Disclaimer: I did not invent theses characters. I do not profit from them. I just like to make up stuff.

The story refers to season 8 episode called "The Way It Is" and takes place about a little less than a year later.

It was mid-morning when Matt Dillon quickly finished his coffee, and walked out of a stage depot into the sunshine. He was on the last leg of a trip home to Dodge from Topeka, where he had testified at a trial, and was eager to get going. He would have traveled there and back by horseback, but was recovering from a stab wound to his left shoulder. Doc had actually been pleased when he learned that Matt had to go to Topeka, figuring that with nothing to do but testify at a trial the marshal would be forced to rest and let his shoulder heal. As much as Kitty disliked Matt being away from Dodge, she had to admit that Doc had a point.

Matt was enjoying the spring air as he waited until the last possible second before getting into the stage. The seating did not make for comfortable sitting for a man of his height and leg length. He was deep in thought as he waited for the others to emerge from the building.

The trial had been predictably short. John Maxwell was a cold-blooded murderer and the evidence had been overwhelming. After 10 minutes of deliberation, the jury found him guilty of murder and the judge sentenced him to hang. Matt left right after the trial. He had no desire to witness a hanging, and was eager to get back to a certain beautiful redhead in time for a special occasion.

Matt was warmed by the very thought of Kitty. They had been a couple for a number of years, and while they had had their ups and downs, even the down times seemed to bring them closer. Matt thought back to his last trip to Topeka, almost a year ago. Kitty had been justifiable upset when he yet again had to cancel plans because of his job. That time missing one of the biggest social events in Dodge. While Matt was gone, Kitty had met a very charming man named Ab Bellum and attended the social event with him. By the time Matt got back, Bellum's violent, jealous and possessive nature had asserted itself with frightening force. Matt soon found himself in a position where had no choice but to shoot the man to protect Kitty and defend himself. After it happened, he and Kitty had talked long into the night, reaching a new level of understanding and appreciation of one another.

Matt smiled to himself knowing that the stage would arrive in Dodge that evening, and even if it was a few hours late he'd still be home before tomorrow, Kitty's birthday. He was pleased with the gift he had purchased in Topeka. He had never given Kitty a gift quite like it, but he knew it was just the thing he wanted her to have.

Folks were finally coming out of the building. Some passengers were changing stagecoaches, and others heading off from there by horse or wagon. Two new passengers, a man and a woman, emerged from the building. Matt watched as the man helped the woman into the stage and then followed her; they were obviously traveling together. The man, who looked to be of middle age, was so extravagantly dressed and carefully groomed that his appearance spoke volumes about his vanity. The woman was elegantly dressed and probably in her twenties, although it was hard to tell with certainty, because she was wearing a hat with a veil that covered most of her face.

Hank, the stagecoach driver, stood beside Matt, "Ready? It's just those two and you." Matt nodded. He got in and sat across from the couple, allowing his coat to cover his badge. He wanted to avoid any possible conversations about being a lawman in the wild west.

As the stage stared to move, the man introduced himself and the woman as Mr. and Mrs. William Dale. Matt nodded and said "How do," noting that there was something off putting about the man, and odd about the woman. She never lifted the veil from her face, and as far as Matt could tell never lifted her eyes to look at him.

After a couple of minutes Dale spoke again, "We're heading to Dodge. You must be too." Matt nodded and Dale continued, "I'm hoping to become reacquainted with someone I haven't seen for almost a dozen years. Her name is Kitty Russell, at least it was back then. I understand she lives in Dodge."

Matt looked at the man and decided give him the facts that he could easily get, as soon as they arrived in Dodge, "Kitty Russell is a respected business woman in Dodge. She owns the finest saloon in town. It's called the Long Branch."

An odd smile briefly crossed Dale's face as he said, "Isn't that interesting? I can't wait to introduce her to my wife."

Matt didn't respond. Having no desire to continue the conversation, he pulled his hat down over his eyes and pretended to sleep for the rest of the trip.

Late Afternoon Dodge City

Kitty was in her room getting ready for the evening crowd that would begin streaming into the Long Branch in an hour or so. Her eyes rested on a telegram that was on her vanity table. It was the wire from Matt letting her know that the trial was over and he would be back Tuesday evening – this evening. She was delighted that he'd be back in time for them to celebrate her birthday the next day.

As she arranged her hair, Kitty thought back to the time Matt had traveled to Topeka 10 months before. The trip meant that he again had to cancel a date with her because of his job, and she had been angry and hurt. That's when she met Ab Bellum. As she later explained to Matt, she had been flattered by Ab's attention at a time when she felt vulnerable, but never gave him any indication that she was serious about him. When Ab had become possessive, violent and threatening it had shocked and frightened her. Matt had been forced to shoot Bellum, and as much as Matt had reassured her that it was in no way her fault, Kitty still felt some guilt about his death. After all, if she hadn't agreed to go to the sociable with him, the whole mess would have been avoided and the man might still be alive. Matt had told her again and again that Ab's death was the result of the man's own problems, not her actions.

Kitty looked at herself in the mirror thinking about it all. After Ab's death she and Matt had really talked, and reaffirmed their love for one another. Kitty smiled as she thought of Matt – there had been a time in her life when she was sure that it would be impossible for a man like Matt, a good man, to love her.

Kitty had finished fixing her hair, and opened a jewelry box. After selecting earrings and a necklace she slammed the box shut. As the lid came down hard, something fell out, hitting the table with a loud clink. Looking towards the sound Kitty blanched and gasped out loud. Lying on the table was a man's ring. A thick, gold band with an ornate insignia on top. She had forgotten about that ring. It must have been caught in a tear in the lining of the jewelry box, and sat there for years. Barely touching the ring, she lifted it with two fingers and quickly dropped it into the box as if it scorched her skin. She left her room to go downstairs.

TBC