The sheriff quickly opened the door, not really sure what he expected. The first thing he noticed was the crumpled figure on the floor. He began to walk towards it when he saw the white faces of Joe and Hoss each tied to a chair. He hurried over and untied them. Hoss nearly ran the doctor over going to his father, and Little Joe immediately went to the broken figure's side, whom the sheriff now had no doubt that it was Adam. He looked over to where Hoss was untying his father. Ben was completely silent. His eyes never leaving the sight of the battered body of his eldest son. As soon as Hoss undid the last knot, Ben was at Adam's side. Tears were streaming down his face. The Doctor watched concerned. He held little hope for Adam. He assumed by everyone's reaction that he was already dead. He was worried that Ben would need a heavy sedative before everything was said and done. He shook his head as he walked by the body of Collier. Why did everything have to happen this way? If Ben had is it come to me in the first place.... He let the thought trail off. When will people learn that taking the law into their own hands only causes more trouble? Despite what people think, it's never worth it.

~BZ~

Ben rocked the still form back and forth. "It's okay Adam. It's okay boy," he whispered. There was no response. Hoss and Joe stood in shocked silence. Why had this happened to their brother? Had the sheriff not informed them of Collier's death they would have both been after him.

Ben looked down into the face of his firstborn and gasped. Adam's eyes were open and looking at him. Adam's lips formed a silent "Pa" before leaping back into unconsciousness.

The Sheriff turned to Joe, about to suggest he go get the Doctor, but he was already out the door.

"Ben, please, let me help." The sheriff offered. The father didn't seem to notice.

"Here let me try." Hoss said, kneeling down by his father. Doing his best to ignore the blood on the floor seeping into his clothing. "Pa, Little Joe went to go get the Doc. We should probably get Adam up to his room."

When there was still no response, Hoss gently moved Ben's hands away from Adam. At first Ben tried to protest, but in the end, he relinquished Adam into Hoss' strong arms.

~BZ~

Hop Sing was worried. He had heard gunshots. Hop Sing had seen enough in his life to know the silence of death. He could sense it lurking. Whether it had already taken a life or was about to, he didn't know. He should have stayed at the house. After everything that had happened he should have stayed at the house. The sheriff had warned him in town of the danger this Collier produced. He should have come back as soon as he heard. But, he had waited. Finishing his many errands in town before returning to the ranch.

He had only returned from California a few days ago. He had been informed of the Drummond incident, but even without the details he could see that something was bothering Adam. Hop Sing had awoken to find the note. He could guess what it was about. He knew how Ben felt about his sons, knew how heartbroken he would be. He shouldn't have left, town could have waited. But, he had put aside his better judgement and headed to town before Ben had even woken up. He was relieved when the house came into sight.

He stopped the wagon, not bothering to tend to the horses or supplies. As he approached the house he saw a man lying dead. He opened the door. Ben Cartwright was being helped up by the sheriff, a pool of blood all around him. The Chinaman rushed to his employer, and friend, Ben Cartwright, fearing he was injured in some way. The Sheriff looked at Hop Sing and motioned with his head for him to go upstairs. Hop Sing hastily obeyed the silent command. Heading upstairs he heard a quiet whispering. He followed the voice to where Hoss was whispering encouraging words to a very injured Adam. As Hop Sing entered the room he wondered, if before the night was over, not one, but two lives would be snatched away by the claws of death.

~BZ~

The Doctor ran up the stairs. If the amount of blood on the floor was any indicator, he was surprised the boy was still alive. When he reached Adam's room he was relieved to find the boy still alive, if only barely. Hop Sing had already begun cleaning the wounds, but Hoss was sitting beside the bed, holding Adam's hand and whispering unknown words.

"Hoss, I need you to leave now." Hoss looked up as if realizing the Doctor for the first time.

"But Doc," he started. He was cut off by the Doctors rushed words.

"Hoss, I need to work now. Please leave."

Hoss sighed and reluctantly left the room. The Doctor knew he had his work cut out for him. Checking Adam's injuries he discovered several broken ribs, but before he could set them he came to the realization that the bullet in Adam's shoulder had already caused an infection. The ribs would have to wait. He gave Hop Sing orders and prepared for surgery.

~BZ~

Joe didn't think he had ever seen his father so upset. Shock was more like it. When he had returned with Doctor Martin, Joe had fully intended to follow the Doctor to his big brother's room. However, after seeing the state his Pa was in, he decided it would be best to stay with him. Going up would have been pointless anyway as Hoss made his way down the steps nearly immediately following the Doctor's ascent. The Sheriff had gone to deal with Collier's body, leaving the boys alone with their Pa. Joe tried to talk to Ben. When that failed he sent pleading looks at Hoss, who just shrugged. Joe looked at the clock, eight-thirty The day was almost over and there was still no news of his oldest brother. Though he would never admit it, Joe loved his brother. He respected him and looked up to him. Joe got so frustrated sometimes when Adam would seem to be the perfect child while Joe was always in trouble. Those few moments when they thought Adam was dead had been the most terrifying moments in his life. He had never thought of life without his older brother. Ever since Adam got back from college, Joe had gotten used to the idea that Adam would be around forever. Joe was taken out of his thoughts when the Doctor descended the stairs.

