What Doesn't Kill You 26

I don't own these characters; I just like to spend time with them. No other profit to be had.

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Clay Warren stood staring down at Kitty's unconscious form, absently rubbing the hand that had struck her, against his pants leg. Before this thing was through, he had plans to do more than just strike her.

Angrily, his mind returned to six years ago, on a hot August night in the Long Branch. He had been certain that the red headed saloon owner was appreciative of his attentions. Though not of the wealth that he now possessed, he was never the less an attractive man with a lot to offer the right woman. And he had decided she was that woman.

Sitting down in a nearby chair, he closed his eyes as the memories of that night washed over him, kindling the shame and anger of six years prior.

He had walked into the saloon that night with plans. Grand plans, to his way of thinking. He had secured a room over at the Dodge Hodge for the night and had ordered a feast for two to be sent over from Delmonico's. All that remained was for him to collect the lovely Kitty Russell and escort her back to the hotel for what he believed would be a night to remember for them both.

Walking in, he spied the lady at one end of the highly polished bar talking to Doctor Adams. That man was just another, in a long list of Dodge City residents, that Clay was not fond of. But as he was the only doctor in town, and for miles around, he kept his opinion to himself. One never knew when a doctor would be needed.

Prancing across the busy barroom to reach her side, Clay presented himself with a large, and what he considered to be, ingratiating smile. "Good evening, Doctor Adams, Kitty."

Kitty looked at him with something less than interest but he ignored that. He felt certain he would have her mind changed by the next morning.

Dr. Adams turned and glared at him but remained mute, his general dislike of Clay written plainly on his wizened old face. Clay ignored the look as well as the physician.

"How are you this evening, Kitty?" He smiled winningly as he took her hand and brought it up to his lips.

Kitty pulled her hand back and did not return the smile. "I'm fine." She replied. He noticed she did not ask of his well being.

Clay glanced around the saloon noting the large number of customers. "It's busy I see." He said. "I think you should take some time off tonight, Kitty. I have a room reserved for the night over at the Dodge House. And dinner on its way there as we speak. It would give you a chance to relax and us a chance to get to know each other better."

Kitty took a noticeable step back from him, shaking her head. "No, Clay." She told him stiltedly. "As you said, the place is busy, I can't leave." Kitty turned her back on him then and started to retreat back behind the bar.

Clay shook his head, taking a step closer to her. "Now please, Kitty. Just a little dinner and some quiet time, just the two of us. I promise you will not be sorry."

Kitty glared at him. "I told you no, Clay, and I mean no."

Clay refused to accept that. He was after all the most eligible man in town, and as soon as he could work it past the Marshal, he would be the richest. She couldn't be saying no to him. "I don't think you understand, Kitty." He said trying not to show his frustration as her refusal. "I'm only thinking of your welfare. Why, even Dr. Adams here would have to agree that some time off from this place would be good for you."

Kitty glanced over at Doc who scowled at Clay. "I believe Miss Russell here knows what's best for her." Doc spoke up. "Now, she has told you she doesn't want to go with you, so why don't you just get yourself a drink then go on. I'm sure there are other girls that might wish to share dinner with you."

Doc placed himself between Clay and Kitty, making certain the ogre understood that he would not side with him and he would not allow him to touch Kitty.

Cold fury swept over Clay. No one told him no and no one stood in the way of something he wanted. "You stay out of this, old man," he hissed at Doc, pushing him away.

Doc, unprepared for the shove, lost his footing and fell backward onto the dirty bar room floor. Swiftly Clay turned back to Kitty, reaching for her. "Now come on, Kitty." He said patiently. "I have dinner waiting."

"No!" Kitty yelled as she escaped his grasp and grabbed the first thing she saw, Doc's untouched glass of whiskey, and poured it in his face before darting around him and over to kneel beside Doc. "Doc, you alright?" she asked, afraid that he could be seriously hurt.

Doc shook his head and began struggling to his feet as Kitty reached down for his hand to help him up.

But Clay wiped the whiskey from his face and forcefully took Kitty's arm, pulling her away. "I said you're going with me, Kitty, and I am not taking' no' for an answer."

The barroom, which up until this point had been fairly noisy, suddenly became deathly quiet. All eyes and ears were on the saloon owner and the disreputable businessman.

Clay noticed the quiet and the attention and it made him even more determined to have his way. Dragging her, protesting all the way, he started towards the door, only to be stopped in the middle of the room by a large man wearing a US Marshal's badge.

"Let her go, Clay." Matt ordered.

"This is none of your business, Marshal." Clay sneered. "The lady and I are just going to have some dinner and a nice long talk, huh, Kitty?"

Kitty shook her head as she looked pleadingly at Matt. "No." She said, struggling once again to pull herself out of his clutches. "I told him no but he won't listen to me, Matt."

Clay detected a tone in her voice just then that spoke of something more than just friendship between the she and the Marshal. Angrily he stared down at her then back at the big man in front of him. Neither one flinched at his attention and both gave him a look of contempt.

"I said, let her go, Clay." Matt demanded again. "Let her go and you can walk out of here."

"No!" Clay snarled. "She comes with me."

Matt took a step closer and backhanded Clay, causing him to release Kitty and fall backwards. Kitty scrambled to get out of the way as Clay quickly regained his feet and charged headlong into the chest of the law man.

But Matt was ready for him, and with two short jabs he had once again knocked Clay to the floor, where he lay senseless for a moment. A moment was all Matt needed as he reached down and jerked him to his feet. "Come on, Clay." He snapped. "You're going to jail."

Clay was too addled by the Marshal's powerful blows to offer much protest as Matt began to drag him from the saloon. But he didn't fail to take note of the laughter erupting from the many saloon patrons and the sniggered comment from one man. "Serves ya right to mess with the Marshal's woman."

Clay's face turned a mottled red even now, six years later, as he remembered the embarrassment of that night. Looking back over at Kitty who was just now coming around, his gaze hardened. Before this day was over, she and her Marshal were going to pay for that embarrassment.

TBC