See No Evil

This fan fiction story takes place somewhere between The Way it Is and Seven Hours to Dawn.

I respectfully acknowledge the characters belong to Viacom but the story is mine.

Prologue

She smelled like something Sam had used to wipe the bar with. Kitty found that thought oddly amusing and it produced a smile on her face, as she filled five glasses of beer for the table in the back. She was not complaining. This was the slow time of year for the Long Branch so the early afternoon rush was a most welcomed surprise. The Cattlemen's Cooperative met on the first Tuesday of the month; without pressing matters to discuss their meeting had ended up at the saloon where the ranchers were spending money, playing poker, drinking beer and smoking cigars.

She filled the tray and motioned to Ruby to deliver the drinks. Ruby's dress strap was sliding down her shoulder and she had a beer stain across her bodice. She looked like she'd been through the wars. Leaning over the counter she whispered to her boss with a half grin, "Miss Kitty, If I'd a known it was gonna be this busy of a day, I'd a seen to it I got some sleep last night."

Kitty responded with a wry nod and a big intake of air, "I know what you mean, but I guess in this job, we've got to be thankful for the business. I imagine your pockets are jingling with tip change."

Ruby rolled her eyes with a smile, confirming Kitty's suspicion. "Men!" Fearlessly she grabbed the full tray and bravely returned to the fracas. Estelle had been working the other side of the room and was returning with a tray of empty mugs and an order.

"Just fill 'em up again Kitty. They don't care if the glasses are clean or dirty, just so they're full."

Sam at the other end of the bar was taking care of the walk up customers. Kitty offered him an encouraging look, which he returned. He was aware as well as she, the cash they took in today would guarantee the mortgage payment for another month.

By two o'clock the rush had slowed and Kitty had a opportunity to catch her breath. She had special plans for the evening and she was just giving some thought to returning to her room to start her preparations when Festus Hagen pushed through the Long Branch doors and headed in her direction.

"Miss Kitty, Matthew says if'n you want to say good-bye to him afore he heads out you'd best get yourself to the office right away."

"Heads out? What are you talking about? Where's Matt going? He can't go anywhere, he's coming here for supper tonight, isn't he?"

The deputy shifted uncomfortably, thinking this was not a part of his job description. "No'm. He got this here telegram saying as how Judge Brooker wanted him to testify up at Hays agin them Lonergan brothers. Says that's the only way them rascals'll get sent up fer a good long time."

Her pretty features turned to stone as the softness left her body. Festus's words were as good as a declaration of war! She threw her rag on the counter in disgust and marched around to the other side of the bar pushing Hagen and everyone else out of her way as she prepared to advance her troops.

She left without grabbing an outer wrap, despite the cold March winds. Kitty Russell stormed down the street to the Marshal's Office, bosom bouncing with each step. She opened the door, entered and slammed it shut. Dillon had his back to her, fitting his toiletries in a worn out carpet bag. He grimaced at the sound of the door. With a deep breath he fortified himself and then turned around to greet her with a smile.

Before he could get a word out she was on him. "What the hell is this about Mister? You and I had plans for tonight. I got up early to bake a cake; I've got an expensive roast ready to go in the oven …"

He shrugged his shoulders helplessly thinking he was right to have Festus bring her over here. A scene like this in the Long Branch wouldn't be good for either of their reputations.

"The job…"

"Oh you can take that job and your badge too and stick them where the sun don't shine Marshal." His official title was spat out like a cuss word.

"Kitty, will you give me a chance to explain?"

She stomped a foot in frustration at him, while crossing her arms in front of her chest unconsciously denying him access to one of his favorite views. Her eyes narrowed to slits and her lips were a thin line. "No."

He was leaning against his desk, half sitting. "Please?"

For a moment she softened and he saw his chance, "Kitty." Their eyes locked, and she moved forward. He pulled her the last few inches so that she was standing in front of him, positioned between his legs. "Maybe you don't believe me or can't understand it but I hate to leave you. But, if I don't testify there's a chance the Lonergon boys will get off with a light sentence and who knows what they'll do the next time they get it in their heads to start a little 'fun'."

She heaved a tremendous sigh, "Oh, I know and I understand … it's just …"

"What?" he encouraged.

Kitty opened her mouth than shut it again. She was hesitant to confess her secret to Matt Dillon, "Did you ever read any of those dime novels about Marshal Tex Wright - Hero of the Western Frontier?"

He held back a chuckle, "Kitty!" He said in surprise. "You read 'penny dreadfuls'? Why there's about as much truth to those stories as one of Festus Hagen's tall tales about his Uncle Maude or Aunt Henry!"

She shook her head, "I have to do something with my nights when you're gone. But the point is this, Matt sometimes I feel like we are living smack dab in the middle of those books. You forever going off on an adventure fighting savages, outlaws and desperados' and me like Marshal Tex Wright's virginal girlfriend, Miss Lucy Goode, patiently waiting for your return."

He had to stick his tongue in his cheek to keep from laughing out loud for he realized she was serious. "Kitty." he said waiting until she looked him in the eye. "My life isn't nearly as exciting as this Marshal Tex's life. More often than not, I'm settling a squabble between Jim Frank and his wife Tillie, or breaking up a brawl between a couple of cowpokes too drunk to swing at one another. And you Miss Kitty …"

There was a pout to her voice, "What?"

"Are nothing at all like the patient virginal Miss Lucy." And to prove his point he pulled her closer until she was firmly locked between his legs and began kissing her in a most insistent manner. As he figured she melted in his arms. When his point had been made he reluctantly withdrew his lips. "And I for one am very glad of that fact."

She looked up at him attempting a smile, although the corners of her mouth refused to cooperate. "I'll miss you." She said simply.

"I know." He replied.