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

A/N: A special Thanks to all my readers and reviewers; you make this all worth doing! And to My Dear Friend Singerme,for all your help as usual you're a Sweetheart*Wink*

At Last

PT.1

His large frame filled the doorway, as he peered over the batwing doors late that night as he returned to Dodge. Seeing her sitting at a table alone, working on the days take. Suddenly, without a word, as by instinct, she slowly turned. As blue met blue, no words were needed to convey the thoughts. Then suddenly, tilting her head as she stood, looking at the man she'd loved for twenty years. "Oh Matt!"

His mind went over and over that night, thousands of times and how he could have handled it differently. He thought back to when he woke in Doc's office, after the shooting that injured his arm, and Kitty was sitting beside his bed, as she had so many times before. And he thought about when he asked just how bad things were. Her answer rung in his ears, over and over. "Cowboy, it's safe to say you can go fishing for a while and there's nothing that says you have to be a lawman." Those words stung! They burned right to his core.

Now sitting in his mountain cabin he was thinking to himself and hearing Doc's words ringing in his ears.

"Matt, you can't really tell me you're surprised. I told you one of these times she was going to just say enough is enough. Oh I'm not saying she doesn't love you." Doc scrubbed his mustache. "Good Heavens, man, it's just the opposite. She loves you too damn much. I warned you. I warned you so many times that every time something like this happens, that lady dies a little more inside and says nothing. NOT A WORD!"

"But, Doc, it's my jo…"

Swirling around, "Don't! Don't you dare. You sound like a trained monkey."

Matt heard those words over and over then mumbled, "Ahhhh, Kitty."

Dodge was now a fairly quiet town. Newly had now taken over as U.S. Marshal. Doc was winding down his practice. He had taken on an apprentice so he could retire. Hannah was still running the Long Branch. Kitty was still a silent partner, but that was between the two women.

Kitty was now in New Orleans. She had agreed to help out some friends with their business, keeping books. She didn't feel the need to work full time any longer. She had been in New Orleans about one year. As promised, she regularly stayed in touch with Doc. He let her know of all the goings on around Dodge and although she didn't directly ask, he'd let her know if he'd heard anything from Matt. Hannah also kept in touch for business reasons.

Matt occasionally made trips into town for supplies and to visit Doc, Newly and other friends.

Stopping at the Long Branch, he nodded at the proprietress.

"Well, hello, Marshal…"

"Et et. Not anymore, Hannah. That's Newly's job now."

"Sorry, old habits. How about a beer?"

"Sure."

"Wish we'd see you here more often." She added with a smile.

"Well, Hannah, it's just… well…"

Waving her hand, "I know, I know. Ghosts."

Sitting around the table were Matt, Hannah and Doc.

"So, Matt, it's good to see you."

"Yeah, Doc, good to see you too." When Hannah left the table briefly, Matt leaned close. "Say, Doc. Have you…"

Sniffing and tugging his ear and nodding. "Yeah, yeah, as a matter of fact I just got a letter yesterday."

Raising his brow, "And?"

"And what?"

"Well are you gonna make me ask?"

Nodding again, "Well, she says she's fine."

"Doc…"

"Oh, Ok. Yes, yes she asked about you and if I've heard from you, you big fool. Dag nab it, Matt, why don't you…"

Shaking his head. "Doc, you know I can't."

"I know no such a thing! You're a blame fool, that's what I know. You both are as stubborn as can be. I never in my life have seen two people that love one another like the two of you but neither of you will give or bend an inch. Least of all YOU."

"Doc, you know my rea…"

"Et et, no! No you don't, mister civilian. You don't have that tin star as an excuse anymore."

As Matt looked up at Hannah, she just put a hand on Doc's shoulder and a smirk came across her face as she was looking at Matt. "Sorry, Matt." Tilting her head.

Annoyed, Matt stood and walked out. "I have to go." Heading for Jonas' store to get his supplies.

Doc stood following him out. "Matt? Matt, wait!" As he met up with him. "Are we going to talk about this? We should you know? Or better yet, you two should. Matt, you need to. You can't leave this like this. It's not fair to Kitty or you too."

Now he dropped his eyes and head. "Ah, Doc, I know, but…"

Doc was now turning and turning to walk away. As Doc headed for the boardwalk, he fell to his knees clutching his chest. "Matt…?"

"Doc!" Quickly grabbing the elderly man, he quickly yelled for Newly. Several came running, carrying him to the doctor's office.

It was early morning. Kitty sat having coffee reading the morning paper and getting ready for the day when a tap on the door and a soft voice interrupted her alone time.

"I'm sorry, Kitty, this just came by messenger. It looks important."

"Thanks, Lee."

Opening the message, Kitty read the note.

Miss Kitty Russell, New Orleans, Louisiana

Doc Adams, very ill. Stop. Urgent you return. Stop. A.S.A.P.

Hannah Dobbs

Now shocked, crumbling the piece of paper tears began filling her eyes. "Oh, Curly. Hold on. Hold on please. I'll be there as quick as I can."

Writing a return note:

Hannah Dobbs, Long Branch Saloon Dodge City Kansas

Will be arriving 12:10 Stage, Wed. Stop.

Kitty Russell

As she was hurrying to pack, Lee looked at Kitty. "Honey, is there anything I can do?"

Shaking her head. "No, no, Lee. I knew this day would come so I guess it's time to do this and get it over with." Then turning and picking up the bundle in the bed beside her. "Jamison Matthew Dillon Russell, Dodge City is in for a surprise."

TBC