coming-soon-5.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7122,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7122","url_meta":{"origin":3562,"position":2},"title":"A Time To Step Down (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"April 20, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 An alternative ending to the episode. Could Ben forgive Dan Tolliver\u00a0so easily? Rated: K+ (4,195 words)","rel":"","context":"In "What Happened Next\/Later"","block_context":{"text":"What Happened Next\/Later","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=13"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Didnt-pay-to-be-Ben.jpg?fit=467%2C341&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3131,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3131","url_meta":{"origin":3562,"position":3},"title":"Vigilantes (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"November 3, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Taking the law into your own hands is never the answer, as the Cartwrights discover. Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0(10,875 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\/2016\/06\/Family-3.jpg?fit=272%2C320&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2037,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2037","url_meta":{"origin":3562,"position":4},"title":"Rider Coming! (by Harper)","author":"Harper","date":"June 28, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe can\u2019t help showing off, carrying the mail for the Pony Express. But he\u2019d never do it if Pa were watching....A missing scene for \"Ride the Wind.\" \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (1,850 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\/Joe_Racing_Cochise.jpg?fit=840%2C725&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe_Racing_Cochise.jpg?fit=840%2C725&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe_Racing_Cochise.jpg?fit=840%2C725&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe_Racing_Cochise.jpg?fit=840%2C725&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12741,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12741","url_meta":{"origin":3562,"position":5},"title":"Joe’s Way (by DonnaM)","author":"DonnaM","date":"March 23, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A What Happened Later for A Time to Step Down. Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (2,350 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\/Quality-of-Mercy-14.jpg?fit=649%2C542&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Quality-of-Mercy-14.jpg?fit=649%2C542&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Quality-of-Mercy-14.jpg?fit=649%2C542&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3562","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=3562"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3562\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2568"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3562"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3562"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3562"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}