So... I know there's almost nothing on Kitty's mother, and not a lot on her father. I know her mother died when she was young and her father wasn't around... and it's kinda up in the air whether or not he came back... I know there's one episode devoted to him, saying he hadn't seen Kitty since she was a baby. I also know there's a little confusion on that (maybe just me) because somehow he had to come back when she was young/preteen and take her to Panacea. Anyway when you're reading this, I'm assuming he came back when she was around 6 and her mom was 21. I just thought it would be neat for her to be worry-free and innocent before she had to grow up. I like to think she had a childhood before riverboats and saloons. :)

We all know it was Amanda Blake's Bday was last Friday... I was just thinking if she wouldn't have born, we would have never known her as Miss Kitty. Granted we would, of course, know someone else as the fiesty, lovable saloon owner... but I don't want to think about that. James Arness and Amanda Blake made Matt and Kitty what they are. Though they are no longer with us... Thanks to them (and the fans), Matt and Kitty will live on forever. They created something that has stood the test of time and no other love will ever measure up to theirs.

(Unless I've missed something, I've never heard anyone say what Kitty's mother's name was... I chose Elizabeth. It's a beautiful name, and it sounds graceful, warm, and sweet. It's a young name but mature enough to be a mother. If any of you know her name or how she died... I promise I'll go through and correct it.)


Chapter 1

It was Spring and still hot in New Orleans. It was late afternoon and was starting to cool off. The sun would be setting soon and dinner was starting to smell good. While the food simmered, two young women sat at a kitchen table talking. The table was next to a window that looked out into the yard. As they talked, they sat and watched their kids running and playing outside with the dog.

One mother had long blonde hair and green eyes. Being 22, she was a little older but only by a year or so. She had a sweet smile and kind eyes. She and her son had stopped by to check on her friend. She turned her gaze from the kids to her friend, "How ya been feelin' lately, Elizabeth?" After a moment and no answer... she called out again, "Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth turned to the blonde then looked back outside, "She's growing up so fast..." She looked out the window smiling. She watched her daughter running around and laughing. She looked back into her friend's troubled eyes. She sighed as she stood to stir the vegetables, "I've had a good day today, I guess. I can't ask for much more than that, Sarah." She offered a weak smile.

Sarah stood and walked over beside Elizabeth. She placed her hand on her shoulder, "Well, you know if Adam and I can help with anything, we will."

"I know." She smiled, "Thank you." Elizabeth was a taller woman and a little thin. She had red hair, but it had lost its lust. Her blue eyes that were once vibrant, were now dull. She was kind hearted and still had that motherly warmth about her. She was only 20, but was sadly aged beyond her years.

"I guess we'll start heading to the house." Sarah walked to the front door. "Adam should be comin' in soon, and I haven't even started dinner."

"Lazy..." Elizabeth teased.

"Yeah." She rolled her eyes. "I know that, Adam knew that when he married me, and poor little Tom... is slowly figuring it out." Sarah winked. They both laughed.

Elizabeth's laugh turned into a cough and it deepened. The kind of cough that made your whole body ache. She tried catching her breath as she caved into the cough.

"Elizabeth!" Sarah grabbed a hold to her and helped her to the couch. Elizabeth sat and waved her hand.

"I'm fine." She coughed again and cleared her throat.

"It's getting worse." Sarah reminded her.

"Nothing I can't handle." Elizabeth smiled as she swallowed and winced at the pain.

"Stubborn." Sarah scolded.

"Better than being lazy." Elizabeth tried to bring humor to the situation. Seeing that her friend wasn't amused, she stood, "I'm fine. Go home and start dinner. I've gotta to feed us and give Kathleen a bath before bed."

Even though she wasn't convinced, Sarah gave up, "Alright," she eyed her, "but I'm coming to check on you tomorrow. Let me know if you're not up to riding in to town. I can go, or we can go another day."

Elizabeth shook her head, "No, I need to check on that wire tomorrow. There's not much time left, and I know that." She opened the door and could hear the kids still laughing, "I've gotta find Russell." she dropped her head, "He's the only parent she'll have left. He needs to know, and I hope he got my message."

"Don't talk like that." Sarah tried to be reassuring, but knew all too well the sickness was winning. She lifted her friend's head, "We can beat this thing. You're too stubborn to die." They lightly chuckled as they held the tears back. "Get some rest. I'll be back in the morning."

