Matt

When Grey Fox fell backwards with a knife his chest, it took a little time for his men to confirm that their leader was dead, and realize that the bullet that had been fired hadn't struck Dillon.

Matt took advantage of the moment of chaos and ran into the larger of the two tepees hoping he'd be lucky and find his pistol there. Looking around he quickly spotted it on a stack of blankets. He picked it up and moved as far back in the tepee as he could. Kneeling on one knee he started firing out the entrance. Arrows were hitting the tepee, but the Indians were kept at bay as Matt's bullets came flying out, preventing them from rushing in. Matt knew that he couldn't keep them back forever and had to make a move. He hoped that some of the renegades had been hit by his random firing to even out the odds. He stood, figuring he had no other choice but to run out shooting and try to get to his horse quickly. He was about to go for it when he heard the sounds of horses approaching - many horses – the Indians shouting – a gun being fired – and then the unmistakable raspy voice of Colonel James Clark saying loudly, "weapons down, weapons down."

Matt heard Newley loudly calling his name. He holstered his gun and walked outside the tepee. He immediately saw that one of the soldiers had an arrow in his arm, and that the tall young Indian who had held him earlier, had been shot dead. His prediction that the young man would be killed before having a chance to reach his full height had come true sooner than he thought it would.

Looking around, Matt's eyes met Colonel Clark's and he nodded his thanks. The colonel nodded back and went about the business of gathering the greatly outnumbered remaining eight Indians. He was fully aware that he had captured the last of the renegade groups.

Newley hurried over to Matt, "Are you all right? The side of your head there doesn't look too good."

Touching his head gingerly, Matt winced a little and responded, "I'm fine. I'll tell you something though – I sure am glad to see you." Newley chuckled a little, "Glad to see you too." Matt looked at his deputy and his face suddenly took on a strange expression, "Newley, what day is it?"

Looking a little puzzled Newley responded, "It's Tuesday Matt. Why?"

Matt pressed his lips together and looked down for a very long moment before nodding slightly to himself. He knew it was time. He looked up and his hands moved to his chest. Matt unpinned his badge and extending his arm held the badge out to Newley.

Matt could see the slight uncertainty in Newley's face now that the moment had come for him to actually put that badge on. Matt looked at him, "Newley, times are changing. YOU are the right man for the job."

Newley took the badge, "I guess I don't know what to say." Matt patted Newley's arm, "Wear it proudly." The ex-US Marshal of Kansas territory out of Dodge City, turned and strode away to find his horse. He mounted and rode for Dodge. With any luck, even with the muddy, messy conditions he'd be there in about an hour, and at the moment Matt Dillon was feeling pretty lucky.

As he rode home, Matt thought of the past 20 years, and the responsibilities he had carried. He didn't regret his service one bit. All along he had known that the job had to be done and that he had to do it. He had resigned a few times over the years and tried to walk away from it, but he had always been drawn back by an irresistible call to duty. Now he knew for sure that the badge was no longer his. Times were changing, and it was time for him to move on. He was thankful and amazed that Kitty had stayed with him through it all. He pressed his horse to go faster, he wanted and needed to be with the woman he loved.

An Hour Later

Matt was starting down Front Street when he saw Hannah and Festus standing in the middle of the road peering down one end and then the other. They spotted him and started running towards him. He galloped to them and dismounted. They were both speaking at once and so rapidly that he couldn't quite understand what they were saying, but he heard the words Kitty – Doc – baby and left them still talking, as he hurried over to Doc's.

He ran up the stairs and burst into the back room. Doc looked up and thought that the mud covered man standing before him, with the ugly bruise and dried blood on the left side of his head, was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen.

Matt immediately sat in the chair next to the bed and took Kitty's hand. Kitty turned her head towards him, "Matt, you're here."

Matt was filled with love as he looked at her. Just hours before he thought he'd never see her again, "I love you Kitty."

Doc turned his attention back to Kitty, "Honey, I know you're tired and you feel like you can't, but I need you to get ready and push hard."

A contraction hit, and Kitty squeezed Matt"s hand as she bore down and pushed as hard as she could.

Doc spoke softly, "One more time, you're almost there, you can do it."

She continued to squeeze Matt's hand as she pushed again with more strength than she thought she had left in her.

Doc called out with wonder and joy in his voice, "There she is." He lifted the baby and gave her a little smack on her bottom. A strong healthy cry rang out loud and clear.

Kitty looked at Matt, "It seems like she might have my temper."

Matt smiled, "Good thing – makes life interesting."

Doc cleaned the baby and wrapped her snuggly in a blanket. He placed her gently in Matt's large hands and then stood back silently sharing the happiness of the two people he loved so much. After a few minutes he asked, "Do you have a name for your little girl?"

Matt looked at Kitty and nodded. Kitty looked at Doc with a gentle smile on her face, "Her name is Galena."

Doctor Galen Adams stood still and didn't even try to hide the fact that he was wiping tears from his eyes.

Trying to recover he said to Matt with fake gruffness. "Let's give Galena to her mama. I want to look at that hard head of yours, and after that you need to get cleaned up and change your clothes. We can't have Galena thinking you look like this all the time."

Matt and Kitty laughed. Kitty looked at her husband, "Go have Doc take care of you, please." Matt leaned forward, and carefully placed the baby in Kitty's arms. She looked up and noticed the two small holes in his shirt where his badge had always been. Kitty looked into Matt's clear, blue eyes. He returned her gaze and said simply "Today was the day." He stood and looking down at his wife and daughter added, "A day for changes."

Matt kissed his wife on the lips, and then kissed the forehead of his tiny daughter, "I'll be back soon."

Two and A Half Years Later

Getting the K Star Ranch up and running had required lot of stamina, patience and fortitude. Fortunately the Dillons had those qualities in abundance. Now, after two and a half years it had established itself as one of the best and most profitable horse ranches in that part of the country. After all Matt knew horses, and everyone knew that Matt Dillon was a fair and honest man

Galena was two and half years old and did seem to have quite a temper. She also loved to sit on her pony with her papa leading her and her mama looking on with pride. Growing up on a horse ranch would suit her just fine.

The twins Bessie and Hannah were just 6 months old. After Kitty had given birth to them, she knew she couldn't have any more children but she and Matt were delighted with their 3 little girls, even though Matt jokingly complained about being outnumbered.

All three girls had thick red hair and all three looked a lot like Kitty, but when Kitty looked into Galena's eyes, the blue eyes that looked back were impossibly clear. Just like her father she had eyes that saw right into you, eyes that couldn't lie.

Kitty had sold her interest in the Long Branch to Hannah about a year and a half before, as soon as the ranch had started making a solid profit. That chapter of her life was over. She loved the ranch, making a home, having a home that was a gathering place for friends and seeing Matt so happy.

Kitty still loved Matt with an intensity that some would think bordered on insanity, and Matt still knew that Kitty was the light in his life and always would be.

Life stops for no one and things change, but some things don't.

The End.