Showdown

By Jules

This is a follow-up story to the Julia Bulette Episode. I hope I have done the original episode some justice and continued the story on in an appropriate manner.
 

The scene takes place as the four Cartwright's are riding away from the hotel after Julia's death.

For the purposes of this story, the sheriff of Virginia City is Roy Coffee.

AND NOW THE STORY CONTINUES ................

 

Little Joe Cartwright didn't know how he felt at this point in time. If he had to describe it in one word it would be numb.
 

He had just said his final goodbye to the woman he had asked to be Mrs. Joseph Cartwright. His heart was aching so much that it felt as though there was an endless cavern in his chest.

Sure he knew the score. He had heard the rumours and whispers around Virginia City about what kind of woman Ms Bulette was. He had heard the grim details about how many men she had slept with over the years and then left them

dangling in the breeze.
 

He didn't care. He had even had an argument with his own father about people's careless attitudes. They were not ready to accept someone with a suspect past. Someone that had a background and came from somewhere else.

There was more than 20 years between him and Julia but he didn't care. He knew that Julia was older and had seen more of the outside world than he. Of course she had. He had spent his entire life on the Ponderosa with his father

and brothers there to attend to his every need and watch over him. He had yet to spread his wings and travel to foreign and exotic places.
 

The other thing that drew him to Julia in the first place apart from her obvious beauty, was the fact that she claimed to have lived in the city of New Orleans. His mother Marie had come from New Orleans. He didn't know much about the city or his mother for that matter, but something inside him hoped that there

was some sort of connection.
 

He rode beside his father and brothers with all of these thoughts running through his head, but not knowing what to say to his family. He rode the rest of the way back to the ranch in total silence.

 

***********

 

Ben Cartwright's own mind was in turmoil as he rode with his son's. How could he help his youngest son Joseph overcome his broken heart.

A Broken Heart was the hardest of all things to try and heal. Sometimes they seemed to be repaired only to be re-torn open by the stabbing knife of lies and deception further down the track. Other times the damage was irreparable. The heart muscle just wasn't strong enough to fend off the blows that were inflicted. Slowly, but surely the heart started to turn black and die, never to beat with the satisfying rhythm of love again.

Joe was still too young not to love another person. He had his future in front of him. His whole life and it was right there for the taking if he wanted it.
 

After seeing the look on his son's face as he exited the hotel tonight, he didn't know what Little Joe wanted anymore.

Adam Cartwright rode behind his little brother Joe. From this position all he could see was slumped shoulders and a curly head bowed forward. His whole posture gave away his feelings. It was as though Julia's death had robbed him of the confident almost cocky personality that they were all so used to. Adam just hoped that the real Joe Cartwright returned soon. He missed the sure fired, quick tempered, even quicker to act brother he had seen emerge from boyhood into young adulthood and finally manhood.

Some people thought that Joe's carefree nature with girls was almost arrogant. But those closest to him. The ones that really knew the real Little Joe, knew that the young man was still searching for a companion. He had sampled a few of the goodies that the good Lord offered, but nothing had really fired up his taste buds yet. Although she was a good deal older, maybe Joe had thought that in Julia Bulette he had found his life long soul mate.

Hoss Cartwright's mind was also on his younger brother. He wasn't the best at judging relationships or even how to communicate with members of the opposite sex. He had seen his brother Joe walk into a room at a dance and seen all of the young ladies literally swoon all over him. Yes, his little brother was certainly as handsome. When it came to older women like Julia Bulette, maybe she was looking to rejuvenate her own younger days by spending time with Little Joe. You only had to look at his magnificent smile and you were taken back to days gone by.

All three older Cartwrights just looked at Joe again and sighed at his sorrow and pain.

 

*************

When the four of them finally reached the homestead, Hoss offered to put all of their horses away for the night.

Normally on any other night, Joe would have protested and told his brother that Cochise had to be cared for in just the right way. He would fuss over her food and the way her coat was combed. He would change her water bucket three times before he was satisfied that the water was clean and cool enough for her to drink. But tonight, Joe gave no such argument. He handed his brother the reins and started to walk towards the front door without saying a word.
 

Hoss just looked sadder for his brother. Ben gave his shoulder a quick squeeze in comfort. He knew that if his youngest boy was suffering, then Hoss was suffering too. The bond between his youngest two sons was stronger than the fibres that bound together the giant pines that gave the ranch her name Ponderosa.
 

The house itself was dark. Hop Sing had told the family that he would be out of town for a day or two attending to another of his endless relatives. This was one night that Ben really hoped that the Cantonese man could have been here to aid another member of  his family. It was no secret that Hop Sing thought of Joe like an adopted son. He had been there through all of the ups and downs in Joe's life..
 

Joe took off his hat and attempted to hang it on the peg behind the door. It missed, but he kept on walking towards the stairs anyway. He didn't care. It didn't make a great difference to the world. He didn't make a great difference.
 

"Are you alright, son?" Ben asked Joe before he could escape to the solitude of his bedroom.
 

"Yeah, Pa," came the unemotional reply. "Just a little bit tired," he added and closed his door behind him to avoid his family.

"He's a whole lot tired," Ben thought to himself out loud. Doc Martin had said that he only had a few hours sleep at the hotel when he was forced to. He and Julia stayed on their feet helping those sick people for the best part of 48 hours without a break."
 

"Just hope he gets some rest," Adam replied. Just because Joe might be going to sleep, didn't mean that he would get the rest his body would demand.

"Do you think we should check on him Pa?" Hoss asked.
 

"Not just yet, son," Ben said. "Let's just let him sort it out for himself for a while. I'm sure that he will come to us when he is ready to talk things over."

"I think it's time we all called it a night," Ben said as he planned to retire for the night. It took all of his effort not to go and check on his youngest son like Hoss wanted to, but he told himself again that Joe needed time to adjust to what had happened.
 

Adam and Hoss bid their father goodnight and went to their own rooms. They were sure that their own sleep would be interrupted by thoughts of Little Joe tonight.
 

**********
 

It was nearly dawn in the house when Little Joe awoke. At first he didn't know what had awoken him. He tried to roll over and go back to sleep. It was then that the first wave of pain hit him.

He managed to get into a lateral position on the bed, but the effort caused every muscle in his legs to ache. Not just his leg muscles, his arm muscles, thigh muscles and the tiny muscles behind his eyes.
 

The symptoms wouldn't hit him all at once. It would be a gradual increase in muscle spasms and fatigue each day. Gathering like a moving snowball. The more it rolled along, the more the various symptoms would increase. It would keep increasing until it was at bursting point.
 

Joe decided that he had better go down to the kitchen and find some of Hop Sing's remedies for the increasing muscle ache. If he got to it early, maybe he could just go back to sleep for the rest of the morning.

He tried to move into a sitting position on the bed. Big mistake. The muscle spasms just got worse. At first he thought that he must have been in a fight that he didn't remember. Every part of him had some sort of complaint. He couldn't see any noticeable bruises anywhere on his skin. He gazed up and down his limbs, then turned

his attention to his torso and chest area. Again there was nothing to suggest why he should be feeling so lousy.

Finally he just put it down to being over tired. He had worked non-stop with Julia for the last two days with little rest or food.
 

He managed to stand up erect to his full height. He was almost ready to believe that he was alright again. The muscle aches had briefly subsided. He stretched his sore limbs and rubbed at the cramps that had been present in his calf muscles a few minutes ago.
 

"You're just tired, old boy," Joe said to himself. But maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to go and get something just in case. He knew that Hop Sing wasn't there this morning . If he snuck downstairs and helped himself to his friend's stash of herbal remedies, he could take the natural pain reliever and be back sound asleep again for Hoss to come and wake him as if everything was normal.
 

He padded across the wooden floor clad only in his night shirt. His bare feet covered any sound of his early morning escapade from those still sleeping upstairs.
 

Little Joe reached the sanctuary of the kitchen. Whilst he was in here, anybody coming down the stairs wouldn't be able to see what he was up to.

Hop Sing kept his herbal jars high upon a shelf on the side wall in the kitchen. Little Joe dragged a stool over to the cupboard, ready to ascend it and get the item he sought. He put his feet on the sitting part of the stool very carefully so to not upset his balance. Once standing up on the stool he lifted his hand over his head looking for the right jar.
 

When the dizziness first hit him, he thought that it must have been because he was standing on the small stool looking up at the ceiling. Maybe his sense of balance was out slightly due to the angle his neck was at. When he lowered his gaze towards the stone floor of the kitchen, his head began to spin. Spin fast and make him grab hold of the cupboard near him for support. He was no more than 3 feet off the ground, but he had an incredible feeling of vertigo. The spinning became worse and he put his hands to his head trying to stop the carousel ride inside his mind. He didn't have time to gasp out in surprise before he felt himself spiraling towards the floor. He tried to steady himself again but his vision was causing him to see everything as if it was double exposed. He made a grab for what he thought was the counter of the cupboard, but he missed.
 

