HIS HEART BEATING IN MINE
Disclaimer: Just taking our friends out to play. Will put them back when I'm finished.
AN: Much like some people, I was very disappointed that TPTB and writers left an open ended story. So, this is my attempt at a resolution.
(Uses actual scenes and dialogue from Season 18's episode Hostage. Air date, Dec. 11, 1972. Written by Paul F. Edwards and directed by Gunnar Hellstrom.)
Note: I'd like to thank everyone for the support and kind reviews on my stories. It's much appreciated!
PT.1
"Doc? Where is he, Doc?"
"He went out after him, Kitty."
"Alone?"
"No, Festus and Newly went with him, and the whole town rode out after them."
"They can't help him. They're just targets for those…" Tightening her eyes, grunting in pain. "I couldn't live without him, Doc. You know that?"
"You bet I do and you won't have to. Because the sun hasn't come up on a day that Matt Dillon can't take care of himself. You believe that. You just believe it. Now I just want you to rest."
Slowly closing her eyes, the pain was taking over.
Tossing and turning, Kitty found her thoughts repeatedly going back to the conversation with Doc. She'd meant what she said. She couldn't live without Matt, her cowboy.
After returning from the search for Jude Bonner and his Dog Soldiers, Matt had headed up the stairs to Doc's office, not thinking of his appearance.
Sam, standing beside him, cleared his throat. "Marshal? Excuse me if I'm overstepping here, but maybe you'd like to clean up before you go to see Miss Kitty."
Now looking down on his tattered self and nodding, Matt said, "Yeah, Sam, you might be right. But I need to know that…"
"Marshal, I trust that Doc is taking great care of Miss Kitty."
Again Matt nodded. Just then, he looked up to see Ma Smalley coming from Doc's office.
"Oh, Marshal, am I glad to see you back." Stopping her thoughts, she looked at the disheveled Matt. "My, my, Marshal. Are you alright?"
Huffing out a breath, "I'm fine. It looks worse than it is."
"Well, now, I think it might be best that you go clean up before you go to see Miss Kitty. You wouldn't want her to see you in this state. Besides, she's resting. Look, you come with me to the boarding house. I'll set you up a nice hot bath and maybe something to eat. Come on, now. I won't take no for an answer."
Within an hour, Matt was cleaned up as much as possible and Ma had fed him. "Ma, that was real good. Thank you. I hope you don't mind but I need to get on over to Kit at Doc's."
Shaking her head with a slight smile. "No, not at all. You go on. She'll be happy to see you. Might do her a world of good."
Dropping his hat on his head, he was out the door and across Front Street. Taking the stairs two at a time, he rushed in the door, seeing Doc standing by the stove.
"By golly, what in thunder? Where's the fire?"
"Ah, sorry, Doc. Just needed to get up here as…"
Handing him a cup of coffee. "Relax, Matt. She's resting."
"Doc? Will she be…."
Nodding with a swipe of his mustache. "I think so. She's got a lot of healing to do. But let me tell you something, Matt. In that room there is one tough young lady. Why, with what she's been through…" Again, wiping his upper lip. "Matt, I thought we lost her. But I think with lots of rest and tender loving care, she'll pull through. But, Matt, I wanna say something here and I need you to listen to me, really listen. Kitty's pretty broken and worn down. The abuse was awful, Matt."
Shaking his head, "Doc, I wanna do all I can for her. This is my fault after all. You know that?"
"Matt, wait a minute. Kitty doesn't blame you. Matt, that young lady loves you with every fiber of her being."
"I know, Doc. But I blame me and I have to make this right."
While talking, the two men suddenly heard a yell coming from the next room.
"No! No! Please stop. Take your hands off me, you animal!"
Jumping to their feet, they rushed through the door.
Matt crouched down and reached for Kitty. "Kit, Honey. It's ok. I'm here. You're ok. Look at me."
Quickly, she began swinging her arms, screaming, "No! Don't touch me!" Then as she focused, tears filled her crystal blue eyes and with a deep painful inhale, then exhale, "Oh, Matt! It's you?"
Kitty flinched at the pain as he held her arms. Quickly, he let go, realizing his hold on her was tight.
"I'm sorry, Matt, I was… I…"
"Ssshhh, its ok, Kit. You were dreaming."
Shaking her head. "No ,that was anything but a dream. It was a hellish nightmare. And before you ask, no I don't want to talk about it." Now focusing on his face. "Matt, are you…" Now reaching to touch his face.
"Ah, yeah, I'm fine. Just a few bumps and bruises."
"Matt, did you…?"
"No, Kit. He's alive. I wanted to, but they're all in jail."
Tears still filling her eyes, "Matt? I… I…"
"Kit. You don't need to say anything. Doc says you need lots of rest."
"And TLC." Doc added from across the room.
"And she'll get it, Doc. That's a promise."
After a few weeks, at Kitty's insistence, she wanted to go back to the Long Branch. Doc agreed but only with Matt's help. Ma Smalley helped Kitty dress then Doc had Matt ready and waiting to help her.
Standing in the doorway of the back room. "Well now, all this fan-fare for me?"
"Kit, what are you doing up?" Matt asked concerned.
"Well I certainly can't fly back to the Long Branch." She smiled gently at him.
As they made their way towards the door, Matt, with his hand at the small of her back, asked, "Kit, why don't you let me carry you?"
"Absolutely not! Matt, I have to start moving on my own." She started for the stairs, taking one at a time slowly, noticing all eyes watching her from the street. After a few minutes, she was at the landing at the bottom, inhaling deeply and trying to hide the extreme pain. She was feeling slightly lightheaded and nauseated.
She reached out for Matt's arm. "Cowboy? I think I…"
Without a word and not letting her finish, he quickly scooped her up into his arms, carrying her along the boardwalk and into the saloon.
Sam and the girls were shocked and surprised that she was coming back so soon. "Marshal." Sam said. "Here, let me help."
"That's ok, Sam. I'm taking her right upstairs." Before she could object, he added, "And, Kit, that's where you're staying!"
"But, Matt. I… I…"
"Shush. Doc's orders."
Things were quiet for the next few weeks. Gradually, Kitty regained some strength but still wasn't feeling up to par.
Doc stopped in early everyday just to check on her. Everyone was being very attentive.
As Doc arrived, peering through the batwing doors, he had noticed Kitty was sitting at a back table with a pot of hot coffee. "Well now, Young Lady. How are we feeling today?"
"I'm fine, Doc. Just tired."
"Well then maybe…"
Before he could finish, "NO! I can't stay in that bed one more moment."
"Kitty, Honey, I'm worried about you."
"And I appreciate that, Curly."
"Kitty, now listen to me. We need to talk about…"
"Not now, Curly."
"But you need to tell him."
With a sad look and furrowed brow, "Yeah, you're right. I know and I will. But, Curly, you understand how hard this is for me. It could change everything."
TBC
