"When a man takes a women to be with him forever , it's because they love each other,

Because, life wouldn't be any good for em if they were apart"

Matt Dillon

Season 10 Episode 6 Take Her She's Cheap

And The Flicker Becomes A Flame

Chapter One

The Venture

"Both of you. Drop your guns!" there was not a hint of mercy in his cool blue eyes or his tone . "I told you I would get you both"

Matts giant frame stood unyielding with his feet braced apart as he stared down the barrel of the gun. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Festus, standing firm as well. If he had to go down, there was no one better to have at his side.

"Looks like this cud be it, Matthew. Our luck is plum runned out."

Matt blew out a deep breath, "We've had a long run. I...I just wish I could say good-bye to Kitty."

"Well then you better be saying your good-byes right now." the familiar voice berated them "Tell me you are not teaching my son about gun fighting again! Cooper Reign Dillon, you bring that gun to me." The little boy looked at his daddy and Uncle Festus and then to his momma. Granted he was only four but even at that tender age he quickly decided in this scenario, she outranked both men.

"Sorry momma." he ran to her, dropping the toy gun to the ground. "They made me do it."

Kitty laughed as she scooped him up in her arms and covered him in kisses. "I know they did, sweet baby."

"Why you little turncoat" Matt grabbed the boy from Kittys grasp and tossed him into the air. The boy giggled as his daddy caught him on his way down and held him out of his mommas reach. "What should we do with this guy, Festus!"

"Throw that youngin to me, I'll go feed him to bears." He reached out as Matt tossed the boy into his arms. "No wait, mebbe I'll just tickle em til he cries unkle!" Festus began to tickle him mercilessly until Cooper cried the magic word

"Uncle. Uncle" he was breathless as Festus pulled him up onto his shoulders. "Now, do momma."

Kitty started to laugh until she saw the look on Matts face. The smile melted from her face and she slowly began to back away. "Matt? Matt!" never sure of what he would do, she took off running across the yard. "Matthew Aaron Dillon, you stop this right-nooowwww" before she could finish, Matt had caught up with her and swept her up in the air with almost as much ease as he had displayed with her son. "Put me down!"

Coopers giggling mingled in with Festus's laughter. "Tickle her daddy"

Matt held her up high on his chest. "You mean- like this." he reached to the spot on her ribs that he knew was her weakness. She tried to squirm away from him but her own laughter was draining her strength. She heard Cooper telling her to say the magic word. "Uncle" she cried while gasping for air. Matt finally stopped and slowly let her slide to her feet. Before he let her go, he had to taste those lips.

"Yech" Cooper took his small hands and covered Festus's eyes. "They're kissing... again" he scrunched up his nose in disgust.

"Yech is rite. Let's you un me git back in the house. We shud check on Hadley anyways. They probly woke her up with all that there yelling"

Matt slipped his arm around Kittys waist and headed toward the house. She looked up at him, her tone much more unforgiving than her expression. "I leave my children with you and this is what you do?" he flashed her a sheepish smile. "Is Hadley still napping or did you sell her to the Indians?"

Matt pulled her closer, "I tried but they don't take anything under three. I got a rain check for next year. You know that redheads bring a higher price too." he kissed the top of her head, "Hmm, speaking of that I wonder what I could get for you?"

mkmmkmkmkmkmkmkmkmkmkmkmkmkkmkm

Kitty pulled the roast from the oven and motioned for Calleigh to make room on the counter. "Do you think the men will go along with this?"

"I don't know why not. They do as much complaining about Delmonico's as anyone else." Calleigh pulled the dishes from the cabinet and began to set them around the table. "We can afford to take a chance. That railroad stock it amazing and you made us a mint on the cattle sales." she stopped and cast Kitty a suspicious glance. "How did you get such a good price?"

Kitty smiled an almost wicked smile. "Just good business savvy. I guess all those years dealing with whiskey drummers paid off."

"Or maybe being the only gorgeous woman at the buyers market, helped huh."

