After days apart, Matt and Kitty finally try to have some peace and quiet, alone together, but everyone knows the badge stands in the way

They had set off. Just the two alone, riding away, from Dodge. Matt wanted to head South, for two reasons: 1, it was furthest from home. 2, He owed Kitty time alone, after he had broken several other dates with her.

He had chosen not to take the stage, because he wanted to stop when he wanted too. Kitty laid on his left arm. They had been driving until the sun was just about to set. Matt found he and Kitty a private cave. " Let's settle here for the night honey." he said. She nodded, taking in her surroundings.

Once setting everything out, the two laid together." Hear that?" the redhead asked. Matt sat and observed." No, what?" he said." Quiet. It's peace and quiet Marshall." Kitty smiles. She enlaced his big fingers with hers. He stole a quick but meaningful kiss. She didn't look him in the face when she talked, he knew she was hurt.

" Kit, look, I'm sorry. This badge..my job. I can't help what happens." he was very sorry. Kitty finally looked his way, " I know Matt... I know, but lately, that's all that has consumed you. Why, I'm beginnin' to hate you for it." she smirked. " Oh Kitty, we talked about this long ago." he gently brushed a loose red curl from her face. She didn't want to say more. She got closer to her Marshall and looked up at him," Goodnight, cowboy" she replied. He kissed her head and they drifted off.

Meanwhile back in Dodge, Doc, Festus, and Newly sat at the Longbranch for their afternoon talk. " How long do you reckon Mizz Kitty and Matthew will be gone?" Festus asked the old doctor beside him. He stared into his beer before looking at the man." I'm not sure, but it's non of our business." he shot back at the man. Newly laughed and watched Festus grow angry.

" It's just like u to take the old mules' side..." he got up and walked off, turned around, chugged his beer, and went over to his office. " So when will they be back?" Newly asked." Well, Matt told me two or three days, but my guess, it'll be sooner than that." doc said. He wanted the two to enjoy their time together, but whenever they went, trouble seemed to follow.

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Morning came. Kitty stirred and felt an empty spot beside her. She quickly opened her eyes. The wind was howling around her. " Matt?" she called out. He came from inside the buggy." Kitty, we'd better be moving, I know it's early honey, but the weather..." he said looking up to the sky, which for 8 in the morning, looked quite odd. Matt helped his tired companion up. Her long red hair trickled down her back. He kissed her passionately." Wow cowboy, that was some kiss..." she smiled. He didn't hesitate, and gave her another. The two tiredly set off. It would at least be another day before they would reach the cabin that one of Matt's friends let them use.

Matt headed further and further down the uneven road. " It looks like not many people travel this way..." he observed. He felt uneasy. He pulled Kitty in close, and eyed his gun. Matt hurried the horses along, but they were soon stopped by a few men with guns. Kitty nervously grabbed onto Matt, inside she wanted to kill every man in front of her, because they were about to ruin her's and Matt's plans, but she had no idea what they had coming for them.

" Well, Well, Well, Marshall Dillion and, his woman!" the man snickered. The others with him eyed Kitty, and whistled. One gruff man on a horse, trotted beside her and placed his hand on the small of her back, she reached around and slapped him hard." Red's got a temper.." he winked at her. Matt had no idea who these men were." Leave her alone!" Matt's voice thundered. The leader, Corbin Mater, pulled Kitty from his grip and shoved her off the wagon, she fell hard. " Pick her up" he ordered. Two of his men got her." Look a here Marshall, we got your woman. You're outnumbered, and there is nothing you can do about it. We're gunna finish what Jude Bonner started..." he snickered. Kitty's stomach churned at his name. Matt looked over to her, with his big reassuring eyes, filled with love, trust, and anger towards the men.

Before he could draw his gun, he felt his whole world go black.

TBC...