Unshown Moments for The Lure, S12

This is for MissLizzyJ

From the moment she got on that stage, Kitty knew something was wrong. The young girl sitting across from her looked scared half to death and yet angry as well. The two men, who had escorted the girl onto the stage, were very businesslike and stern.

"So," Kitty smiled encouragingly at the child. "Where are you from?"

"St. Louis." The girl replied sullenly.

"Oh, you traveling to see your folks?" Kitty cast a surreptitious look at the two men.

"My father." The girl replied. "Or at least he's coming to see me. These men are holding me to lure my father."

"What?" Kitty's brow shot to her hairline as she looked at the girl and then the two men. "What are you talking about?"

"The girl's Dal Neely's daughter." The man next to her, whose name was Vanner, told her. "She agreed to come with us and lure him out in to the open."

"What do you mean, 'lure'?" Kitty looked at him suspiciously.

"Just that." The man shrugged. "Dal Neely was sent a letter and told to come and meet his daughter. When he arrives, we'll nab him."

"Why bring this child into it?" Kitty looked at both men in irritation. "Why not just tell him you have her without actually making her go?"

"Because Dal Neely is no fool." Vanner answered. "He won't come unless he knows for sure his daughter is here. We need her to get him."

"Well that's just the stupidest thing I've ever heard." Kitty answered, shocked at what these men had just told her. Of course, at that time, she didn't realize it wouldn't begin to compare to the shocks to come.

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While Neely talked with his daughter in the small back room, Kitty did as he'd ordered her and began to make something to eat. They didn't have much in the way of supplies but she was able to put together a stew and some biscuits with what was there.

As she worked, she was all too aware of the looks she was getting from the bandits who surrounded her. But she couldn't allow that to bother her as she considered every possibility in escaping with the girl. However, as she worked and thought, she couldn't think of one.

The men were watching her too closely, no matter the reason and the girl looked as though she was actually glad to be there with her father.

"Hey, Red. Like a drink?"

Kitty looked up at the dark haired man, blinking back hair from his bloodshot eyes, with a scowl. "No." She answered curtly as she got up from the fireplace and moved over to the small table to chop up a few more potatoes to add to the stew.

But the dark haired drunk wasn't so easily put off. "I asked if you wanted to have a drink." He snapped at her.

"And I said no." Kitty pushed him away from her only to have him raise his hand to strike her.

"Leave her alone!" The girl had heard raised voices and walked in, Neely behind her to see Kitty about to be struck.

"You heard her." Neely snapped at the man. "Get away from her." Looking over at Kitty he grinned. "If she goes for any man in this outfit, it'll be me."

Kitty offered him a glare as she shook her head. "I'm picky, Mr. Neely. I wouldn't go for you any more than I would him."

Satisfied by the flash of anger that crossed his face, Kitty turned her back to him and went back to her cooking. The victory was brief but right then she knew she'd have to take what she could and deal with the rest while she waited for either the opportunity to rescue herself and the girl or Matt to come and do it for her.

And she had no doubts, Matt would be coming.

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"That fella that's waiting in Dodge." Neely grumped when Kitty turned him down. "He must be some tall cotton."

"He is." Kitty said proudly. "And if I know him, he won't just be waiting."

Neely studied the pretty woman for a couple of moments. "You figure he's coming here for you?"

"He is." She answered with no hesitation.

"Well," Neely squared his shoulders with a smirk. "Ain't no man worries me. If I decide I want you, I'll take you and no man, yours or any other, will stop me."

"He will." Kitty boasted. "That is if I don't do it first."

Neely frowned and started to say something, when Carrie stirred. Not wanting to wake her, Neely clamped his mouth shut and said nothing more but as he went back into the front room, he considered her words. Seeing the spark in her blue eyes, he wasn't so sure that she couldn't do just as she said.

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As Matt and Festus rode from town, Matt's mind was in a whirl. He had no idea where Kitty was or why those so-called detectives took her and a girl from the stage, but he was bound to find out and heaven help those men if he didn't like their answers.

Riding beside him, Festus watched his friend closely. He'd been around Matthew long enough now to be able to recognize when he was angry or worried and in this case, Festus knew he was both.

"Matthew, Miss Kitty's gonna be alright. You know that don'tcha?"

"Yeah," was Matt's short, gruff reply.

Festus decided to say no more for the moment. There was nothing he could say to make his friend feel any better or worry less. He could only ride alongside and be there to help in anyway needed.

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After leaving the detectives where they'd found them, Matt and Festus headed back out. They now knew even more about what had happened to Kitty and were more worried than before. Dal Neely was wanted in more places than one and he didn't have a reputation for being kind hearted. Add to that, the type of men who might ride with such a man and you had a serious and dangerous situation for Kitty to be in.

Matt said little as he and Festus followed the buggy tracks and he did his best not to allow his inner fears and turmoil show, but glancing over at Festus, he knew he wasn't fooling the hill man. He could also see that the hill man was just as worried and angry about this as he was. Stiffening his spine, Matt silently resolved to not only find Kitty Russell but make sure Dal Neely understood just how wrong he was in taking her.

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Kitty bent over the kettle and made another pot of stew while her captor was outside and Carrie sat and watched her. Neely and two of his men had already ridden out to rob the bank. Kitty had no idea where Matt was but something told her he was on his way. She and Matt had a bond unlike others and somehow, when one was in trouble, the other knew it.

That knowledge did nothing to lessen her concern though. She was no fool. She knew what sort of trouble she was in here. Carrie had some protection in her father, but Kitty didn't. She had only her wits, the ability to think and act quickly should the right opportunity arrive and the knowledge that somewhere, Matt Dillon was out there looking for her.

As tools went, they might not equal a gun or a knife, but they were available and she knew how to use them to protect not only herself, but Carrie too. If the girl would let her, that was.

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"You sure you're alright?" Matt asked Kitty late that evening as he held her in the privacy of the hotel room he rented for her.

"I am." Kitty smiled up at him. "I admit I was a little worried there for a while."

"You were more than worried." Matt gently lifted her chin to look at the slight bruise he saw there. "How'd get this?"

Kitty dropped her eyes, not wanting think about, much less, tell Matt about being struck twice by the bandits who'd taken her. "It was nothing, Matt. I just ran into something is all."

"Looks like you ran into someone's fist." He remarked and could see in her eyes he'd hit the nail on the head. "Kitty, I…"

Quickly, Kitty reached up and pulled his head down to hers. "Matt, the only thing in the world that is important right now, is that I and Carrie are safe. That is all. Do you understand?"

Matt took the opportunity to pull her closer for a kiss before finally nodding. "It's clear."

"Good." She smiled. "Now that we have that taken care of, I'm going to need you to help me get that girl back to her mother. I know she doesn't want to go but she's too young to be on her own."

Matt nodded. "We'll take her back and I'll have a talk with her mother about how protecting her daughter is more important than money. Anything else, I can do for you?"

Kitty looked up somberly at him. "Hold me?"

With a smile, Matt hugged her close, kissing her on the forehead. "All night long." He told her.

END