The Test Of Time

Disclaimer: as usual, just taking them out to play. Will put them back, when I'm done,

The Streets of Dodge were extremely quiet, more so than usual. About all you could hear is the sound of an occasional coyote howl. It was August and this was sometimes normal for this time of year in Kansas. Matt was doing rounds but they went fairly quick. Most of the shop owners closed up early. Even the Long Branch was slow. That was normally Matt's last stop. The doors were still open.

"Sam, looks like our streets folded-up out there."

"Sure been quiet in here too, Marshal." Sam said continuing to clean glasses. "Miss Kitty's in the office. Shall I call her?"

"No, I'll go in." Matt walked through the door.

Kitty was locking up the safe. "Well, now. Back so soon, Cowboy?"

"Yeah, Kit, it's a ghost town out there."

Laughing, she continued to put things away. "Oh, Matt. How about a night cap?"

"Ok, but under one condition."

"Oh? Conditions on night caps now, huh?" Smiling at him.

"Only when it's with my favorite gal?" He said as he wrapped his arms around her waist and nibbled her neck.

"Matt, Sam could come in."

Still nibbling, he mumbled, "And?"

"Oh, you. Wait right here."

As she pulled free. "Yes, Ma'am. Right here." Flashing her his boyish grin.

Kitty walked out to the bar room. "Sam?"

"Yes, Miss Kitty?"

"Sam, leave this till morning. Go on lock up. All this can wait. You're tired. It's so hot."

"OK, Miss Kitty. I know you have an early morning and a long day ahead of you."

"Good night, Sam."

"Good night, Miss Kitty."

Kitty entered the office, looked around. Matt wasn't there. "Oh, that man. Where on earth is he now?"
Just shaking her head. She grabbed a bottle of brandy from the shelf and went up the back stairs. As she went into her rooms, still no sign of Matt.

Taking a deep breath and jaws tight, "What am I going to do with this man? I don't know but I'm starting to get a few damn ideas." She began undoing the cuffs on her sleeves and suddenly she felt her body spin and Matt caught her in his arms.

"I'd be interested to hear some of those ideas, Miss Russell."

"Matt Dillon, you scared me half to death. He was laughing. "You're not funny. She said, still trying to yell at him.

"Did I ever tell you, you are so beautiful when you're mad?"

"Really? Is that a fact?"

Pulling her into a kiss, "Yes, Ma'am. That's a fact."

Still not giving in, she said, "I guess, I'll have to remember that for future reference."

"Awe now, Honey." Kissing her again. "Here let me help you out of this.' trying to unbutton her pearl buttons on her blouse. After a minute, He rolled his eyes and he said, "I'll make you a deal, you do this while I do this."

And continued to kiss her neck and ears.

"And you think this is gonna work, do you?"

"I'm hopin'."

"Ohhh, Matt."

"Kit, honey, do you suppose if I keep doing this…"

"Yeah?"

"If I keep doin' this, maybe you'll change your mind and not go tomorrow?"

"Cowboy, I have to go. This trip, its business."

"Besides, if I had done this, would it have worked? Well, Kit, you know you can't say no to the law."

"Oh, but I can to my business?"

"Had to try, didn't I?" He said with a grin.

"It won't be long. I'll be back before you know it."

"How long?" He asked.

Smiling, "Long enough for you to miss me."

"Kit, seriously."

"One and a half weeks, two at the most."

"Oh, ok. Well, come 'ere, woman. Tonight you're all mine."

"Cowboy, don't you know by now, I'm your's every night and always."

Suddenly, Matt looked up. Kitty relieved herself of the remainder of her clothes. He was still amazed that he couldn't get enough of the beautiful redhead before him.

"Well, Cowboy? You gonna stand there, or you gonna kiss me?"

"Oh, I'm gonna do more than that." He said picking her up and gently placing her in their bed. Tonight he was going to show Kitty, just how much he was going to miss her. Over and over and over again!

The hot August sun streaked thru the window, just above the Long Branch slightly after dawn as it came through and shined in across the two people entwined together as one.

Kitty's sultry voice said, "Good morning, Cowboy."

Moving ever so slightly. "Yes it is and what a fantastic night it was too. Kit, I'm…"

"Matt, please. Don't. It's hard enough. I'll be back before you know it. And besides you'll be so busy, you'll hardly notice I'm not here."

"I'll notice."

"Come on, buy me breakfast before I go."

After breakfast, Matt walked Kitty to the depot. Festus walked up. "Miz Kitty, I put your bags on board."

"Thank you, Festus."

"Don't you worry none, I'll take good care of Matthew fur ya."

Matt smirked. "What? Am I a child?"

Kitty smiled. "Thank you, Festus, I appreciate that."

"All aboard." The conductor yelled.

"Well, Cowboy, see you real soon."

Matt leaned close. "Look for it, ok?"

Furrowing her brow. "What?"

"The light."

"The light." She repeated.

"Our light, Kit. It will be on for you till you come home to me."

Her eyes filled with tears. "You bet I will." She blew him a kiss from the stairs of the train as it pulled away…

TBC