(A/N: Special Thanks 2 BigMommaT - My Editor, My Muse and My New Friend)

A Flicker of Light in the Darkness

Chapter 1

Meeting Cal

The sun danced off the silver band that circled his black Stetson. From a distance, the man cut quite a figure. He was tall and slender and all in black, from his boots to the silver adorned hat. It wasn't until you stepped closer that the worn hem of the pants and frayed sleeves revealed the shabby attire. He began to call to the people on the sidewalks, motioning for them to come closer.

"Gather 'round, folks," he waved his hands luring them in. "I want to give you a preview of the show we'll be giving. Cal, come on out here. Let these fine folks get a look at you."

A small form stepped out of the shadows of the building and walked to the center of the street. Unlike the man in black, his clothes had never been fancy. He wore a plain hat with a wide brim and a strap under his chin. His head was lowered, hiding his face. He was slight of build, maybe four feet tall—if he stretched real hard. There was nothing special about him—except for those guns. Across his waist was a double holster and a pair of Colt .45's. Guns and all, he couldn't weigh more than eighty pounds. Curiosity buzzed through the crowd like an electrical current.

"Cal...Twice!" the man yelled, as he threw a coin in the air. Just as it cleared his head, two shots rang out. The coin hit the ground and the man retrieved it, then tossed it into the crowd. The murmuring began and ooh's and ahh's swept through the group like wildfire. Almost dead center in the coin, were two bullet holes. All eyes went back to the little person in the street. He twirled the guns in a backward motion and slid them back into the scabbard. The man in black called out again. "One more time, Cal. One in each." This time, he threw up three coins. Like lightning, the guns were drawn, fired and put back in their resting place.

Nathan Burke crept out in the street and stared down at the coins as though they were going to leap up and attack him. He leaned down to get a closer look. "Look! Look!" he screamed and motioned for the others. "Look. Dead center. All three!" The crowd drew closer and the coins passed from one hand to the next.

"Ten cents, Folks! That's all it's going to cost to see The Greatest Little Gunman in the World." The man in black headed toward the end of the street with the mesmerized crowd on his heels.

Kitty was just coming out of the back room when the customers began to pour in. She flashed a look of surprise at the crowd shoving through the doors. Much bigger than usual for a Wednesday afternoon, everyone was talking at once and nothing could be understood. Burke was waving a coin around in the air, shouting something about the lightning hitting it. A couple of others flashed coins as well. She tried to make sense of what was happening, but there was too much chaos. Finally, she caught sight of Doc struggling to get through the crowd. He spotted her at the table and worked his way back.

"Doc, not that I don't relish business like this during the week, but what's going on?" She managed to retrieve a mug of beer from Sam and handed it to Doc.

"Let me catch my breath." Of course, what good was a breath without a drink. He wiped the foam from his mustache with the back of his hand. "I tell you, Kitty, it was just...the damnedest thing. It was that shooting show, that fellow just put on."

"We've seen fancy shooting before," Kitty drawled, quickly losing interest in this topic. Guns led to shooting, which led to death; which was a subject she preferred to ignore.

Burke was standing close enough to hear. "We've never seen fancy shooting like this!" He was still breathless with excitement. "It's a kid. You know, like Billie the Kid, only even younger...smaller than him. And he is... fast."

Kitty straightened up, her interest suddenly piqued, but not in a good way. She looked at Doc and back to Burke, making no attempt to hide her contempt. "He's using a little boy in a side show?"

"You should have seen it. Look at this here coin!" Kitty took the coin, running her finger over the two holes near the center. Burke snatched it back and continued. "Both hands. He can use either hand. And fast...real fast."

"You said that, Burke, a couple of times." She watched him disappear into the crowd and turned back to Doc.

"Kitty, I got to admit, it was amazing." He took another long sip of the beer, "I've never seen a grown man as fast as that kid. He's one-of-a-kind, that's for sure. I'm guessing—ten, twelve maybe. The guns are almost as big as he is. Those holsters had to be specially made for someone that small."

"This is just disgusting. I'm sure if Matt was here, he would put a stop to it."

Doc finished off his beer. "You're probably right, but he won't be back for at least a month. They'll be long gone by then."

