Double, Double…

By mmtaeldra & meri_mkfan

Standard disclaimers apply – we're just playing in the sandbox and promise to put everything away neatly when we're done – no profit is expected or intended. The characters do not belong to us.

Setting: This story takes place near the end of the B/W
hour-long episodes, when Quint was part of the GS family.

~~*~~*~~

Dodge City, KS ~ an early November evening

"Welcome home, Miss Kitty," Sam the bartender said. "We weren't expecting you back so soon."

"Thanks. Take my bags up to my room." The redhead glanced around the barroom. It seemed busy enough for a late afternoon.

Sam's eyebrows climbed a bit, but after signaling one of the girls to take over, he obediently came around the bar and picked up the three bags the porter from the depot had dropped inside the door. She followed him up the stairs and through the curtain. When he stopped outside the third door, she said, "what are you waiting for?"

"I need your key, Miss Kitty."

"Oh." She fumbled in the reticule and came up with an old-fashioned key. Sam looked at her.

"That's the one for the storage room in the basement, Miss Kitty."

"Don't know what I was thinking," she said, reaching inside again, and this time producing a smaller, shinier key.

Sam looked at her a little strangely, but unlocked the door and carried her valises inside. "Do you want me to bring up water so you can have a hot bath, Miss Kitty?"

"No. I'll just get washed up and changed and then go eat. Do you expect a crowd tonight?"

He shrugged. "Well, it is the Cattleman's Association monthly meeting."

"Ah yes." She went into the room and closed the door firmly.

~~*~~*~~

Meanwhile, in Great Bend, KS...

"Listen to me, you idiot, for the hundredth time, I don't know any 'Micheline Busson', and I've never been to the Lucky Lady Saloon in Ellsworth, so I certainly couldn't have swindled or shot anybody there! My name is Kitty Russell, and I'm from Dodge City, which is where I was headed until I made the mistake of stopping overnight in this flea-bitten excuse for a town!"

Kitty pushed against the bars of the cell, and then flung her arms in the air in a gesture of pure frustration. "I should have been on the 9 o'clock stage, but instead I've got a giant knot on my head, my luggage has been stolen, and I've been locked up in this... this... place, to answer for the crimes of some woman I've never heard of!"

To Kitty's immense disgust, her tirade seemed to have no effect on Sheriff Dan Liebling, who continued to slouch against the wall, sucking on a piece of straw.

Gritting her teeth, Kitty forced herself to speak calmly. "Sheriff Liebling, surely it wouldn't be too much to ask for you to send a wire to the U.S. Marshal in Dodge City? He's a friend of mine, and he can confirm that I live in Dodge, and that I've been on a trip, from which I was due back this afternoon. I'm sure my friends in Dodge are worried about me by now."

The sheriff sighed and shifted to a standing position. "If I say I'll do it, will you shut up and let me eat my supper in peace?"

Kitty hastened to assure him she would, and was mollified when he left, saying he'd send the wire and pick them up some food at "Ma's," which Kitty guessed was a local eatery.

Once he'd left, she sat down on the cot – the small cell's only furniture besides a chamber pot – and tried to gather her thoughts. Her first realization was that even if the sheriff sent the wire tonight, he might well not get an answer before morning, which meant she'd be spending the night in jail. She sighed. All she needed to make the experience complete was bedbugs left behind by some drunken fur trapper.

~~*~~*~~

Dodge City, KS ~ the same evening

Micheline leaned back against the door and looked over her new quarters. She'd fallen into a bed of clover, by the opulent look of the furnishings. Slipping into Kitty Russell's life wasn't as easy as she had thought it would be, but the barman had certainly accepted her. She gave a sly little smirk of triumph. Time to make sure she looked the part.

She strolled over to the wardrobe and pulled the door open. "Well, now, look at all these dresses. Let's see if there's something in here that will look good on me." She pawed through Kitty's clothing, finally reaching for a black dress with red inserts, sequins, and a very low-cut neckline. Kitty had worn it once before deciding that it was a mistake, but Micheline was very pleased with its effect. She twirled twice in front of the mirror, looked through Kitty's jewelry box to find an onyx choker and earrings and nodded decisively. Time for dinner.

She sashayed down the steps, nodded to Sam, and headed for the restaurant she'd spied from her window. When she walked in the door, several of the occupants nodded at her, and two men seated halfway across the room waved her over. "Welcome home, Miss Kitty. You shore is a sight fer my old eyeballs. Did'ya get a new dress in St. Louie?"

"Festus, don't plague her about her shopping. You look very nice, Kitty." Despite his comment, Doc was privately a little shocked at the low cut of her neckline. It had been a long time since Kitty had worn a dress that so blatantly displayed her charms. He was kind of glad that Matt was still out of town.

