"Midnight Confessions" This is a continuation of my last chapter, even though I didn't say it was a two-parter. (Normally I try to update this storyline once a week, give or take a day or two. But this time, I'm updating it earlier.)

After Matt had been back in town for a day, he was sitting with Kitty, Doc, and Festus at the Long Branch. The three of them were sitting at their usual table. Throughout the night bar patrons would come up to them and welcome Matt back. The same thing would happen in town. The citizens of Dodge City would stop Matt on the street and tell him how happy they were to have him back. As Matt sat with the three people that were closest to him, Festus asked the question that was on everyone's mind.

"Matthew, tell us what happened. How didjya end up all the way in Arizona?" Festus asked.

Kitty, Doc, and Festus looked at Matt, waiting for an answer. Matt began his story. "You all know that I was trailing Les Dean for shooting Evans Vincent." All three nodded, so Matt continued. "I ended up following him all the way to Arizona. If it was a petty crime, I probably would've let him go, but it wasn't. He shot and killed a man. I couldn't let a killer on the loose. Anyway, he somehow was able to get in a position to shoot me, and that's what he did. The bullet grazed the side of my head, knocking me off Buck. I must've injured my ankle when I fell. I can remember seeing my gun in front of me and trying to get to it. By that time, Les was there. He kicked the gun towards me, but then took the stock of his long rifle and bashed me in the head with it. That's when I blacked out."

"Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm surprised he didn't shoot you, to make sure you were dead," said Doc.

"I don't know why he didn't shoot me," said Matt. He continued his story. "I don't know how long I was laying in the desert. While I was laying there, Buck took off. He was in search of water. He apparently found a watering trough at a nearby ranch. The owner of the ranch saw Buck and knew something wasn't right. The owner and his dog traced back in the direction that Buck came and found me."

At this time, Matt wasn't ready to say that Mike Yardner was a woman. He made sure to use the pronouns him or his. Matt didn't want people in the Long Branch to hear that he had been with a woman for six and a half weeks. He would discuss it with Kitty, and only Kitty. He didn't even want to say anything about it in front of Doc or Festus.

"It's a good thing that Buck was able to find that watering trough," said Kitty, touching Matt's hand.

"I guess the good Lord was looking after me," said Matt. "The owner of the ranch was able to get me on his horse and brought me back to his ranch. I woke up two days later, not knowing where I was."

"If you were unconscious, how did this guy manage to get you on a horse? He must've been a pretty good size man," said Doc.

"When I came to, I asked that very same question. It turns out I was in and out of consciousness and was able to somewhat help. I don't remember that. After I woke up, I realized I was in a bed, but in the living space of the house, not a bedroom. I didn't recognize the place. It was when I was asked who I was and where I was from, that I realized I had no idea the answers to those questions. I just gave this blank stare. I learned that the owner of the ranch was Mike Yardner, and he lived alone. I thanked him for saving my life, but said that I would be going. I didn't want to be anymore of a bother. He told me that I wouldn't be getting too far because of my swollen ankle. I had no choice. I had to stay there. Since I didn't remember my own name, Mike decided to call me Dan."

"Wonder how he came up with the name Dan," said Festus as he took a sip of his beer.

Matt just shrugged his shoulders as if he didn't know, even though he did. "After a week, I still wasn't well enough to get around too well, but I started to feel like a burden to Mike. So, I decided to do some light chores to start earning my keep. At the same time, I was hoping I would continue healing, so I could leave and get on with my life. The problem was I had no clue what life I would get on with."

"Doc, I've heard of this happening to people. They lose their memory and can't remember things," said Kitty. "Is there a medical name for it?"

"Yes, Kitty, there is. It's called amnesia. I learned a great deal about it when I was at a medical conference in Topeka several months ago. The simplest way to explain it is when a person gets hit hard in the head, their brain gets jarred and their memory gets knocked out," said Doc.

"Does everyone git better, like Matthew did?" asked Festus.

"As far as I know, people heal differently. Some people take a while, like Matt did, to get their memory back. Some get it back sooner, and some don't get it back 'tall," answered Doc.

Kitty sat and listened to Doc's answer. She hated what Matt went through, but was grateful that he was able to regain his memory and was back with her. She couldn't fathom never seeing Matt again, not knowing what happened to him.

