Unshown Moments from The Badge, S15

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Claire studied Kitty closely as she packed her bags for the return trip to Dodge.

Kitty hesitated for just a second before firmly nodding her head. "I am." She was sure returning to Dodge was the right thing to do but she was also sure she didn't want to leave her friend. In some ways, Claire was more like a sister to Kitty than just a friend.

After Matt had turned and walked away from her following the arrest of Papa Steiffer, Kitty had practically fallen apart when she'd returned to the saloon, not understanding his actions and scared she was falling right back down into the same place she had been before she'd left Dodge. It had been Claire that had dried her tears and consoled her and listened to her worries and concerns. Though Claire hadn't advised her to return or to stay, her quiet support, skillful listening and sound logic had helped Kitty clear her head enough to think calmly and clearly about what she wanted and needed to do.

And that was to go home to Dodge and to Matt. However, as she placed each piece of clothing in her bags, she knew she'd miss her friend terribly.

"You know, you could always come to Dodge with me." Kitty smiled over at the beautiful blonde beside her. "I could use a partner in Dodge and we could sell this place for a pretty profit probably, now that Papa's gone."

Claire shook her head. "That's a nice thought, Kitty, but you don't really need a partner and I can't leave here anymore than you could stay permanently away from Dodge. My home is here. Besides, with Papa gone, this can be a decent town again. But I sure will miss you."

Kitty laid down the dress she was folding and reached over, pulling Claire to her in an embrace. "I'll miss you too, ya know. I'm not sure what I would've done if you hadn't of been here for me."

Claire hugged her tightly. "You would've been just fine, Kitty. You're a survivor. But I'm glad I could help. Just as I'm glad you were here to help me. That goes two ways."

Kitty grinned as she let go and went back to her packing. "Glad we were here for each other."

"Does the Marshal know you're coming home?" Clair asked.

Kitty lightly shrugged. "I haven't told him, if that's what you mean. But I'm pretty sure he knows. He knows how much I love him."

"He knew that when you left Dodge." Claire pointed out. "You think anything's going to change when you get home."

Kitty let out a breath and dropped her head, busying her hands with her packing as she considered that question. "Probably not." Kitty finally answered, her voice soft. "At least not in the general sense of things. Matt won't give up his badge and I won't stop loving him or worrying about him or getting scared when he's shot. But I think he now understands, we both understand, the opposite point of view."

Claire tilted her head as she looked at her friend. "You think he does? I mean do you really think he knows what you went through, seeing him hurt and constantly worrying about him?"

"I think he's always known." Kitty glanced over at Claire with a wry smile. "But I think it took this, me leaving, to drive it home to him just how much. I know it took this to help me see his point of view."

"You think that will make the difference?"

Kitty gave her a thoughtful look, the smile gone. "I sure hope so."

An hour later, as Kitty's bags were being loaded onto the stage for Dodge. Kitty turned back to Claire and embraced her again, a tear rolling down her face. "I'm sure gonna miss you."

Claire kissed her on the cheek before she let her go, her own tears flowing. "I'm going to miss you too. But we'll see each other again and next time it won't be because you're running away. Okay?"

Kitty didn't reply as she gave Claire another hug then took the hand of the stage driver and let him assist her up into the coach. "Take care of yourself, Claire."

"Seems to me, you're the one who needs to do that." Claire smirked. "Send me a wire when you get back home, let me know you made it."

"I will." Kitty nodded as she settled into her seat. "I'll do both."

As she watched the stage take 0ff, Claire folded her arms across her middle with a sad smile. Kitty Russell was perhaps the best friend she had and she hated to see her go. Despite the circumstances, she'd enjoyed having her there as both a friend and partner and if Kitty hadn't of wanted to return to Dodge, Claire would've been happy to have her there permanently.

But Claire knew Kitty's happiness lay in Dodge with a tall man with blue eyes who, despite his claim of being there on business, had come a long way just to check on her and hopefully get her back. No other place and no other person would ever take that place in her friends heart.

End