Waking up a few hours later, Matt smiled to find Kitty wrapped in his arms. It was what he'd been missing all night.

From under the trees, he couldn't see where the sun was but he sensed it was close to noon. Not that he cared though; let Dodge worry about them. After the angst he'd felt last night, he was perfectly content to stay right where he was.

After a few minutes, she stirred and her eyes fluttered open. For a moment she smiled at him before her mind woke up and remembered. Her eyes widened.

"Matt!" She started to rise. "What—"

"Honey…" He pinned her fast, leaning in for gentle kisses. "It's perfectly alright. We've been up all night, I don't see why we can't relax a little now."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, sweetheart."

"How come you've always been so averse to taking any time off before now?"

He chuckled. "Well, now Kitty, I'm not exactly taking time off."

"You think?"

"Absolutely," he gave her another kiss. "I happen to be escorting a beautiful lady who somehow got herself mixed up with a craven thief and killer. Plus, I've got a youngster and an older couple who are mixed up in this case, as well."

"I suppose you want me to tell ya more about it, huh?"

"Considering it involves Tucker Farrin," he caressed her face. "Yeah, honey, I'd appreciate knowing a little more."

She sighed heavily, dropping her gaze. "Thad's mom was Ellie Parker. You remember her, don't ya?" She used to work at the Long Branch with me."

"Well, I guess I do, yeah…" he frowned in thought, "That was some years ago, wasn't it?"

"About seven." she nodded, "Farrin was hanging around Dodge a lot back then too, ya know."

"Well, I do remember that!"

"I figured you would." she smirked for a moment, "He picked up Ellie pretty quick and got her pregnant almost as fast. Thad's six, Matt."

"I see…" he frowned.

"Yep…" she snuggled closer. "Tucker had her thinking he was a real lover boy…until she told him she was pregnant." She rolled her eyes. "Ellie couldn't keep working, of course, but I paid for her to have a room at a nice boarding house in Garden City and for a while things were fine. Farrin left Dodge too, since he didn't have her to prey on, but I didn't realize he'd figured out where she was until later."

She shook her head, tears coming into her eyes. "I went to stay with her when the time was almost up, to help her with the labor, and found her all beat up." She started trembling, "Oh, Matt…it was so awful. He'd just been there and beaten her. I-I couldn't protect her, Matt. I—"

"Shh, honey…shh. Kitty. Honey, I know, I know you're upset, but it wasn't your fault," he pulled her close, "What Farrin did is solely on him." Stroking her back, he held her tight when she started to cry. "I'm here, sweetheart. I've got you."

"I'm glad you're here now too, Matt." With a final shudder, she finally continued her story. "I moved her to St. Louis after that. It was really too late in her pregnancy for that, but we thought Farrin would kill them both if she stayed so she agreed to the risk. Then Farrin was arrested and that was that, we thought. I've been going to see them whenever I visit St. Louis ever since."

She bit her lip for another long minute. "Then about a week ago, I got a letter from her. I could tell she'd written it in a hurry. It said Farrin had broken out and that was coming for Thad. Somehow, he'd figured out where they were living after all these years in prison." Her voice wavered again. "She put him on the stage just in time, Matt. The boarding house where she's been staying sent me her belongings a couple days ago because I was the one paying for the room." Her voice cracked, then sobs broke again. "H-he killed her, Matt. I know he did. When he got there and found out she'd sent Thad away, he killed her."

"Shhh…oh honey, I'm so sorry." He pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head as she cried into his chest.

"I wish I'd killed him the first night he came into the Long Branch." she moaned softly, "Ellie didn't deserve to die. Thad didn't deserve to lose his mother. Ellie was a great mother, Matt."

"Of course, she was." he stroked her back over and over. "She chose you to be Thad's godmother." Kissing her hair again, he murmured, "You let me worry about Farrin now, sweetheart. I'll get him. I promise ya."

Gently, he lifted her chin with his index finger and brushed her tears away. "Sweetheart, how do the Kelks come into this?"

"Oh! I-I ran into Mattie coming out of Jonas' store right after I got Ellie's stuff. Y-you can imagine the state I was in…and well…one thing led to another and they agreed to adopt him." She shuddered with relief and buried her head into his chest again. "I was so grateful, Matt."

"I'd have been grateful if you'd let me in on this, you know…" He continued caressing her back.

"Oh, Matt…" she pulled back enough to look into his face. "I know it's your job too—"

"More like the greatest honor of my life to be the one who's protecting you, Kitty." He interrupted, pressing her head back into his chest, whispering into her hair. "Not to mention that young man who you've been entrusted with. And the Kelks, who agreed to help the woman I love with all my heart when she needed them." He tilted her head up and kissed her lips. "Kitty, my being a Marshal doesn't have anything to do with it."

"The hell it doesn't." she snorted, laughing as she snuggled into his chest.

"Well, maybe just a teeny bit." he chuckled, "I have a new circular on my desk with Farrin's ugly mug on it, you know? Stared at it quite a bit last night."

Pulling her tighter against him, he kissed her again. "I think we better find a little something for lunch? You hungry, Kit?"

