Disclaimer: Just taking our friends out to play, will put them back when I'm done

Targeted

PT.1

San Francisco, California

Watching the crowds of travelers gathering on the boardwalk of the train depot, in the early morning of the San Francisco station. She was dressed in the finest of west coast fashion. A deep blue traveling suit with a fine pale blue, silk shirtwaist, high collar tied at the neck and accented with a beautiful cameo broach, which was a special gift. And she wore a rather large brimmed, two-tone blue hat matched perfectly to her suit and just allowed a few small reddish auburn curls to peak out.

She gazed back and forth, watching, waiting, counting the minutes. Approaching the ticket window, she smiled. "Good morning, I'd like a ticket to Dodge City, Kansas, please."

"Round trip, Ma'am?"

Smiling slightly at the small stout man with the handlebar mustache and shaking her head, "No. One way please." Then winking slightly, "I'm going home!"

"You're just in time, Ma'am, it's coming in now." Just then, the porter came, gathering her bags.

After boarding the train, she sat back resting her head against the seat, leaning towards the window, thinking about how much she wanted to be home. Home in Dodge with her family. Smiling at the thought, she knew that in her heart, Doc Festus, Newly and Sam, they were all more her family then any blood family could ever be. And then her thoughts went to her cowboy. Inhaling a long deep breath, closing her eyes, "Oh, Cowboy. Oh, how I need to hold you, have you hold me."

She had enjoyed the wedding, seeing her friend and had a successful business deal. But then her thoughts went back to two days before, just after the wedding. She had returned to her hotel and thought she'd recognized someone in the lobby. Thinking to herself, "Ummm, I know it's been several years but I never forget a face.

Later, just after she was about to turn in for the night, she heard what sounded like a cry for help. Jumping up, throwing on her robe, entering the hall again, she heard the cries. Realizing it was coming from the next room, she hurried to the door. As she opened it, on the floor was a young girl in tattered clothes and blood trickling from her head. But two figures were running through the adjoining room. Tilting her head, Kitty furrowed her brow and thought about the faces she'd seen earlier.

Bringing her attention back to the girl, she tried to calm her. "Sssshhhh. I've got you. You're going to be alright." Kitty held her in her arms. Suddenly, the hotel clerk showed up in the doorway along with several others. Looking up at them, she yelled. "Get a doctor and the sheriff!"

After getting her into bed, Kitty sat calming the young woman. In a weakened state, the girl said, "Thank you, Ma'am."

"No need. Did you know those people?"

"I'm not sure. It was dark. I thought I heard a voice then someone grabbed me from behind. I couldn't breathe." She began sobbing heavily, shaking her head.

"It's alright. You're safe now." Kitty soothed, brushing the hair from her face. "What's your name?"

"Sheila, Sheila Manning. It's my first time in San Francisco."

"Sheila, how old are you?"

Swallowing hard, it was hard to speak from be choked. "I'm nineteen, Ma'am."

"It's Kitty, Kitty Russell."

"Well, Miss Russell." A voice sounded as a man was now entering the room. "I think I can handle things from here."

"Well, Sheriff… Sorry to wake you at this hour." She looked up at him with a smirk when she saw his expression. He looked annoyed to be drug from his bed at this hour.

"So, young lady, a fight with a young man?"

Kitty's head snapped up, brow arched. "WHAT? The girl was attacked!"

"Yeah, yeah…"

"No, now just wait one minute. I heard her scream from my room. When I got here, two people ran through that door. They left her here on the floor bleeding. She was hit on the head and choked."

Huffing out a breath, the sheriff asked, "Name?"

Now crying, "Sheila Manning."

"Where you from, Miss?"

"Well, I… I..."

"Look, it's a simple question."

Kitty stood, hands on her hips. "SHERRIFF? Can I speak to you? Privately?"

"Ummmm, yeah." He said, walking across the room.

"I understand it's late," Kitty told him, "but this girl has been traumatized."

"Look, Ma'am…"

"Kitty, Kitty Russell."

"Didn't I see you earlier at the Business Owners conference?"

