4

Doc and Matt came busting through the door. Matt looked around, "Kitty!"... His first priority being her safety. He spotted her and Amethyst on the floor. Kitty had her arms wrapped around the little girl as she continued to rock back and forth. "Kitty, what happened?" Matt asked as he crossed the room.

"I'll go get my bag." Doc headed to the wagon.

Jess came running by him. He saw Amethyst on the floor. He frantically started closing curtains, grabbed her from Kitty and took her to the darkest part of the room. Kitty jumped up to go after him, "Jess! What are you doing?" Matt grabbed Kitty by the shoulders.

"When these hit the light makes it worse." Jess cradled his sister in his arms as she buried herself in his chest and continued to cry.

Doc rushed in, "Where'd she..." He noticed the kids in the back corner. A moment passed... He swiped his mustache, "Well, I guess it can be passed down."

"What's going on, Doc?" Matt turned to Doc.

"People get a headaches for different reasons... but this is worse than your run of the mill headache... This poor little girl gets migraines."

Kitty looked to Matt, "Migraines?" She found the kids in her sight once more, "Bless her heart. No one should have to deal with that pain, lead alone an innocent little girl."

Doc walked over to the kids. Matt tightened his grip on her shoulders, "Kitty, Doc knows what to do. Amethyst is in capable hands." He smiled down at her.

Doc knelt down, "Jess, why don't you go get her some water..."

"Rest is the best thing for her, mister." Jess tightened his hug.

"You're absolutely right, son... and I plan on her resting, but first, I want to give her some medicine for the pain." Doc insisted.

Amethyst squinted, "Is that the white magic stuff Daddy gave me, Jessie?"

Matt and Kitty started walking over with a glass of water. Doc looked at them for an answer. "Yes." Jess stood reaching out for the water, "Here. Take this like Daddy would want and then you can take a little girl nap like mommy would want you to..."

Amethyst nodded slightly, took the powder, and stood, "Miss Kitty?" She asked...

Kitty emerged from Matt's grip, "Yes, sweetie?" She knelt to her level.

"Do you mind tucking me and Henry into a little girl nap?" Amethyst hugged her bear tight.

"Oh, no. I would love to." Kitty looked to Jessie, "If that's ok?" She smiled.

Jess smiled, "That's what Mama would have done." He stood proud.

Kitty exchanged a wink and nod as she and Amethyst walked to the back bedroom.

Hours had passed, dinner was done. The kids were tucked in for the evening... Doc and Festus were sitting in the living room bickering... Matt was being forced to listen... and Kitty had a wild idena to go swimming...

"Oh, Doc!" Festus kicked his heels up on the coffee table, "I told you you old scutter, this here was hard work." He reiterated as he laced his hands behind his head. Matt got up and took their dishes to the sink.

"Oh, yeah... I can see that." Doc swiped his mustache. "You looked plum tuckered out!" He turned his head toward the kitchen where Matt and Kitty where washing dishes.

Matt chuckled. He smiled at Kitty as he dried a plate, "The kids went down pretty easy."

Kitty nodded, "Most people wouldn't complain about that..." She winked. He ducked. She smiled knowingly.

Waning light flashed on the ripples in the lake. Kitty swam effortlessly through the flickering rays. The evening was silent, except for the splashes as her arms moved through the water. The long shadows drooped after the heat of the afternoon, dipping deep into the lake for the refreshing coolness. The birds were nesting quietly... while the crickets continued to play their midnight lullaby. Kitty decided to swim for another twenty minutes. Tired and content, she dove under the surface before rolling over to float on her back. She closed her eyes and rested. The serenity of the evening slipped under her concern and pain, gently tugging them free to disperse amongst the ripples. Deprived of all else, but the sensation of water lapping on her heated skin, Kitty lost herself in the moment. Her breathing slowed and she relaxed deeper. A heavy sigh, coming from nowhere, released into the air.

"Kitty?" Matt called. He looked through the darkness. "Kitty, where are you?"

"I'm right here." She started to swim toward the dock.

"Where?" Matt asked again. "I can't see any... OUCH! What the hell is that!?" He searched for what he tripped on.

Kitty chuckled, "Oh, Matt..." She smiled as she swam to the dock, lacing her arms across the wood, "What are you doing out here?"

He walked down to the edge, "I came to find you." He looked around, "I don't like you out here. We don't know anything about this area at night... and I..."

"You worried about me, Cowboy?" Kitty grinned.

He knelt down, "You know I am." He cupped her face. "Why don't we call it a night and get some rest."

She closed her eyes from the warm of his hand, "Why don't you come in here first." She smiled and pushed away from the dock.

"Kitty, we have a big day tomorrow. I don't think we need to stay up all night." Matt looked around. "Come on. It's late... and there could be... you know..."

"You scared Marshall?" Kitty asked coyly. Matt looked around and then back at Kitty gliding through the water, "I'll make it worth your wild..."

Matt sighed. Removing his clothes, he jumped in... "Whoa! This is colder than I thought it was going to be!"

Kitty swam over to him...

... "I wrap my legs around his waist, just to anchor against him. I put my hands on his shoulders and we look into each other's eyes. I can't imagine anywhere or any time that could be better than here and now with him. My favorite part of the water is the mixture of gentleness and power. His hand is in my hair, stroking my back, warm caresses in body of coolness. In the quiet of our mouths together, alone in this lake, I can almost hear the feelings between us... If he wasn't holding me up, I'd be drowning..."

TBC