"Matt Dillon!" She looked amazed. "Are you actually trying to avoid going back to Dodge, or something?"

"Well, maybe…" he grinned. "Can you blame me?"

"No, I'm delighted." she beamed. "But you don't have a rifle. We don't have fishing poles. I haven't seen anything little you could kill with your gun. Wouldn't it be easier to just head back to town? Not to mention, poor Chester is probably worrying Doc to death about us."

"Well, you sure know how to spoil a man's fun." he scowled. "Two dead friends. Simultaneously murdered by each other."

She giggled. "As much as I love being out here with you, we really should get back."

He rolled his eyes and helped her to her feet. "Let's water the horses first."

"I suppose you're going to expect me to become more accommodating when it comes to picnics and fishing trips?" he continued, once they were standing at the water's edge.

"Oh?" she feigned innocence. "Should I?"

"I'd sure love to try, honey." he looked wary. "But—"

"I get it, Matt." she rolled her eyes. "Come on, cowboy." Tugging at her mare when it raised its head, she added, "Let's go home."

"Kitty…" He caught her arm as he led Buck out. "Don't give up on me. I love it when you pester me about being with you. It let's me know you still love me even though—"

"Matt," she tugged his shoulders down and kissed him on the mouth. "don't ever think I don't love you. You're the finest man I've ever known." Then smirking, she added, "And you better believe I'm gonna keep pestering the daylights out of you!"

"Good!" He snatched her off her feet, with a laugh, "I love it."

"Yeah, well, I don't think the horses do…" She giggled behind her hand as their rides trotted off, freed when their humans dropped the reins.

"They don't know anything."

Matt set her on her feet and scampered after their mounts then the teasing subsided as they rode. After a few miles of silence, the Marshal returned to a more serious topic. "I'm gonna be riding around looking for Farrin, starting in the morning. Can I be of any service to you while I do that?"

"I'm leaving town early to spend some days with Thad, yes." She read his mind. "But I wanna pick up some stuff from Jonas' before I head out."

"I'll wait for ya." He nodded approvingly. "I can tie Buck to the wagon and drive ya. Then ride out from the Kelk's." He looked curious. "Whatcha gonna get him?"

"A fishing pole, hunting rifle, boots, stuff like that." she smiled again. "Thad's a city boy, Matt. I'm sure he feels like a fish out of water right now. I gotta see that he learns how to walk on the land now that Ellie is gone."

"He couldn't have a finer teacher, sweetheat." A smile broadened across his face. "I hope I can help too?"

"You already are, Matt." she blew him a kiss. "Thank you for all this."

"It's been a real pleasure."

The last few miles into town lapsed back into comfortable silence. Both were watching the scenery and thinking about how much trouble they'd be in once they appeared on Front Street.

"Doc, Doc!" Chester's voice rang out as predicted. Their langy friend hobbled through the Long Branch's batwing doors and raced down the boardwalk, blowing around the townsfolk who were going about their business. "They're back! It's Mr. Dillon and Miss Kitty! They're here! They're alright! They're safe!"

"Chester…" Matt muttered, rolling his eyes as he helped Kitty dismount.

"Don't be too hard on 'em, Matt." she bit back a chuckle. "We have been gone most of the day."

Glancing ahead she saw Sam's face appear over the batwing doors and, for a moment, she felt a pang of guilt for worrying them.

"Matt!" Doc's barking voice brought her back; he and Chester stroded up to them. "What kind of—"

"Doc, Chester…good afternoon to ya." The Marshal gave them both a sneering smile. "Now, why don't you two let me get Kitty up to her room in peace?" He could feel their stares as he took his lover's arm. Speaking over his shoulder, he added, "Go on, get outta here. There's nothing to see. Go about your business, folks."

Sam was behind the bar again as the couple walked across the barroom and up the stairs. Neither had any concern about him prying.

In the privacy of her rooms, the Marshal gave her a quick kiss. "Honey, I'll have to give them something." he took her hands. "but I won't breathe a word about—"

"Won't you have too though?" she gave him a lopsided smile. "I mean, if Chester is gonna help you find Farrin?"

"He doesn't have to come with me." Matt shrugged. "There's plenty of stuff to do around town everyday."

"I think I'd rather have him there to help you watch your back." she countered.

"All I'm trying to say is, I'll protect you and Thad, sweetheart."

"I never doubted that, Matt." She gave him a parting kiss as he slipped out of her room.

Heading for his office, he knew their friends were waiting.

"What in tarnation were you and Kitty doing out at Willow Bend?" Doc met him at the door like a fury. "And who's the boy?"

"What?" Matt skidded to a stop.

"Jonas told us he heard you and Kitty talking to some boy who'd been on the stage." Doc inisited. "He was half asleep, maybe, but he was pretty sure. Then we were talking to Moss and he said he heard someone ride out early this morning. Then, when he woke up, he saw your horses were gone."

"Yeah." Chester affirmed. "It's all true, Mr. Dillon. It's all true."

"Well, how about you taking Buck and Kitty's mare back to him now, Chester?" Matt snapped, finding his voice after a long minute.

But, in his head, he thought…well, crap.