"Before The Twenty Miles" This a MM to "Twenty Miles From Dodge" (Season 10).
Each article of clothing that Kitty placed in her travel bag was a dagger in Matt's heart. He knew that the more she put in there, the longer she planned on being gone. The next day Kitty would be taking a stage to Wichita so she could attend the wedding of one of the saloon girls that once worked for her. Kitty placed her last garment into her travel bag and clasped it shut. The entire time she was packing, Kitty could feel Matt's eyes on her.
"Is there something bothering you, Matt?" asked Kitty. She had a feeling she knew what Matt's answer was going to be.
"You packed your bag until it was full," Matt answered. "How long do you plan on being gone?"
"Counting the stagecoach ride to and from Wichita and the time I plan on being in Wichita, I'll probably be gone for three weeks," Kitty answered.
"Three weeks," Matt whined. "How am I supposed to survive three weeks without you?"
"Matt Dillon, did you just whine?" asked Kitty. "There have been multiple times that you've had to leave Dodge and were gone for weeks at a time. Now maybe you'll understand how I feel when you leave."
"Are you sure you have to go to this wedding?" asked Matt. The minute he asked that question Matt knew he probably shouldn't have.
"Did you really just ask me that?" asked Kitty. "You know I've been looking forward to this wedding. Norma Mae was one of my best saloon girls. She was sweet and hard working. I'm happy that she and Guy Waldron are getting married. She deserves the happiness that he's giving her. Besides, a vacation would be nice."
"I'm happy for Norma Mae as well," said Matt. "What I don't understand is why Guy and Norma are getting married in Wichita. They live right here in Dodge."
"They live in Dodge, but they both have family in the Wichita area," Kitty commented. "Guy and Norma figured it would be easier for the two of them to travel to Wichita, instead of multiple family members coming to Dodge. They also want to spend their honeymoon in St. Louis. Being in Wichita makes them that much closer."
"I guess I didn't know they had family in Wichita," said Matt. "About that vacation, you do deserve one. You've been working hard these last several weeks."
"I haven't seen any dust settle on you either," said Kitty. "You need a vacation just as much as I need one. I wish you would come with me. We would have a wonderful time."
"It's tempting, and I have no doubt we would have a wonderful time together," sighed Matt. "But the timing is bad. I just returned from a ten day trial in Hays. I really should make my presence known in Dodge."
"I figured that would be your response," said Kitty with a pout on her face.
Matt couldn't help but laugh at Kitty's pout. He figured it's how he looked while he watched her pack her bag. Matt didn't want to spend his last night with Kitty, before she left for Wichita, pouting. He knew there were far better things the two of them could do together. He was about to suggest he give Kitty a proper send off, but Kitty beat him to it.
"You know this is my last night in Dodge before I leave for Wichita tomorrow morning," said Kitty, as she toyed with a button on Matt's shirt. "How about tonight we go on our own private passionate trip?"
"Kitty Russell, you don't have to ask me twice," said Matt.
In one swift movement Matt lifted Kitty into his arms and carried her to the big brass bed. He gently deposited her in the middle of the bed. Kitty was already in her nightgown, but Matt was still fully dressed. He had gotten there, not too long ago, from his rounds. Matt quickly removed his clothing, leaving only his underclothes. He joined Kitty on the bed.
Matt and Kitty started out slowly, kissing and lovingly touching one another. It wasn't long until they both agreed that their remaining attire was getting in the way. Instead of removing their own clothing, they started to remove each other's clothing. Matt and Kitty couldn't explain it, but removing the other's clothing did something to them. It was such an intimate action between them.
Clothing fully removed, the intimacy dance that Matt and Kitty shared numerous times began. Matt's hard member entered Kitty's velvety warmth. They selflessly shared their bodies with one another. Both made sure that the other was satisfied. Their lovemaking was never a disappointment. The climax they both felt fulfilled them. Basking in the afterglow, Kitty snuggled close to Matt and rested her head on Matt's broad chest.
"I love you, Kitty," Matt softly said, placing a kiss on the top of her head.
"I love you too, Matt," Kitty whispered. They were soon fast asleep.
The next morning Matt and Kitty were at the stage depot. Matt was holding Kitty's bag for her as they waited for the stage. He was trying his best not to pout in public. It wouldn't look good for the Marshal of Dodge City to be pouting. Several minutes later the stage pulled up.
Matt wanted to give Kitty a kiss goodbye, but knew he couldn't in public. He handed Kitty's bag to Jim, who secured it to the top. Before helping Kitty into the stagecoach, Matt made a request.
"Make sure to send me a telegram when you reach Wichita," Matt told Kitty. "I want to make sure you arrived safely."
"I will," said Kitty. "I'll send you a telegram before I leave, so you'll know when I'll be coming back."
"Sounds good," said Matt. "Safe travels." Matt gently squeezed Kitty's hand, sending her his love, and helped her into the stage.
Three Weeks Later
"I'm gonna have to talk to Suggs," Matt said to Festus. "We can't have him saltin' down the backsides of the kids."
"Matthew, you do that, you'll ruin the fun for the kids," said Festus. "If I had a dollar fer every piece of rock salt Doc took out a kid's backside, I'd buy ya beer, if I had a dollar."
"Well, I'm glad t' hear that, but I'll have t' take ya up on it later," said Matt. "Right now, I'm gonna meet the stage."
"Matthew, that stage ain't due to come in fer another hour," said Festus. "Besides, Miss Kitty's only been gone three weeks."
"Closer to four," said Matt.
"How do ya know Miss Kitty will be on that stage?" asked Festus. "There's probably a lot of nice fellers in Wichita. She went to that there wedding. Who knows? She could've met a nice feller at the wedding."
"Festus, you're worse than Suggs. Pour salt in an open wound," said Matt as he put on his hat and walked out of Doc's office.
Matt knew Kitty would be on that stage. She sent him a wire telling him when she was leaving Wichita and when she would arrive in Dodge City. Matt couldn't wait for her to come home. The last three and a half weeks had been lonely without her. It would be another hour before Matt got to see Kitty, but still several more hours until he could give her a proper welcome home. It would be a welcome home that both would enjoy.
The End
*Of course if you've seen the episode "Twenty Miles From Dodge," you know Matt had to wait longer to see Kitty.
