Elizabeth was moving slowly up the lane from leaving Annabelle's house when she saw Shell coming up the street walking with a sure step, a dark look on his face. He'd not yet seen her and before he looked up he turned aside and stepped into the Silver Bar saloon. It wasn't his destination that made her pause, nor the look on his face but the dark stains on his shirt and sleeves. Blood. She knew it wasn't his, he was walking too easily to be injured, so that must mean...She turned around and headed toward Isaac Wellington's office. He was the local doctor, and if Victor Bayne was injured and still alive, Isaac would be tending him.

The bell on his office door jingled pleasantly as she entered, and through the next room Elizabeth caught sight of a pale form lying on a clean bed, young Timmy perched nearby. Wellington came in through the doorway that led to the kitchen drying his hands. He smiled when he recognized her.

"Evening Missus Morgan, you alright?"

"Fine Doctor, I just happened to see my husband and I thought, I hoped," her eyes strayed back to the other room.

"Yes, Victor," Isaac quietly went to the door and pulled it closed before turning back to her. "He's pretty bad off Missus Morgan, he's been shot in the back, and he's lost more blood than I think he can spare. That said, he's still alive and I've done what I can for him. If he manages to beat the fever and avoid a nasty infection, he might pull through."

"I see," and she did, clearly. "What about Timmy? Where is he going to sleep tonight, who's going to care for him until Victor is able?"

"I have a spare room," Isaac indicated another door, "but I don't think the boy will leave his pa's side. He's been here all afternoon."

"Thank you, Doctor, I'd like to come by in the morning, to check on them both,"

"Sure," he smiled, holding the outer door open for her. "I'm sure they'd take kindly to that."

Remembering her word to Judith, Elizabeth did not head home but walked along to the lane that ran between the marshal's office and the barber shop. Turning right she walked behind Wellington's office into the open space of housing and saw the Hauer's home, a neat little cottage-style building with a small white picket fence lined with flowers. She entered the yard, greeting the small dog that ran up to her, yapping happily. The front door opened and Abe Hauer stood framed in the doorway. His face lit into a pleased smile when he saw who it was.

"Evening Missus Morgan, Judith said you'd be stoppin' by."

"Good evening Abraham how are you?" she asked, straightening up from the leaping attention of the canine.

"I'm a happy man Missus Morgan, a right happy man, but I suspect Judith will want to tell you about that. I'm off for a bit, let you two womenfolk chat in private. Evenin' ma'am."

Elizabeth let him pass and walked up the steps, tapping lightly on the door as she entered.

"Judith, it's Elizabeth!" she called.

"Come in! I'm in the kitchen!" the friendly call came back.

Elizabeth entered the brightly painted and well lit kitchen and couldn't help but smile. Yellow paint colored the walls, printed over with small flickers of red, blue, and white, depicted in butterflies and flowers, stenciled on the walls. It was a cheerful and comfortable room. Judith turned around glowing with joy, a tray of freshly baked cookies in her hands.

"I'm so glad you could come! I've been busting at the seams to tell someone, but I wanted you to be the first, after Abe of course."

"Of course, husbands should always come first," Elizabeth couldn't quite keep all the bitterness from her tone, but fortunately Judith didn't hear it.

The woman sat down next to Elizabeth and grabbed her hand tightly, her bright green eyes sparkling.

"We're going to have a baby!" She burst the words out, laughter bubbling from her as she overflowed with joy.

Elizabeth had prepared herself for this announcement, knowing from somewhere deep inside her this was what Judith had wanted to tell her. She took a deep breath and smiled widely, happy for her friend. She threw her arms around Judith and hugged her tightly.

"That's wonderful Judith! I'm so happy for you, for you and Abraham. He must be so proud!"

"Oh he almost blew the ceiling off when I told him this morning! He's been wanting children for such a long time, and we just haven't been able to. I was worried it was me, but then...I mean, soon we'll be parents!"

Elizabeth let her tears come to her eyes, knowing Judith would mistake them for tears of joy. She sat and talked with the overjoyed mother-to-be, sharing passed-on knowledge and comforting her over future concerns. It was well after seven before she finally got up, squeezing Judith's hand.

"I am so happy for you both Judith, really. It's wonderful news."

"Thank you, Elizabeth. That means a lot." She paused briefly "I hope you'll come to the party in three weeks, and tell the Marshal he's welcome too."

Elizabeth smiled and nodded her head.

"I'll tell him, and we'll be there, I promise."

She left with the promise to visit again soon. The moon was up and shone brightly down on the darkened streets of La Ciudad, and Elizabeth paused, letting the feelings of complete emptiness wash over her. In the dark street next to the marshal's office, she leaned against the wall, covering her face with her hands, tears falling freely, silent and painful. She was still leaning there when a gentle hand closed over her shoulder. She cried out and jerked away, her heart leaping into her throat.

"Missus Morgan, are you alright?" his voice was smooth, concerned.

"Oh, Felix, yes..." she wiped her eyes hastily, turning away. "I am quite alright."

He took a clean handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her, waiting as she wiped her eyes and softly blew her nose.

"A woman like you should never shed tears of grief," he said softly. "It doesn't suit you."

Elizabeth straightened her shoulders, a flash of pride sparking a touch of anger inside her.

"You assume much Mister Wheaton-" she began, but he cut her off.

"There's no need to become indignant ma'am, I am not trying to insult you." His voice was placating, gentle. "I was in the saloon when Hauer announced Judith's condition. I sympathize with your distress. I too have always wanted children, and never had any."

She dabbed her eyes with the soft cloth again, eyeing the man in the dark. How could he know she wanted children? She tried to remember if she'd ever mentioned wanting a family, but couldn't recall.

"It seems that you are missing a required element, Felix." She countered softly. "A man should be married first."

"Yes, indeed," he looked directly into her eyes. "A man should find the right woman, marry her, and have as many children as she wants. Don't you agree?"

Elizabeth suddenly felt she was being led along, almost deceived into saying something she shouldn't, so she shrugged daintily.

"It is something settled privately, between a man and his wife." She said quietly, offering his cloth back.

"Keep it," Felix told her. "it looks better drying your tears than sitting useless in my pocket."

"Well, I really should be going, it's late." Elizabeth started walking again and Wheaton fell in step with her.

"It's dark out Elizabeth, let me escort you safely home."

She glanced over at him the words in her mouth when he saw her lips move and lifted his hands in a gesture of apology.

"Pardon my error, Missus Morgan. Do forgive me," he smiled at her warmly. "I simply feel so at ease with you."

She said nothing to that, and in silence they walked back to the small house she shared with her husband, Felix's hand on her elbow. At the porch light he stopped and turned to face her, leaving his fingers on her arm.

"I'm hosting a party this Saturday evening, music, dancing, potluck meals. I'd be pleased if you can attend, Missus Morgan."

"That's very kind Felix," she was wanting to go inside, but etiquette directed her to remain civil, polished. "I'll ask Asahel, I'm sure we'd be delighted."

"Wonderful," his tone shifted slightly, "if his duties as our law officer prevent his appearance, please, come anyway. I will make sure you do not sit alone all night."

"Thank you, goodnight Mister Wheaton," she opened her door and stepped through.

"Good night, ma'am." His voice came as she closed the door, and Elizabeth watched him through the window as he walked away, whistling quietly.