Matt continued on with his story. "As time went on, I was able to do more work around the ranch. By now it had been several weeks since I first came to the ranch. Mike and I both knew I was well enough to leave, but he offered me the chance to stay at the ranch. I think he appreciated the work I was doing around there. Since I still didn't know who I was or where I was from, I accepted the offer. At least, for the time being, I had a place to stay and was working," said Matt.

"Ya know what I jest don't understand is why this Mike didn't fetch a doctor if you were so badly hurt," said Festus.

Both Doc and Kitty looked at Matt, waiting for his response. "To be honest I don't know why Mike didn't get a doctor. I never asked. Maybe he had something against doctors."

"Matt, how did you get your memory back?" asked Kitty.

"That's the strange part of the story. One evening a drifter came to the house looking for a place to stay. This drifter recognized me, but didn't say anything at first. He stayed the night in the barn and the next day when Mike brought him a cup of coffee, he told Mike who I was. He then told Mike that Starcourt sent him to kill Mike so Starcourt could have Mike's land. Starcourt paid this drifter to carry out the shooting," said Matt.

"How did this drifter know who you were?" asked Doc.

"Believe it or not, it was Les Dean. When he came to the house, he realized that I didn't recognize him and didn't say anything. For some reason, the next day he changed his mind about killing Mike. It was then that he told Mike who I was. He also told him about Starcourt's plans and his change of plans. He was even going to give Starcourt his money back. After Les left the ranch, Mike returned to the house and called me Matt. Hearing the name Matt did something to me. It was as if something in my brain clicked. Mike continued telling me who I was and where I was from. He then told me about Starcourt's plan about Les killing him and how Les changed his mind. That's when I told Mike I remembered everything and how I had to go after Les. When I got to Starcourt's, a gunfight ensued. Les Dean ended up getting shot and he died. Now here I am with the three of you," said Matt as he finished his story.

"Now that is quite the story, Matt," said Doc as he finished his beer.

"I would have a hard time believing it myself if it didn't happen to me," said Matt. He then turned his attention to Doc. "How is it I couldn't remember my life as Matt when I was "Dan," but I can remember my remember my life as "Dan" when I'm back to being Matt?"

"Matt, I can't give you a definite answer to that," Doc admitted. "It's close to midnight. I best be going. You should get going too, Festus."

"Oh Doc, you old scudder. The night is still young. I was fixin' to have myself another beer," said Festus.

Doc knew that Matt wanted to spend some time alone with Kitty. "Festus, I'm sure Matt is tired and is also going to be leaving."

"I sure am, Doc. Bed is sounding mighty good right now," said Matt, thankful that Doc understood he wanted to be alone with Kitty.

"Alright, I reckon I'll see ya tomorrow," said Festus.

Matt, Doc, and Festus left the bar, but Matt would take the back stairs up to Kitty's room. He knew she was still downstairs, but would be up shortly. He was nervous. He knew he had to tell Kitty that Mike Yardner was a woman. Keeping that from her wasn't something he could do. Their relationship was built on trust and he had to trust she could handle that piece of information. It wasn't long until Kitty came into the room.

"Cowboy, I am going to cherish every moment I have with you because I know what it's like not to have you," said Kitty, wrapping her arms around Matt's neck. "After hearing that story, I want to send a thank you letter to Mike Yardner. Where would I send it to him?"

Matt knew this was his chance to tell Kitty about Mike Yardner. "Her," said Matt.

"Her? What?" questioned Kitty. She was confused. Why was Matt saying her?

"Mike is a her, not a him," Matt answered.

"I don't get it. Are you saying there is no Mike Yardner? Are you saying you were with a woman this whole time?" asked Kitty. She could feel her temper rising.

Matt could see that Kitty was getting upset and knew he had to do something to quench her anger. "Kitty, please listen and I will explain. I didn't want to say anything downstairs. I knew I wanted to discuss this with you and only you. The rancher that took care of me was Mike Yardner, but Mike was a woman, not a man." Matt saw the questioning look on Kitty's face. "How she got the name Mike is another story. She nursed me back to health. When I was well enough to be on my own, she gave me the choice to stay or leave. At that time I still didn't know who I was or where I would go, so I chose to stay."

