Wagon tracks, not more than a couple hours old, mingled with those of Kitty and the child as the Marshal and his deputies rode up the dry dusty road. Matt's heart both leapt with hope that someone had possibly given her aid and sank at the thought of her being that much farther away.

"Marshal," Newly nodded at the dilapidated shack that stood off to the side, "that looks like where the wagon came from but maybe someone's still around who will know where it went or if she was here."

"That's a good idea."

Hope again surged in Matt's heart as they turned off and jogged the horses up to the door, calling out as they dismounted. It was quickly apparent that no one was home.

"Well, shoot." Festus grumbled, as the three men remounted to fan out and circle the area, making absolutely sure no one was within earshot, "I sure hope whoever was here gave Miss Kitty and that child a ride to the nearest town."

Newly was the first to spot her. Sunburned and slumped over from the heat, he might have missed their beautiful redheaded friend as he put his heels into his geldling but there she was, bound and gagged against a pole beam.

"Marshal!"

He yanked on the reins, barreling off as his horse sat down to stop. His feet covered the ground as if his own life depended on it and he checked her pulse with his heart in his throat.

"She's here! She's alive!"

"Let me."

The astounded Marshal was there in a moment. Dropping to his knees with knife in hand, Matt's big hands trembled as he frantically cut through the gag and ropes. Then, catching her body as she fell forward, he hurried to lay her on the dry brittle grass.

"Festus, get the water." he ordered, frantic eyes sweeping over her.

He couldn't lose her now! Not after almost two decades of friendship and love. Not after three days of searching through the rain. Their relationship couldn't end now. Not like this.

Starting with his own canteen, he began patting her face and neck with moisture.

Unconsciously tossing her head to the side at his touch, Kitty's face twitched and her eyelids fluttered for a moment.

"Come on, Kit." the Marshal whispered, "Let me see your eyes. Please, Kitty, open your eyes. Kitty, wake up!" What began as a request, turned into a plea, then finally became an order.

Festus and Newly squated next to him, their eyes boring into the beautiful redhead as if willing her to hear his desire and answer him.

Switching tactics, Matt went for her neck. His teeth ran across that sensitive spot that always sent her over the edge, repeatedly tickling her as he whispered nonsensically in her ear.

Dropping their gaze, the two deputies tried to give the couple the privacy these moments required but the big man's resuscitation techniques were hard to ignore.

Kitty's eyes fluttered again. Once. Twice. Then they stayed open and finally focused.

Matt was too busy with her neck to notice and she was almost too weak to talk.

"Matt?" she mumbled, "Ma—"

"Matthew!"

"Marshal!"

Festus and Newly had stronger voices. Their expressions suddenly jubilant.

"She's awake, Matthew!"

Matt jerked back. Relief and joy flooded his face when he saw those beautiful pale blue eyes that he could never get enough of. He hauled her into his arms and, as they hugged, their tears mingled.

"Matt…" she finally tried to push back, "C-can I have a drink of water?"

"Honey, you can have anything you want."

"Matt, we have to get going."

Once she'd had some refreshment, her voice and expression turned anxious, "Th-the family who was here, they...they took the little girl who's been helping me."

Author's Note: This was supposed to be a short one-shot just because I haven't posted anything in a while and my other two current GS stories aren't ready yet (to varying degrees). Then one chapter became two. Then two became three. Then life intervened and I couldn't write anything for a while. Oh, well, I finally got this one ready and you can enjoy it while I continue with the others. Thank you all!