The dizziness was very bad. He went to take a step off the stool, but it tipped over, spilling him to the stoneware floor with a loud clash. He tried to get up again but his muscles had now joined in with the dizziness. They failed to obey his requests. He managed to crawl on his hands and knees towards the kitchen door, but only managed a few centimeters.
 

He was about to call out to his family for help, but his blood pressure suddenly nose dived and his head hit the floor as he lost consciousness. For the next two hours, he would lay prone on the cold stone floor unnoticed.

 

**********
 

Adam was late getting up this morning. It was almost 7:00 am when his body clock dragged him from his fitful doze.

He stretched and yawned slightly. For a moment he thought that it might be a good idea if he slept in this morning. Just for a change. But Adam found that once he was awake his body rarely let him fall back asleep. He would just lay there feigning sleep so he might as well get up and do his chores. He knew how lousy his younger brother would be feeling over Julia this morning, so he decided that he would help out Joe by doing his chores as well..
 

Adam got up from the bed and dressed for the day after taking care of his personal needs. He participated in his morning shaving ritual and once feeling okay, he stepped outside of his bedroom and into the hallway.
 

He had a thought at first that he should check on his brother Joe. But on further considering the idea, he thought he had better leave Joe alone for a while. Joe would be fine after a few days of rest. He would be back to his old self in no time and things could slowly get back to normal.
 

Adam walked down the stairs and casually strolled into the kitchen to brew himself a cup of coffee on the wood stove. He spotted the chair first, being out of place. But Joe's body lying on the cold floor was obstructed somewhat by the little niche created by the walls of the room. The stool was laying on its side. He walked over and was about to set it right when he spotted something that made his blood run cold.
 

Laying on the floor, a few feet away from the displaced stool was the unconscious body of his little brother Joe. He wasn't moving. Adam quickly recovered from the shock and knelt beside his younger sibling trying to figure out what had happened. Adam thought that Joe must have fallen from the stool and hit his head. But when Adam pressed his hands gently on the back of Joe's curly head, there were no bumps or lacerations to note.

"Joe, wake up little buddy," Adam beseeched the young man. "Joe, are you alright?"
 

Joe didn't hear his brother's pleas. Adam placed his first two fingers on Joe's pale neck feeling for a pulse. It was there, maybe slightly sluggish, by it seemed strong enough.

Adam placed his hands on either side of Joe's shoulders and attempted to turn the unconscious youth over. When he managed to do so, he saw that Joe's eyes were closed and his facial expression lax. His face look almost cereal. The were no marks that would indicate what was wrong with the youngest Cartwright.
 

"Joe, please wake up," Adam repeated. "Come on little buddy, show me that you are alright."
 

Adam began thinking along the lines of Joe's sudden illness as being brought on by his emotional state. Maybe the stress of Julia's death had been too much for the kid. Maybe he was more burnt out then they all suspected.
 

Adam placed a large hand on Joe's brow. When he felt the heat that was present at his touch, he knew that his first diagnosis had been totally wrong. There was something more desperately wrong with his brother.
 

Adam didn't want to leave Joe laying on the cold hard floor. The boy was only in his night shirt and due to the slight fever, began to shiver. Adam pursed his lips together and told himself that there would be time to worry later. Right now he had more important matters to attend to.

He gently picked up Little Joe's limp body in his arms and started to return to the living room. As he walked through the dining room, he began to shout for his father and Hoss to help him.

"PA........... come quick......... PA!" Adam yelled, all the while watching Little Joe's face for signs that he was coming to. There were none.
 

Hoss appeared at the top of the stairs, rubbing at his eyes and wondered what was so

damned important to be yelling about at this time in the morning. His unkind thoughts towards Adam were quickly forgotten as he spied his older brother carrying a very still Joe over to the settee. Now it was his turn to start yelling for their father...
 

"Pa......... it's Little Joe........ Pa come quick!" Hoss said as he raced down the stairs and over to stand beside Adam.

"What in tarnation are you two yelling about?" Pa began to say as he was so rudely awakened from his peaceful sleep. As he spotted who was being lowered to the settee, he hitched in his breath and ran down the stairs two at a time.
 

"Little Joe?" Pa said gently as he stroked his youngest son's face trying to rouse him.
 

"What's wrong with him Adam" Ben said softly as he looked up at his oldest son. Hoss also looked to Adam for an explanation for Joe's condition.
 

"I don't know, Pa," Adam said honestly. "I came downstairs to get a cup of coffee before starting work. I was even telling myself that I would do his chores today, just so he could clear his mind a little. I went into the kitchen and spotted an upturned stool. I walked over to pick it up and then saw Little Joe laying there unconscious. I don't know how long he has been laying there. Hoss would you get a blanket please, he was beginning to shiver a few moments ago" Hoss did his brother's biding and took the red Indian style blanket that overhung the staircase and laid it gently over Little Joe.
 

"Hoss, you go and tell one of the hands to go and fetch Doc Martin, please," Ben said. It was time to find out what was ailing Joseph. He never took his eyes of Little Joe's sleeping face as he spoke the orders. He told Adam to get some water and cloths from the washroom. Hoss had scurried outside to get the messenger underway.

"I checked him over as best I could, Pa," Adam now told his father "I couldn't find any bumps on his head or any other reason that might have made him sick in there. But he has got a slight fever from something." He put his hand on Joe's forehead again just to confirm what he had said.

Ben also checked his son's temperature with the palm of his hand. It was warm, but no overly so. Maybe Joe was just overtired and was getting a cold due to his body's lack of sleep and food.
 

Adam handed Ben a cloth from the basin that had been wrung out so that it was only damp. Ben placed the cloth on Little Joe's forehead. The coolness had some immediate results. Joe licked his lips and slowly turned his head from side to side on the settee's cushion.
 

Ben stopped his administrations and looked intently at Joe's face, hoping that the boy was finally coming awake. He was rewarded by the sight of emerald green eyes looking back at him.
 

"Hi Pa," Joe said in an almost normal sounding voice. His eyes didn't show any signs of glassiness or dullness. They were the same clear green like that of his wife Marie.
 

"Hi Little Joe" Ben said softly. "How are you feeling, son?"
 

"What happened?" Joe said without answering his father's question.
 

"Adam found you lying unconscious on the kitchen floor only a few minutes ago" Ben explained "What's the last thing you remember son?"
 

Joe thought for a moment because his mind wasn't coming up with the answers quickly enough. "Last thing I remember is standing on that stool in the kitchen. Then I got dizzy Pa, real dizzy. I tried to grab hold of the counter as I fell, but I must have missed it. I don't remember anything after that."
 

"How do you feel inside?" Ben asked repeating his earlier question.
 

"I don't feel too bad, Pa," Joe said in all honesty. He felt a little disorientated, but he thought that was mainly due to his head hitting the stone floor. "My legs were aching a little earlier, that's why I was in the kitchen. But the ache seems to have disappeared now."

"Is that what you were doing in the kitchen?" Ben now asked with dismay. He knew that Hop Sing kept a supply of herbal medicines in his kitchen somewhere. Nobody else but Little Joe was normally allowed the privilege of entering the kitchen. This is how his youngest son must have found Hop Sing's hiding place. Ben was still eyeing him suspiciously when he said he felt fine.
 

"I've sent one of the hands into town to get Doc Martin," Ben now told his son. "And before you say anything, it's just to check that you are alright. People just go around fainting for no reason Little Joe."
 

Joe just pouted. "Why do I have to see the doctor, Pa?' he said. "I said I feel fine. I have been working long hours the last couple of days. My body is probably just adjusting that's all.” Joe made an attempt to rise from the settee.

"Oh no you don't young man," Ben warned. "You are not going anywhere till Paul gets here."
 

"OH Pa," Joe whined. He was feeling slightly more alert now he was sitting up a little. He was really convinced that whatever had caused him to feel dizzy was long gone by now.

Ben had his hands full trying to keep an unimpressed Little Joe on the settee until the doctor arrived. He made all sorts of promises at first, then in exasperation, he started to make some threats just to keep his youngest in line.
 

"Little Joe, if you try and get off this couch I will get Hoss to sit on you," Ben said.

Joe looked at his much larger brother for some back up support but he saw that his one true ally was on his father's side this time. He gave Joe the same threatening look. Hoss was worried about his younger brother as much as the others. Joe often didn't take care of himself like he should and it was at times like this that it began to show in physical symptoms.
 

Ben was relieved when he finally heard a knock at the front door. Adam opened it and was grateful that Doctor Paul Martin stood on the other side.

"Hello Ben," he greeted his old friend "Tell me what's that boy Joseph done this time?"
 

"Nothing doc, I'm just fine," came the response from Little Joe to the question directed at his father.

"He is not fine Paul," Ben said giving another warning look to Joe. "Adam found him over two hours ago unconscious on the kitchen floor. He doesn't know how long he was lying there and we haven't been able to see any form of injury on him. He feels a little warm, but no overly so."
 

