Some miles beyond the creek, Kitty cautiously pulled away from the sleeping man, hardly daring to breathe as she crawled on hands and knees through a little grove of trees, her haunted eyes watching carefully for any sign of movement.

Finally, she stood up and, biting back the sobs that were welling up in her throat, began a half stumbling dash for freedom, trying to block out what had transpired over the last few hours.

It was only when they'd stopped to water the horses that she realized how much the sun had been affecting Bellum's injured head and she was grateful he didn't make them stop there.

She thought he might, given how awful he looked. And there had been so many places to hide too! But she also understood that he couldn't go much farther without rest.

When they finally did stop, he seemed angry about his own frailty and took it out on her with threats and insults as she fixed their meager dinner from the contents of the sack he'd brought from the hotel.

She'd handled it with gritted teeth. She was too sore to really care. At least he hadn't touched her yet.

Unfortunately, that didn't last. As nighttime descended around them, he'd laid down near the glowing embers of the dying fire and forced her to lie beside him. Even now, she could still feel his filthy hands probing her body.

But, miraculously, she soon realized that he was too worn down from his injury and the day's hard ride to complete his ambition and he eventually fell asleep. Then came those awful minutes when she'd had to lie very still in hopes that he didn't wake up.

Now, as she backtracked their trail under the bright moonlight, she was immensely grateful for Matt and Quint's training. Knowing how to follow their trail kept alive a desperate hope within her.

But questions also swirled in her mind. What if Ad woke up? He could follow the trail just as easily as she could and he had the benefit of a horse! Could she honestly make it all the way back to Topeka on foot without food or a gun? How long would that take? They'd ridden pretty hard today. Would she meet someone? Tonight? Tomorrow? The next day? The day after that? Who would she meet? Indians? Cowboys? Buffalo hunters? Friend or foe? Matt!

Then she was afraid that she was thinking too hard. What if she didn't even hear Bellum sneaking up behind her because she was so busy thinking?

The sound of bubbling water jarred her mind back to the present and, with a gasp, she realized that she was approaching the little creek where they'd watered the horses hours earlier.

That startled her. How could she have been so wrapped up in her own thoughts that she didn't even realize how far she'd come? The thought of wetting her perched lips hastened her steps again but the soft sounds of an impatient horse brought her to a screeching halt.

Someone else was here too! But who? Should she risk it? What if Bellum was close? What if he heard her scream and the person ahead didn't help? What if they both decided to take advantage of her?

But what if it was someone good? She knew deep down that she'd never get back to Topeka without help. She had to risk it, didn't she?

"Help!" she called, her voice half strangled with sobs. She hardly believed she dared call out.

Matt whirled at the sound, hardly believing his ears. It couldn't be! Could it?

"Please help!"

"Kitty?" His voice bellowed into the darkness, his feet already running towards the sound, "Kitty?"

"Matt?" She gasped, breaking into a run amidst the rocks.

He paused, listening to her slight footfalls. She was so tiny he barely heard them.

"Kitty." he called again, "Stand still, sweetheart. I'll find you." He paused again, "Talk to me, sweetheart. Let me hear your voice."

"Where are you, Matt?" She was sobbing again, spinning a circle amidst the rocks and brush, "I need you—"

"I'm right here." Suddenly his giant arms were around her and he was burying his head in her neck; their tears mingled together as they swayed in each other's arms.

"Am I dreaming, Matt?" she finally pulled back enough to look up into his eyes, her hands clasped firmly around his face, "Are you really here?"

"I really am." His eyes glowed with love and relief. Pulling her in for another hug, Kitty winced when his weight crushed the diamond brooch into her chest.

"Ouch…"

His expression hardened. "Did he give you that?" He immediately unhooked it.

"Yeah…" Her face dropped, voice small.

Matt pulled the little wooden box out of his pocket and dropped the brooch inside. "He probably bought it with the money he robbed from the bank or a stage. Or maybe he just stole it too."

"Ad robbed—?" Her eyes bulged.

"Among other things…" He didn't want to elaborate and deep lines of concern darkened his face, "Did he hurt you, Kit?"