"If you were well enough to leave, why did you want to stay?" ask Kitty. She was afraid to hear Matt's answer.

"During the time I was staying with Mike, I was scared. I was lost and didn't know how to find myself. When I looked into a mirror I didn't even recognize the man staring back at me. I knew it was me because that was who was in the mirror. The only life I knew was the time I spent on the ranch. I guess I was grateful that Mike offered me the chance to stay on the ranch," Matt quietly told Kitty. The next thing he was about to say took a lot of courage. "Kitty, before I came back here, Mike and I had sex with each other."

Kitty couldn't believe her ears. She wasn't expecting that. "What?" she asked.

"I promise you that it was just once. I don't know why I ended up in her bed. Maybe I thought it would cure this loneliness I felt," said Matt. He saw the tears in Kitty's eyes and it tore him apart. He hated to be the cause of her pain.

"I can't believe this," said Kitty. At this time she was pacing around the room. "Are you sure it was just one time? Would you have made love to her again, if you still didn't have your memory?"

"Kitty, honey please calm down. I know you're angry," said Matt.

"You can bet your sweet ass that I'm angry," said Kitty, her voice starting to rise.

"First, I never made love with Mike. It was just sex. You are the only one I have ever made love with. When I was with Mike, I didn't feel anything. Because of that, I knew I couldn't share a bed with her anymore. I wasn't going to use her just for sex. Yes, it was just that one time. I said downstairs that I remember my life as Dan. If it was more than once, I would tell you. Our relationship is built on trust and love. I didn't have to tell you the truth about Mike, but I did. You and I both know that if I knew who I was after regaining consciousness, I would have been back here as soon as I could have been," said Matt. He was staring Kitty in the eyes so she would know how sincere he was being.

Kitty had to admit to herself that Matt was right. He didn't have to tell her what really happened, but he did because he trusted her. "I hear what you're saying Matt, and I know that you didn't have to tell me what really happened. I appreciate you telling me the truth, but it still hurts knowing you shared your body with another woman."

"Kitty, I shared my body with another woman, but not my heart or my soul. Those belong to you and only you," said Matt as he sat down on the bed and pulled Kitty down next to him. "You are my soulmate, the love of my life."

"Oh Matt," cried Kitty.

Matt took the pads of his thumbs and gently wiped away the tears that were running down Kitty's cheeks. He then gently placed his lips against Kitty's rosebud lips and kissed her. To his relief, Kitty responded.

"Sweetheart, I need to know that you forgive me for ending up in Mike's bed," Matt whispered against Kitty's mouth.

"I'm not happy about it, but there's nothing to forgive. I know it wouldn't have happened if you knew who you were," said Kitty. "I just want us to heal from this and move on."

"Kitty, I don't plan on telling anyone else, including Doc and Festus, that Mike was a woman. It's not that I don't trust them, but I feel it's something that should be between you and me," said Matt.

"Matt, I agree with you. I don't want rumors to spread around town," said Kitty. "There is one thing I want you to forget."

"What's that?" questioned Matt.

"That one time you and Mike were together," Kitty answered. "Matt, make love to me."

Matt simply shook his head and began to remove his clothing. Kitty did the same thing. They both climbed under the covers and began exploring each other's bodies. They touched and pleased one another, until Kitty told Matt she wanted to feel Matt inside her. Matt gladly obliged and slipped himself into Kitty's velvety opening. They danced that intimate dance that they had been dancing to for almost twenty years. As Matt continued to thrust inside of Kitty, he could feel himself start to lose control. Kitty wasn't far behind. Her muscles started to clench around Matt's member. That's all it took for him to climax and spill his hot seed into Kitty. Kitty's climax followed.

Several minutes later, Kitty was lying next to Matt, with her head on his chest. His arms were wrapped around her. She was tracing lazy circles on his chest. "So Cowboy, I hope that little interlude was enough to make you forget about your one time with Mike Yardner."

"Mike who?" asked Matt as bent down to capture Kitty's mouth in a soul shattering kiss.

Kitty liked Matt's response. She knew she would need more time to accept what happened between Matt and Mike, but hoped that each time she made love with Matt, they would both forget what took place out in Arizona.

The End