AN: Just a quick note to thank all of you that I wasn't able to PM. I truly do appreciate you each and every one. Also, HAPPY EASTER everyone. Hope you all have a wonderfully blessed day.

Matt strode briskly down the street towards the saloon, he'd seen, called the Silver Dollar. It appeared to be the nicest one around and he planned on running up a nice big bar tab that Miles Wallace would have to pay. As he walked, he thought of his meeting with Wallace and his earlier one with Festus. Both of them had been very enlightening but for very different reasons.

Once Matt had told Festus everything, the former deputy insisted on helping Matt in this in whatever way he could. Matt had declined at first but upon second thought, decided it wouldn't be a bad idea. Of course, the rest of the conversation wasn't so good. Festus' revelations had been disturbing to say the least. He remembered all too clearly the meeting in the governor's office when the plans were laid out and details settled on.

"Matt,"the governor said rather sadly. "You understand this isn't a simple assignment. You can't just go out arrest someone and come home. This plan will take months maybe even a year or more to set in place and implement."

Matt nodded. He knew what was being asked of him and he knew that of all the men at the Governor's disposal, he and only one other stood any chance of success with the least problems. And his being single meant that he had no family to leave behind for that long to wonder and worry.

No family, that was, if you discounted Kitty. And he surely didn't want to do that.

"Matt." Harvey got up from behind his desk came around, sitting on the edge of the massive piece of funrniture. "I know you and Miss Russell are close…"

Matt looked up and Harvey could plainly see how close. "I know what I'm asking you to do and I understand how hard this will be on not only you but her as well but there simply isn't anyone else who can do this. Or at least do it right. I need you, Matt. The state of Kansas as well as several surrounding states and territories need you to scourge the earth of these people."

When Matt still didn't answer, Harvey reached out and placed a hand on his arm. "You can back out, Matt. We can assign this to Will Jamison."

Matt's brow shot to the ceiling. "Jamison? He's married with a two year old boy."

Harvey shrugged. "I know. And I wouldn't want to send him. But you and he are the only ones with a chance in hell of doing this and you know it. If you won't, he will."

Matt knew Jamison was ambitious and this would be something he'd jump for, family or no. But he also knew he couldn't let him do it. No matter the personal cost to himself, he couldn't deprive that woman and her child, even temporarily, of the man in their life. "I'll do it." He finally said quietly. "But I want something in return."

"You name it." Harvey eagerly agreed.

"You personally send a letter to Kitty Russell, Doc Adams and Festus Haggen. Tell them, I've been reassigned permanently to Washington and I won't be back. Make me out as the worst kind of scum you want but make sure they understand not to come looking for me."

Harvey frowned. "You want them to think ill of you?"

Matt nodded. "I'd druther they hate me as to grieve me. And if this doesn't work, that's what they'll do."

Harvey didn't look convinced that this was a good idea but still he nodded. "Consider it done."

As he walked along, Matt shook his head on that year old conversation. There was no way his wishes could've been misunderstood. Which meant Harvey lied to not only him but Kitty and his friends as well. Matt could do nothing about that right then, but once this was over, he vowed, he and Harvey were going to have a long talk. There would be nothing he could do about Kitty, but Harvey he could and would.

Almost as soon as that thought crossed his mind, however, Matt kicked it out as foolish. Would all of this ever be over? The end of his assignment was supposed to culminate in the arrest of the leaders of the cartel. But would it? Or would someone else rise to take their place once Wallace and his cronies were gone?

And what of Wallace. Though he had protested at the price Matt quoted, he didn't continue in that protest and Matt was certain he would comply with it. That meant he seriously wanted the Senator, Congressman and Harvey dead. But why?

They were only three government figures. Just like in the Cartel, if they disappeared others would take their place. Killing them would stop nothing for too long.

Then it struck him.

Those three held very important and key positions in government. Others would take their place but they'd most likely be others put there by Wallace and his ilk. If that was the case, then Wallace was better connected then he thought and the game he'd been playing for the last year, just got a lot more dangerous.

Having finally reached the saloon, Matt paused outside and took a deep breath. He needed to keep focused on what was happening right here and now and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow. He couldn't afford to let anything distract him now, not even the thought that he could easily get killed in this mess. Finding out that Kitty and everyone else already thought him dead sort of dulled that.

When he'd settled his mind to it and taken another deep breath, Matt squared his shoulders and pushed on into the saloon and over to the bar. "Whiskey." He grunted to the bartender. "Best you have."

The bartender raised a brow as he took in Matt's appearance.

"Money's coming." Matt told him. "Pour."

Though the bartender made it a practice never to serve a drink until it was paid for, he took in the size of the man in front of him as well as the glare on his face and decided to break his own rule, at least this once. "Yes, sir." He swallowed hard as he poured.

While Matt stood with his back to most of the barroom, he never saw Kitty get up from her table and slowly make her way to her rooms upstairs.

And Kitty, tired and weary, and without even a glance in the direction of the bar, never saw him.

TBC