The sun was just beginning to peek through the curtains. Matt had been awake for some time, and was content to watch Kitty sleep when Doc entered. The smell of coffee followed him, and he motioned for Matt to come into the other room.

"Is she really gonna be okay, Doc?"

"Matt, she's stronger than you give her credit for. She'll be fine, but I do want to keep her for a couple of days."

They sat for a few minutes, each man in his own thoughts.

"You and Kitty need to talk. Now, I don't want her upset, but you two need to get this out in the open, and then things can get back to as close to normal as they can around this town. That's all I'm gonna say."

Matt didn't reply, but simply nodded in understanding.

"Can a poor girl get a cup a coffee around here?"

Matt's face broke into a grin, and he replied. "Doc, I don't think coffee is very good for your lungs is it?"

Doc swiped his mustache as he got up and poured her a cup. He handed it to Matt. "I'm going over to DelMonico's. I'll bring you two back some breakfast." He didn't need to be privy to Matt and Kitty's conversation. He'd heard enough last night.

Matt held the two cups of coffee as he made his way to the back room. She tried to sit up, but instantly regretted it.

"Hold on," he said as he set the cups on the side table. "Let me help you."

"I hate this. I hate being helpless."

"Kitty, you're not helpless." He handed her a cup.

"Well, I'm not a good patient either."

"Well, that makes two of us. 's probably why we get along s'good."

She sipped the hot liquid, and was surprised to find that Doc must have added a little something extra to her cup. Smiling, she realized Matt was none the wiser. She might even let him win a game or two of checkers later as repayment.

"So, how'd you sleep last night, Matt?"

"Good, how about you?"

"Well, I woke up a couple of times."

"You did?"

"Mmmhmm. And it was nice to have you next to me."

"Well, it was Doc's idea."

"And we know Doc knows best, don't we?"

"He has his moments."

"Was this shirt his idea too?"

"Well, I didn't want to risk handling you too much to get your nightgown on, and I figured you wouldn't mind." Pausing, he remembered Doc's words and decided to heed them. "Kitty, can I ask you something?"

"Of course you can."

"Why did you go back out there yesterday?"

"What did you want me to do? Leave you out there to die? Really, Matt?"

"Kitty, they could have taken you . . . who knows where . . ."

"And they would have burned that shack to the ground with you in it! Matt, I couldn't leave you out there to . . ." She couldn't say it. "I love you."

"But look what it's cost you."

"And what would it have cost me if I hadn't gone back out there? Did you ever think about that?" Her body protested as she tried to face him more, but she needed to make him understand. "Matt, just listen to me for a minute." She was determined not to let her fiery temper get in the way this time. "You mean everything to me."

"I just don't like you taking chances like that."

"But it's okay for you to take chances?"

"Kitty, that's my job."

"Well, it might be your job, but you're my life, and I'll be damned if I sit by the wayside and let you die." Her side was starting to hurt again, but she needed to finish. "Don't you see? I don't have a life without you. Do you understand that?" She rubbed her hand over the incision.

"Kitty, are you okay?"

"Would you listen to yourself? I'm fine. It's sore, that's all."

"Are you sure?"

Damn, he was doing it again.

"I'm not a child, and I don't need a nursemaid." After several moments of awkward silence, she spoke again. "Matt, let's not do this right now." She waited. "Please?"

He ducked his head as he let out a deep breath. After several moments of silence, she continued.

"I saw that look of disappointment on your face yesterday at the cabin. You looked almost sad to see me. Did you really think I wouldn't go back out there with your ransom?"

"Well, I . . . I didn't know how you could've gotten that much money. Then I talked to Festus, and he told me what happened in the Long Branch."

"Don't you see? You're mad because of what could have happened to me. Did you ever think about how I'd feel if something happened to you . . . because I didn't try?"

"But Kitty . . ."

"You live your life out of a sense of responsibility to that badge. But yesterday, I wasn't sure if I'd have much of a life, one worth living, left if you weren't in it. Can't you understand that?" The tears that she had kept at bay finally fell down her cheeks. "I love you, Matt."

He took her hand in his and held it up to his mouth to kiss the back of it. "I love you too, Kitty. So much that it scares me sometimes."

"Oh, Matt."

"I just don't want anything to happen to you."

"Well, I know that feeling too. All too well."

"Humph, looks like the shoe is on the other foot. I guess you're right."

"I'm always right when it comes to you, Cowboy."

"You think I'd have learned by now. I never win our arguments."

"But, if we don't argue, we don't get to make up." An evil grin and an arched eyebrow were a sight for his sore eyes.

"So, how long are you gonna be stuck up here?"

"Doc says forty-eight hours, and I'm not staying one hour longer. Promise me."

"Okay, I'll guess I have to take you into my personal custody and convince Doc that you will be under my tender loving care until you're well."

"Well, if you promise to take care of me, he might let me leave early."

"Right now, you need to rest. Doc will be back in a little while with some breakfast."

"Okay."

"Now close your eyes and rest until he gets back."

"Will you join me?"

"Are you sure?"

"I rest better when you're beside me."

He helped her get comfortable, and then reclaimed his place by her side on the bed. As she settled into his embrace, he kissed her on the top of the head and whispered a plea.

"Forgiven?"

"And forgotten."

As the two lovers drifted into blissful slumber, all was right in their world once more.