Unshown Moments for Kitty's Injury – S 5

Matt paced around the small front room of the Judson's shack and cast an occasional glance at the back room where Kitty was laying senseless, thrashing, moaning with a high temperature that no amount of cool well water was going to bring down.

After sending Lute to Dodge for Doc, Matt had returned to the room where Kitty was and simply sat beside her. She was at first, fairly lucid though in a great deal of pain and completely scared to death that, despite his promises, he would leave her there alone.

But all too soon, her condition deteriorated and she'd lapsed into unconsciousness which was replaced by the high fever and convulsions she was now suffering through. He'd talked to her, cajoled, even climbed on the lumpy mattress and cradled her in his arms but it'd had no effect. Kitty was hurt bad and getting worse by the minute and until Doc got there, he felt helpless to help her.

Mrs. Judson finally pushed the empty water bucket into his hands and asked him to go collect some water, hoping a break would do him some good. It didn't and after delivering the water to her, he went back to pacing.

"Marshal?" Matt looked up as the old woman stepped out of the bedroom. "Why don't you lie down on Lute's bed and get some rest. It might be a while before Lute gets back with the doctor and you fretting yourself over the lady won't help her. I'm going to get some more water and then I promise to go right back in with her."

"No," Matt shook his head. "I appreciate it but I can't. Is Kitty any…"

"Sorry," She answered sadly. "I hate to say this, but I think she's getting worse."

Matt pushed past her and returned to the back room, sitting heavily on the small bed, next to Kitty. She was hot to the touch as he took her hand between his, softly rubbing it. "Kitty? Kitty…"

He stopped and dropped his head, knowing she couldn't hear him. "Oh, honey." He said as he let out a deep breath. "I'd do anything if it was me lying there instead of you."

The old woman watched him from the doorway for a moment before softly closing the door and allowing them a few minutes of privacy. Looking at her own husband, she wished with all she had that he loved her like the tall man obviously loved the red head. Sighing wearily, she stepped over to the bucket and poured the last of its contents into the bowl.

Back inside the room, Matt gently rubbed Kitty's small hand between his large ones, watching her intently. How she'd crept past his defenses and claimed him, he had no idea. He wasn't even sure he knew when she'd done it. But there was no doubt in his mind or heart that she had. Other women, like Lee and Cara and Dolly had hurt and disappointed him. But Kitty had done nothing but love and accept him.

"I don't want to lose you, Kitty." He said softly. "I still don't want to marry and you know why but… but that doesn't mean I don't want you. I've never wanted a woman as much as I do you. Hang on, Honey." He pressed a kiss to her unresponsive lips. "Hang on for me, please. I want you, Kitty."

Kitty's only response was a moan and a restless tossing of her head. Matt doubted she'd heard him or if she had that she understood what he'd said. But something deep inside had compelled him to say it anyway.

"I have some more water." The old woman spoke softly from the doorway, ready to retreat, should the Marshal want more time alone with his lady.

But sighing, Matt finally released Kitty's hand and stood up. "I think I'm going to take a look outside." Matt muttered as he turned and brushed past Mrs. Judson coming in and left the room.

"Poor man." Mrs. Judson shook her head as she sat down next to a seriously injured Kitty and again began bathing her forehead with cool water in what she knew was a futile effort to bring her temperature down.

XxxxxxxxxX

"Matt, now here, be careful." Doc cautioned as Matt carried a still unconscious Kitty out to the wagon and carefully laid her down on the bed of the wagon that Lute had stolen. "Lay her as flat as you can." Doc told him.

"I am." Matt answered. His sole concentration was on getting Kitty comfortable and as far from the Judson's place as he could.

Though she was still unconscious, Doc assured him that she was going to be alright. The small amount of blood that had come from her ear and the fever had most definitely been signs of a severe head trauma, and Matt carrying her, her head dangling, to the Judson's hadn't helped. But by some fate or just the man above being generous, she'd escaped what could've been her fate.

