THE OTHER HALF
I don't own these characters; I just like to spend time with them. No other profit to be had than that.
Author's note: I apologize for my previous display of temper. I was being as un-Gunsmoke like as I accused others for being. For those of you, who have been nothing but wonderful to me, despite my flaws, (Too many to name you all) I love you guys and thank you. This is for you, if no one else.
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Setting is before Season 1
Matt Dillon strode boldly down the boardwalk, on his way to Delmonico's paying attention to everything and nothing as he made his way through his town. He smiled at that thought. Though young, he was a full fledged US Marshal with a whole town as his responsibility. That thought was both daunting and exhilarating at the same time. Of course, in its present, rain drenched state, it didn't look like much, but it was his.
The rain, that had started out as a slow trickle and turned into a gully washer, as Chester would say, had now slowed again. Though still raining, it wasn't coming down as hard and it looked like before long, it just might stop entirely. Dodge wasn't all that bad, to his way of thinking, when the sun was out.
Passing Sally Ann Trimble on his way, he nodded and touched the brim of his hat politely but he did not stop, earning a small glare from her as he passed. She had been less than pleased that, despite practically throwing herself at him at the last town dance, he hadn't followed up on their own dance and taken things further.
He had no need of a girlfriend. Lee, Cara and a few others had taught him the folly of getting involved with a woman while he wore the badge. Though he had come close to proposing to Lee, he, in the end, couldn't do it. He loved Lee, but not the all consuming, passionate love that he thought he should have for the woman who would be his wife. And Lee was not quite so willing to share him with his other love, his badge. She had declared he would need to choose between them.
He did.
Shaking his head at the memory, he thought about the day she had walked past him, her hand holding tightly to Tim Jackson's, a smug smile on her face as she nodded to him. It wasn't long after that, he'd heard she and Tim had married. Well, he wished her well. She deserved the best.
Besides, Matt knew if he needed female company, there was any number of ladies who would gladly oblige him without strings or money being exchanged. Though Matt was anything but egotistical, he knew women found him more than just a little attractive and would willing spend time with him.
Of course, he made certain that each of them understood that there would never be anything permanent between them and he would never marry. Most women accepted those terms, figuring a night with the dashing young Marshal was worth it. Those who didn't, weren't pressed by him and not a disparaging word was said by him about them.
As he walked, he dimly noted that the stage had arrived and the passengers were already off and scurrying through the rain to their various destinations. If he knew Jim Buck, the passengers leaving with him, would need to hurry. Jim didn't waste much time between pulling in and pulling out.
He was just a few doors down from the café, when he heard his name. Turning back, he saw Barney rushing towards him, yellow piece of paper clutched tightly in his outstretched hand.
"Marshal." Barney called as he rushed up to him, hurrying to get under the overhang, Matt was currently standing under. "I got a telegram for you. Sounded kinda urgent."
With a weary sigh, Matt accepted the paper, thanked the telegrapher for his prompt delivery and opened the wire to read. It was from the Sherriff in Hays. He had a prisoner he wanted Matt to come and pick up. Matt debated for a moment as to whether he should ride up there after breakfast, or abandon his meal and rush over to the stage office to secure passage on the soon to be leaving stage.
Matt's rumbling belly decided for him. Poking the paper into his pocket, Matt turned and went on down to the café.
If asked about it later, Matt wasn't sure he'd able to explain how, but as soon as he entered, he felt something. Just what that something was, he wasn't sure.
But if pressed, he would only be able to say that it felt like someone, or something, had tapped him on the shoulder and pointed his gaze in the direction of a woman, wet from the rain, sitting quietly by herself, eating a small breakfast of oatmeal, toast and coffee. A large carpet bag was sitting dispiritedly by her side, on a nearby chair. Probably everything she owned, Matt thought.
As he sat down at a table not far from her, he realized she was more girl than woman. But either way, she was the most beautiful female he had ever laid eyes on. With hair of red and eyes of blue, she nearly took his breath away. It took all of his concentration and will to keep from blatantly staring at her.
Joe appeared at his side as he sat down, filling a cup full of coffee for him. Matt gave the little man his order, and then sat back, surreptitiously studying the room and it's occupants, while waiting for his meal. A couple of times, he could have sworn he felt that little niggling feeling when someone's staring at you. But looking around, everyone, including the beautiful redhead, seemed to be occupied otherwise.
Shaking his head, at his own foolishness, Matt mentally shrugged and dug into the meal that Joe had just delivered to him. When he'd finally finished his meal, Matt threw some coins on the table and rose, casting one more small look at the stunning girl who was still there.
If she'd planned on taking the stage, she was now out of luck, as he saw it rumbling by a few minutes ago. For some reason that thought cheered him. If she wasn't taking the stage out, she just might still be in town when he got back from Hayes.
No sooner did that thought assail him, than he shook his head ruefully. That woman, or more likely girl, was a luxury he could ill afford. His job demanded that he stay alone and focused solely on it. No matter how stunning she was.
Clearing his head of all thoughts of beautiful redheaded girls, Matt walked down to the stable and claimed his horse, stopping at the jail only long enough to gather supplies and let Chester know where he was headed before he rode out.
TBC