"Well, lets just take a look, shall we?" Paul said trying to ease Ben's concerns.
 

"Joe I think you would be more comfortable if I did this examination in your own room," Doc Martin said now looking at the young man.
 

Joe decided he couldn't fight them all at the moment. But he gave his best scowl as he stomped all the way up the stairs to his room.
 

Joe lay on the bed in his night shirt. He covered from his knees down with the blue comforter on the bed.
 

"Okay Joe let's try and work out what's wrong with you," Paul said gently.
 

"Nothing, like I said downstairs I am fine," Joe said a little impatiently. He didn't like being poked and prodded like a prize turkey at Christmas time.

"You just lay back and let me decide that, young man," Paul said in mock sternness. "I'm sure that your father and brothers wouldn't have sent for me unless they were still worried about you."
 

Joe just gave up in defeat. He didn't like it but he let the doctor continue without further comment.

Paul lifted up his nightshirt and listened to Joe's lungs and chest. He took count of Joe's pulse and mentally noted the details. He ran his fingers over Joe's uncovered abdomen and looked for any signs of internal problems. He ran his fingers down Joe's arms and legs, testing the muscles and checking for obvious strains of the muscles or

tendons. There was nothing.
 

The doctor put his hand to Joe's forehead and noted a little temperature. Nothing to get over excited about though. It was barely warm and could be explained by any number of common illnesses. Paul continued his examination of Joe's eyes and ear's checking for any signs of his ailment.
 

Paul finally sat back with a look of curiousness. Apart from the slight temperature, there was nothing to say why Joe would have collapsed in the kitchen.
 

"Have you had any muscle aches or pains Joe?" he asked still trying to find a cause.

"Yeah, that's why I was in the kitchen," Joe said "Like I told Pa and my brothers, I was in the kitchen looking for some of Hop Sing's herbal jars. They were up high on a shelf so I had to use the stool to reach them. That's when I started feeling very dizzy. But when I woke up on the couch a few minutes ago, the ache was totally gone. My legs feel fine now."
 

"Okay Joe, I want to have a quick word with your Pa. But other than that slight fever, you should be alright. Just take it easy today and let me know if you start feeling any other symptoms. And I want you to rest some."

Joe just rolled his eyes in frustration at the doctor. There was no way that he was going to spend a day lying around in bed if they couldn't find anything wrong with him. "Yeah, okay doc," he finally said to keep the doctor happy.

After the doctor had left the room, Joe made attempts to get dressed for the day and take care of his personal needs. His body still felt a little tired, but overall he was fine. The ache had gone. Maybe if he got all of his chores done early enough, he could take a leisurely ride down to the lake. He still needed to work out a few things for himself about Julia. He didn't think he would be able to do that with his family constantly hovering over him every moment.
 

Paul walked downstairs and sat at the breakfast table to talk to the Cartwright family. He himself was bone tired. He had been working just as hard as Joe and Julia over the last few days taking care of the people in Virginia City with the fever. With the crisis now over, he could afford to relax and take some extra time.
 

"Well Ben," he began the conversation. "I can't find a thing wrong with him. He's got a slight temperature, but maybe he's just getting a cold. I checked him out thoroughly and I couldn't find any cause for his fainting. He may be a little tired from working for me the last few days. I told him to take it easy today and let me know if any symptoms start reappearing again."
 

Ben wasn't totally happy with the diagnosis but he trusted the doctor enough that if he said things were alright, then there mustn't be too much to worry about. "I'll keep a good eye on him, Paul".
 

"I'm sure you will," Paul said with a grin. He knew how Ben felt towards his youngest. "How's he coping with the other thing?" he asked not wanting to say things too loud for Joe to hear.
 

"To tell you the truth Paul, I don't know," Ben said with a little sadness. "He didn't say anything to us on the way back from town last night. I just hope that he's not bottling things up inside. I'm willing to give him a few days to try and work things out himself. I've already told him that we are here if he needs to talk."

"Well, that's the best anyone can do right now," the doctor said. "Just remember to keep an eye on him and let me know if you need me. Now I'm going home to get some much needed shuteye. I suggested that Joe should rest a little more today too." Paul got up from his chair and walked towards the front door. Adam saw him to the door and thanked him for coming so quickly.
 

"I want you two to keep an eye on your brother today, just like Paul said," Ben told his two eldest son's before Joe appeared at the breakfast table. "Do it discreetly, but do it. If he shows any sign of getting sick again, I want to know. And if he wants to sleep today, just let him. Like Paul said, he has to be tired today after what he's been through."
 

Adam and Hoss nodded their heads in agreement and made their way outside ready to start the morning chores.

 

************
 

The rest of the day went reasonably smoothly. Joe had done a few menial chores outside briefly, but then retired inside just before lunch. He had wanted to go for that ride up to the lake, but thought he should wait until after lunch to do it.
 

While his father and brother's were busy outside, he laid himself down on the settee and relaxed slightly. He let the events of the last few days run through his mind. It was only a few days ago that he had met Julia Bulette. He had never seen a more beautiful woman in his life. He had fought John Millian for her honor in the hotel that first day. He had dined with the lovely lady the following night. And then he had another fight with Millian.

This was a fight that unfortunately he lost. He didn't remember a whole lot about it except what his brother's had told him. They had been just standing at the bar watching the fight ensue. It was only after he had knocked himself out against a door after his head slammed into it in the room that he found himself slung over Adam's shoulder and carted out like a sack of grain.

The next morning had been no picnic either. He had a large bruise forming on his cheek from the fight. That was the same morning that he and Pa had the fight over Julia's background. He had accused his father of not looking at the whole picture when he saw Joe with Julia. Ben had only seen the age difference between them and the fact that his youngest son was very inexperienced when it came to women like her.
 

With his body still extremely tired from lack of sleep, it didn't take long for Joe to drift off to sleep. The house was quiet and his eyes grew too heavy to keep open. He started to dream about what life would have been like if Julia Bulette had accepted his invitation to become his wife.
 

**********
 

Adam, Hoss and Ben had come through the front door together ready to sit down to lunch. They had been chatting idly but were surprised at the quietness and stillness of the house as they entered the room.

Hoss spied a site on the couch and urged his older brother and father to lower their voices. Over on the settee Little Joe was sound asleep.
 

All three Cartwrights walked up behind the couch to survey the scene. Their hearts melted and they each felt a hard lump rise in their throats when they saw the youngest member of the family. Little Joe was turned on his side on the settee. His left hand was bent at the elbow so that his hand rested underneath his head like a pillow. His

right arm was folded on top of the left and his right hand was also tucked up underneath his mass of curls. The boy's face was free of any wrinkles. The eye lashes closed over the eyes and laid across them ever so gently. The boy looked completely at peace.
 

Ben put his hand lightly to Little Joe's forehead to check his temperature. Sure enough it was still there but to his relief it hadn't gotten any warmer though.

Joe made a few small whimpers and mumbled something as he felt his father's touch and Ben removed his hand quickly for fear of waking him. This was probably the first chance Joe had had to get any decent sleep. Ben knew that his son hadn't slept very well after returning last night despite his weariness. He had heard his youngest move about a few times that night, all due to thoughts over Julia he assumed.
 

Ben and his boys had eaten their lunch in silence and now went about completing their chores. They decided to let Joe sleep as long as he wanted just as was suggested. Joe hadn't stirred at all since they sat down to eat. Hoss had wondered whether or not they should wake Joe to eat, but Ben assured him that Joe would be able to get something to eat once he woke up.
 

Each of them took another look at the slumbering form on the couch before walking out the front door. They all hoped that what ever demons haunted Little Joe, had now decided to leave him be.
 

**********
 

It was almost time for Ben, Adam and Hoss to return for the afternoon when Joe started to wake up on the settee. He had slept for about five hours undisturbed. The house was empty so the rest of the Cartwright family were blissfully unaware that Joe was rousing from his slumber.
 

Joe opened his eyes and immediately shut them again. He put a hand to his head and tried to massage away the terrible headache he had gained whilst sleeping. He thought it must have been as a result of sleeping too long. He reopened his eyes, but the next thing he noticed was that the aches in his legs that had disappeared were back. Not only were they back, but they were more prominent then this morning and they were joined by the ones in his biceps and lower arms.

It seemed that just about every muscle in his body was aching at the moment and Joe was glad that his family and Hop Sing weren't around to hear his small gasps of pain. He knew that if they even suspected he was sick again, then he would again find himself being examined by Doc Martin. His father and brothers would have him whisked up and put to bed before he had time to blink.

 

For the time being and until his body started to tell him what was wrong, he would keep his little discomfort to himself. Maybe once he had some more sleep tonight he would be alright again.

 

His family had returned a short time later to find Joe awake and sitting on the couch. Truth was that he wasn't about to move about too much and let them notice his aches and pains.
 