"A month," she sighed. "Thanks for reminding me." He was going to be gone a whole month and this was only the first day. Her body already ached from the loss. "You're just full of good cheer tonight." She turned toward the door when she heard someone yell, "He's coming this way; the shooter, the kid. They're coming."

The man in black pushed through the swinging doors. He walked through the crowd and made his way to the bar. Kitty stood up when she realized he had the boy in tow. Anger propelled her across the room. "This is no place for a child." She snapped.

He stared at her for a moment, as though he didn't really understand what she had said. He didn't seem to be put off by her tone, as he continued to introduce himself. "The name is Carter. Harlan Carter." He nodded toward the boy next to him, "This is Cal."

Kitty leaned down to get a closer look. "Cal, it's nice to meet you."

"Thank you, ma'am." Giant blue eyes peered back at her from under the brim of his hat. She noticed the spackling of freckles across his nose. Doc was right about the age. Her eyes were drawn to the guns hanging from his pint-sized hips. She was surprised his thin legs didn't buckle under the weight.

When she stood back up, the smile she had given the boy did not extend to the man. "What are you doing with this child in here!? What are you doing with this child period! Where's his mother?"

Carter shrugged and looked down at the boy. "She's dead." Kitty's accusing stare caused him to flinch, "I didn't kill her," he offered defensively.

"And this is the best you can do as a father?"

Again, he seemed not to understand and then with a quick jerking move, he reached down and plucked the boy up, sitting him on the counter. "Oh, I'm not his dad. No, he's just been traveling with me for nigh on three years." The more this man spoke, the more it was obvious that he wasn't quite right. He seemed not to have a full grasp of the situation; and it seemed as though he had to think really hard before answering any questions. "When I come across him, I was impressed with his shooting. He must have been born with a gun in his hands. He was so little when I found him; the gun looked bigger than him. Even smaller than he is now." The fact that he laughed just enraged her all the more. "He's got a combination you just don't see often. Fast and accurate. Good with either hand too. Better than I ever was, and I was good once. Why I even seen him in an actual gunfight once. He shot the man before his gun cleared his holster." Carter shook his head, displaying as much remorse as he was capable. "I didn't mean for that to happen; he was too young for that."

"Do you think so!" Kitty virtually spit the words at him.

Paying no heed to her comment, he continued. "He's been a good partner. We've had a 50-50 split. I don't know what he's done with his money. Probably saved it, 'cause he's a real smart kid. Knows how to read and cipher and everything. I hate to lose him."

"Lose him?" Kitty looked at the boy and then back at Carter. "What do you mean, lose him?"

"Well, he wants to stay in Dodge and he's a free spirit. I don't own him." He turned to the tiny gunslinger sitting on the bar. "Cal, if you ever change your mind… Look me up." He gave the kid a light punch to the shoulder and walked away.

Kitty looked at the boy, and then watched Carter disappear through the doors. She started to call after him, but looked back at the little boy and decided whatever happened, he would probably be better off without him.

"Well, Cal, why did you want to stay in Dodge? Do you have family here?"

"I'm not sure where I have family, ma'am."

She was amazed at how calm the little boy remained. Kitty had a feeling that, even at such a young age, he was used to taking care of himself. She looked at Doc and Sam for help, but they looked as confused as she felt. "Have you had anything to eat today?"

"No, ma'am. We usually eat after a performance, but Carter was in a hurry to leave today."

"Doc, why don't we all go over to Delmonico's for supper?"

Cal jumped down from the counter. "I would like that."

Kitty leaned down again, amazed at how tiny and delicate Cal was. But then, he was still a very young boy. "Before we go, why don't you take that gun belt off?"

"Would that make you more comfortable, ma'am?"

"Yes, Cal, it would." Kitty couldn't keep the smile from tugging at her lips as the boy fulfilled her request.

The three of them headed toward Delmonico's. It was pretty late in the afternoon, too late for lunch, too early for supper, so the restaurant was basically empty. Edgar Robbins from the bank was the only other customer. Kitty nodded and waited for Doc to pull out her chair, but Cal beat him to it. She smiled again and thanked him for being so courteous. It had been a shocking experience, but both Kitty and Doc were beginning to relax with the boy. At least they thought they were making progress, until Cal took off his hat and hung it on the back of his chair.

