Bonanza: "His Father's Son."

Chapter Eight

A few days later, it's time for Joe and Alice to return back home to Virginia City. Alice waits outside the Sheriff's Office with Adam and Emily while Joe is inside.

Joe walks up to the holding cell and sees Phineas laying down on the bunk bed. He looks up and sees Joe and then gives a soft chuckle as he sits up and tells him. "You know despite everything that happened..I did like you, Joe." Joe continues to glare at him as he then asks him. "Why?" "Like I told your brother, Joe, it's all just business." Phineas tells him. "Did you really think you could become a big success on your own? You always had everything handed to you. You never would make it out in the real world, not without someone getting you there." "That's where you're wrong." Joe tells him. "I may not have had to work as hard as my Pa did to get where he is. But he taught me a lot of things. He taught me decency, dignity, and respect. Unlike you, my Pa didn't lie and cheat his way into being a big success. He had character and a lot of faith. Maybe if you would have given all of that a chance, you wouldn't need to lie or cheat or steal from people to get what you want. I don't feel anger towards you anymore, only pity. I'm sorry you can't see that there are still good people in this world." Joe turns as he puts his hat back on but then stops and turns his head back around to him and asks in curiosity. "What is your real name?" Phineas doesn't respond and Joe scoffs a bit and then says. "You know I don't think you can even remember, can you? I mean, how could you? I don't think you even know who you are anymore. I hope you find him again someday." Joe then turns and walks out of the jail.

Joe walks out of the Sheriff's Office as Adam, Emily and Alice wait next to the stagecoach. Adam comes up to him and asks him. "Are you alright?" Joe gives a small smile and nods as he replies. "Yeah." He then pats Adam's shoulder as they walk over to Alice and Emily. Alice is holding Sara Marie in her arms while Emily has A.J. in his carriage. Adam then remarks to Joe. "Well, the prodigal son returns." Joe chuckles a bit as he says. "Yeah, except now I'm broke. Thanks for lending me the money for the stage." "It's no problem." Adam says. "You can pay me back whenever you get back on your feet again, which may take a couple of years, but!" Joe shakes his head and smirks as Adam then says. "I am willing to wait." "Thanks." Joe says. Adam then tells him. "I did wire Pa and told him what happened. I'm sorry, Joe, but I had to." Joe sighs as he responds. "I know. I'd rather fight those two fellas in the saloon than face him." "Well, he may surprise you." Adam tells him. Joe then says. "Yeah, but you know that look Pa gives us when he's angry, you remember that look I'm talking about, don't you?" Adam remembers and then gives an uneasy look as he shutters and replies. "Don't remind me." Joe chuckles and Adam then tells him. "I know you think the Ponderosa wasn't for you, but I think you're wrong." Joe looks at him in intrigue as Adam continues. "I've seen how hard you've worked over the years and if anyone is qualified to take over for Pa someday, it's you. It's your calling, Joe, don't run away from it." Joe looks down and doesn't respond when Adam then tells him. "You know, Pa was going to leave the Ponderosa to one of us someday and I think it's gonna be you, Joe." "What about Hoss?" Joe asks. "Well, I have no doubt that Hoss would have been able to do it, but I think he would agree, you're the better man for the job, you've more than proven it. You're not a boy anymore, Joe. You're a man. A good man." Adam tells him and then says to him. "And he would be proud of you." Joe struggles to hold back tears as he pulls Adam into an embrace. Joe then pulls away and tells him. "You should come out and visit us sometime." "I will." Adam replies. "And you're welcome back here anytime." Joe smiles and then says. "Bye, Adam." "Bye." Adam says back to him and Joe then turns and opens the stage door and Alice hands Sara over to Joe and he takes her hand while holding Sara with the other and helps her onto the stage. He then hands Sara back over to her and then hops onto the stage himself and Adam closes the door behind him. The stagecoach then takes off as Joe and Alice wave and Adam waves back at them and then puts his arm around Emily as he watches them ride off back to Virginia City.