The Blizzard

I don't own these characters. I just like to spend time with them. No other profit to be had.

AN: I thought the trolls had left Fan Fiction but apparently not. So I shall ask this as nicely as I can. If you do not like my writing, don't read it. If you feel you must leave a less than kind review, at least sign in under your own name. Nasty guest reviews will be deleted shortly after they're posted.

TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB

Kitty looked up when the front doors opened, allowing in a swirl of cold wind, snow and Matt. "Hey, Matt." She smiled warmly. "How is it out there?"

"Cold and worse." He answered with a shake of his head. "It's only 10 in the morning but that storm out there is making it look a lot later." He looked at the coffee cup in her hand. "You got any more of that?"

"Sure do." She nodded, reached under the bar and pulled out another cup, filling it with the steaming black brew. "Sure hate this weather." She sighed as he sipped at his drink.

Matt shrugged. "Guess it's not too good for business."

"No, but it's not the business I was thinking of." Kitty answered. "I was thinking of all the people stuck out on the prairie with no way to get into town and us no way of getting out of town til this blizzard is over. I was thinking of Doc as well. You know he went out to the Ronnigers before this storm started and hasn't made it back."

"Well, I wouldn't worry too much about Doc, Kitty." Matt finished his coffee. "If this started before he left, then he probably didn't leave."

"But what if it started after?" Kitty didn't like the idea of Doc, or anyone else she cared about, being out in this fierce winter storm that was currently going on.

"Then he probably turned back around and went back to them. You know Doc, Kitty. He's stubborn but he's not reckless. He'll do what's best."

"Yeah, I guess." Kitty answered just as the doors opened again and Festus hurried in.

"Miss Kitty." He nodded at the saloon owner. "Matthew, ya seen Doc?"

"He's out of town." Matt answered. "Why? You sick?"

"Naw." Festus shook his head. "Ain't me that needs him. They's a young couple down to the stable's a lookin' fer him. The missus is a expectin'. She looks about ready to pop."

"Down at the stable?" Kitty looked aghast. "Why? Why didn't you take them over to the Dodge House or Ma Smalley's? That stable's no place for a woman expecting a baby."

"That little girl ain't much a woman or able to do much running around town, Miss Kitty." Festus answered. "But I went my ownself and checked both them places and some more asides and they ain't a room in town to be had. Anybody didn't leave town for this storm got goin' stayed here, including them folks off'n yesterdee evenin's stage."

"Well, then bring them over here." Kitty shook her head at him. "Honestly, Festus. You should've done that first thing when you realized there were no rooms."

"Yes'm." Festus nodded. "Matter of fact, that's why I come over here. I was a hopin' you'd have a place fer em." He said as he turned and hurried out of the saloon.

"Actually, I don't have a place for them." Kitty sighed to Matt. "The rooms upstairs are all taken, but I'll get Ann to move in with Julie and give them Ann's room. It won't be as comfortable as the hotel but it'll be better than a stable." She shook her head as she rounded the bar. "Ann? Julie?" She called the girls over and spoke quietly to them.

Matt could tell by the girl's expressions that they weren't too happy about the new arrangements, but happy or not, they quickly ascended the stairs to clean out Ann's room for the couple.

Just then, Festus returned practically carrying a young blonde woman, her husband on her other side and looking paler than his wife. "Miss Kitty, here they be."

Kitty eyed the young woman worriedly. She was no expert but she had a feeling this girl was, as Festus said, about to pop. "Hello." Kitty nodded warmly and took the young woman's arm from Festus. "I'm Kitty Russell."

"Howdy, Ma'am." The young man spoke up. "I'm Eric Tanner and this is my wife, Maggie. Mr. Haggen, here, said you might have a place where Maggie could lay down. She's getting awfully close to her time and…"

"Eric!" The young woman suddenly bent low and uttered an agonizing groan.

"Matt!" Kitty looked over at Matt imploring him to help. Being not only the tallest man around, he was probably the only man strong enough to carry the girl upstairs.

Matt didn't hesitate as he swiftly moved over to them and reached down, picking the girl up. "Hold on, Ma'am." He smiled as he started for the stairs.

"Last room on the left." Kitty called to him and then turned to Eric. "Mr. Tanner. You go and get your things and then come up to the room. I'll see about getting your wife settled in."

"Alright." Tanner nodded. "And thank you, Ma'am."

"It's alright." She called over her shoulder as she hurried up the stairs after Matt and Maggie.

"Don't you worry about nothing, Eric." Festus tapped him on the shoulder. "Yer wife cain't be in no better hands."

As Festus and Eric left the saloon, Kitty hurried up the stairs, wishing like anything it wasn't her hands, Maggie was in.

TBC