Kitty's mouth literally dropped open, while Doc pushed back away from the table as if he had been shot. When Cal removed the hat, a mess of fiery red spiral curls fell around her shoulders. Cal was a girl.

It was several minutes before either Kitty, or Doc, could speak. She finally swallowed hard, trying to get her voice back. "You're a girl," she said flatly.

"Yes'm. Calleigh Reign ...don't really have a last name, at least I don't know what it is."

"That man said you have been with him for 3 years. How old are you, Calleigh?"

The young girl studied both the faces in front of her, debating on the truth, or a comfortable lie. She finally opted for the truth. "Real close to thirteen, ma'am."

"You're...twelve. Twelve years old?" Kitty wished they had stayed at the Long Branch, because she really needed a drink. "Why did he disguise you as a boy? I would guess that you would have drawn a bigger crowd if they knew you were a little girl."

The little girl sat up straight in her chair. "I know you didn't think much of Carter, but he really wasn't a bad guy. At one time, he was a really fast gunslinger. Not long before I met up with him, he had gotten into a poker game and... I don't know if he was cheating or not, but they seem to think so. They beat him so bad, he never was quite right after that." A look of sadness washed over her, she had cared for the man.

Taking a deep breath, she started again," He found me in an abandoned house where I had been hiding. He got me some food and kind of hung around for a few days. Then one day while he was asleep, I took his gun and went out to shoot. I've been shooting since I was big enough to pick up a gun. He came out and seemed pretty impressed. He threw some coins up for me to shoot and a few other tricks; he was really having a good time with it. Anyway, he comes up with this idea for us to make some money. He taught me a lot about shooting, made me practice all the time too. But to answer your question, ma'am, Carter knew that traveling the way we did would be more dangerous for a girl – so," she shrugged her shoulders as if it were no big deal, "I became a boy."

Again, Kitty and Doc stared at each other. Each so glad the other was there, because no one would believe this if they hadn't been able to be witness for each other. "How is it possible," Doc ventured, "that you could handle a gun at ... nine?"

Calleigh had dug into her stew and waited until she swallowed the last bite before answering. "My mother died when I was born. I learned from others that my dad was really good with a gun. I can't explain it so it makes sense to you, but I knew if I got good with a gun, it would be like a connection between us. Something we shared. I don't know how true it is, but Carter said I had a natural talent for it."

Again, there was silence. They were astounded at the ease with which she revealed her life, as though it were nothing out of the ordinary. Life was hard in this part of the country and kids grew up early out here; but this...

"Why Dodge?" Kitty questioned. "He said you wanted to settle here?"

Calleigh shrugged, "I don't know, it just seemed like a good place to stay for a while. I guess I'm tired of traveling." She slipped out of her chair and took her hat off the back of her seat. "I thank you for dinner. Can you tell me a good place to stay? I do have some money."

"Yes, I remember that man saying he - split- the profit with you." Kitty was not irritated with the girl, but talking about Carter gave her tone a somewhat nasty quality. "Well, I know it's not my place, but I don't think it's safe for you to be wandering the streets alone. Why don't you come back to the Long Branch and stay with me until we can make other arrangements?"

"If you're sure I won't be any trouble."

"No, I think it would be a pleasure to have you around."

MDKRMDKRMDKRMDKRMDKRMDKR

Kitty opened the door to her room and stepped aside to let the girl pass by. Calleigh's eyes grew wide as she surveyed the room. Turning slowly, as though to drink in every drop, she murmured softly, "This is beautiful."

She was surrounded on three walls by pale shades of blue; and the fourth wall covered in a wallpaper that Kitty had special ordered. The print was of tiny bouquets of baby roses all tied with a swirling lavender ribbon. The drapes were made of velvet and silk; and the blue and lavender hues complimenting the wallpaper. The furniture was in contrast to the feminine colors. Each piece had been chosen for its warm, rich color and sturdy construction. Her eyes came to rest on the bed—the biggest bed she had ever seen in her life! It sat cattycorner between the north and east windows, allowing the summer breeze to circulate throughout the room.

Calleigh had no way of knowing that Kitty had gone to great lengths to decorate the room for both herself and Matt: The colors, mostly for her, but not too feminine for him. Her choice of the masculine furnishings was to make him feel comfortable. The bed...the bed had been specially made to accommodate her cowboy.

