Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, not do I gain any monetary profit from writing about them. I just like to make stuff up.

This takes place at then end of season 19.

Matt

It was midnight, and Matt Dillon was just 3 hours from Dodge when he knew he had to stop and rest for his horse's sake as well as his own. After dismounting, he slipped his right arm from its sling so he could use both hands to set up a simple camp. Hampered by his damaged right arm, tasks that had always been easy and natural had become slow and awkward, but he methodically tended to his horse, cleared an area and set out his bedroll. He knew he wouldn't sleep for long having years ago developed an internal clock that woke him when he had to be up. He planned to be on his way well before dawn so he'd arrive early enough to find Kitty alone in the Long Branch.

After a few hours sleep, his eyes opened and for a few minutes he stared into the darkness thinking about Kitty. Then he rose, drank some cold water and began the slow, effortful process of saddling his horse, and packing his gear. Finally ready, he mounted and slipped his right arm back into the sling. He started towards Dodge, still physically weak, but feeling more at ease with himself than he had in weeks.

Kitty

Kitty was lying in bed staring at the ceiling. A glance at the clock told her it was only 6AM, but she knew it was useless to try to go back to sleep. She hadn't slept well since Matt's right arm had been torn to shreds by a bank robber's bullets. The image of the bloody, ragged wound haunted her. Doc didn't have to amputate, which was a huge relief, but he expressed serious doubts that the arm would ever again be of much use. She had been worried about what Matt would do if he couldn't be a lawman, and terrified that he'd build an impenetrable wall around himself, when Matt being Matt made a decision. That decision was to leave. He was in no condition to go anywhere, and she had cringed inwardly as she watched him struggle to mount his horse. Worst of all, he hadn't said he'd be back – not even his usual, "see you later." All he gave her was a vague statement that he'd be in touch.

Tears welled up in Kitty's eyes. Days and weeks had dragged by, and she hadn't heard a word. She was scared, worried and lonely, lonely with an emptiness that only Matt could fill. She didn't know if she'd ever see him again, but knew she'd wait forever. There was no point in pretending otherwise.

She sat down at her vanity and stared at her reflection. The woman staring back had circles beneath her eyes that grew darker every day. With a sigh she put on some make up, and got dressed. Then she went downstairs to try to occupy herself with bookkeeping.

Matt

Matt rode into Dodge for the first time in weeks. The town was not fully awake, but the early risers that were around greeted him with unabashed joy. Touched and gratified, he smiled and nodded his thanks. He knew word of his return would spread quickly, and he wanted to see Kitty before anyone raced into the Long Branch to tell her. He hurried to the saloon and pushed through the bat wing doors. There she was, by herself at a table. "Hello Kitty."

She looked up and images flashed before her eyes – Matt's torn up right arm, Doc shaking his head, Matt mounting his horse with difficulty.

The pictures flickered by in an instant, and she said simply, "Oh Matt."

After a moment of stillness, when the world seemed to stop, they rushed to each other. Matt put his left arm around her, and drew her close. She leaned in, "You're back."

Matt whispered, "Back where I belong, back to stay."

Looking up into his eyes she said softly, "We need to talk, don't we?" He smiled the half smile that always warmed her and nodded."

In the privacy of her rooms they kissed ardently, but knew they had to restrain their quickly ignited passions, at least for now.

Their lips separated, and taking her emotions in hand, Kitty gestured towards an armchair. She sat across from him, and waited expectantly. After a minute he spoke, his voice heavy with regret. "Kitty, I shouldn't have left like that. It was wrong of me, wrong and cowardly."

"Matt you don't have a cowardly bone in your body. When you lost the use of your gun arm you were confronting something painful, difficult and life altering. You also had the safety of others weighing on you, and Matt that was not unfounded. Some men heard about your arm, and came looking for you. You hadn't told any of us where you were going, so they learned nothing and left."

Matt nodded, "They managed to track me down, but luckily I was helped by an impressive young man. He was running away from the army because he didn't want to shoot anyone, yet he's the fastest gun I've ever seen."

"Sounds like an unusual person."

"Yeah, I'll tell you all about him later, but for now I'll just say that we were both running away, and together we learned that running isn't an answer." He leaned towards her, "Kitty, I want to put the badge back on."

Kitty looked at the man she loved, and her voice shook as she spoke, "Matt, I know you feel a sense of duty, but are you sure it's the right thing to do? Shouldn't you at least ask Doc to look at your arm before you decide?"

"Kitty I can do the job. I know things will be different for a while, maybe permanently. Festus and Newly will have to carry more of the load, but I've given this a lot of thought, and it will work."

They looked into one another's eyes, each wanting to understand and be understood. She had to ask, "Matt, do you ever intend to take that badge off? This is a terrible risk, and I don't want you taking it because you don't know what you'd be or who you'd be if you weren't marshal. Matt there's more to you than a badge, a lot more."

Matt answered sharply but not angrily, "I plan to take the badge off, but not until I know it's time." His voice softened, "Kitty, I only have a year or so left in me to do the job they way it has to be done, but right now I know deep inside, it is my job to do for a little longer.

Kitty continued to meet his eyes. She was afraid for him, for them. At the same time she was relieved that the wound to his arm hadn't crushed him the way she feared it might. The Matt Dillon who left Dodge weeks ago, was lost and dispirited. The man who sat before her was the Matt Dillon she had known and loved for 19 years. After a moment of reflection she smiled, "Welcome home Matt."

He reached out and stroked her cheek, "Kitty that young man, made me stop and think about a lot of things - things like commitment, responsibility and what makes life worth living." He paused and took her hand, "Kitty will you marry me?" The question was so unexpected she was stunned. Before could she utter a sound he rushed on, "Kitty, I'll understand if you say no, and I'll understand if you want to wait until I take the badge off, but I love you and I shouldn't have waited this long to ask. I …" She pressed her lips to his to stop the torrent of words. "Matt, if I could just get a word in here, the answer is yes, and no I don't want to wait."

He pulled her onto his lap. Resting her head against his chest she whispered, "Matt, I want you to do something for me. Let me have you for today. I know some people must have seen you ride in, and word will get out, but let me have you to myself for just this day. Please."

Matt kissed her neck gently, "Today is yours, my love. Everything else can wait."

TBC