They hugged. Sarah held her at arms length. They both smiled. Sarah walked out the door, "Come on Tom!" She yelled as the 7 year old's behind hit the ground. The little girl had pushed him and ran the other way laughing. "Awe Mother do we have to leave?" Tom whined as he sat up to dust the dirt off.

"Yes. Let's go! You're father will be home soon." Sarah stood by the wagon. "Hurry up."

"Yes ma'am." He slowly stood and drug his feet as he walked to the wagon.

Elizabeth stood in the doorway and called, "It's time to come in, Kathleen." She smiled warmly as the little girl came running.

"Yes ma'am, mama." The girl answered. Blue ribbons in red pigtails bounced as she skipped to the door, "Come on, Teddy." She yelled for the trusty old sheep dog. She stood in front of her mother and welcomed the embrace as Elizabeth placed her hands on her shoulders.

Sarah lifted Tom in the wagon and climbed in after him. She turned and waved, "Bye! See you guys tomorrow!"

Elizabeth and little Kitty returned the wave. Kitty yelled, "Bye Miss Sarah! Bye Tom!"

"Come on, honey." Elizabeth turned them both as she shut the door, "Go get washed up. Dinner will be ready shortly."


After dinner, Elizabeth cleaned up. Little Kitty sat on the floor with her doll and brushed the dog's hair with the hairbrush.

Elizabeth looked over her shoulder, "Kathleen, I told you to brush your hair not Teddy's." She walked over while she wiped her hands on her dress. She took the brush from Kitty and sat on the couch behind her, "Here, sweetie."

Kitty sat in front of her and played with her doll's hair, "Can you leave it untied tonight, mommy?" She turned and smiled up at Elizabeth.

"You don't want me to braid it?" She returned the smile. Kitty shook her head. Elizabeth shook her head, "It's gonna be big and bushy in the morning. It'll look like an untamed mess of hair."

"Teddy's hair is big and fluffy," Kitty pointed at the old sheep dog, "and you don't braid his hair." She shrugged her shoulders, "He don't seem to mind."

"You wanna look like Teddy?" Elizabeth asked. Kitty nodded her head. "Alright, then you and Teddy can be twins in the morning." She chuckled as she laid the brush on the table and stood. It turned into that painful cough again.

"Mommy!" Kitty jumped and held onto her. Her eyes full of unshed tears. "Mommy?"

Elizabeth sat back down and caught her breath. She cleared her throat, "I'm fine, sweetie." She forced a smile, "How about we start getting ready for bed?"

Kitty held her doll close and nodded her head. Elizabeth reached for her hand and led her to the bedroom. She pulled back the covers and helped Kitty under them. Teddy jumped up and found his place at the foot of the bed. Elizabeth climbed in and waited for Kitty to cuddle in next to her.

"Mommy?" Kitty laid her head on her mom's chest.

"Yes, baby?" Elizabeth ran her palm over the hair that was already frizzing and kissed her head.

"Can you tell me the butterfly story tonight?" Kitty looked up and smiled, as her eyes danced.

Elizabeth teased, "The butterfly story? I just told that one last night, silly."

"Nah uh!" Kitty sat up, "It was two sleeps ago. You told Teddy's story last night." The dog barked and wagged his tail.

"Oh..." Elizabeth chuckled, "Alright, I'll tell the 'Butterfly Story' then." She smiled. Kitty found her spot back in her mom's arms.

"Once upon a time, there was a mommy caterpillar and a daddy caterpillar. They fell in love and had a baby caterpillar. She was the most beautiful baby caterpillar you ever laid eyes on, and her name was Joy. They took joy to all kinds of places. She always had a smile on her face. She always brought joy to others. One day Joy went on a walk with her mommy and daddy. There was big storm!" Elizabeth made rain and crashing sounds. As lightening sounds, she grabbed Kitty and tickled her.

Kitty laughed and squirmed. "What happened after the tickle lightened happened?" Little Kitty knowing the story, she cuddled back in her mom's protective arms.

"Well, a big gust of wind came and separated Joy and her parents. Joy found a tree and sat on a rock. She cried and cried, 'Mommy? Daddy?'... She looked around then buried her face." Elizabeth placed her hands over Kitty's eyes, "and then..."

Kitty put her hands over Elizabeth's and pulled them back, "and then... The mommy caterpillar uncovered her eyes, and Joy didn't cry no more." Kitty smiled.

"That's right, honey," Elizabeth held her tight again, "Joy didn't cry anymore. She didn't have to. So Joy and the mommy caterpillar looked high and low but could never find the daddy caterpillar. The storm had taken him away. They were sad for a while but knew he was tough. He was out there somewhere. Then sun come out..."