Once dinner was laid on the table and the rest of the family were seated ready to eat, Joe managed to disguise his discomfort as he made his way across the living room floor to the table. He steps were deliberately smaller, but he hoped that his family didn't notice.
 

He sat down and partook in the saying of grace. He tried to look interested but his head was pounding harder than before and it was becoming difficult to focus on the words his father was saying.
 

It wasn't until the aroma of the food hit his senses that his stomach decided to protest as well. Joe felt his innards starting to tie themselves in knots just to stop himself from retching right in front of his family. It took all of his efforts to combat the nauseous feeling in the pit of his stomach. He felt his face turn a sickly green color. He was too busy trying to fight off his attacker to notice his family's stares.
 

Ben hadn't noticed his son's small and deliberate steps towards the table. But he certainly saw his son's face drain of color when he looked up from saying grace. His son's face was very pale and he looked a chalky in his complexion. Ben was about to grab at Joe's arm and ask if he was alright when Joe sprang up from the table suddenly and made a dash for the kitchen.
 

Joe had fled the dining table fearing that he would be sick. He exited the back door and stood with his hands on his knees as he stomach went through the motions of throwing up. He hadn't eaten anything since breakfast and had had only a few sips of water throughout the day, so the dry retching made the actions that much more painful. His stomach was trying to turn out it's contents, but there was nothing there to bring up.
 

Ben had followed the fleeing Joe outside and now stood back a little, worried that Joe was throwing up all of a sudden. Hoss and Adam stayed in the dining room so they didn't embarrass their younger brother any more than necessary. Once it appeared like he was able to stand up and take a breather, Ben was asking him if he was alright.

"Little Joe, are you okay?" Ben asked worriedly. He had thought that his son might be a little better with the sleep he had this afternoon. But now it appeared that whatever had ailed him this morning was back again.
 

Joe put his hand up, not using any words but rather drawing in large gulps of air to feed his starving lungs. He was trying to gesture to his father that he was alright. He didn't feel much better but started walking back inside the house to lie down. Horizontal seemed much more appealing at the moment that standing up vertically.
 

It had felt a little cooler outside, but now Joe noticed the stark contrast when re-entering the living room. He felt as though he was suffocating. The temperature that he had this morning had increased. It hadn't felt as bad outside due to the mild breeze that was blowing through the trees. Now he was back inside, there was nothing to quell the fire that was steadily gaining momentum in his body.
 

He made it through the kitchen, appearing to be walking naturally. His step didn't falter right away. It wasn't until he walked into the living room again that the world began to tilt on it's axis. Joe felt his vision blur a little and he found it difficult to stay on his feet.

Ben had been walking behind Joe upon re-entering the living room and it was now that he saw the youngest Cartwright sway slightly. Joe thought he heard someone call his name, but he couldn't he sure. He put his hands to his head again to try and massage the headache away, but the movement only seemed to alter his sense of judgment and balance. Joe tried to say something, but the words never left his lips. He felt his knees go from underneath him and he briefly held out his hand seeking something to help support him. He barely felt his father and brothers catch a hold of him as he descended to the floor. He lost consciousness before he could utter any words.
 

Ben had tried to let his fears about his youngest son relax a little earlier in the day. But now with Joe laying very limp and very still in his grasp, they were back with a vengeance.
 

Ben took control of the situation and took full responsibility in carrying his unconscious son from the doorway to the settee. He could feel the temperature difference in his son from this morning. It had only been mild before, but now there was a noticeable change.
 

"Go and tell Doc Martin we need him again urgently, Hoss," Ben instructed. "Adam let's get him upstairs and settled before Paul gets here."
 

Ben once again picked up his youngest son and carried him up the stairs as Adam led the way and cleared the path. Adam opened the door and stood back as his father carried Joe in. Ben laid his son on the top of the covers and rearranged his head on the pillows to make him more comfortable. He did these administrations feeling that he was helping in some way. It was mainly for his peace of mind that he fussed this way. Joe showed no signs of regaining consciousness. His clothes smelt of bile and so Adam grabbed out a fresh night shirt and changed his brother's clothes. Once they had made him as comfortable as possible, they just stood back and watched him. It was all they could do for the moment. Occasionally Ben would straighten a crumpled sheet or brush a stray curl from his son's sleeping face. But Joe showed no signs of regaining consciousness to reward their efforts.
 

Paul Martin arrived with Hoss to find two very worried people standing around Little Joe's bed.

Ben had a cloth over Joe's forehead trying to lower the fever in the boy. He tried to smile to his old friend when he walked into the room but it was a false attempt and hardly worth the effort it demanded.
 

"Ben it would be better if you all wait downstairs while I examine Joe," Doc Martin said gently. Adam and Hoss were about to protest but the doctor ushered them out and said that he would inform them of his diagnosis. They would just have to be patient.
 

"Ben you might want to stay to give me a hand," Paul suggested. He knew that Ben Cartwright had no intention of leaving his sick child.
 

Paul started at the same place as this morning. But this time he noticed some marked differences in Joe's condition. He didn't voice them aloud but made a mental note of them to put them together and give an informed opinion later.
 

He looked under Joe's closed eyelids for signs of consciousness and saw that the eyes were a little glossy now. They were slow to dilate under the light placed in front of them. Paul now counted his pulse. It was still strong enough but was a little faster than he would have liked.
 

Joe's muscle reflexes were sluggish and there was some evidence that the muscles were cramping up at various intervals. This was confirmed by the small grunts and moans Joe emitted.

 

Paul checked out Joe's abdomen but thankfully found no problems there. Everything seemed to be in order as it had been this morning.
 

The doctor put the stethoscope against Joe's bare chest and was a little concerned with what he heard. Where there had been nothing this morning, there were now definite rattling sounds. Small and almost inaudible, but they could get worse if they were not monitored carefully.
 

Finally, Paul checked Joe's temperature. It was now 99 degrees and the heat from his forehead was more noticeable now.
 

When he added up all of his findings he wasn't happy with his diagnosis. He thought of other illnesses that might have caused similar symptoms and aches to the body. But when he added it all back up and recalculated it, he was worried about the end result. He knew that Ben and his boys would be just as dismayed as he at the diagnosis. There was no way of hiding it from them. If he was correct then they were in for a particularly difficult battle and Little Joe would need to be cared for constantly to see that he didn't become increasingly worse.
 

Ben suddenly felt Joe's hand move and held his breath in to see if it moved again. It did.
 

"Little Joe," Ben said softly. He saw his son open his eyes but he noted the same glassy look to them as the doctor. Joe turned his head and looked about the room as if he was searching for Ben. He gave a tired smile when his eyes came across his father's face.
 

"Hi Pa," he said. He eyes started to droop again. He felt the ache in his muscles and winced at the severity that was present now he was conscious. He hadn't felt the cramping whilst he was unconscious, but he certainly felt the aches now.
 

Ben looked at this son with sympathy and then turned his attention to the doctor.
 

"How are you feeling, son?" Paul said noting the unspoken question on Ben's face.
 

"I hurt a little all over Doc." came the answer. "My headache had gone a little, but the muscles in my arms and legs are aching something fierce. My stomach feels a little better, but there is still the sick feeling there."
 

Paul noted his patient's description of his symptoms and went over to his bag. He took out a spoonful of medicine from a brown bottle and put the spoon in front of Joe's mouth.
 

He smiled at the frown and scowl he got from his uncooperative patient but he didn't take the spoon away. He just bided his time.

Sure enough Joe was about to say something in protest about taking awful tasting medicines, but before he could say a word, the spoon was quickly forced through his opened mouth. It was quickly taken away again, but half of the contents had been left behind. Half a victory was better then none.
 

"You get some sleep now, Joe," Paul said. "You have a fever and muscle ache, but that medicine should help you sleep a little. I want to talk to your father and brothers for a moment, but we will be right outside if you need anything."
 

Joe settled himself back down on the bed and soon his eyes were closed again, but this time they were closed in healing sleep. Ben gave his son's cheek another gentle caress and sighed from worry about what might be making his son sick.
 

"Ben, could I talk to you and your boys downstairs please," he said gently. There was just no way of hiding the fear in his voice at his theory of Joe's ailment.
 

"Are you sure we can leave him alone?" Ben asked not taking his eyes from Joe.
 

"It will only be for a few minutes and he will sleep for a few hours anyway, Ben," Paul replied. "I have come up with a theory about what might be making Joe sick like this, but I'm not sure your going to like my findings."
 

Doc Martin looked at the three worried faces that were waiting in anticipation of his diagnosis for Joe's sudden illness.
 

"Let me start by saying Ben, that I feel completely responsible for Little Joe," Doc Martin said. His voice was full of self retribution. "I don't know how to say how sorry I am."
 

Ben was a little confused. It sounded like the doctor was blaming himself for Joe's illness.
 

"Why do you feel responsible, doc?" Hoss asked for the rest of the family.
 