Everyone seemed to hold their breath. Even Ben seemed to be aware for the first time since the incident started. The Doctor began, "I've always been honest with both my patients and their family, and I'm not going to stop now. The damage was severe. I'll be shocked if there is no lasting damage, due to his ill treatment. However I believe he should pull through." Hoss and Joe smiled and Ben seemed to relax a little. "He still has a fever. But, as long as we can keep it down, and get him plenty of fluids to replace the blood he loss, like I said, he should pull through. I'm going to stay with him tonight. You gentlemen need sleep." and with that, the Doctor walked back up the stairs to be with his patient.

~BZ~

The dreams seemed never ending. Death. Death everywhere. What was worse, he couldn't wake up. As if someone was ensuring he could never escape the grasp of his nightmares. Fear. The same fear that had haunted him throughout his childhood. Abandonment. They seemed to run together. Abandonment was basically the same as death. Wasn't it? Through death you are separated from those you love, abandonment is almost worse. At least death isn't a choice. His mother didn't choose to die. Inger had no idea that arrow would strike when it did. Marie's horse fell with no warning. But Pa, Pa had a choice. He could choose whether to accept him or turn him away. This made his father the man he most loved and feared. In his dreams, his mothers were dying. Sometimes one by one, sometimes in one quick moment. But they always died. His father always watched. Watched and ignored his struggling son as he seemed to become buried deeper in pain. The neglect he felt after the death of all three of his mothers amplified in a fevered dream. He wanted it to stop. His body continued to deny him the relief of coherency. Suddenly his mother was there. Alive and well. She smiled at him and reached out her hand. Smiling he took a step towards her. He reached out his hand.

Sleep was impossible. How was he supposed to sleep when his boy was hurt? Ever since his kids were little he had never been able to sleep when one of them was hurt. Adam had had it rough. He had to grow up way too fast. Ben blamed himself for this. If he had been a better Father then maybe...

"Ben!" The Doctor's voice called out. Now even more panicked, he ran to Adam's room.

"What's wrong? What happened?" he basically yelled.

"I don't know," the Doctor answered quickly. "His physical state is stable. But something is causing him to slip deeper into unconsciousness. If he slips any deeper I can't guarantee that he'll wake up at all." Ben went pale. "Listen, Ben, I don't want to pry into your personal business. But whatever is going on between you and Adam needs to end. I can't help but think this has something to do with it. There's nothing I can do. I'll be right outside the door."

"But what...?" Ben started.

"Talk to him, Ben." The Doctor answered and walked out the door. Ben sighed. He looked at his son. His eldest son. So still and pale.

"You know Adam," he whispered, "you remind me so much of your mother." A small smile played on the father's lips. "So full of life. Never backing down from your convictions." He paused. "She would be so proud of who you've become. Just as I am. Regardless of what it may look like, I'm proud of you son. Very proud of you. When I thought you had left, I was terrified. Do you hear me, Adam? I was terrified of losing you like I lost your mother. Well, I won't have it. I won't have you leave like your mother did!" He was nearly shouting. "You were right, you know. Right about the law, right about Drummond. If it wasn't for you, the Ponderosa wouldn't have made it past its first year." I don't want to hurt anyone else. Just know it's not your fault, it never has been. "Adam, what happened with Drummond it's not your fault. What happened to your mother it's not your fault. Marie, Inger, it's just what happened. It was nobody's fault. Please, Adam. Please wake up. I love you." As the Father continued reassuring his unconscious son, he didn't even notice the three smiling figures watching from the doorway.

She disappeared as quickly as she appeared. He would later decide that she was never there at all. Just another illusion caused by his fevered brain. Her presence was replaced with the voice of his father. Reassuring words of forgiveness as well as an apology. A smile played on Adam's lips as he listened. His father didn't blame him for anything. He opened his eyes and looked at his father. Slowly, he moved his hand into his father's, whose hand was resting on the edge of his bed. Startled the older man looked down. "I love you too Pa." The younger man smiled.

"Well, then young man." Ben smiled back. "Glad you decided to wake up!" The unshed tears were evident in his voice.
BZ

Months had passed and Adam had made a full recovery. Ben and Adam grew a strong bond once again. The family was stronger than it had been for a long time. They helped each other, sometimes at their own risk. Whenever someone would ask why they were willing to do anything for each other, they would reply "Family is always worth it."