Again , taking some writer's liberties… for changes…

PT.12

Return To Dodge

Entwined Hearts

Dodge was quiet, everyone stayed off the streets, avoiding all contact with Will Mannon. Hannah and Al sat quietly in the Long Branch waiting for Kitty to come back from checking on Doc. Newly had insisted, Bess keep giving Doc laudanum to keep him calm and out of pain, which also kept him sleeping a lot.

Kitty was thankful for that. This way she didn't have to explain to him what was happening or the condition she was in. It was enough explaining it to Bess.

After returning to the Long Branch, Obie entered with a strange look on his face. "Miss Kitty, Ma'am? He wants you to come to him, to his room at the Dodge House."

Hannah looked at Kitty. "Kitty, NO! You can't. He's a mad man!"

"Miss Hannah's right. He's a mad man." Obie put in. "Ma'am, he said you have to come alone! If anyone comes with you or anyone has any idea of…."

Kitty just nodded. "I know." She stood slowly.

"Kitty, you can't," Hannah repeated.

"With a blank stare, "I have to, Hannah. There's no other way.

"You want him to work you over again? Or worse?"

"He won't." And she walked across the street.

She tapped on the door. Mannon opened it slowly. "Hello, Red."

"I was told you sent for me?" Mannon checked the hall. "I'm alone, you warned them what would happen if you were bushwhacked."

"Can't be too careful. There's always a Judas. You were my Judas, once. Remember ,Red?"

"Is that so?" She said sarcastically.

Now that angered him. "You mean you don't remember what you did to me?"

"No. Why don't you tell me!" Shrugging her shoulders. "I forgot!"

He quickly grabbed her by the shoulders. "How could you forget something like that!" Then his mind went back to the memory of her telling him how he lost with her as a man and how Matt was more of a man then he could ever hope to be, after he had forced himself on her. His face was bright red with anger.

There was a level of fear in Kitty, but she was trying not to let him see it. Then he heard a lone horse slowly coming up Front Street, this took his attention away from her. "What's the matter Mannon? Got Company?"

He smiled an angry smile.

Matt entered the Long Branch, looking around. "Where is she?

Hannah lowered her eyes, swallowed hard. "She's with him at the Dodge House. I tried to talk her out of it but…."

Matt just turned. Obie looked at Matt. "I'll go with ya, Marshal."

"No, thanks Obie. I got this one. I can handle this."

"Think he's gonna save ya, Red? Not this time."

"He beat you before, he'll do it again! He's a better man then you are or will ever be."

"Et' et', not this time, Red. Not this time." Seeing her grab for his gun, he grabbed her by the wrist and threw her to the floor in front of him. "Buckle me."

Kitty just stared at him. "I said buckle me." Her eyes shifted from him to the window then she quickly acted like she was going to buckle the holster but then quickly stood and threw it through the window.

Mannon turned and backhanded her across the bed. As she got up she with both hands pushed at him and pushed him through the opening in the window, just as Matt was coming across the street at the sound of the glass breaking.

Mannon, now laying on the street at Matt's feet, struggling to get up.

Matt looked at him. "Go ahead. Pick it up,"

Kitty was watching from the broken window, scared, knowing Matt's shooting arm still wasn't what it should be. Tears were trickling down her cheeks.

Mannon got up strapped on his gun. "You're mine, Dillon." He walked across the street, turned and shot. But Matt drew at the same time. Mannon went down! Everyone ran out into the street. Kitty stood frozen, staring out the window.

A few minutes later she felt someone standing behind her, then felt two hands on her shoulders. "Kitty? You alright?"

Nodding slowly. "Yeah, I am now!" Then she just slowly leaned back into the large frame of the man who had once again come to her rescue.

She slowly walked out of the room and back to the Long Branch without a word…..

TBC