Paul didn't know how else to hide the words he was about to say, so he just came out with them. "I think Little Joe may be falling victim to the fever that those people had at the hotel".
 

"You can't be serious!" Ben now said in alarm. The fever in Virginia City had been in the town's water supply. It had attacked a few neighboring ranches and townships before hitting Virginia City. Ben and his other two sons had been safe because they had only drunk water from the Ponderosa's own well. They had supplied all the town needed from this supply once it was determined that the water was the culprit.
 

"You mean Little Joe is going to get as sick as those people in town, doc?" Hoss said with nervousness. He couldn't bear the thought of watching his little brother whittle away from a sickness and eventually fade away to nothing. Little Joe was only slight in build to begin with. Could he really fight something off like a fever?.
 

"I'm truly sorry, Ben," Doc Martin continued. "If I could turn the clocks back I would. I would make sure he got more rest and ate more while tending to those people. But the truth is we all had our hands full with so many sick people. I just didn't take the time to see the subtle changes in Joe's disposition that would have indicated that he was becoming susceptible to it. I should have seen that he wasn't taking care of himself. Not eating enough and no rest. What sort of doctor am I to do that to him?"
 

"It's okay, Paul", Ben tried to assure his friend. "If I know my son Joseph, it wouldn't have mattered if he had a whole army looking out for him. The truth is he felt he needed to help those people just because that's the type of person he is. He does things out of the kindness of his heart before weighing up the consequences to himself. Even if he knew he might get sick, I doubt it would have made a difference to him helping out."
 

"Yeah, you know Little Joe doc, ornery as ever," Hoss tried to say with a laugh. Truth was he was just to worried about his younger brother to make joke of it."
 

"What's the plan for getting him better, Paul?" Adam now asked the doctor.

"Well, it's just like those people in Virginia City, there is no cure. We just have to do all of the usual things like cold compresses to keep the fever down. We might have to massage his limbs if he is still experiencing muscle aches and pains. I want him to eat too. Nothing too solid just yet. And in small amounts. If his stomach is still bothering him he will be difficult to deal with, but we will have to persevere. He has always been a skinny person, and normally that isn't a bad thing, but right now that is going to work against him to combat this illness. He needs to keep up his strength or it's going to make him sicker."
 

"Now Ben, I know I can count on you to help, but I will probably need all you to work in tandem with each other to look after him," Paul explained. A curt nod from both Hoss and Adam signaled that they didn't even need to be asked. Both of them would help care for Joe if that was the only way to help him get better.
 

"I want him confined to bed and to rest as much as possible. These are the only remedies I know of to fight this fever. We will just have to do things slowly and take things as they come. I expect his fever might climb slowly and gradually. The main concern is the sound of his lungs at the moment. They were clear this morning when I first checked him, but now there are some definite rattles in there that worry me."
 

"I'm going back into town to organize my other patients Ben, just in case I am needed here on a more permanent basis over the next few days," Paul Martin said as he prepared to depart. "Please send for me immediately should his condition worsen any sooner than we think."
 

"I have left some more medicine with Adam. Please use it if necessary. That small dose I gave him probably won't last very long. He will probably need another dose in another four hours or so. I feel that I am completely responsible Ben, so don't let him suffer any more than he should. I will try and make his recovery as quick and painless as possible."
 

Ben nodded his head in agreement. He hoped that they wouldn't need the doctor again. He was trying to convince himself that whatever was ailing Joe would be gone before they needed to take any more drastic measures.
 

Ben walked back into the living room and looked at his eldest two sons.
 

"Pa..........Adam and I decided that you should take the first watch tonight, then I will relieve you and then Adam after that," Hoss said. He really wanted his father to get some rest himself before he worried himself sick over Joseph's illness. He knew that Ben wouldn't rest much at all until Joe started to feel better so Adam and he would indeed to make sure that their father took care of himself as well as Little Joe.
 

Ben agreed to the current arrangements but felt he was under no obligations to stick to the duty roster if Joe's condition should worsen. If he decided that Joe needed more of his attention, then he would give it, no matter what the cost to his own health.
 

Adam and Hoss retired for the night knowing that they would both need to be up within a few hours to relieve Ben.

Ben made sure that he had everything he needed before sitting down in the chair beside Little Joe's bed. The boy hadn't moved since the doctor left. He was sleeping on his back with his hands laying gently beside him. He looked to be sleeping okay. But this was probably more to the medication he received rather than a sign of getting better. Only time would tell.
 

Ben had made himself a fresh pot of black coffee. He had a blanket folded and placed at the end of Joe's bed in case it was needed. For the moment it was left off him to see if they could get the fever down early. Ben refilled the basin with cooler water from the wash room and got a fresh supply of towels. There was nothing more Ben could do now but wait.
 

For the next three hours, Ben tended his son just like he had when he was younger. He lovingly placed the dampened wash cloth over Joe's fevered brow. He caressed his curly brown hair with his hand letting his touch do most of the healing.
 

A few times, Little Joe's face had wrinkled in displeasure or pain, but then the wrinkles would smooth out and he would be lost to sleep again.
 

The time went quickly enough and when Hoss came to relieve him, he was almost reluctant to go. He was about to deal out his hand of authority as the head of the household, but then decided that it best rest like Adam and Hoss said. He left instructions for Hoss and Adam to wake him immediately if Joe asked for him or his sickness got any worse during the night.
 

He got up from his chair and gave his slumbering son a kiss and uttered a few quiet words of kindness before leaving the room. "I'll be right here if you need me son. I love you. You get well now you hear." He had a few stray tears in his eyes that he wiped away hurriedly as he bid his larger son goodnight.

Hoss's watched without much cause for alarm. Joe continued to sleep peacefully enough even though Hoss did his share of fussing over him. He didn't have the same magical touch that his Pa had over the youngest Cartwright when he was sick or hurt. He hoped that just being there would be enough for Joe tonight. He had always promised Joe, right from when he was very young that he would be there for him and that wasn't about to change now.
 

It was about 1:00 am when Hoss relieved his father and about 4:30 am when Adam was gently shaking his shoulder and telling him to go and get some sleep.
 

Adam felt Joe's forehead and noted that the fever had maybe decreased slightly from earlier in the night. Or maybe it's just his imagination that wanted him to believe Joe was a little better.
 

Adam had no intentions of going to sleep on his watch and took to reading a book by the light of the lantern in the room. About half an hour after he started reading, he saw Joe start to squirm about in the bed. At first the movements were very slight and Adam thought that they were just the natural actions of a person asleep at night. But soon a few small moans of pain escaped Joe's lips to indicate that his legs and arms were aching again. The medicine had worn off some time ago and the aches and pains were now starting to squeeze through the fuzziness again.
 

Adam tried talking softly to Joe and telling him that everything was alright but it was soon obvious that Joe needed more that just words. Adam thought briefly about giving him another dose of medicine, but since it was getting close to dawn Adam erred on the side of caution and started massaging Joe's legs and arms to ease the stiffness. He was hoping that Joe would awaken somewhere near breakfast in order to get some nourishment into him.
 

He had seen the signs of nauseous that Joe displayed at the dinner table, but he also heeded Doc Martin's advice and knew that Joe needed to eat in order to keep up his strength if he was going to fight the fever.

The massaging was gentle but seemed to be working and soon Adam could again here the slow and rhythmic breathing coming from Joe's chest. There was a sight wheeze emanating from the chest area and Adam just prayed that it was only a wheeze and nothing more threatening.
 

Joe slept soundly enough for the next few hours although his fever never disappeared altogether. At about 6:00 am Ben came into the room to check on his son's progress overnight.
 

Adam informed him that Joe's condition seemed to be stable enough, although there was no radical improvement.

Ben signaled to Adam that he wanted to speak to him and Hoss downstairs at the breakfast table, away from Joe's ears. Adam nodded and went to wake Hoss and tell him to appear downstairs as soon as possible.
 

While Adam was getting Hoss, Ben took the time to greet his youngest son Good Morning. He felt Joe's forehead for himself and noted the very slight decreased in temperature. He frowned a little still at the warmth present though. He straightened the bed clothes and stroked Little Joe's cheek trying to get a response. There was none and Joe remained deeply asleep oblivious to his father's administrations and fussing.
 

"I'll be back in a little while, Joe," Ben whispered and gave his son another kiss to signal his love and worry. He knew in reality it would be some hours before he could return to his youngest son. He had a task to attend to this morning that he was glad that Joe would not be a party to.
 

Ben walked downstairs with a slight slump to his shoulders about what he had to tell Adam and Hoss.
 

Hoss was a little worried about what Ben might have to say. Adam was a little worried too but failed to show it openly.
 

"I have to go into town this morning boys.... to attend to Julia," Ben said softly. He knew that Joe was asleep and would not overhear the conversation, but the topic of that conversation seemed to dictate the tone of voice required.
 

