Disclaimer: I do not own or profit from these characters or stories. I just like to make stuff up. This story takes its beginning from the TV episode "The Foundling" which was written by Jim Byrnes, but goes in a different direction.

Author's Note: This story is not true to canon, I repeat – not true to canon.

It was night and Matt was riding wearily home to Dodge. His back ached and his left arm was getting stiff from trying to keep the small bundle that rested in his forearm from getting bounced about. He straightened that arm ever so slightly as he for the umpteenth time, reviewed the event that had set him on this journey.

Eli and MayLee Baines had come to town for the first time in months, and were warmly welcomed. As Eli exchanged greetings with folks, it was obvious that he was feeling proud and happy, and he had every right to be. It was the rare person who could turn his life around the way Eli had. For years he had been known as a worthless drunk who became belligerent, violent and deadly dangerous after a few drinks. Then he met MayLee and fell head over heels in love. They married, started a farm, and Eli had kept his promise to MayLee that his drinking days were over. The day they came to town, Eli was about to shop for supplies when a former drinking buddy came over and greeted him with gusto. He wanted to buy Eli a drink, just one, for old times sake. Eli was reluctant but finally laughed and agreed that one drink wouldn't hurt. Unfortunately for Eli, there was no such thing as just one, and before long he was raving drunk, and on a rampage. When Matt tried to subdue him, Eli viciously attacked him, and making a split second decision, Matt drew and fired. In that split second MayLee became a widow.

Matt knew he had had no choice. Doc, Kitty and even MayLee had told him so, but he found no comfort in their words. As he went about the business of arranging for the funeral, comforting the distraught MayLee and writing his official report, guilt gnawed away at him. He knew had to get away, if only for a few day. He had to get out from under the burden of a job that required him to make life and death decisions in one split second. He needed time to refresh his tired soul. Kitty understood and asked only that he not stay away too long.

Kitty – The thought of her warmed him. They had been lovers, confidants and best friends for over eighteen years, but had married just five months before. He had always believed that being a lawman and marriage didn't mix. His job was dangerous, and he never wanted to risk leaving a widow behind. Then something happened that opened his eyes. It started when Kitty was furious with him for canceling their vacation because of his job. At that time she met a man named Will Stambridge, who started courting her. He was charming, showered her with attention and wanted to marry her, but Kitty turned him down. Matt remembered what she had said to him, after sending Stambridge away, "Matt, I love you, and I always will. I will never love anyone else the way I love you." Looking into her love filled eyes, he understood what he should have realized long before, if he was killed, Kitty's grief would be the same, married or not. In fact denying her a public acknowledgement of their relationship, might make losing him even harder. She deserved marriage and all that that went with it. He deserved it too. He asked her to be his wife, and two weeks later they got married and had the biggest party Dodge had ever seen.

The night of their wedding he officially moved into Kitty's rooms in the Long Branch. They planned to remain there for a few of weeks at most. They wanted a house to make truly theirs, a real home, a refuge that was special to them. They both wanted it, but in truth Matt didn't see the rush. The rooms in the Long Branch were plenty comfortable, and he was busy. So far every time Kitty had made an appointment to see a property, he had had to cancel because of his job. Matt sighed, knowing it was beginning to be a point of tension between them.

The small bundle in his arms squirmed. The infant's blanket had loosened and was falling off. Matt stopped his horse, secured the blanket and rode on, as he recalled how he had come to be in possession of the baby.

After leaving Dodge, he had ridden most of the day when it started to pour. Seeking cover, he hurried into a cave, and to his astonishment found a crying infant and its very frightened, very young mother there. After some gentle coaxing the teenage girl told him that her name was Lettie. She said that she had been raped and to her horror, found herself pregnant. When her parents found out, they sent her to a home for wayward girls. She ran away from the place, and was by herself when she gave birth. Lettie was so young, that Matt figured it best to bring her back to her family. When they got to the farm, it wasn't the warmest of reunions, but intimately Lettie's parents took their daughter back but wouldn't accept the baby. They would not accept an illegitimate child, particularly one born of rape.

Matt had had no choice but to take the baby, and was now approaching Dodge thinking about the task before him. He'd have to find a home for it quickly, and if he couldn't, put it under state custody. Suddenly, he felt his horse perk up, and knew they had reached the edge of town. Shifting his arm slightly he thought about his plan. It wasn't much of one, but it was all he could come up with. He'd bring the baby to Kitty, and start looking for a permanent home in the morning. He just hoped Kitty didn't mind the inconvenience too much.

He stopped in front of the Long Branch, and held the tiny bundle close as he dismounted and walked to the front door. He reached into his pocket to get his key, but it wasn't there. Sighing with frustration at having lost his key, Matt started banging on the door. After a few minutes he heard a voice, "We're closed. Go away."

"Kitty, it's me."

Kitty opened the door and Matt quickly thrust his small bundle into her arms. She looked puzzled, "That's this?"

Shaking his head he answered, "Trouble." Then he grabbed his horse's reins, "I have to stable my horse."

Matt walked away, leaving a stunned Kitty standing in the doorway holding a baby. She closed the door and walked upstairs muttering to herself, "I can't wait to hear this story."

Inside her rooms, Kitty looked down at the bundle in her arms, and could see the infant had acquired some trail dust. Kitty put her down and got a wet cloth. She'd didn't have a washtub to use as a baby bath, so a little cleaning up would have to do. As she gently washed the infant, Kitty was struck with wonder at the perfection of it all – the little ears, pink lips, perfect fingers and toes. There was something miraculous about a body so tiny, yet so perfect and complete. After getting the infant cleaned up, Kitty got a shawl from her closet to replace the dusty blanket she had removed. She wrapped the little body securely, picked her up, and was filled with the kind of warm satisfaction she felt whenever she cared for one of her friend Bess's babies. She tenderly placed the baby on her bed, and got in next to her. Within minutes both were asleep.

Matt trudged over to the stable. No one was awake, so he was on his own. After removing the saddle and halter, he fed and watered his horse. Then he closed the stable door and walked wearily home.

When he reached the Long Branch, he was glad that Kitty had left the door unlocked. He walked upstairs, eager to get into bed with his wife and hold her in his arms. When he got to the foot of the bed, he saw Kitty fast asleep on one side, and the infant fast asleep on the other. Matt thought about getting in next to the baby, but was afraid that he'd turn over and squash it. Looking at Kitty's sleeping form with regret, he set down the small bag of supplies that Lettie's mother had given him, kissed Kitty gently on the forehead and went to his office to sleep on a cot.

TBC