"Out On The Prairie" This is an MM/What If to the season 5 episode "Horse Deal." What if Chester showed up just a few minutes later when Matt and Kitty were riding together out on the prairie.
Matt sat at his desk going through wanted posters. He was keeping the ones that were still current and discarding the old ones. He really did not like paper work, although this wasn't nearly as bad as filling out reports. As soon as he was done with this, he was going to go over to the Long Branch to see Kitty and have a drink with her. She was working, so Matt knew she would be there. Wanted posters organized, Matt put on his gun belt and hat and went on over to the Long Branch.
Hearing the player piano and the crowd as he walked towards the Long Branch, Matt could tell the place was busy. As he approached the batwing doors and peered over, Matt's suspicions were confirmed. The place was packed with people. He just hoped Kitty was available to have a drink with him. When things got really busy at the saloon, Kitty would sometimes help out on the floor. Matt wanted to ask if she was busy tomorrow. He wanted to take her riding out on the prairie. After surveying the saloon, Matt saw Kitty standing at the bar. He walked in.
"Hello, Marshal," said Bill Pence as he served a beer to a cowboy.
"Evening, Bill," said Matt.
"Hello, Matt," said Kitty with a smile on her face and love in her eyes.
"Hello, Kitty," Matt said as he turned his attention away from Bill and towards Kitty. "Are you available to find a table and have a drink?"
"Of course. Bill, if you need me, Matt and I will be having a drink over there," Kitty told Bill. Turning to Matt, she asked, "Whiskey or beer?"
"Whiskey sounds good tonight," Matt answered.
"Alright, why don't you get that last table and I'll bring the whiskies," said Kitty.
"Sounds good," Matt said as he walked over to claim the last table available in the saloon.
Kitty came over about a minute later with two whiskies in her hand. When she approached the table, Matt pulled out a chair for her. She sat down and set the whiskies on the table, placing one in front of her and the other in front of Matt.
"Thank you. It sure is busy here tonight," Matt said as he took a sip of his whisky.
"It sure is. There aren't any cattle drovers in town, but every once in a while it gets busy like this. I'm just glad I have tomorrow off because I know I'm going to be tired from tonight," said Kitty. She too took a sip of her whiskey.
"Oh," said Matt, disappointment filling his voice.
Kitty noticed the disappointment. "What's the matter?"
"Well, I came here to have a drink with you and to ask you if you wanted to go riding with me out on the prairie tomorrow. I know you have the day off tomorrow, and I was going to have Chester watch the office for a few hours in the afternoon. But if you think you'll be too tired, we can go some other time," Matt answered.
"Matt, I am never too tired for you," responded Kitty. "What time were you thinking of going?"
Matt's face instantly lit up. "How about I pick you up at one o'clock?"
"I'll be ready at one o'clock," said Kitty.
"Perfect," Matt said as he took the last swig of his whiskey. "I should go and do my rounds. I'll see ya tomorrow at one." Matt stood up, put his hat on, and left the Long Branch.
It was noon the next day and Kitty was getting ready for her ride with Matt. She was wearing her riding skirt and one of her best white blouses. Kitty decided to not wear her hair completely up. Matt liked it when she just pulled the sides of her hair up. He told her that one night when they were laying in bed. She tried to make a point to wear her hair like that, just for him.
She and Matt had known each other for five years and had been committed to each other only for almost four years. Even though they had been together as a couple for four years, Kitty wasn't sure if today's ride was a date or not. Not that it mattered. Kitty finished getting ready when she heard the sound of Matt's footsteps on the stairs. Upon hearing his knock, Kitty went to answer the door. After opening the door and seeing Matt in his riding coat, not just his vest, and string tie, Kitty knew that Matt thought of today's ride as a date, and not just an ordinary ride out on the prairie.
Taking in the beauty of his girl, Matt asked, "Are you ready?"
"All set," Kitty answered.
"Well then, let's head on out. I got our horses from Moss already. They're tied up outside," Matt said.
Matt and Kitty walked downstairs and outside to where the horses were tied to the hitching post. Matt helped Kitty mount her horse and then mounted his own. Once they were both mounted on their horses, they took off west towards the prairie. Both of them were looking forward to some alone time and a relaxing ride.
"How were rounds last night? Did you have to throw anyone in jail?" asked Kitty.
"Nope. Things were pretty peaceful last night," Matt responded. "Did things stay busy at the Long Branch after I left?"
"It did for a little while, but then things started to slow down. The last patron left around two," said Kitty.
Matt and Kitty rode in silence, enjoying each other's company, when Kitty spoke again. "You know I don't know how proper it is for a lady to be riding out in the prairie with the Marshal."
"The only thing not proper is that I don't get you out here often enough," Matt laughed.
"Oh really. I don't think it would be too difficult to make you a lady's man," said Kitty.
"I plan on being only one lady's man, and I'm with her right now. Besides, if you think riding out in the prairie with the Marshal isn't proper, just wait until you see what I have planned for tonight," Matt said with a smile on his face.
"Are you planning on getting lucky tonight?" asked Kitty with amusement in her voice.
"I'm at least hoping," replied Matt with a gleam in his eye.
"I'll just see what I can do about that," said Kitty in a sensual voice.
Matt was about to respond, but could see a rider swiftly riding towards them. He stopped his horse and Kitty's horse. As the rider came closer, he could see it was Chester.
"That's Chester," said Kitty as she too became aware of the rider's identity.
"It sure is," said Matt.
Chester rode up to Matt and Kitty and told Matt about the meeting with Jake Wirth, Emmett Bowers, and some other ranchers. Hating to end their ride, but knowing he had to, Matt and Kitty followed Chester back into town. Riding back into town, both Matt and Kitty hoped that the proper ride in the prairie would turn into some "improper" action that night.
The End
