Three Years Later

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

Author's note: I hated Season 20 for the one person it lacked. Therefore, I choose to ignore Season 20 as well as the movies. Also, in the episode Hostage, it was always assumed that Jude Bonner was hanged afterwards but it was never stated as a fact. This looks at what might have happened had he been sent to prison for life instead of hung and then he'd escaped. Note: I wrote this some time ago, but it seems to follow along behind For the Love of Kitty.

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She awoke to the sound of screams and shouting. Getting up quickly, she went to the crib. The baby was safe and still asleep, despite the noise. Cautiously, she went to the window and peered out. Though early, there seemed to be quite a few people about and looking down the street towards the Long Branch. Following their stares, her heart almost stopped.

He was there as he had been over 3 years before, sitting almost regally on his horse and calling her name.

She closed her eyes and withdrew from the window for a moment, trying to will the sight away, yet when she looked again, her fears were confirmed. He was still there, only he had dismounted and he had Doc. From the look of him Doc had already sustained quite a beating, most likely to protect her.

"Oh, God, no," she prayed. But it was no use. She stood there for a moment in indecision, but she knew what she had to do.

Going back to her child, she picked him up and cradled him in her arms, hugging him tightly to her breast and kissing him on his head and cheek. "I love you, little one." She whispered to the infant. "Don't you ever think other wise. Just know I have to do this."

Kissing him again, she laid him back down in the crib and covered him lightly with a blanket, placing the toy his father had bought him next to his body.

Grabbing her robe, she pulled it on, sparing one final glimpse of her child she left the room at the Dodge House and headed down the hall. Pausing at the head of the stairs, she silently prayed for the strength she would need, then descended.

Taking a deep breath, she briefly looked up to the heavens and squared her shoulders before walking out into the street to meet her fate.

"I'm here," she called loudly. "Let him go, Bonner."

He turned and looked at her, an unshielded look of lust and malevolence on his face. Roughly, he pushed Doc away and motioned for her to come to him.

Doc hadn't been prepared for the sudden backward thrust and his arms cart-wheeled as he tried to regain his balance, only to fail and fall backwards several yards away.

Kitty moved down the street and came to a halt in front of him.

Bonner reached out and grabbed her by the arms, pulling her into him. "I missed you," he sneered as he pressed his mouth to hers.

She knew struggling was useless, but she couldn't help herself as the touch of him filled her with such loathing and the return of the horror she had felt three years prior.

"Stop that!" Doc cried trying to regain his feet. But one of his men rode up close to him and kicked him hard, back down to the ground.

"Shut up, old man," he growled. "This is Jude's show."

Though the kick had knocked the breath from him, Doc tried again anyway to get back up but his efforts were in vain.

Jude finally pulled away and then picked her up, swinging her onto his horse and jumping up behind her.

As Bonner was turning his horse, Kitty looked back at Doc. "Tell him I love him, Doc," she said sadly "Tell them…." She said no more, but kept her eyes on Doc, silently telling him what to say to Matt and her child as she was ridden out of sight.

Bonner slapped the reins against his horse and took off at a gallop, taking his hostage with him and leaving a stunned town behind to deal with something, they thought they never would have to again.

Doc sank back down to his knees in grief. He had no doubt that the woman, he loved as a daughter, was being ridden off to face torture and death. And as before, she had gone willingly to save him and the rest of the town.

TBC