"Awwww, ya old scudder, don't pay him no nevermind, Miss Kitty. You know what ol' Doc here is like. Always argufyin'."

"How was the wedding, Kitty?" Doc said, trying to change the subject.

"The bride was beautiful, the groom was handsome, and it was a gorgeous day. It was a wedding. What else can I tell you?"

Doc and Festus exchanged glances. Under normal circumstances Kitty would have spent the better part of the evening telling them all about the wedding, starting with her journey to St. Louis and continuing with the entire guest list.

Kitty ate rapidly and then said nonchalantly, "Well, I better get back to the saloon," smiled at both of them and walked out, leaving her dinner check behind.

Festus studied the door through which she'd just gone. "Well, I'll be pure dee double dipped. What's wrong with Miss Kitty, Doc?"

As usual, Doc thought, Festus had gone right to the nub of it. "When does Matt get back, Festus?"

"He was hoping to be back before Miss Kitty got in from St. Louie. I figger some time tomorry."

"Maybe she was just out of sorts from her trip. Once Matt gets back she'll be more herself. I'm sure this was just – just an aberration."

"Whut's a beration?"

"Oh, never mind. Come on, let's go down to the Long Branch and get a beer."

But their visit to the Long Branch was far from reassuring. For one thing, Kitty spent the night, not sitting with them as was her custom, but prowling through her customers, paying particular attention to the most prosperous-looking ones. When the wealthy rancher Tom Ford got drunk and began groping her, she casually removed his hand, but otherwise appeared to encourage him.

Later, when the drunken cattleman blatantly propositioned her, Doc was sure the alarmed looks on Festus' and Sam's faces were a mirror of his own. When Kitty happened to glance up and catch his eye, he was darned if he could say what it was he saw cross her face. Annoyance? Regret? Whatever it was, it was gone in a moment. As he watched, she shook her head at the besotted man, removed his roaming hand from her derriere, and strolled back to the bar.

~~*~~*~~

Great Bend, KS ~ the same evening

Banging noises in the front of the jail signaled the return of the sheriff. Shortly he appeared holding a tray covered by a red-and-white checked cloth, which he slid through the horizontal gap in the cell bars designed for just such a purpose. Kitty thanked him as civilly as she could. When he seemed about to leave without commenting on her telegram request, she spoke up. "Did you...?"

He cut her off gruffly. "Yes! I sent the blamed telegram! Now shut up and eat yer dinner, and leave me to mine!"

The food was simple, but edible. Kitty quickly realized that she was famished,

having had nothing to eat since the night before. Soon after she finished, Sheriff Liebling reappeared to take her tray. "I'm off to do my evening rounds, so you sit tight and don't cause no ruckus like you did earlier, or I might just forget to check for a reply to my telegram!"

Kitty nodded silently and sat back down. There was no way she'd give him an excuse not to read Matt's reply if she could help it. Maybe Matt was on his way to her even now. The thought warmed her. Holding his image in her mind, she leaned back against the brick wall and let herself fall into a light doze.

The sound of stomping boots and jingling keys woke her from her evening siesta. Her breath caught – would he have received an answer by now? She tried not to get her hopes up, reminding herself that there were all sorts of reasons why there might not be a reply yet. As the door to the cell area swung open, she could feel her heart rate rising.

Sheriff Liebling stepped inside. He was holding a telegram. She couldn't stop herself. "What does it say?"

He fixed her with an unfriendly stare. Holding up the paper, he read slowly, "Sheriff Dan Liebling, Great Bend, Kansas: Kitty Russell arrived Dodge this afternoon. STOP No federal warrants on your prisoner. STOP Dillon, US Marshal."

He looked up. "So, Miss Busson, I suggest you make yourself comfortable. The Circuit Judge will be through next week, and you can plead your case to him then, if you're of a mind." Folding up the paper, he turned and stalked out, slamming the door shut behind him.

Kitty could only stare after him in shock.

~~*~~*~~

Great Bend, KS ~ the next morning

Kitty was walking down Front Street. The day was pleasant, but something wasn't right. She realized the buildings were wrong. How could Front Street have changed? As she greeted passersby, they smiled and said hello, but they didn't seem to know her. Then a man was blocking her path. He was wearing a badge, but it wasn't Matt. He grabbed her by the arm. "Come with me, miss." She objected, but he ignored her and headed toward the jail. She relented, figuring Matt would fix things. But when they stepped inside, it wasn't Matt's jail. And there was no Matt to fix things. Just a small, dirty jail cell.

