"Malcolm, wait." In the blink of an eye, Doc has propped himself up just high enough on one elbow to reach over to grab Malcolm by his slender arm. There's a lot to unpack between what Doc said and what Malcolm said. Things to do with relationships where there is some level of dependencies involved, around the cowboys' self-medicating ways, and where they tragically believe they're all falling short of each other when they are so much more than the mere, paltry sum of all their glaring flaws.

Doc might not have known exactly what was said or where they stand, but he wants to salvage this regardless. Something good has to come of this town. And a life lived in fear, of hurting others or of not being accepted full of flaws and all, is not a life that was worth living at all.

"None of us have seen each other at our worst. We have not yet said something we cannot take back in the heat of the moment. We cannot know how anyone else would react. You need space to let a door open or you'll get smacked in the face. Just- give him that time, and space." Doc slowly lets go, folding an arm under his head as he lies back down.

"You are always free to come and go as you please. But if you leave now without at least reassuring him that no harm was done and that you would be around when he is ready, that door will never open." Doc would help them as best they can, but this is a door he cannot open for them.