Kitty jumped in, "Then the sun came to the mommy caterpillar and told her she had to build a caboon... and..."

Elizabeth laughed, "Yes, a cocoon. The mommy caterpillar had to build a cocoon so she could grow strong for her baby caterpillar. She worked day and night, sunup to sundown..."

Kitty looked up at Elizabeth, "Just like you mommy."

She looked down at Kitty and held back tears. She nodded and continued, "The day came and the mommy caterpillar went to sleep in the cocoon. It was dark in the cocoon, but she had to rest for Joy. The sun rose and told her it was time to come out of the darkness. So the mommy caterpillar pushed and pushed with all her might... and when she came out of the dark... She wasn't a caterpillar anymore... She was.."

Kitty jumped up within excitement, "She was a beautiful butterfly!"

"Yep," Elizabeth smiled, "she became a beautiful butterfly. She flew down from her cocoon and wrapped her wings around her baby caterpillar. Just like this..." Elizabeth tighten her embrace around Kitty, "The sun rose and the sun set many days after that. She watched her baby caterpillar grow and grow. The mommy butterfly told Joy that one day she would be a beautiful butterfly, and her wings would take her wherever she wanted to go. Joy couldn't wait to be a butterfly. The mommy butterfly and the growing baby caterpillar lived happily ever after."

"Yay!" Kitty clapped. Teddy barked. Elizabeth smiled.

"Now that story time is over, we need to get some sleep." Elizabeth crawled out of bed and moved to the small vanity. She finished brushing her hair.

"Mommy?" Kitty rolled over and watched Elizabeth through the reflection, "Do you think I'll ever be as pretty as you?"

Elizabeth finished braiding her faded red hair. She dropped her gaze as she tied the ribbon. She turned around and walked to the bed. She cupped kitty's little face in her soft hands and whispered, "You'll be more breathtaking than the most beautiful butterfly." She kissed her on the forehead.

Kitty smiled, "Mommy?"

"Yes, sweetie?" Her hands still around her face.

"Can you braid my hair?" Kitty asked through squished cheeks.

"I thought you wanted to look like Teddy?" Elizabeth questioned.

Without missing a beat, Kitty replied sweetly, "I wanna look like you."

A tear almost escaped Elizabeth's eyes. She chocked them back and reached for the brush.

"Do you think the mommy butterfly would ever leave Joy? Like the daddy caterpillar did..." Kitty asked innocently, while Elizabeth tied the bow at the end of the braid. This child had a mind beyond her years and knew the questions to ask.

Trying to figure out how to word it, Elizabeth paused, "One day the sun will ask the mommy butterfly to fly away. Not because she wants to, but because she has to join the other butterflies. She'll always be close to Joy though."

"She can't stay and wait for Joy to be a butterfly? She could help her build a caboon. Then they could go be with the other butterflies together." Kitty questioned.

"No, the mommy butterfly can't. Joy has to build her own cocoon because that will make her strong. She has to grow wings by herself, but the mommy butterfly will always be with her in here." Elizabeth placed her hand over Kitty's heart and climbed back in bed. She wrapped her arms around Kitty. "Just like us, the mommy butterfly loves her baby caterpillar. She wants to see her baby grow up strong. One day I'll have to leave and you'll have to be strong."

Kitty tighten her grip as she returned the embrace, "I'll just stay little. I don't want no wings." Kitty pouted.

"If you stay little, how will you come join me with the other butterflies? You have to get big, build your own life, and then earn your wings." Kitty buried her face in Elizabeth's side and shook her head. A tear fell, "I know it's hard to understand right now honey, but one day you will. I will leave you, it may be sooner than later, but I'll always be in your heart."

"Promise?" Kitty's question was muffled.

Elizabeth reached down to lift Kitty's face, "I promise, if you promise to be strong and don't ever let anyone tell you you can't do anything. I know you are one smart cookie, and I have a feeling you're going to be a force to be reckoned with." She chuckled.

Kitty looked up, "I promise, mommy." Then she looked down as if she was thinking. Then she looked back up to Elizabeth, "I'll try to be sweet, smart, and a reckoned... whatever that means." She shrugged her shoulders.

Elizabeth kiss the top if her head again, "That'll come naturally." She reached over and turned the oil lamp down, "I love you more."

"I love you most." Little Kitty yawned.

"... I loved you first." Elizabeth smiled, "Goodnight, sweetie."

"Night, mommy." Kitty smiled and closed her eyes.

TBC