Nodding her head, "Yes. I own the Long Branch saloon in Dodge City, Kansas. Sheriff," now rolling her eyes, "look this girl is new to San Francisco. Someone attacked her here in her room. She's just a child. Now, I saw two people run from this room. She's only 19. She couldn't possibly have an enemy."

"Well, Miss Russell, did you see their faces?"

Thinking hard, "Not real clear but I think I saw one of them earlier in the lobby."

Shaking her head clear of the thoughts, watching out the window, Kitty was wishing the train to go faster. Her mind went back to Shelia. The next morning, she made sure she talked her into going to the local doctor and getting checked out. Sitting in the dining room having coffee, again Kitty thought she saw the same familiar face. She fanned through her memory, trying to place who this person was. Then she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Morning, Miss Russell. I was hoping to see you. I wanted to thank you again for last night. The clerk told me you were checking out."

"Sheila, yes, I'm returning home to Dodge City. I was here on business." While talking to the young girl, Kitty could feel eyes on them. Sheila, do you have family here? Anyone?"

Shaking her head. "No, I came here to meet up with…" Now she dropped her eyes and pouted.

"Oh, a man, huh?"

"Yeah, I'm so embarrassed."

"Don't be. You're not the first woman to follow a man across the country," tossing her head, "and won't be the last. So what are you planning to do?"

"Find a job, I guess. I can't go home." Sheila replied, still not making eye contact. "I can cook and sew. I've been to school."

Kitty was hopeful for Sheila, but was truly thinking a big city like this would eat her alive, with her being on her own. She was a small town farm girl.

"Miss Russell?" A deep voice behind bellowed out.

Without turning, Kitty answered. Sheriff?"

"Just thought it fair to tell you I took the liberty to check you out."

Surprised, "Well now, is that a fact? And?"

"I'm impressed, Ma'am."

"Oh, Sheriff?"

"Yes, with you and the company you keep."

"Was there a question?" Kitty asked him.

"Oh, no, Ma'am."

As he walked away, Kitty's eyes went back to the ones watching her. There were now additional eyes watching. "Sheila, I wish you all the best here but if you ever need anything you can always contact me in Dodge City, Kansas at the Long Branch Saloon. It's my business. I own it."

"Thank you." Sheila answered gratefully.

As Sheila stood, a man approached her. Kitty couldn't hear their conversation but she could just assume he must have been the man she had come to San Francisco to be with. As the two parted, Sheila seemed very upset but made a point to not make eye contact with Kitty. Then Kitty noticed he joined the table with the people she felt were watching her.

Leaving the hotel, Kitty headed for the sheriff's office. As she entered, she said, "Sheriff?"

Rolling his eyes, "Did I forget something?"

"Sheriff, I can't give you proof but the faces I told you about, I believe I just saw in the hotel dining room. And Sheila's male friend knows them. I know this sounds crazy…"

"Yes, Ma'am, it does."

"Look, she's a mid-west farm girl led to believe this man wanted a life with her here in a big bright new city. She gets here only to find out it's all a lie, a scam. He's not available to her. Only he don't tell her himself or not before, ummm a wife or woman finds out and…"

Throwing a hand up at her. "Oh, so you think she was attacked to scare her off?"

Nodding her head with raised brow, "Possible. But I'm thinking it could have been worse had I not showed up. Ummm, I also have the feeling I know one of them. Just can't place why and from where."

"Well, Ma'am, I can't arrest someone on a whim."

"Can't you at least keep an eye on her? She's just a kid."

He huffed out a smile. "You're somethin' else."

Back at the hotel, some people were sitting in the dining room. "Look, see you're worried about nothing. She's gone. Clerk said she checked out."

Nervously, "I know if she thinks about it long enough, she will remember me, Sweetheart. I stood within two feet of her and pointed a gun at her. That's not something one forgets easily."

Dodge City, Kansas

Doc was making his way down the boardwalk when he heard the jingle of spurs. Shaking his head, scrubbing his upper lip, he mumbled, "Sheesh, and I haven't even had my coffee yet."

"Doc? Doc, wait up. If'n ya gonna have breakfast, I'll be a goin' that way ta Delmonico's."

"NO! No, I ain't buying you breakfast!"

