Having listened to the judge review all the evidence collected from Belum's previous crimes, the packed courtroom watched as Kitty took the stand. She felt naked as every eye in that big room bore right through her.

Placing her hand on the Bible, she longed to be back in her room at the Long Branch, safe from prying eyes and gossiping whispers, with only Matt to hear her voice.

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

"Yes." Her voice was soft; Matt's steady gaze was the only thing holding her in that seat.

"Tell us how you met Mr. Bellum, Miss Russell?" the Judge asked.

"On the stage from Dodge." she answered, "His horse almost ran into us. He was already unconscious in the saddle then it threw him. When he came to, he told us the horse had run him into a tree branch and we brought him on with us, since it had taken off."

The Judge eyed Matt for confirmation.

"That's right, Judge. I only got the circular on Bellum after the Marshals' meeting a couple days ago. If I'd known he was wanted when we found him, I would've taken him back to Dodge; we weren't far out of town. But as it was, when I went to arrest him after the meeting, he'd already taken Miss Russell so I just gave chase."

"I'm glad you caught up with them before he hurt anyone else." the Judge smiled kindly at them, "You may step down, Miss Russell, and I will pronounce my sentence."

Graciously, he waited until she was rooted to the bench with Matt's big hand inconspicuously touching hers before continuing, "Mr. Bellum, given the testimony that we've heard here today alongside all the evidence we've collected from the other crimes you're accused of, I hereby sentence you to hang. The sentence will be carried out tomorrow, at nine o'clock in the morning."

No one in the room flinched. Everyone in Topeka knew of Bellum's crimes. They only felt bad that the lauded Marshal of Dodge City hadn't been notified sooner.

"It's amazing to me that so many people wanted to come to his trial." Kitty exhaled deeply, glad to be out of the room as they stepped onto the street a few minutes later, "I mean, I said one sentence. You confirmed it. What's the big deal?"

"Bellum hurt people, Kitty, and ruined a lot of others." Matt squeezed her shoulder lovingly, "His crime spree started here. The whole city wanted to see justice done."

"Lucky me," she frowned, "I got to get up there and testify in front of the big crowd."

He wrapped a tight arm around her shoulders, "Remember what I said last night, Kit. You're strong, smart, courageous, and extraordinarily beautiful. If anyone thinks differently, their opinion isn't worth a flip."

She couldn't help but beam; he could restore her confidence like no other man.

"Thank you, Matt. You make me feel like I can do anything. You were my rock in there."

She sighed as they continued strolling back to the hotel. "Why do you think Bellum let us bring him back?" Suddenly, looked quizzical, turning to take his hands, "I mean, I know he was well enough to see that star on your shirt and coming back here seems like the worst thing he could've done for himself."

"Personally, I'd say taking you was the worst thing he did for himself." The Marshal gave her shoulders another squeeze.

"Or maybe that shave he obviously gave himself before we met him made him confident he wouldn't be recognized." he continued, "Might have worked too if he hadn't been smiling on that poster. I'd seen those teeth a lot more than I wanted too on the stage."

"He had a pretty good headache that day too. Maybe he wasn't thinking clearly. No horse either. I'd have suspected something if he told us he didn't want a ride." He smiled down at her, "Sweetheart, I'm mighty tired of thinking about Bellum. What do you wanna do now? We could still catch our stage at noon or we could switch our tickets and stay here for a couple extra days. What say, Kit?"

"That's a tough one, Matt." She stopped, squeezing his hands tighter as tears shone in her eyes, "There's nothing I'd like better than to stay here and have the vacation we wanted together. Goodness knows I'm not looking forward to a stage ride...but I'm not gonna lie either, goin' home sounds real good—and I mean, real good, right now." She teared up a little, "I know you'd rather not be here for a hanging..."

He pulled her close as the tears threatened to become sobs. "I'll do anything you say, Kitty. Stay or go, I'm with you." Quickly, steering her down the street, he shielded her until they were back in their room.

Once the door was locked, he continued, "Kitty, if you wanna stay, Topeka is certainly big enough that we don't have to be anywhere near the gallows. We can even hide out here if you want. Or we can go at noon today if you want. There's the train too. It goes to Wichita in a couple days, then on to Dodge, if memory serves correctly. You call it, sweetheart?" He grinned, "We could even rent a buggy and take a whole week to travel home, if you want."

She tossed a pillow in his face, suddenly laughing, "Matt Dillon, you're incorrigible!"

"Well, I only figured you were probably tired of horseback riding." He laughed too, pulling her into his arms and spinning her around, "Honey, seeing a smile on your face…" His voice caught for a moment, "I-it's the best medicine I could ever take. It's awful hard on me to see tears in your eyes."

"I've noticed." She tickled his jaw lightly as he leaned down to share a kiss.

"So, what'll it be?"

"Let's stay, Matt. I like the idea of just hiding out here while they take care of Bellum. Then, well, maybe...I don't know. Dodge by way of Wichita sounds mighty fun."

"It sure does!" He beamed.

"You sure you can do it?" she dropped her gaze, "I know Marshals don't keep regular hours…"

He kissed her again, "I'm not a bit worried, sweetheart." He set her down on the bed and gave her another quick kiss, "You just hang out here and get some rest and I'll run over to the depot and get us some tickets." He turned back as his hand touched the doorknob, his forehead creased with concern, "Will you be okay up here while I'm gone?"

"I'll be here when you get back." She was already snuggling under the quilts.

"I'm countin' on that, Kitty."

She closed her eyes when the door clicked, knowing her big beau wouldn't be long. With the cold and fear still fresh in her mind, she was going to enjoy the softness and warmth of the big bed.

"Go back to sleep, sweetheart…" Matt accidentally woke her again when he reentered the room.

She shook her head, sitting up, "I'm not tired, Matt. Just enjoying this. It feels good to know it isn't over. That Bellum didn't steal our whole vacation."

"You're to thank for that, sweetheart." he eased down next to her, "You got back to me. Then you led me right to the spot and we got him." He caressed her cheek then pulled two tickets out of his vest pocket, "I got our tickets, honey. Now we can enjoy the vacation we planned."

She looked hopeful, "Is that how it's really gonna be, Matt?"

"That's the way it is, Kitty."

End

Author's Note: LovingmesomeMK: Thank you for all your great reviews!