PT.14

Unknown to Matt, Festus had sent off a wire to Dodge to let Doc know what had happened in Emporia. Festus knew, even though he and ol' Doc bantered back and forth more times about everything and anything, that Doc should be the one here taking care to see that Kitty was looked after proper like. Not some wet behind the ears youngin'. No sir'ee, Miz Kitty needed Ol' Doc!

Doctor Martin quietly checked over Kitty's wound. "I must say, Ma'am, you are one lucky lady. You gave me quite a scare there." As he continued to check her vitals, "Now, I suggest you get plenty of rest for the next few days. Can't have you bust open those stitches."

Kitty watched the young doctor carefully. "Doctor Martin, thank you."

Turning back to face her. "Oh, Ma'am, you don't have to thank me."

"Yes I do. And it's Kitty."

Furrowing his brow, "What?"

Now smiling, noticing a bit of shyness in the young doctor. "My name. It's Kitty, not Ma'am."

"Oh, yes Ma'am. I mean, Miss Kitty."

"May I ask; how long have you been a doctor?"

"Well, I've been here in Emporia, ummm, just over a year."

"Ok, but what I asked was; how long have you been a doctor?"

Dropping his head. "Oh, three years total."

"Well, Doctor, I guess then you haven't seen much like this? And I'm sure in a town such as Emporia, you won't."

"Oh, I've dug a bullet or two out of a few people, Miss Kitty, but…"

Now letting out a small chuckle, one that brought on a small amount of pain. "Oh, but just not a woman. Right?"

Nodding, "Yes, you're right."

"Well, let's just say that with any luck, you won't have to repeat this experience again."

"Oh, I sure hope you're right about that, Miss Kitty. And I sure hope you don't…" Suddenly he stopped mid- sentence.

Kitty noticed his hesitation. "Doctor? What is it?"

Shaking his head. "Oh, nothing. It's just that I… I…"

Suddenly Kitty realized, he must have been thinking of the scars he saw on her side from when Bonner shot her a few years back. "Doctor Martin, the scars on my side, yes, they were from another gun shot. Several years ago a man named Jude Bonner and his gang of animals. Dog Soldiers they called themselves. They came through Dodge City, terrorizing the town folks. They kidnapped me, held me hostage. Used me to trade for Bonner's brother, who Matt, Marshal Dillon, arrested and took to trial in Hayes. He was convicted and hung for murder after that. Bonner and his men, well, let's just say, they took their anger out on me. Then they brought me back to Dodge and shot me in front of everyone and left me, thinking I would die in the street as payback to Matt for his brother's death."

Standing in shock listening to her recount the horrible details of that experience. "Miss Kitty! How awful. I'm so sorry. But I must say, you're an awfully strong woman, to have withstood such an ordeal. And someone took very good care of you."

"Oh, that would be Doc. Doctor Adams."

"Oh, I see."

Then suddenly they both heard a third voice. "Did I hear someone call my name?"

Kitty tried leaning up and Doc Martin turned sharply. Grabbing her side, "Doc? Is that really you? Ouch!"

"Young Lady, you lie yourself back down in that bed."

She was laughing but holding her side and flinching from the pain.

Quickly, both Doc and Doctor Martin assisted in helping her rearrange her position. As Doc got closer, she reached up throwing her arms around his neck. "Curly, I'm so happy to see you!"

"Honey, when Festus sent me that wire, well, I nearly…"

Placing two fingers to his lips. "I'm fine, Curly, really I am."

Looking over his shoulder. "So she's a doctor now. Don't you let her boss you, now. She can get a bit…"

Now slapping his arm. "Oh now, you cut that out."

"So, where's that over grown civil servant?"

"Oh," now smiling at Doc, "he went to let everyone know I was awake."

Swiping his mustache. "Oh is that so? Well…" Doc went through his routine of checking her over with Doc Martin's ok. He did not want to step over his boundaries. "Well, now, young lady, I'd say a good long nap is in order. You seem a bit fevered to me. You agree, Doctor Martin?"

Reaching over, feeling Kitty's face and neck. "I'd say you're quite right there, Doctor Adams." Martin reached into the cabinet, pouring a small amount of laudanum into a glass. "Ok, Miss Kitty, you drink this and lie back there and rest. We'll check back in on you in a while."

Just then, Matt was standing in the doorway. "Doc? Doc, what are you doing here?"

"Well, where else would I be? At least Festus had the good sense to contact me."

"Festus?" Matt repeated.

"Yeah, Festus. Oh, I can't believe I'm saying that."

Kitty and Matt began to laugh.

Doc and Doc Martin stood. "How about a cup of fresh coffee, Doctor Adams?"

Nodding. "Sounds good."

As they started out, Matt was sitting alongside Kitty. "Matt, stay? Please?"

Martin started to say to Doc, "Do you think we should let him stay? She is weak and fevered. She needs…"

Throwing his arm over the young doctor's shoulder, swiping his mustache. "Let them be. Those two do more to contribute to the survival and well being of the other, and have seen each other through more than any medical book or journal can ever explain. Now, I believe you said something about coffee?"

Nodding. "Sure. And maybe with a little something to add a kick."

TBC