Festus was shaking his head. "Ya ol' scudder. I aint askin' ya ta buy me…"

Now waving his hands up. "Oh? Ya ain't, huh? Then just what is this?"

"Whal, I was a gonna see if'n Matthew…"

"Ah! Gonna get Matt to buy breakfast, huh?"

"Aw, never you mind." Festus said, turning and walking away.

Doc entered the Long Branch, looking around. He was missing his favorite redhead. She had been gone almost three weeks. It had been a business trip but she also decided to attend a friend's wedding who was getting married. Even for Kitty, this was a long time being away and she was anxious to get home.

Doc sat at a table and looked around. "Morning, Doc." Sam said as he walked over placing a tray with a hot pot of coffee and fresh pastries in front of him. The two men looked at one another then, not sure what to say, Sam started to walk away and suddenly they both, without thought, said, "This place just ain't the same."

Now looking back over his shoulder, Sam smiled. "Ah, Doc, it's just not."

"I know, I know, Sam. Any word from her?"

"Yeah, she left San Francisco a few days ago. She should be home… Well, her train should be here tomorrow."

Tugging his ear and swiping his mustache, Doc smiled. "Well, by golly that is just great news! I know one big lawman that sure will be in a much better mood." He and Sam both chuckled at that thought.

"What has you two laughing?" Matt asked as he pushed his way through the batwing doors.

"Oh," now looking over his shoulder, "Matt, join me for coffee? Sam was just telling me Kitty is due in on the train tomorrow. But I guess you know that."

"Yeah, Doc, I got a letter from her. I was gonna tell you about it."

"I guess that explains the improvement in your mood, Marshal."

Now with a twisted smirk, "Doc?"

"Matt, you can't tell me you haven't missed a certain pretty redhead."

"Ok, okay, Doc. Enough!"

"Well, Marshal, I don't have a problem saying I sure have. How about you, Sam?"

"Oh, Doc, Marshal, I'll sure be happy when Miss Kitty is back home."

Just then, Festus came in behind Matt. "I shore be plum happy ta see Miz Kitty my own self."

"Ah, who asked you?" Doc waved his hand.

"Alright you two, how about breakfast?" Matt said, rolling his eyes. "I'm buying."

"Whal, shore, Matthew."

Doc stood. "How'd I know he'd jump at that?"

Early the next morning, Doc and Matt sat in his office having coffee. Matt kept watching the clock. Doc was reading the early addition of the paper glancing over the top and smiling. "Matt, you know the saying is the same."

Furrowing his brow. "What saying?"

"The one about a watched pot. That goes for a watched clock as well. Matt, it's not going to move any faster just because you will it too."

Matt just threw a smirk his way. Just then, his head rose when a loud whistle sounded. There was no mistaking it was the arrival of the morning train. Matt quickly jumped up from his chair and grabbed his hat, heading for the door.

Doc said nothing. He just smiled, following him, watching his friend take large strides down Front Street and making sure he was at the depot to greet the one person he was missing. They all were missing her for the better part of a month. The one woman who was the light in Matt's life, and was his steady ground, his heart and his home. When he stood on the platform, and the door opened, several people departed the train.

Then suddenly, as they watched, there in the doorway, there she stood, looking around taking in the view. Then blue fixed on blue. It was as if the world froze, stood still.

He reached out his hand. "Welcome home, Kitty!"

Nodding, in her sultry voice, "Hello, Cowboy." Then lowering her voice, "I've missed you."

Doc knew from her look and his smile what she said or something to the effect.

Stepping down, Kitty looked at her friend. "Festus?"

"Ah, Miz Kitty, I shore de missed ya."

"I missed you too, Festus." She answered, hugging her friend, then turning to Doc. "Oh , Curly." Pulling him close. "I really missed you so!"

"I missed you too, Honey. Let's get you down to the Long Branch so you can relax."

"Boy, yeah, I could sure use a drink." She replied, throwing back her head and inhaling.

"You ok honey?" Doc asked as Matt watched closely.

Nodding, "Yeah, yeah. I am now. I am home!"

"Miz Kitty, I'll be gittin' yer bags." Festus told her.

The threesome headed down the street, unaware of the spying eyes watching their every move.

TBC