The lawman clanged the door shut, then banged on it again and spoke loudly. "Wake up, time for breakfast!" The smell of ham and biscuits woke Kitty from her strange dream. Opening her eyes, she remembered. She was not in Dodge. She was stuck in Great Bend, in jail, and the man sliding a tray through the bars thought she was somebody she'd never heard of.

Wearily she pushed herself up and accepted the tray. She didn't feel much like eating so early in the day, but she forced herself to nibble at the biscuit, and the coffee was definitely welcome. Finally Liebling reappeared to take the tray.

"Okay, missy, you just set tight and keep quiet. I've got a busy day and you won't like what happens if you try to make it busier. My deputy'll be by with your lunch later, and I'll be back to tuck you in tonight." He chuckled at his own weak joke, and started to turn away.

Suddenly realizing that she would be stuck in her cell all day with absolutely nothing to do to pass the time, Kitty quickly spoke up. "Sheriff, is there a newspaper around here that I could borrow, or perhaps a spare deck of cards, so I could at least play solitaire?"

Liebling's stare was not friendly. "Listen, Miss Busson –

"I know you don't believe me, but I'm Kitty Russell."

Liebling glared. "Let's not have any more of that foolishness. Can't believe I let you talk me into pestering a US Marshal. Shoulda known not to trust a female, especially a looksome one."

"Regardless of who you think I am, until this mess gets straightened out, it looks like I'm going to be stuck here with nothing to do. I'm just asking to borrow a newspaper or a deck of cards so I can pass the time. I swear I won't be any trouble."

The suspicious squint on his grizzled face told her he was wondering if it was a trick of some kind. She held her breath.

Finally, apparently unable to think of a reason not to, he stalked into the outer room, returning with a battered deck of cards. Kitty stood and reached for them, wanting to take possession before he could change his mind. She gave him her brightest smile, but he seemed impervious, mumbling "Females..." under his breath as he left.

Kitty occupied herself for the next hour playing solitaire and practicing her trick dealing. Even though she'd kept her promise to Matt not to deal at the Long Branch – well, mostly kept it, except in emergency situations – she felt it was only wise to keep such a useful skill well-honed. She had just executed a really pretty hand of 5-card stud – just enough interesting cards to keep everyone bidding, but the best hand for herself – when she heard the outside door of the jail opening and a pair of boots heading her way. Quickly she gathered up the cards and slipped the deck under the blanket, then stood to greet her visitor.

When the door to the cell area swung open, she was surprised to see it was neither Liebling nor his Deputy. The stranger standing in the doorway scowling at her was tall and wiry, with dark looks that spoke of some Indian heritage. His clothes marked him as a town dweller rather than a cowboy or farmer, but he didn't look entirely civilized, for all that. He closed the door behind him and just stood there staring at her, like she was the answer to a puzzle he couldn't quite make out.

Growing tired of the silent scrutiny, Kitty decided to break the ice. "Hello. If you are looking for the sheriff, I believe he just stepped out for a minute." She kept her tone neutral and businesslike, but not unfriendly.

The man's dark eyes somehow darkened more. When he spoke, his voice was rough and tinged with anger. "Not looking for the sheriff. Came to look at you. Heard they had m'brother's killer locked up here, so I rode down to see with my own eyes. They said you was a fancy woman, 'sides being a crook and a killer. Looks like they spoke true." His angular face creased in a sneer. "Didja at least give poor old Lem a good ride or two 'fore ya kilt him, bitch?"

Kitty drew in a sharp breath. She had long ago learned to tell men who were bluffing from men who meant business, and this one reeked of real danger. He wanted vengeance, and he wanted to hurt her. Or rather, hurt Micheline, but at the moment it was a distinction without a difference. She briefly pondered telling him she wasn't who he thought, but immediately knew he wouldn't believe her. It might even make him angrier. So she stood and stared back at him, saying nothing.

"What's wrong, bitch? Think yer too good to answer me, do ya?" He took a menacing step forward. Kitty somehow managed to hold her ground, though it took all her willpower. She knew she was far enough back in the cell to escape if he tried to grab her through the bars, and to show fear just emboldened a bully.

The stranger took another step toward her. His scowl grew deeper, his dark eyes glittering with fury. "Maybe you need a bit of schoolin' on how to treat yer betters, eh, bitch? And maybe I'm the man to give it to ya." He was right in front of the bars now. A sneering smile creased his face. "Sheriff ain't here, but I'm pretty sure I saw the keys hangin' just outside there. I'm sure he wouldn't mind if I just borrowed 'em for a minute so's we can get better acquainted. Especially seein' as how I'm a fellow lawman." Kitty couldn't help but shudder slightly as he ogled her openly. As soon as he turned away and opened the door to the front of the jail, she looked around wildly for anything she could use to defend herself against the attack she knew was only moments away.