"No." She shook her head immediately, trembling as memories flooded her mind.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart; you must be famished." He didn't fail to notice her shakes and quickly scooped her up. Carrying her back to the horse, he set her down then went to gather the provisions out of his saddlebags, "I just refilled my canteen and there's some antelope jerky and coffee. Not exactly fitting for what you've been through, but it's all I've got right now."

"I am thirty." she admitted, her voice still soft, staring at the ground until he resettled beside her.

His alert eyes made a quick probe of the bright darkness as he held the canteen up for her to drink and gave her a hunk of jerky to chew.

"We had dinner when we stopped a few miles from here." She shuddered again, "He brought a sack from the hotel. He—" She took a deep breath then shuddered and clamped her mouth shut. Her body quivered again.

"Did he hurt you, Kit?" Matt demanded again, almost holding his breath.

"No." She answered instantly again, shaking her head fervently. "We watered the horses here before dark then made camp a few miles on. His head was bothering him. The sun got to him today, Matt. I didn't notice until we were watering the horses."

She swallowed hard and hoped the tears sliding down her face were hidden even in the bright darkness, "He-he made me lay next to him, Matt, but-but he fell asleep." She rubbed herself, wishing that she didn't feel so dirty in front of the man she loved so much. Then her sobs became more audible and she wrapped her arms protectively around herself.

"I'm here, Kit." Matt's voice was low in her ear. Pulling her into his lap, he stroked her hair and back and let her cry, "He won't hurt you now. That's my promise, Kitty. He won't ever touch you again."

"I-I didn't hear him following me," She made an effort to get control of herself after a few minutes, "but, I don't know, Matt. My mind was in a million places when I got away. I'm sorry, sweetheart. I should have been more focused. I know—"

"Hey, hey, now, it's alright, Kit." he tightened his grip around her, nuzzling her neck with kisses, "It's my job to do the tracking and watch our backsides. You made it back to me and that's all that matters. We'll talk about what's next in the morning. You ought rest right now." Their lips met softly, but he quickly pulled back, as if realizing something for the first time.

"You're freezing, honey!" Fumbling to get out of his coat quickly, he continued, "I'm sorry, I should have a fire going. You just hang on, sweetheart. I'm gonna get things fixed up for you right now!"

His coat easily swallowed her smaller body and she shuddered with relief as his leftover warmth began seeping into her, "Thank you, Matt. Ooo, this feels good."

"Sit tight, sweetheart." He smiled gently as he placed his Stetson on her head for added warmth and she curled up on the ground, hugging her knees with her arms, "Now that we've got your outside warming up, we gotta work on your insides."

"What about you?" she asked, worry flickering in her eyes, "Won't you be cold?"

"Don't worry about me, sweetheart." he shook his head, his sharp eyes scanning the moonlit grass again, "I'm warm enough. In fact, my blood is boiling."

Going back to the horse, the Marshal gave it a quick pat on the withers before unpacking what he needed, "We're in luck, fella. My girl found us." Then he gritted his teeth as he grimly made another scan of the prairie, "I'm afraid we're not done yet though."

He let her sleep as the flames brewed the coffee and his mind mulled over what lay ahead. There were so many things to consider. He knew she wouldn't really be strong enough to travel even with a night's rest, but he also felt a desperate need to try and catch up with her abductor.

Of course, Bellum would likely make a run for it when he woke up and found her missing. He'd turn her horse loose and head out as fast as he could. That would make it almost impossible for Matt to catch up while Kitty was with him.

But, I don't have to catch up, the Marshal reminded himself with a slight smile. There are plenty of telegraph lines between here and everywhere and I'm feeling mighty lucky right now.

He glanced at his girl as the coffee finally boiled. Yes, he was mighty lucky. His girl was back with him. She was safe and sound.

"Wake up, sweetheart…" he murmured, rubbing her back while her eyes fluttered open. He helped her sit up, "I've got ya a nice warm drink."

Author's Note: LovingmesomeMK, I'm glad you're enjoying it!