Hoss looked at his father with confusion. He didn't understand at first why his father would be saying that he had to go out this morning with Little Joe still sick. Adam could see his brother about to say something in protest but he quickly put a hand on his shoulder and explained to Hoss the purpose of his father's journey into Virginia City.

Hoss heard the explanation and looked up towards Little Joe's room. He too was glad that Joe couldn't hear the conversation. "You think he should know about it, Pa?" he said with sorrow in his voice.
 

"No son, I think it best that Joe just concentrate on getting better for the moment. His emotions are already at breaking point. It would be better to tell him once it is all over. That way he can work through his pain at his own pace. The most important thing right now is for him to get over this illness," Ben said trying to reassure Hoss.
 

"Adam, you stay with your brother this morning," Ben said. "Make sure that you keep that medicine up to him and try and get that fever down some more. After I leave, try and offer him some breakfast. Anything will be better than nothing. I shouldn't be gone any more than three hours."
 

"I'll look after him, Pa," Adam promised.
 

Ben was confident that Adam would be up to caring for his sick brother, but he yearned to be home as quickly as possible himself to help out. It pained him to have to leave Joe while he was still sick. However, there was no getting around what he had to do today.
 

Adam knew that Hoss was getting more worried about Joe and suspected that his large brother was brooding over his younger brother. He suggested that Hoss go outside for a while and tend to the livestock. He would take care for Joe for the first part of the morning and Hoss could take over after lunch before their father returned.
 

Hoss was agreeable to this arrangement. The clear morning air would help clear his thoughts anyway. "You sure your going to be okay with him?" he asked.
 

"I'll call you if I need you," Adam answered.
 

Hoss followed his father towards the barn ready to do some work for a few hours to take his mind off Little Joe.

 

**********

Adam went back upstairs to check on Joe and was happy to see Joe laying awake.
 

"Hi buddy," Adam greeted him cheerily. Joe looked at him but failed to reply to his happy tone of voice. He looked a little confused about where he was.
 

"You think you could eat some breakfast, Joe?" Adam asked. He was rewarded by a small nod. Joe didn't really want anything to eat but he didn't want a fight with Adam first thing this morning either. The queasiness in his stomach seemed to have eased somewhat from yesterday, but he wasn't about to take chances.
 

Adam seemed to read Joe mind about eating anything that might cause him to be sick again so he settled on a very thin omelets for starters. If Joe succeeded to keep that down enough, he could try something a little more substantial later on.
 

When Adam brought the omelets to Joe, it actually smelt very good to him. However, he took things very cautiously. He managed to chew and swallow about three mouthfuls of the yellowish mixture before holding up his hand and gesturing to Adam that it was enough for now. He could already feel his stomach starting to twist and he didn't want to risk anymore to eat.
 

Adam was a little dismayed at what little Joe ate but he decided not to force the issue for the time being. He asked if there was anything he could get Joe from the kitchen.
 

"A glass of water maybe, Adam," Joe said weakly. His mouth was sort of dry.
 

"Anything you want, buddy," Adam said and headed off to the kitchen with Joe's half eaten breakfast.

Joe thought he had been traveling pretty good until after Adam left the room. As soon as his brother left, the breakfast he had eaten seemed to rebel against him. He tried to make it to the basin on the chest of drawers, but he was a little too late. He felt the omelets come back up and spew out onto his sheets and blankets. He was still trying to quell the nauseous feeling when Adam re-entered the room.
 

"Oh buddy, don't worry, we'll fix you up. It's okay," Adam said gently. He could see that Joe was on the verge of tears at what he had done with his breakfast.
 

"Don't fret, we'll change your bed and get you washed down and then you can rest a little more, hey," Adam said.
 

Adam moved Little Joe from the bed to the sitting chair beside the bed and then went about stripping the bed. As he was putting the soiled linen downstairs in the wash room, he called for Hoss to come and give him a hand.
 

When Hoss entered the house, Adam told him about Joe bringing up his breakfast which only made him worry more.
 

"You go and stay with him for a minute, while I organize a bowl of clean water to wash him down. Take of his night shirt and I'll be up in a minute to help you," Adam said.
 

Hoss did as he was instructed and entered Joe's bedroom ready to help his brother. Little Joe looked at his big brother as he walked into the room with fresh tears forming in his eyes.
 

"I'm sorry Hoss," Joe said.
 

"Oh Joe," Hoss said as he put a comforting arm around Joe's quivering shoulder. "You don't need to be sorry punkin. We'll have you cleaned up and getting better in no time." Hoss had to hide tears of his own to avoid upsetting Joe any further.

Hoss had removed Joe's night shirt just as Adam walked back into the room with the clean water. It was tepid but not ice cold due to Joe's temperature. Joe didn't really do anything to help out. He was feeling too sick and sorry for himself to help much at all.
 

Adam started by washing down his chest with the warm water and a cloth. The thing that worried Hoss and Adam most was the lack of argument that Joe gave about being babied. Joe had been sick before and normally protested loudly about any such fussing. But today, instead of ranting and raving that nothing was wrong with him. Little Joe just sat on the wooden backed chair and let Adam bath him like a five year old.
 

Adam and Hoss managed just fine without Joe, but by the time they were finished, Joe's eyelids were beginning to droop again to fatigue. Hoss went about getting a fresh nightshirt over Joe's curly head while Adam remade the bed. He changed all of the sheets and the thin cotton blanket. He even replaced the pillows just in case. He had gotten two new ones from the linen closet and placed freshly ironed pillow cases on them. Joe would be able to rest more comfortably if the bed was nice and soft.
 

Adam knelt in front of Little Joe who was practicably asleep "You want anything else before you go to sleep Little Buddy?". Joe gave a slight shake of his head to indicate NO.
 

Hoss and Adam both maneuvered Little Joe from the chair back to bed. He was almost asleep as they laid his head on the pillow, but before Adam could let him rest completely, he decided that he had better give him some more of Doc Martin's medicine. This time with the boy almost asleep on his feet, the fight to get the medicine into him was not so great. Adam managed to get a decent sized dose into Joe's mouth. Joe's jaw moved involuntarily and he swallowed the brown concoction. Once the mixture was inside him, Adam let his body relax entirely. Soon Joe was asleep again.
 

"He's really tired ain't he?" Hoss said as he watched his slumbering brother.
 

"Yes, but I suppose it's only to be expected with this sickness battering him like this. His body is still trying to catch up on what he lost over the last few days. Don't worry I'm sure the extra rest won't do him any harm."

"You mind if I stay with him for a while this time Adam?" Hoss asked with worry in his voice.
 

"You stay with him all you like Hoss," Adam said gently. He knew how close the relationship between Hoss and Little Joe was. "Let me know if he wakes up again or starts running a higher fever again. I am going to rest for a while before Pa comes back."
 

**********
 

Ben was a little longer than expected and it was after 1:00 p.m. in the afternoon before he returned home from Virginia City.
 

When he entered the house, everything was very quiet. He saw Adam sitting at the dining room table and asked how Little Joe was doing. Adam told him about the breakfast incident and the fact that Joe was very tired still.
 

It wasn't the news Ben was hoping to hear, but he knew that Joe was in good hands with Hoss looking after him.
 

Ben heard a noise on the stairs and looked up to see Hoss coming down to the living room.
 

"He's still asleep Pa," Hoss commented. "That medicine that Doc Martin left here has really knocked him out. I came downstairs to get another cup of coffee and something to eat."
 

"How did it go in town today Pa?" Adam asked for both of them.
 

"Let Hoss get his cup of coffee and I'll sit down and tell you," Ben said. "Make sure you get one for us as well Hoss." Ben felt as though he could use a nip of brandy in that coffee too but didn't mutter his thoughts out loud enough to be heard.
 

Back upstairs, Joe was beginning to stir again from his deep sleep. He opened his eyes and noted that the room was strangely empty. He had expected to wake up with one of them sitting beside him. He was actually relieved to find nobody.
 

Again it was like when he woke up on the settee downstairs. The muscles in his legs and arms ached mercilessly. His mouth was terribly dry.
 

Joe clenched his teeth together as he worked his aching body into a sitting position. He knew that he would be on the end of a stern lecture from his family if they had seen him trying to get out of bed. So he kept his moans and groans of pain to himself.
 

His headache had returned and seemed to be in some sort of strange symphony with the dull ache in his legs and arms. His head pounded and his leg and arm muscles responded with the support act.

 

He moved to the edge of the bed now and planted his bare feet on the wooden floor. Once satisfied that he could in fact stand on his own two feet, he did so cautiously. He eyes kept diverting towards the doorway, for he knew that if one of his family were to walk in now he would be for it. He used the bed's foot rest to help steady

himself.
 

The standing up was tough enough, but at the same time it seemed to be the least difficult of the tasks that lay ahead. He really needed to take the first step forward and test out his ability to walk to the door. Pride and foolishness prevented him from calling out to his family for the much needed assistance. It was only a drink

of water. Surely he could at least manage that on his own. He had only been sick for one day.
 