"Again, Kitty smiled a wicked smile. "Maybe." she placed a platter of sliced beef on the table and called for the others to come to dinner. As usual, Matt was the first to show up for food, with Cooper flung over his shoulder like a sack of feed. He flipped him down easily into one of the chairs. Festus appeared toting a little red headed girl which Newly helped him get settled in to the high chair between her momma and sister.

"Poppy, better get in here before Matt gets to the roast." Calleigh turned and realized she was shouting for nothing. He was standing right behind her. "Oh, sorry, didn't hear you come in." Seats were taken, grace was said and the eating began. Dinner at the Lady K ranch was always a time of laughter, sharing and much conversation. Tonight, the patriarch of this particular tribe had something important to say

Matt tapped his knife to the edge of the water glass. Excuse me...People." It took a moment but silence and confusion began to settle in the room. Matt smiled, pleased with himself "I think that's how it's done in those fancy places" He caught the look from Kitty, the same one she often shared with Cooper when he misbehaved. "I have an announcement. I got a telegram from the War Dept."

Kitty felt herself go cold. The words telegram and War Dept never meant good news. Matt caught that look in his wifes eyes and knew what she was thinking. "Kitty" he offered a reassuring smile "It really is good news this time. They have hired someone to take my place. Actually, the young man requested this territory. I'll work with him this last year and then" he threw up his hands "I'm out of the law business for good."

Kittys breath returned as she closed her eyes. Please God, she prayed, protect him one more year.

Festus had already resumed his interest in the meal. "So who is this feller tha's wantin to cum here."

"It's a young man from Oklahoma. He's been sheriff of a small town, Addington I think it said. I think you might know him . His name is Thad Greenwood. Clayton Thaddeus Greenwood to be exact." again the room fell silent, but only for a moment before bursting into cheers and laughter.

Cooper leaned over and pulled on Kittys sleeve. Momma, who is ..Thadus.."

"His name is Thaddeus" she said the name slowly "but you can call him Thad. He is a very good friend of everyone here. He used to live in Dodge City and he was your daddys part time deputy."

The little boy looked at the men at the table. "Like Newly and Uncle Festus?"

"Exactly like that. He moved away before you were born. He came to visit when Hadley was born but you are too little to remember."

"Everyone is so happy, they must like him a lot."

Kitty ruffled her sons curls, "They do and you will like him too." she leaned over to kiss his cheek, "and I promise, he will love you too" These last words caused the little boy to grin and happily return to his supper.

"Whal I'll be hog tied and bounded up in purple ribbons. Thad is a cumin home. It's surely about time."

"How long has it been since he was here?" Callie asked

Matt looked at Kitty for confirmation, "Let's see he was here for the wedding, and then not again until Hadley was born. I guess two years."

"How long before he gets here? Hey-" Calleigh smacked at Newlys hand as he tried to snatch the bowl of potatoes from her hand. "I'm not done with that."

"Not for a couple of weeks. He's going to New York to get his paperwork filed."

Again, Newly grabbed at the bowl, "Stop your gabbing, your holding up the food line." She relinquished her hold on the prized potatoes easier than he had expected. Her attention seemed to be focused elsewhere and as he followed her gaze he caught a curious look between the two women. "I have a feeling there is other news tonight. What's going on between you two?"

Kitty decided it was time to speak. "Calleigh and I have been thinking. We have an idea for a new venture. We all complain about the food at Delmonico's. I mean he may have a decent cook two months out of the year, if that. And we won't even discuss the coffee." she glanced over to Calleigh for a little moral support, which the girl readily offered with a wink and a thumbs up. "Why don't we just open an upscale restaurant?"

Except for the normal sounds of silverware scraping plates and food bowls being passed around, the room was void of conversation. The men seemed to pass the look of consideration from one to the other. Finally, Matt put their thoughts in to words. "I can't say it's a bad idea. We have been complaining for years. But are you sure you want to do this. I mean you just sold off seventy five percent of the Long Branch to get away from working."