And though Doc had been late getting there due to Lute's duplicity, he had still arrived in time to bring the fever down and get her settled before she could take a permanent turn for the worse. Now all he had to do was get her back to town in one piece without any further damage being done.

"I'm going to ride back here with her." Doc said as he scrambled up into the back of the wagon. "Can you tie my buggy to the back of this thing?"

"Sure." Matt answered as he moved to do so. Once the buggy and his horse were secured to the wagon, Matt climbed gingerly up into the seat, trying hard not to jostle the precious woman in the back. "You set?" He looked back at Doc but his eyes were on Kitty.

"Let's go." Doc answered as he leaned over and braced Kitty with an arm until the wagon was rolling.

The rough dirt road leading back to Dodge was bumpy and long but Matt maneuvered the wagon down it like a man hauling nitro. He made no comments to Doc and seldom looked at his passengers but his mind was centered solely on Kitty. Doc had reassured him a couple of times that she would be fine but as long as she was lying there senseless, he found it hard to believe.

As Matt drove, Kitty finally swam to consciousness and opened her eyes. Her head was pounding furiously and her whole body seemed to ache. But in some way, she couldn't define, she felt better and understood she'd fought some sort of battle and had won.

"Kitty?" Doc spoke softly. "How do you feel?"

"My head hurts." She whispered hoarsely. "Where are we?"

"We're going back to Dodge." He smiled, so happy to see her awake.

"Where's Matt?" She started to rise but Doc quickly laid a hand on her shoulder to keep her down.

"He's driving this contraption and you need to stay down. He went to an awful lot of trouble to protect you, young lady and I don't want you to undo his hard work."

Just then, Matt, though he hadn't heard them talking, pulled up on the reins of the horse and brought the wagon to a stop. He could stand it no longer and had to know how Kitty was doing now. When Doc told him she was awake and that she really would be alright, he could barely contain his joy as he jumped down from the wagon and stepped back to talk to her. The fact that she was able to talk to him and even smiled at his teasing her was icing on the cake.

Later that night, after finishing his rounds and making sure Chester was watching the jail, Matt quickly made his way up to Doc's office. Doc insisted that Kitty spend at least a couple of days up there so he could keep an eye on her, although he constantly reassured them both that she would fully recover.

"Doc." Matt smiled at his friend as he stepped into the office and removed his hat. "How's Kitty?"

"Waiting for you to come and see her before she'll go to sleep." Doc grinned. "Go on in there but don't stay too long."

"Thanks." Matt answered as he swiftly opened the door to Doc's back room and went in.

"Matt!" Kitty smiled brightly when he appeared at her side. "I was hoping you'd stop by before you turned in."

Matt shook his head and sat down beside her. "You knew I would." He gently scolded. "But you shouldn't have waited up. You need to get as much rest as you can. You heard Doc. That injury was serious, Kitty. You hit your head hard and…"

"Alright." She waved a hand to stop him. "I get it. And I promise to rest. But I needed to talk to you first before I went to sleep."

"About what?" Matt frowned, concerned at the seriousness of her expression. "What's wrong?"

"Doc told me what happened out on the Judson's farm." Kitty answered sadly. "I'm sorry, Matt. I know how you hate killing and if I…"

"Whoa." Matt reached out and took her hand. "Stop right there, honey. What happened out there was not your fault. It wasn't really anyone's fault. Lute just… well, he forced my hand. There was nothing I or his mother could do about it and certainly nothing you could've done had you been well enough to know what was going on. What happened just happened and I don't want you to give it any more thought. Okay?"

"Alright." Kitty smiled but tugged at Matt's hand when he started to release hers and get up. "Matt, I have something else I need to tell you."

Tilting his head, Matt settled back down and looked at her quizzically. "What's that?"

"I want you too, Matt." She smiled seeing the understanding cross his face. "I will always want you no matter what."

Realizing she'd heard what he said at the Judson's farm, Matt quickly bent down and claimed her lips in a soft, sweet and tender kiss. "Then you will always have me, Kitty. Or at least as much as I have to give."

"It's enough, Matt." She smiled. "It's enough."

END