Chapter 1

So you guys may have to stick with me on this... I'm thinking this will take place in season 11 (After Seven Hours To Dawn) - I had one thought on which way I wanted to to go... but no it seems the characters have changed a bit as I go along ;) So there may be some flashbacks and if they don't make sense, let me know... because in my head sometimes my keyboard doesn't go as fast as my brain... or I may think I posted something, but I didn't ... that's the problem with "some-timers" at least it hasn't gotten to a point of "most-timers" yet! Lord, help me! :) Anyway! Just having fun and escaping reality! So hold on to your proverbial horses and don't get bucked off!

The creek ran quietly down the stream. Birds flew overhead and perched on the waving trees. A slight Spring breeze filled the air. Just outside Dodge, the church and fellow members had gathered by the water. Sunday morning brought Sunday activities for the town. Today a few members of Dodge were getting Baptized. One of those Dodge City residents was Festus...

"Shall we gather at the river. The beautiful, beautiful river... Shall we gather..." The choir sang.

Sitting, legs crossed, hat pulled down. Doc muddled, "Maybe they'll drown him." He swiped his mustache.

"Doc!" Kitty, standing next to him, folded her church hymnal and popped Doc on his arm, "Shhh!" Giving him a scolded look, she opened her book and began singing again. Matt couldn't help but chuckle. Kitty shot a look to her right, Matt ducked and looked back down at his hymnal.

As the song ended and the clapping ceased, the preacher raised his hand, "You may all take your seat." He continued, "We are gathered..."

As Matt and Kitty sat, "I'm just saying, Kitty." Doc teased, "Maybe Festus would be better off." He grunted under his breath, "I know, I would."

"Doc!" Kitty whispered, "Pay attention." She fixed her dress and smiled up at Matt. Matt put his arm around her and crossed his leg, pushing his hat back and smiling sweetly in return.

They all faced forward. The preacher reached out toward the line of those being baptized, "… Here today in the name of God, under Heaven Divine, to baptize these four children..." The preacher looked to the end of the line..."and Festus."

"Ha!" Doc rolled his eyes and scoffed, "He could've just said these five children."

Matt chuckled low and Kitty popped him on the leg. He jumped slightly, "Hey!" He whispered, "I didn't say it." Kitty gave him a stern look. He sulked back down, "Why is it I'm the one who feels like the child?"

"It's because you two are acting like children." Kitty pointed forward. "Now both of you… pay attention and be quiet."

"Yes, Mother…" Doc winked at Matt. Kitty eyed him. Matt smiled but quickly cleared his throat when Kitty shot her gaze back toward him. Ducking his head, Kitty's lips twitched in amusement.

"Boy, Miss Kitty, that sure was some cold water!" Festus used a towel to dry his hair off as they walked toward the wagons parked near the tree line.

"I'm sure it was, Festus." Kitty smiled and placed her arm in Matt's as they followed Doc and Festus, "I bet you could use a drink to warm ya up." She added knowingly.

"Sure could, Miss Kitty." Festus placed his hat on his head, "I sure I hope I don't get some kinda sickness from that there frigid water."

"Well, if you do, don't come whaling and whining to me at 2o'clock in the morning!" Doc swiped his mustache.

"Oh, who asked you, you ol' scutter." Festus slapped Doc on the arm. Doc jumped.

Matt grabbed Doc's arm, "Now, Doc, don't start anything." Matt winked at Kitty, "We can't have the upstanding doctor of this down beating on boys younger than him."

"That's right children." Kitty chimed in, "And remember I can't sell whiskey to underage townsfolk." She teased. Matt chuckled.

Doc swiped his face, "Ha!" and climbed up in his wagon, "I'll see you guys back in town."

Kitty pulled on Matt's sleeve. He looked down at her, "What it is?" She eyed him and raised her brows slightly. He furrowed his brow for a moment, "Oh, yeah!" He ran over to Doc's wagon before he pulled away, "Uh, Doc…" He looked over at Festus trying to get his boots on wet feet because he forgot to bring extra socks, "Uh, Kitty and I were going to take my wagon and…"

Doc sighed, "And you want Festus to ride back with me…"

"If you don't mind…" Matt gave him an apologetic look, "It's just that I promised…"

Doc waved him away, "You owe me…" He looked to Kitty, "You BOTH owe me…" Kitty winked and smiled warmly. Doc rolled his eyes, "Festus?" Festus was waving a honey bee, "Festus!" Doc raised his voice.

"What is it, Doc?" Festus asked as he walked over… his spurs were almost muffled by water in his shoes.

"You're riding with me." Doc said dryly.

"You told me you didn't want me ridin' with you because I talked too much." Festus reminded him.

"Yeah, well, I changed my mind." Doc ran his hand over his face.

"What made you change your mind, Doc?" Festus innocently asked.

"Would you just get up here and drive?" Doc looked at Matt and Kitty, both trying not to laugh… He scoffed and moved over to the passenger seat, "My shoulder hurts, and I need you to drive my mare back."

"Well, why didn't you just say so, Doc? I would gladly drive ya back. That's no big deal at all. I mean it's only a mile into town from here, and we don't need your shoulder hurtin'…" Festus climbed up beside Doc, "Just sit real still, Doc. We'll be back before you can say…"

"I know! I know!" Doc repositioned himself. He turned to Matt and Kitty, "Don't get into any trouble you two." Matt tipped his hat and Kitty smiled. Festus touched Doc's arm, "Don't touch me! I'm perfectly fine…"

"I was just trying to help, Doc." Festus admitted as he encouraged the mare forward.

"I don't need your help…" Doc countered as their banter continued and their voices faded.

Matt shook his head and laughed. Kitty chuckled. She watched as the crowd dwindled down, "Where ya taking me, Cowboy?" She looked up at Matt as they walked to the buggy.

"I told you, Miss Russell," He helped her into the wagon, "It's a surprise." He looked around to make sure they were alone, "I told you when I got back I wanted to take you on a picnic."

"Oh, so that's what the blanket and box are for…" She smiled mischievously, "I didn't realize it was just going to be us."

"You think I would invite Doc and Festus to our picnic?" Matt huffed, "Not on your life!" He stood slightly, "I spend enough time with those two…"

Kitty grabbed his shirt collar and pulled him to her lips, "I'm glad it's just us, Cowboy." She kissed him softly, "I don't want to share you with anyone." She kissed him again.

He returned the kiss, deepening it a bit more, "I'm all yours, Miss Russell."

"Good!" She winked, "Let's go then!"

Matt tipped his hat and ran to the other side of the wagon. Jumping up and sitting beside her, "Now we can't get into too much trouble, remember?"

"Doc is nowhere around and I see no adults." Kitty moved over a little closer.

"Maybe," Matt looked over and scanned her feminine outline… in one of her more modest dressed, still hiding nothing, "But I sure as hell don't see no young girl sitting beside me either." He reached over and placed a soft kissed on her lips, "and I'm sure glad of that." He smiled.

She returned the smile knowingly and wrapped her arm around his. They sat in silence, content with just the warmth of each other. Kitty laid her head on Matt's shoulder and rubbed his arm softly.

All the time they never bothered with the man on the horse following slightly behind them.

TBC