The man reappeared, the jail cell keys dangling from his hand. Kitty saw murder in his eyes, and she was afraid. He smiled in triumph and walked to the cell door. Just as he was about to insert the key into the cell door lock, Kitty heard the sound of another door opening. Praying it was help and not more trouble, Kitty called out. "Sheriff? Is that you? I need help!"

Her would-be attacker swore and turned to see who'd interrupted his plan. Kitty almost fainted in relief at the sight of the sheriff. Liebling was clearly not amused as he saw the cell keys in the visitor's hand. "What do you think yer doing? You gonna let my prisoner go, were ya?" He looked over at her and then back at the man, and Kitty saw him figure it out. "I know you - you're Lem's brother Cage - look just like him. Bet you figured you'd help yourself to my jail cell and settle the score personal, instead of waitin' for a trial. That's it, ain't it?"

Cage scowled. "She killed my brother! I gotta right to settle the score. And I'm the law in Ellsworth."

"First off, this ain't Ellsworth. Second, last time I checked a Mr. Nelson P. Cathcart was sheriff there, and you was just a deputy. I know I'm new in these parts, but I don't think things change that quick around here. And no matter who y'are, I don't hold with this kind of thing. Not in my jail. Now hand over those keys and get outta here before I throw you in the other cell!"

Cage cast a final murderous look her way. "This ain't over, bitch. You're gonna pay for what you did to Lem." He turned and stalked out, pushing the keys into Leibling's outstretched hand as he passed him.

Kitty sat down on her cot, her legs suddenly unable to hold her. "Thank you, Sheriff. I think you just saved my life."

Liebling turned to look at her. She thought his expression might have softened just a bit. "I'm heartily sorry, ma'am. I had no idea he was in town. I intend to deliver you to Ellsworth to face justice, but I don't hold with that sorta thing. Not one bit."

Kitty sighed, feeling some of the tension leave her body. She looked up at Liebling and smiled in genuine thanks. "Well, Sheriff, if I somehow manage to survive this and get home to Dodge, there's a bottle of my finest whiskey waiting for you any time. If I'm not there, just tell Sam that Kitty Russell said to give you a bottle from the green shelf."

A look of uncertainty flashed across Liebling's face, replaced by irritation. Kitty shook her head slightly. For a moment, she'd forgotten. Liebling thought she was someone named Micheline Busson. "I'm sorry, Sheriff. I forgot that you don't believe me. I don't suppose I'd believe me either, in your position." She managed a small, wry smile. "Thank you anyway. I'm quite sure that man intended to hurt me, and I'm not sure he'd have stopped there." Kitty could imagine the scene when her Dodge 'family' discovered her fate. "If I do hang for this woman's crimes, I know Matt will blame himself." She felt a tear well up, and brushed it away. "At least he won't have to bear the burden of what that man wanted to do."

Refocusing on the sheriff's face, Kitty was surprised at the emotions she saw there. The uncertainty was back, along with - sympathy?

Liebling looked away, as if conscious he was revealing more than he wanted her to know. He cleared his throat and straightened. "Like I said, I'm sorry for the scare you had. I'll be back later with your lunch. Gotta do rounds." With that he turned and left.

Kitty slumped back on the cot, drained. That had been much too close. She really did need to find a way out, and soon. She didn't doubt Liebling's intention to protect her, but she also didn't see Cage Prescott abandoning his plans for revenge, either. Sighing, she retrieved the deck of cards she'd hidden under her blanket and started dealing a game of solitaire, trying to focus her mind on something simple and safe.

She quickly realized that playing solitaire wasn't helping. It just reminded her that she should be sitting in the Long Branch right now, drinking her own coffee and counting the take from the previous night. If Doc wasn't off somewhere delivering a baby, she could look forward to a morning chat with her dearest friend, who much preferred her coffee to the bitter brew Festus boiled up. And if things were quiet, Matt might stop in for a mid-morning cup himself. She smiled to herself at the memory of his cheery greeting. 'Good morning, Kitty!' he'd announce, his tone intended to convey to anyone listening that it was the first he'd seen of her, though in truth he'd usually left her side just hours before.

Thinking of Matt brought tears to her eyes. Her heart ached with missing him after so many weeks apart. She should have been home last night, should have fallen asleep in his arms, warm and safe and sated, and been awakened by his kiss in the soft early light of dawn.

Instead, she was trapped in a cold, dirty cell, held captive by a man who thought she was someone else, while somehow Matt thought she had arrived safely in Dodge. None of it made any sense. Feeling suddenly tired, Kitty gave up the idea of cards and stretched out on her cot. Maybe if she could sleep for a little while, it would make the day go faster. Maybe she would dream of Matt.