The Missing Moments
Kitty Russell lay asleep in Doc Adams office somehow in her dreams wishing that what had happened to her the previous day was merely a horrible nightmare, but it wasn't. The Dog Soldiers had made their mark on her and Matt by nearly killing her. Matt had kept vigil at her bedside the day before hoping with all he had in him that he would not lose Kitty. They were everything to each other except legally married. That was up to them and Matt's job. He felt that it held more risk to his life and hers if they were to wed so they left things alone. Kitty had survived the night and Matt had left to avenge the wrong done to her. Festus and Newly were told to stay behind but of their own accord they went with Matt. Kitty and Matt were their friends and that of the towns people. They had to go to. When all was said and done, Matt had won his fight with Jude Bonner but it was thanks to Festus and the towns people that he did. Coming back to Dodge City, gave Matt time to think. He knew that he had gone out with a vengence to destroy Jude Bonner and that it could have cost him his life and or his job or both. What he realized was that he had been saved from himself. When he finally got back to town he immediately went to check on Kitty's status. Since he found that she was resting well, he decided to get a hot bath and clean up first. It took about an hour but after that Matt was back up to sit with Kitty. She woke up to the sound of the office door coming open and turned to look. Matt's eyes lit up seeing her awake. He sat down beside her. "Kitty, how are you doing? You look some better than when I left." "It will be awhile Matt, she said but "I just may get there" Matt looked down feeling bad about the whole thing wishing he could have prevented it and Kitty could sense it. "Matt, don't blame yourself, you always do what you can. "Bonner wanted revenge and no one was going to stop him" I couldn't let Woody Lathrup die. I had to come down those stairs" You'd have done the same thing". I know you, Cowboy". "Yes you do and I'm not sorry for that. I only wish Kitty that I could have prevented this from happening to you but I just couldn't . I tried everything the law allows and it just wasn't meant to be. I'm sorry I really am." "Oh, Matt it's not your fault" "I know you did what you could" " This was just not going to be stopped" "Nothing either of us could have done." "Thanks Kitty!" "Love you too, Cowboy".