Disclaimer - I don't own these characters, I didn't create them, I don't make money from them - I just like to make up stories.

Writer's note - I wanted to write a story that had Doc as the main catalyst but still had Matt/Kitty relationship as a strong component. It hasn't been easy for me but I realized that if I didn't put it up, I'd give up so here is my start. Comments - thoughts - criticisms appreciated.

Nate Stella was on a stage coach to Dodge City, Kansas. He was confident and pleased that when he arrived he would at last see justice done. He was only 26 years old, but had spent twenty years wanting this.

He thought about his young boyhood. His remembered his mother - always smiling and so beautiful. His parents were always laughing and hugging each other and hugging him. When he was 6 years old, they told him he was going to be a big brother.

Then disaster struck.

He remembered hearing his ma cry out in pain, and his pa telling him to go sit with his mama while he went to find help. Papa had heard that a doctor was visiting Fort Jackson and he would go and get him.

Nate remembered his pa's words, "Be brave Nate. Hold your mama's hand, and be with her. I'll be back soon."

Twenty years later, Nate could still hear his mama's screams of agony in his head. He had tried to hold her hand as she screamed and thrashed about. It seemed like she didn't know he was there. He remembered sobbing as he tried to hold her hand saying, "mama, mama."

After a long time his pa returned with a doctor. The doctor went right inside the house and his papa sent Nate to wait outside. The screaming continued for a long time, and then it stopped. It was quiet.

Nate had crept inside quietly to see his mama and the baby. His papa was standing there looking angrier that Nate had ever seen him. "What do you mean she's dead and you couldn't save the baby?"

Nate couldn't hear what the doctor said, but he heard papa yell, "Get out just get out. Doctor Adams, you will pay for this."

Time went on and Nate waited for his pa to make Doctor Adams pay for what he had done. He wanted his pa to punish the doctor, but it didn't happen. After ma and the baby were buried, pa started drinking more and more and letting the farm run down. When Nate was 12 his pa died of drink and heartbreak. Nate never understood why pa didn't make the doctor answer for what he had done.

After his pa died Nate had been taken in by the local preacher and his wife. They taught him to read and write, but what he really wanted learn was how to handle a gun. He ran away when he was 16, earned money doing this and that, bought himself a gun and learned how to handle it real good. His goal in life was to make Doctor Adams pay. He had spent a lot of time thinking about it. He knew that just killing the man wouldn't do. It had to be more than that.

He was sorry that he had already killed one Doctor Adams along with his wife and child, but it was an innocent mistake. It was common name after all. Some further research told him that he was looking for a Doctor Galen Adams, who lived in Dodge City. He had already sent a letter to the man to scare him so the suffering could begin. Now he was on his way to fulfill his papa's words.

Dodge City

It was after midnight when Matt Dillon pushed the batwing doors of the Long Branch open and entered.

Sam was behind the counter cleaning with his back to the bar, "Sorry, we are closed."

Matt leaned on the bar, "Think you can find one more beer for a weary traveler."

Sam recognizing the voice turned and smiled, "Sorry Marshal, didn't know it was you. One beer coming right up. Oh, and Miss Kitty is in the back, she'll be right out."

Matt picked up the beer and took a deep swallow, "Thanks Sam, you look about finished. Go on home, I'll help Kitty lock up."

Sam nodded gratefully and left as Kitty walked out of her office looking at some papers, "Sam, you go on home."

"I already sent him home."

Hearing Matt's voice, Kitty looked up and smiled. Tossing her papers aside she walked quickly to him "Matt what a nice surprise. I didn't expect you until tomorrow."

Matt took her in his arms, "Well, I finished what I had to do sooner than expected and decided to ride right out instead of spending the night and heading out in the morning. You see there's this red head I was kinda eager to see."

Having Matt home sooner than expected was a rare gift and his words warmed her heart. She kissed him lightly on the lips, "Help me finish locking up and we'll go upstairs. You know Cowboy, I might even be able to find some supper for you. How does beef jerky and an old can of beans sound?"

Matt laughed, "Familiar, very familiar."

They locked the doors and went upstairs together, Kitty got out some cold chicken, bread and apple pie. As Matt was devouring the food he asked, "How have things been around here? I stopped by the office, but Festus was asleep and I didn't want to disturb him."

"Things have been real quiet Matt. We had a few days of such hot weather that I think people were just too hot to do anything." Kitty paused remembering something, "There is one thing Matt. Doc – Yesterday he got a letter. Festus gave it to him in the Long Branch. Doc read it and he just turned white as a sheet, stood up and left without a word. I've never seen Doc looking so shaken. I tried to talk to him about it later, but he wouldn't say anything."

"Kitty, it's hard to believe that Doc would be in any trouble. Tell you what. I'll talk to him about it first thing in the morning. Right now, there is the red head I mentioned. I think she needs some help undressing, and then I'd like to see what I can do to put a smile on her face."

"Matt Dillon you are one helpful man."