Matt had been sent a telegram that two men had helped Gordan escape. Once Gordan was out, the three had split up. Matt was being sent after Gordan, Sheriff John Lane of Hayes City was going after the other two.

After being out on the trail for 3 days Matt apprehended Gordan. He wasn't taken without a struggle. Matt had few bruises to show for it, but Gordan had a bullet in his right shoulder. Matt brought his prisoner back to Hayes and turned him over to Sheriff Lane.

"Here's Gordan, John. Lock him up. Did you have any luck finding the two that helped him escape?"

"No Matt, we lost the trail. No telling where they could be by now. Don't worry about this one though. We'll have a double watch on him round the clock."

Matt looked at Gordan who was in a cell, "Good idea, and be careful when you have the doctor come in to remove that bullet. You don't want a hostage situation."

"I know that well Matt, we'll be careful. It seems strange though having a doctor look at him when his hanging has been moved up to the day after tomorrow, but the law says we have to provide medical care to prisoners, so that's what I'll do."

Matt nodded as Sheriff Lane continued, " Say, Matt it's almost dinner time. I'd be pleased to have you spend the night with me and my wife. She's a great cook and you could get a good night's sleep."

"I appreciate the offer John, but I'd better be heading back to Dodge."

Matt sent a telegram off to Dodge, saying that he'd be back in 2 days and rode off.

3 Days Later

It was three days later that a somewhat annoyed Matt Dillon rode slowly into Dodge. First there had been that fierce rain storm, that had came out of nowhere, causing him delays, then because of the deluge Bishop's Creek was flooded so he had to go all the way around instead of across like he usually did, then his horse threw a shoe, slowing him down even more. He was slowly headed over to the stable to hand the reins over to Moss

When Matt got to the stable neither Moss nor anyone else was anywhere to be seen. Matt shook his head at his bad luck and walked Buck into a stall. He took off the saddle, brushed Buck down, and fed and watered him figuring he get the horse re-shod later.

After leaving the stable, Matt walked over to his office and opened his door. He had no way of knowing that at that very moment two things were happening.

The first thing was that Grace was watching him through the window of the dress shop across the street. Grace saw Matt open his office door and decided to follow him.

The second thing was that Kitty looked out her bedroom window at the very second Matt put his hand on the doorknob of his office door, and saw that he was back. She immediately turned to go downstairs. She wanted to make sure that he was alright, after all he was a day late.

Matt entered his office and closed the door behind him. He gave a slight sigh when he saw the two tall stacks of mail and paperwork on his desk. Taking a day off for that picnic, then having to go after Gordan, and then being delayed on the ride back had created a lot of work to catch up on.

He had no sooner sat down when there was a soft knock at the door. Before he could answer, the door opened and Grace walked in closing the door behind her. "Hello Matt, welcome back, it's nice to see you."

"Hello Grace, it's good to be back and nice to see you too." Matt was trying to be polite, but hoped that Grace would leave soon, so he could get back to work.

Grace walked over to the side of the desk, giving Matt her most alluring smile, "That was a really nice picnic we went on before you left. I hope we can do it again sometime."

Matt was starting to feel a little uncomfortable, "That was nice Grace. It is a real nice time of year to picnic."

Grace put a hand on Matt's shoulder as he was talking and before he knew what was happening, she was behind him massaging his shoulders.

Matt was startled to say the least. He gently, but firmly moved her around to the side and quickly stood up. Before he could say a word Grace took his face in her hands, pulled him down and kissed him hard.

Matt was so shocked, he didn't move for a second. He heard the door open and saw Kitty standing in the doorway. Kitty turned away quickly and charged out. Matt pushed Grace away, and glared at her for a few seconds before going after Kitty/

He was hurrying after her when he heard a voice from behind, "Marshal Dillon,"

Matt thought to himself, "Oh great, what now?" He turned and saw a tall man with a crazy look in his eyes, standing with his feet apart, heels dug in. There was no mistaking that this was a gun fighter. "Dillon, a friend of mine got hung because of you, his name was Hank Gordan. I'm gonna kill you for that. If I don't get you his brother will."

Matt stood still, "So, you and his brother were the ones that helped him escape."

"That's right, now you're a dead man. You see I got two good reasons to kill you. One, because of my friend and two, I got a lot of money riding on the fact that I can out draw you. I plan to collect. If I don't' shoot you dead, Billy Gordan will finish you off.

The two men stood absolutely still for seconds. Matt was waiting for the beginning of the slightest movement. The gunfighter's hand moved, Matt drew and the man went down. Another shot rang out almost immediately from a rooftop facing Matt. Matt was hit, but fired in the direction of the shot as he fell. Matt's bullet hit its mark and Billy Gordan and fell off the rooftop to his death.

Kitty saw the whole scene from her window, and was horrified. When the shooting stopped she looked over and saw that Grace had been watching from outside of Matt's office. Kitty's eyes were tearing as she closed the curtains and moved further into her room. She didn't know what to do. She so scared for Matt, but after seeing him kiss Grace, she didn't know if should go to him. Maybe Grace was going to him already. Maybe she should just go and scratch Grace's eyes out, but what good would that do if Matt really loved Grace.

Meanwhile a crowd gathered around Matt, Festus was kneeling at his side saying, "He's alive, where's Doc."

Doc had heard the gunfire and was there in seconds. He listened to Matt's heart, and looked up. "A group of you men lift him as gently as you can and take him up to my office. Don't jostle him."

As Doc was working on Matt, Kitty was in her rooms pacing. Ordinarily she'd be at Matt's side already, but she didn't know what to do. After an hour of indecision she had to go to Doc's. She loved Matt and had to know what was happening/

Kitty walked in without knocking. "Doc, is Matt - will he be alright?"

Doc looked concerned, "Kitty a chest wound is never good and he's lost a lot of blood, but I got the bullet out and his lungs are OK, no major artery was hit. We'll have to wait and see, and hope no infection sets in. Kitty I'll tell you something, I'm sure glad you're here, I was expecting you sooner. He'll be asking for you when he is conscious or even semi-conscious.

Kitty shook her head, "I'm glad he's still alive, and hope he recovers but he won't be asking for me."

Doc didn't know what to think, "What are you talking about Kitty, of course he will."

Kitty shook her head, "He'll be asking for Grace."

With that she left and raced down the stairs. Leaving a shocked looking Doc Adams standing in his office.