What Doesn't Kill You 3

I don't own these characters; I just like to spend time with them. No other profit to be had than that.

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Matt stood in the doorway until the smoke cleared, and then rapidly scanned the filthy room. Two men lay dead on the floor. But Micah had said there were four. Making his way in, Matt quickly checked the rest of the room. There were two men missing.

Turning, Matt saw several men standing in the doorway. Looking at their faces, he recognized each one. The missing men were somewhere in Dodge, but not, for the moment, here at the Lady Gay. "Some of you men get these two down to Percy Crump's." He ordered as he hastily exited the room and made his way downstairs.

Running as fast as his long legs would carry him, Matt made it down to the Long Branch, pausing at the doors only long enough to spot Kitty standing pensively at one end of the bar, Sam standing protectively by, shotgun in hand, Chester standing next to him.

Kitty sensed his presence before she actually saw him and anxiously watched the doors until he pushed his way in and walked over to her. "Matt, do you want to tell me what this is all about?" she hissed as he stepped up beside her. "I feel like I'm in an armed camp of some kind."

Matt took her by the arm, in lieu of an answer and gently pushed her towards the office door. "We need to talk." Was all he would say to her. "Keep watch." He told Chester and Sam as he passed them.

Kitty allowed him to lead her to the office and kept her silence as he closed and locked the door, curious as to the mysterious way in which Matt was acting. In the eight years that she had known him, she had never seen him act like this.

After locking the door between the office and the barroom, Matt checked and locked the door leading into the alley, before finally settling his gaze on Kitty.

Though mystified as to his actions, she waited patiently for him to explain.

"You think you can pack a bag and be ready to leave here in about half an hour?" Matt asked without preamble.

Kitty's brow shot up and she looked at him in surprise. "Leave? To go where? Matt, what's this all about. I mean, first you put Sam and Chester on high alert and then you come in here wanting me to leave. What happened?"

"Clay Warren." Matt said.

He didn't have to say too much more. Kitty blanched. "I thought you said he was being watched." She gasped.

"He is, but apparently he's found a way around that. He sent five men here to get you. Three of them are dead but two are still out there somewhere. It's not safe for you to stay in Dodge."

"How do you know?" She asked, not sure she wanted the answer.

"Long story," Matt answered.

"Where do you plan on taking me?" she asked, fear tinting her voice.

"Jake Worth's," Matt answered, pulling her trembling form into his arms. "I doubt Clay's men would be able to find you there and if they did, Jake's got enough men to take care of them."

Frightened blue eyes looked up at him. "What about you?" She asked. "What if they find you?"

Matt hugged her tighter, kissing her forehead. "They won't find me until after the trial." He stated, not at all certain of that. Pushing her back a little, he placed a soft kiss on her lips and then released her. "Come on," he said. "Go on upstairs and get packed."

Kitty studied his face for a moment, and then nodded, stepped past him and to the door, before stopping. "I'll need to tell, Sam." She said.

Matt shook his head, "Un huh. I'll tell him you're going to be gone for a while but I don't want too many to know where you are. And I don't want you back out in that barroom at all."

Kitty trusted Matt beyond reason, and by the look on his deadly serious face, she knew not to argue. "Alright," she said, as trembling she reached up and kissed him on the cheek. "I'll hurry."

Matt pulled her back for another kiss before releasing her. "Meet me back here." He told her. "And wear riding clothes and a warm jacket. Horses will be quicker." Kitty nodded and went up the back staircase to the upper floors, while Matt went out and told Sam that Kitty would be gone for a few days.

He sent Chester to the stable to saddle two horses. "You want I should go with you, Mr. Dillon?" Chester asked hopefully.

Matt shook his head, "No, Chester. I need you to stay here and keep an eye on things. It'll be safer if it's just me and Kitty."

"But….."

"NO, Chester." Matt repeated. "Now you go on, meet us at the back here in about 30 minutes."

"Yes, Sir," Chester answered. He really wanted to go but he wouldn't go against Matt's orders.

Matt watched him leave the saloon, then headed out himself to the jail. In no time, Matt had his saddlebags packed and two rifles and ammunition ready to go. Looking around him, he saw nothing else he needed besides the woman waiting for him. He closed the door and headed over to get her.

As promised, Kitty was in the office, waiting anxiously for him when he walked in. She had packed a carpet bag with a few changes of clothing and her toiletries. She knew Jake's wife would gladly loan her anything she needed but she preferred her own things as much as possible.

"You set?" Matt asked, his eyes appreciatively taking in how beautiful she looked, even dressed in jeans, one of his old shirts and a jacket, her hair down and braided. It never ceased to amaze him how she could always look beautiful even in the direst of circumstances.

Kitty nodded. "I guess as ready as I'll ever be." She said. "Did you tell Sam?"

Matt nodded. "Yep, the Long Branch is safe. Come on, let's get going."

Kitty followed Matt out the back door, and swiftly mounted the horse Chester had waiting on her. "You be careful, Miss Kitty." Chester told her. "You too, Mr. Dillon."

"We will, Chester." Matt told him. "Keep an eye out here and we'll see ya later."

Chester nodded as he watched them ride off. Looking around him, he headed back into the saloon. He had really wanted to go with Mr. Dillon, but since he couldn't he figured he might as well have a beer.

As Matt and Kitty rode out, neither one was aware of the rider that sat in the darkness at the edge of the alley, and watched their departure.

After shooting Micah, Marvin Chiwanga had decided to hedge his bets. Returning to the Lady Gay, he pulled Wally Creekmore out of the bed he was currently sharing with a pretty little brunette whore.

"We got some work to do," he told him.

"Why me?" Wally protested. "I was busy." He cast back to the room he just left, imagining the woman he'd just had. "Why not one of the others?"

"They're dead." Marvin hissed.

"Well, what we gonna do?" Wally asked, not liking that answer.

"Got a feeling Dillon's gonna rabbit with that red head." He told him. "I'm gonna follow em'. You're gonna go get some help."

TBC