"That's not quite accurate. I just didn't feel the same about the Long Branch after Sam was gone. And I don't plan on working the restaurant. I planned on hiring good reliable people."

"I take it this will be a family venture." Doc stated it more as a statement than a question.

Kitty had approached Breck Taylor with an idea for a corporation. Although his specialty wasn't corporate law, he still felt guilty about the whole Sled Grady kidnapping so he was eager to oblige. She wanted to put all their assets under one label to ensure financial security for all of them. Breck filed for a license under the name of Ragtag LTD. The name was Calleighs idea because she thought it described their "family" perfectly. All assets, from the cattle sales, Matt and Festus's mustang ranch, Newlys gun shop, the remaining ownership of the Long Branch, Kittys gold mine, and Doc and Calleighs medical practice. Despite Kittys vigorous objections even Calleighs inheritance was included.

Everything went in and the profits were reinvessted in various stocks or other entermprises and continued to grow. It made for a very contented family. Oddly enough, it didn't really change the way they lived, Doc was still wearing the same black suit he got in St. Louis years ago and he was still trying to get Festus to cough up the price of a breakfast. That part hadn't changed either since Festus never run out of excuses as to why he couldn't pay. It just meant the security was there if and when anyone needed it. Of course, this also meant that they always had to agree before a project was added to the corporation. Which was the reason for Kittys announcement

"Kitty you've made good choices up to now" Doc swiped at this mustache "so you have my vote."

"Exactly how up scaled will this place be?" Matt slid a slice of roast onto Coopers plate and began cutting it into manageable pieces. Just before sliding the plate back he popped one of the bites in his mouth which brought a scowl to the young boys face. Matt gave him a wink and all was forgiven. "I mean can we still go for supper or are we all going to have to wear fancy jackets and stuff."

Hadley sat between her momma and big sister Calleigh completely oblivious to the conversation around her. Her only interest laid in the small scoop of mashed potatoes and mushed green beans that she had spread out on the tray of high chair. Calleigh made several attempt to slip a spoonful into her mouth but the girl was determined to capture her own dinner in her pudgy little fingers. "It needs to be both" Calleigh said as she made a face to the little girl causing her to giggle and toss a handful of green beans to the floor. "We got this idea to split it up and the tables in the back room would be more elegant while the front would be nice but casual."

"Whare'd ya'll get these here notions?"

"I've been sending out letters," Kittys voice held a bit of excitement." getting information about different restaurants around the country. I actually got a letter and a brochure all the way from Boston. Rathcards Restaurant Supply store. They invited me to come out, look at their inventory and get some ideas."

"Boston! I don't know about going all the way to Boston." Matt seemed to be more interested in spearing another slice of roast than to giving any consideration to his dismissive tone.

"Oh, really! You and Festus went all the way to the Flint Hills for those horses. Besides, I don't remember asking you to go with me." Kitty snapped back. She could feel the hair on the back of her neck stand up as the conversation edged closer to an old sore spot. "Cooper, eat your green beans."

"Yes momma," very seldom did he hear his parents fight but he recognized his mommas tone when she was unhappy and he sure didn't want to be on the wrong side of that. The only one he knew to be brave enough to speak up would be his sister Calleigh. He truly loved his Uncle Festus and Newly and of course Poppy but Calleigh was his hero. She didn't seem to fear anything or anyone.

Cooper was right, it was Calleigh that leaped quickly into the conversation, "Calm down, both of you. Matt didn't say he wouldn't go. He just seems to come at things backwards lacking any finesse in the situation. Give him time to chew it over and he'll see what needs to be done."

Matt stuck another piece of roast in his mouth and seemed to be chewing over both the meat and Calleighs words. He swallowed and washed the bite down with a drink of water. "Boston? And you think this is a good idea?"

"I do" Kittys tone had mellowed a bit "I think some fresh ideas would be good for Dodge."

"Hmm well, we can certainly talk it over." He glanced over at Calleigh giving her a quick nod of thanks for getting him out of a sticky situation. Unbeknownst to Matt, Kitty gave her the same nod for the reason