Remnant From The Ashes

By Leighann

This piece of fiction is set twelve years after Season 20. I don't own the rights to the characters, but am just taking them off the dusty shelf for a bit. I don't own the rights to the Gunsmoke characters, nor do I make any profit just taking them off the dusty shelf for a bit of fun.

**DO TO MAUTURE THEME READER DISCRESION IS ADVISED.**

*ONE*

Kitty and Hannah walked out of the Dodge City ticket office as the train porter loaded Kitty's bag. "I still think you should have gotten a sleeping compartment, Kitty." Hannah commented.

Kitty smiled warmly at her business partner. Kitty always liked Hannah's no non-sense approach from the moment she had met the woman, which is why Kitty had never hesitated selling Hannah 60% of the Long Branch. She knew that Hannah would have no problem handling the customers while keeping up the sterling reputation that Kitty had molded the Long Branch into.

"The day car is just fine. I'll be home tomorrow evening, so there is no sense going to the added expense." Kitty explained.

Hannah gave a small shake of her head. "Suit your self."

Kitty gave Hannah another warm smile. "I'll be fine."

"Are you sure you want to leave without talking to him?"

"Hannah." Kitty replied with a hint of warning.

"You didn't have to take the first train out this morning." Hannah commented, causing Kitty to arch an eyebrow as a further warning, letting Hannah know the subject was closed.

Before anything more could be said the train whistle blew, notifying its passengers that it was time to board the train, and prompting Hannah to change the subject. "Got your ticket?" Kitty held up her train ticket in her gloved hand for Hannah to see. "Well then, you best get a board before all the good seats are gone." Hannah ordered.

"I don't know who's a worse mother hen, you or Doctor Harp?" Kitty countered as she thought back on how either Doctor Harp or Hannah fussed at her from the moment she arrived back in Dodge City and Matt's bedside. If the good doctor wasn't telling Kitty to go get some rest, Hannah was telling her to get something to eat.

Hannah harrumphed as an answer, causing Kitty to cover her mouth to keep from laughing.

The conductor yelled all aboard as the train whistle blew again. Kitty gave Hannah a quick hug. "Thank you for everything, Hannah."

"There's nothing to thank me for, Kitty. You own part of the Long Branch."

Kitty shook her head, "I'm just a silent partner and I won't be that if you decide to sign those papers."

The conductor gave his final call for all the passengers to board the train. Kitty started towards the train as Hannah called out to her to take care of herself. Kitty nodded at Hannah before climbing the steps of the passenger car.

Kitty quickly found a seat next to the window, happy in the fact that if she was going to spend the next two days on the train at least she had a window seat to help pass the time. As Kitty settled into her seat she watched as Dodge City slowly moved into the distance. Kitty rested her chin in her hand while she continued to watch her former home shrink out the window. She was eager to get back home to New Orleans with Jared and Kate ever since Mannon had said he missed her there.

Matt checked how he looked in the mirror one more time before he left his room to go see Kitty. He had bathed, shaved, and gotten a haircut this morning. Matt had wanted to speak with Kitty last night, but after he had helped get Mannon's body to the undertaker, and then appeared before Judge Teeters, Hannah had told him Kitty was in bed asleep when he finally showed up at the Long Branch. Not wanting to wake Kitty after what she had been through with Mannon, Matt resigned himself to waiting for the morning to speak to Kitty.

As Matt walked to the Long Branch he ran into Oakum. "Morning, Oakum."

"Morning, Mr. Dillon." Oakum greeted. "I hear from Marshall O'Brien that Judge Teeter's declared you acted in self defense. That sure is good news."

"Mm hum." Matt replied.

Oakum noticed that Matt was clean-shaven and his hair freshly trimmed. "You on your way to the Long Branch?"

"I am." Matt smiled. "Can I buy you a drink, as a thank you for all you did for me Oakum?"

"That's mighty kind of you Mr. Dillon, but I was just heading out. Another time?"

Matt nodded his head, "Until then." And he continued towards the saloon.

As Matt came through the swinging doors of the Long Branch, he saw Hannah's bartender, Titus and walked up to the bar. "Will you let Kitty Russell know I'm here?"

"She's not here." Came Hannah's voice from the front door.

Matt turned and saw Hannah walk in from the street and nodded his head in greeting at Hannah. "When will she be back?"

Hannah walked behind the bar and signaled Titus to give them some privacy. Hannah then grabbed two whiskey glasses and poured her and Matt a drink. "Kitty left Dodge this morning."

Matt's brow creased. "What do you mean, she left?"

"She took the train back to New Orleans this morning." Hannah watched as the news sank in to Matt. "Matt, I tried to get her to see you before she left, but…" Hannah knew she didn't have to explain to Matt how determined Kitty could be.

Matt picked up his glass of whiskey and took a drink. "Kitty and I never needed explanations."

Hannah harrumphed. "Never thought I would see the day that Matt Dillon turned yellow."

Matt slammed his glass down. "Yellow!"

Hannah stood up to her full height and dug her heels in. "You heard me, Matt. Did you even look at Kitty last night? Did you see how Mannon had beat her again?!" Hannah never gave Matt a chance to answer. "You just glanced at her and walked away instead of facing what happened."

"I came here last night to see her." Matt said in defense.

Hannah harrumphed again. "Two hours later, after Doctor Harp tended to her and gave her something to sleep. Most likely knowing that would be the case when you finally showed up. So yes, Matt Dillon, yellow."

It had been a long time since anyone had called Matt a coward and he didn't like the way it sat with him. "What do I owe you for the drink?"

Hannah shook her head, "It's on me Matt."

Matt nodded his head at Hannah and then turned and left the saloon.