He took that first step using a mammoth sized effort. When it seemed safe enough to attempt a second and third step forward, he did so. His feet moved very slowly and in very small increments as he made his way across the floor.
 

Once close enough to the door frame, he made a hasty grab for it to prevent himself ending up in an untidy heap on the floor. Falling would only risk himself being found in a very embarrassing position on the floor by his family and he certainly didn't want that.
 

He took another step forward but was almost at the end of his strength. He heard his father's voice and he didn't know if it was the words he heard or his weakness that drove him to a kneeling position just outside his doorway. His unsteady gait could not be seen by his family at this stage.
 

"What are you going to tell him Pa?" Hoss asked. "He was pretty upset about that gal."
 

"I know Hoss, and that's exactly why I want to wait until he is well again," Ben spoke.
 

Joe found himself sitting on the floor, with his back against the wall of the room and the railing of the balcony on the first floor. He couldn't stem the steady stream of tears that ran down his face.
 

"There was nobody else at the funeral but me," Ben now added. "Not one other soul even had to decency to turn up and see her laid to rest. And after all she did while those people were sick. I feel so ashamed of some of the citizens of Virginia City right now."

"Where did you bury her, Pa?" Joe heard Hoss ask his father.
 

"The town folk wouldn't allow her to be buried in the front of the cemetery. So the grave is towards the back. It's down on a small embankment, so you can't see it from the roadway. They said they didn't want a person like that buried with the good and honest people of Virginia City."
 

Joe sat with his fists clenched in rage whilst listening to these words. It sounded like his family was talking about some low life that had committed some hideous crime. He had to suppress a cough that was threatening to escape from his tight chest to avoid giving his presence away to his family.
 

He felt so much anger at the moment that it was hard to stop himself from jumping up from his hiding place in a fit of rage. This wasn't just some person who had just waltzed into town. This was the woman he had asked to become Mrs Joseph Cartwright. He didn't know if he would be able to look at the good and honest people

of Virginia City in future and not hear those words echo in his mind.

The anger and the sickness had taken their toll though. Not to mention the little shaky walk that Joe had undertaken on unsteady legs from his bed to his current hiding place. His mind was too full of memories and images of Julia to feel his body protest. He didn't feel himself falling asleep where he sat. The eyelids slipped closed again and he fell asleep sitting on the floor with his back still wedged into the corner.
 

"We'd better go up and check on your younger brother," Ben announced unaware of Joe hearing the conversation.

All three of them walked up towards Joe's room together and let out a gasp of shock when they saw Little Joe sitting against the corner of the balcony.
 

Ben walked a little closer to Little Joe and could see that he was sound asleep. The thing that failed to avoid his sight though was the silvery tear tracks that ran down Joe's cheeks in the dim light. It was now obvious that Joe had heard the conversation downstairs. He had heard the comments the towns people of Virginia City made about Julia Bulette.
 

"What have I done?" Ben said in self reproach. He knelt beside his son and tried to rouse the sleeping boy. He needed to get Joe back to bed and resting if he was to get any better. Joe didn't respond to his father's touch. The exhaustion that had set in from the walk across the room and the pain that still existed within his muscles made his body demand total rest and nothing more.
 

Joe tried to wake from his slumber, but only managed a few small grunts in response. Ben and Adam lifted him up into a standing position, supporting him on both sides. They steered him towards his bed and laid him down again.
 

Ben looked down at his son's face and traced the tracks of the tears with a soft finger down his cheek. He wondered what he could say when Joe awoke to make the words and anger disappear. He only hoped that he could help his son understand the view's the people of Virginia City expressed. It had been for his son and Joe alone that Ben

had even attended the funeral of Julia at all. He knew deep down that nobody else would and with his son ill at home, he felt obligated towards the woman that had possessed his son's heart.

 

"Help me to make him understand Lord," Ben prayed. "The people of Virginia City didn't get to know her like he did. He got to know her on the inside and saw her for the wonderful loving person she was on the inside. Those people have no right to take those memories and ideas from him. He still has so much to offer. Don't let the death of this one woman steal away his spirit. We need him to heal again and give joy and happiness to this family again."

 

***********
 

Joe slept for the next few hours without stirring much. His family were by his side, tending to him. They all wanted him to wake up so that Ben could explain about what he had overheard while they were talking downstairs.
 

When Joe did wake later that afternoon, he just stared at the ceiling. He was angry at the people of Virginia City and he was angry at his own family. Ben had tried to explain while Joe appeared to be listening about Julia's funeral. But it was hard for Joe to accept that his family didn't feel the same way as the towns folk.
 

It had been his own father who first expressed his doubts about such a relationship working between Julia and his young son.
 

Joe's body was beginning to feel much worse with every minute. Although he wanted to rant and shout to his family about what the towns people thought about Julia, he just didn't have the outer strength to argue.
 

As twilight time turned into evening, Joe's illness seemed to be progressing a little more aggressively. He had laid there not talking to his family or heeding there requests to help himself get well again. He had accepted a few sips of water but refused to eat any food or even sip at some thin broth offered.

The misery from the pain and sickness combined with the misery he felt about Julia and it just led on a one way path to depression. The family had tried everything in the last few hours to perk up Little Joe. Adam had asked if he wanted to hear him reading to him. Hoss had offered to tell Joe about what was happening around the ranch. All

requests were rejected with curt nods and lips that were pursed together firmly. He was trying to give them the silent treatment at the moment. It was all he could muster to show his displeasure. His body was hurting in too many places to protest in any other way.
 

Joe's rattles in his chest soon deteriorated into small coughs. Then by 9:00 that evening, they had turned into coughing fits that left Little Joe breathless and needing to be propped up just to draw enough air into his lungs.

 

He gave up on his silent treatment because his body was demanding more out of him than he could give. His family were patient enough. They had seen the displeasure displayed by him about Julia. They knew that he was hurting more than physically. They would carefully prop him up into a sitting position when required and Ben would rub his back infinitely until the coughing subsided. Adam and Hoss would lovingly hold him up, giving him all the support he needed.
 

His fever didn't increase much more during the night, but it also didn't decrease any.
 

Ben decided just before dawn that it was time to go and fetch Doc Martin again. His son was not improving at all. He knew his son was upset with him and the family, but his health was more important at the moment than his pride and hurt feelings.
 

The dull aches and pains in Joe's muscles seemed to increase two fold and although Joe protested strongly, his brother Adam would sit and try and massage the knots away to ease the pain.
 

Joe was conscious during most of these massages, but his disheveled mind from the fever told him that it was his own family making him hurt like he was. His chest burned and when he tried to ease the tightness in his lungs, he only succeeded in coughing until he was almost blue in the face.

Adam sat down to resume the massaging. He could feel the tightness and cramping himself in the limbs. He knew that Joe was experiencing great pain and it hurt him to know that his efforts were not working. They had tried all of the known remedies to ease Joe's suffering. None of them had even looked like helping.
 

Joe was half awake with deliriousness again and hurling pleas at his brother to stop. Adam was inflicting more pain, not trying to make it go away.
 

"Please ........ Adam..........please," Joe begged through his tears as he tried in vain to move Adams hands away. "It hurts Adam, it hurts. If you care for me please stop." He was again trying to claw at Adam's gentle hands on his thighs.
 

Adam tried to ignore the pleas from his young brother. It was hard enough for both of them. A couple of times, Adam felt himself turn his head away to hide his own tears of frustration. But he continued with his massages. The Doc had said that although, painful, they were necessary and would help eventually. They had to keep believing for Joe's sake.
 

Doc Martin arrived again and was dismayed at the rapid decline in Joe's condition. Ben had explained on his way in about Joe overhearing the conversation about Julia's funeral and although he felt for the boy, they needed to help him get well again.
 

Ben had instructed Paul about Joe refusing to eat, so before the doctor ascended the stairs, Ben was told to bring a small bowl of thin broth up to Joe's bedroom.
 

Ben was only a few steps behind Paul Martin when he entered the room. They could hear Joe admonishing his brother about the massages and could see the strain the words were causing to Adam. Paul knew that Adam was doing his best to keep up the massage routine, even though it hurt Little Joe to do so.
 

Paul decided to take things into his own hands and he gestured for Adam to move away from the bed for a moment. The doctor sat on the bed, but instead of giving Joe the usual warm smile, he greeted the sick young man with a stern face. He knew that Joe was sick, but he couldn't bear to see the worried look and tiredness that was starting to affect the whole family. All three eldest Cartwrights looked as though they could use some rest themselves.
 

"Joseph," Paul said using Ben's normal no nonsense approach. "Joseph, look at me." Joe had his head turned away from the doctor and his family, but Paul gripped his chin gently but firmly and forced him to turn and face him.
 