"You live here?"

"I do," Kitty replied simply. "Would you like to see the rest of it?"

"The rest of it?" Calleigh repeated, with breathless astonishment. "There's more?"

Taking the girl gently by the shoulders, Kitty laughed and led her to the small kitchen. The walls were done in a wheat print, just a hint of gold in the pale yellow background. The icebox and table were made of the same oak, in keeping with the light tones. There was a lace cloth spread across the table and a vase of fresh flowers adorned the center. The other door led to the sitting room and a water closet. Both of which had been done in shades of blue, with the same careful selection of furnishings. She may not have noticed that the settee was also larger than normal, but she certainly spotted the size of the tub. That, too, had been specially ordered.

"That's big enough for two people. I seen one once in this -" It suddenly occurred to Calleigh that she didn't know what kind of place the Long Branch was. Was it just a saloon, or was it a bordello? She didn't want to insult Miss Russell, so she let the words just trail off. "I mean..."

Kitty caught the embarrassed flush of color in the girl's cheeks and guessed the cause. In an effort to put her at ease, she changed the subject. "Would you like to take a hot bath before bed?"

Calleigh's little body seemed to wilt. "Could I really?"

"Of course. Do you have any other clothes with you?"

"I have another shirt and pants in my bedroll?"

"Hmm…" She stood back, sizing up the little girl. Even as small as she was, Kitty knew that her clothes were too big; but with a few safety pins in the right spot, she thought one of her cotton gowns might work. She got the bath ready and prompted Calleigh to get in while Kitty gathered her something to wear. As she dug through her drawers, searching for the smallest gown available, she heard the girl humming and a smile appeared on her own face.

After a while, the humming stopped and Kitty tapped lightly on the door. "Are you all right in there?"

"I could use some help, if you don't mind." Kitty opened the door to find the girl's head and face covered in soap. "I'm having trouble rinsing this out."

"Let me give you a hand." Kitty retrieved a small pitcher from the cabinet and stepped around behind Calleigh. Kitty's eyes fell on the young girl's back, and for a moment she froze. The pattern of criss-crossing scars were healed, but deep. Her fingers hovered over the mutilation, but just before touching, Calleigh spoke her name, causing Kitty to jerk her hand away. With shaking hands, she began to pour clean water over the sudsy mess. Finally, the soap was gone and the red strands made little squeaky sounds.

She handed the girl a towel and stepped out of the bathroom. Leaning against the closed door, Kitty took a deep breath, as memories of her own childhood flashed through her mind. Physically, her scars had healed also, but they would always be in those recesses of her dark past.

She felt the knob turn, so she stepped away from the door. "Let's see if this will work," Kitty forced a smile and slipped the gown over her head. "Calleigh, I have to ask. Did Carter do that to you?"

Calleigh shook the gown down over her body and turned slowly to face Kitty. "No, he was never mean to me."

"Do you want to tell me about it?"

"I... I really don't, if you don't mind."

Kitty could tell the little girl was dead tired. She knew it was best to let it drop for now. "I made up the settee for you; I hope that's all right." Kitty looked at the tiny girl in the oversized gown, looking completely forlorn. Without thinking, Kitty pulled Calleigh into her arms. For a moment, she could feel the child stiffen in her embrace, but then she began to relax. As they pulled away, their eyes met and it was clear—Calleigh was not used to that kind of physical affection. What began as an expression of puzzlement, melted into a warm smile. She leaned back in for another hug and then climbed up on the soft cushion. Within a few minutes, she was sound asleep. Kitty sat down on the couch beside her.

It hadn't gone unnoticed, by either Doc or herself, that the little girl actually bore a striking resemblance to Kitty. They both had radiant blue eyes and fire red hair, with copper streaks that caught the light like flames. They even shared a speckling of freckles across the nose. The only difference being, the girl's hair hung in long spiral curls, while Kitty's was more of loose curl. She could have easily passed for her daughter.

Was this why she was so drawn to her? Like Calleigh, Kitty also had to grow up in a hurry. She brushed a stray curl from the sleeping child's forehead. What would Matt say about this, Kitty wondered…

TBC