"Joe," the doctor said softening his tone of voice "I know you hurt boy. But your family are trying to help you. If you don't massage those aching muscles, they are going to get slacker and the pain will increase. Your family are trying to help you as best they can."
 

"And I want no more of this ridiculous notion of not eating, Joseph" Paul continued. "You need to keep up your strength to get better."
 

"What if I don't want to get better?" Joe said in an tone void of emotion.
 

Paul was a little worried about the tone of Joe's voice. He had meant to be a little stern about Joe making himself better again. But that statement had left his father holding onto the wall for support. Ben was scared more than ever that Joe didn't want to get better.
 

"Joe, your family is very worried about you," Paul said softly. "Your father and brothers are very tired and need to get some rest themselves. They are not going to get much until you start acting a little more sensibly and take care of yourself. This illness isn't your fault. I can't say how sorry I am about exposing you to this fever, Joe.”
 

Joe gave in a little. The last comment had worked as predicted. He looked at the doctor with sympathy. "It's not your fault, Doc. You worked just as hard, if not more than me. You can't go blaming yourself for my illness. If I was going to get sick, I might had gotten sick no matter where I was. Even if I had have been back safe and sound on the Ponderosa.” At the end of his little speech, he flashed one of his best smiles at his family and the doctor.
 

Ben couldn't have been happier. He didn't know if Joe had made the decision to make himself

well again, but it certainly sounded like they were on the right track finally.
 

"Promise me you'll try and eat a little of this broth, Joe," Ben said as he took his place on Joe's bed.

"I'll try Pa, but my stomach still bothers me some. The legs and the arm aches just add to the problem. My chest is very tight and whenever I try and take a deep breath I only end up coughing and making it feel worse."
 

Adam and Hoss left the room with the Doc as they waited for Joe to get some food into him. That task would by accomplished better without an audience.
 

Ben had given Joe another small sip of water before spooning the broth into him. It was all in vain however. Joe had only managed four small spoonfuls of the watery thin liquid before it came back up again on the sheets Adam had only changed that day. Joe's stomach was rebelling hard and it wasn't about to let him have a moment's rest or help with his healing at all.
 

Joe had been in the same emotional state as this morning about bringing up the broth. But Ben was there just as Adam had been, trying to assure his son that everything was alright.
 

Paul and Adam re-entered the room just as Ben settled Joe into the arm chair again, ready to change the bed clothes for the second time today.
 

Over the next six hours or so, this would be the routine. Joe tried to sleep, but it wouldn't come easily. It was in short bursts of restless doses that left Joe more exhausted than rested. Joe couldn't manage to keep one spoonful of broth in his stomach. Even the few sips of water he drank seemed to have his stomach in knots.
 

By lunch time the next day, things were getting a little more worrisome. Joe had fallen into an exhausted sleep about two hours earlier. His body just gave out and couldn't cope any more with the bouts of throwing up or the muscle spasms that plagued them. The attempts to rouse him from his deep sleep were useless. His body was just too tired

to fight anymore.
 

Paul Martin tried to go over his diagnosis again. Inch by Inch. Symptom by Symptom trying to find something that would help ease Joe's suffering. The boy was getting weaker not stronger. The bouts of throwing up were making him weaker and weaker. The coughing fits just left him exhausted. He didn't know how much more Little Joe could take. He didn't know how much more Joe's family could take.
 

The conversation in the house died out completely. Everyone was just too worried about Joe to express any sort of chit chat.
 

Adam and Hoss sat in the living room, trying to think of someway to help their younger brother. They were thinking about all the times they had been cross with him or wanted to beat the tar out of him. That all seemed so foolish now. How could they ever have thought about raising a hand or saying a harsh word to that boy that brought so much joy to their lives.
 

Ben flatly refused to leave his son's side. The lines of tiredness were beginning to show on the patriarch, but Ben insisted that his son needed him to be there.
 

He looked at Joe's sleeping face and noticed the paleness in his cheeks and the dark circles under his eyes showing his fatigue and exhaustion.
 

"Paul, what more can we do?" Ben said in defeat. "Everything we try seems to have the opposite effect on him. He can't even keep water down."
 

"I feel just as helpless as you, old friend," Paul said and put a comforting hand on Ben's shoulder. "I'll go over my notes again and see if there's anything I can think of. Whatever is ailing Joe has altered slightly from what the people of Virginia City had. The same remedies that I used on them just don't seem to be working enough."
 

Paul knew that it was the same thing he had been doing since yesterday, but he needed to keep trying. He needed to try and long as it was possible to come up with a solution. He didn't want to think about Little Joe getting any weaker or sicker. That boy brought joy to everyone not just his own family. His personality and charm had also worn off on a few other people of the years, including himself and it was hard not to care for Little Joe.
 

***********

Hoss and Adam were still lost in their own thoughts downstairs when they heard the front door open.

 

They were both surprised to see their faithful servant friend Hop Sing enter the room. He was loaded down with luggage and both them moved forward to help him unload his burden.
 

The little Cantonese man thanked them graciously, but then noted the tired look on both of their faces. He immediately started asking where the rest of the family were, but he wanted to know in particular about his favorite Cartwright, Little Joe.
 

Hoss and Adam steered him towards the living room where they told him in a whisper about Joe falling ill. They also mentioned the part about Joe overhearing their father's conversation about Julia's funeral.
 

When Hop Sing heard about Joe's illness, he wanted to know more details about the symptoms. Hoss and Adam thought this was a little strange that he wanted the symptoms in so much detail. They didn't disbelieve the man's love towards their brother so they told him about what was going on. They gave him detailed descriptions about Little Joe's fever and the aches and pains in his limbs. They told Hop Sing about Joe's inability to even consume a few sips of cool water before retching it back up again. They added the fact that Joe's lungs were getting more and more congested and Joe now complained that his chest continually burned with the tightness.
 

As soon as they were finished their explanation, Adam and Hoss could see the man's little mind ticking over, taking in all he was told. He started to rummage around in one of his suitcases and came up with a jar of what looked like purple flowers.
 

Hop Sing took the jar and started to ascend the staircase. Adam and Hoss followed him, curious about what Hop Sing thought he might be able to do.
 

Ben and Paul were surprised to see the little servant walk into the room. Ben walked forward and greeted the man with a handshake. He was glad to see his friend home again.
 

Hop Sing tried to keep his attention on Ben's words, but he found his gaze wandering to the sleeping figure on the bed. He walked closer to take a look. He noted with sadness that Hoss and Adam had left nothing out in their description of Joe's appearance. The dark circles were still present and the skin of Joe's face was sickly white. His forehead beaded with perspiration and his breathing sounded labored and raspy as it escaped through his nose

and mouth.
 

"Ask permission to speak," Hop Sing now addressed the doctor and Ben Cartwright.
 

"Sure Hop Sing, what do you have to say?" Ben said. It wasn't usual for Hop Sing to ask for permission like a servant, but Ben assumed that Hop Sing felt a little nervous around Doc Martin. He now noticed for the first time, the large jar in his hands with the purple flowers inside. The flowers looked dried and the lilac petals seemed to point downwards leaving the large exposed yellow centre.
 

Paul Martin was not normally a believer in medicine of a natural basis. He had seen many people claim to have plants that healed or make people's symptoms go away. Some of them worked slightly, most of them didn't. He had even seen the effects of some that had gone horrible wrong and caused more harm than good.
 

But with his own list of remedies completely exhausted, he was willing to listen to anything. He doubted that Hop Sing would be silly enough and claim to have a remedy that didn't work. Particularly where Little Joe was concerned. Paul knew Hop Sing saw Little Joe as the son he had never had.
 

Hop Sing started to explain his idea about the flowers and their ability to help heal.
 

"This flower called ECHINACEA," he began. "Come from not Chinese medicine, but from local Indian tribe. They crush up the seeds and husky part of the yellow centre to form a natural medicine. You put crushed powder into hot water and let mix with steam. The steam help clear Little Joe's lungs and take away aches and pains."
 

Adam and the rest of the family were all for any sort of remedy that might make a difference. At the moment, when everything else was failing, they could not afford to become complacent. They needed to count any suggestion as a plausible cure.
 

Paul Martin was willing to use the strange sounding herb as well but he had a couple of questions first "Are there any side effects we should know about, Hop Sing?" he asked.

"Not for Little Joe," Hop Sing answered "Put powder and petals in hot water and put towel over head and bowl. Towel help to keep the fumes in. Not put near animals food or water though. ECHINACEA not good for livestock or wild animals. Only good for humans."
 

Hop Sing went about showing how Ben and Paul were to crush the lavender colored flowers and extract the precious yellow powder from inside. Adam and Hoss busied themselves by getting the bowls of hot water and towels ready for the steam treatment.
 

When everything was ready to begin everyone assembled in Little Joe's bedroom. Hop Sing saw that there was a small problem they needed to overcome. Little Joe was so weak from his illness that he lacked the strength to sit himself upright enough for the treatment to be effective.