Later that night, Rex Sullivan rode back into town, carefully skirting the route passing by the Marshal's office. Tying his horse's reins to a hitching rail on the far end of town, he made his way towards the Bull's Head saloon, watching for any sign of Matt.

Pushing open the swinging doors of the saloon, he took in a deep breath of the heady aroma of tobacco smoke, unwashed bodies, and cheap perfume.

"Ah, my kind of place!" he thought as he looked around at the rough wooden tables and chairs, dirty sawdust on the floor, scruffy clientele, and gaudily made-up saloon women.

Scanning the women, he chose a full-figured young woman with pale yellow hair who looked new at her job and was nervously standing off by herself.

The handsome Texan walked over and turned on the charm, smiling and courtly.

"Howdy Miss. I'm Rex, fresh from Texas, and I sure am lonely. You remind me of my kid sister Polly. Would you mind sittin' and talkin' with me?"

The young saloon woman smiled back at the polite, good-looking cowboy, so different from the rowdy rest, and nodded.

"I'm Sally, Rex. I'd be glad to sit with you. Oh, uh, but you have to buy drinks for you and me," she blushed. "It's a rule, Rex.'

"Sure thing, Miss Sally. Don't ya worry." He gave another dazzling smile and herded her towards a table in the back, behind a post.

Four drinks later, young Sally could hardly sit up straight, and was laughing at everything Rex said. When she put her hand on his arm, the Texan helped her up and quickly guided her out the back door to the dark alley.

After beating the saloon girl unconscious, and then standing up to undo his pants, Rex was startled to hear the racking of a shotgun. Quickly turning around and going for his pistol, Rex was sent flying by the full blast of the shotgun wielded by the irate bartender.

When he opened his eyes, Matt was kneeling beside him, looking down with sorrowful concern.

"MARSHALL! Shoulda known I'd see you again!" he gasped with a crooked grin.

"Rex, just stay still. Chester went for Doc. Rex. WHY? You could charm any woman you wanted to. Even as a young man. I watched you in envy so many times, knowing all of the sweet, perfect words."

The grievously wounded cowboy looked in Matt's eyes and sighed.

"Oh, Matt, Matt, Matt. You always were so naïve. Takes too long for all of that courtin' stuff!" He tried to laugh, but gasped again and took in a ragged breath.

"And ol' Doc Adams wants me dead. I'm betting he knows what I done to your gal…Kitty. Matt, I wouldn't have if I'd knowed she was special to you."

Stunned, the big Marshal grabbed Rex's collars and lifted him up.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?!"

"I'm sorry, Matt. The only thing I've ever regretted." The dying man's voice was barely audible and was followed by a gurgling as he fell back limply in Matt's grip.

Doc had arrived and stood over his young friend holding onto the dead man's collars with a white-knuckled grip. Matt turned his head and looked up at Doc with anguished eyes.

"Doc. What happened to Kitty?" he pleaded in a soft voice.

Doc only shook his head sadly, turned and slowly walked away before he broke his promise and violated his sacred oath.

Sally, the scared and bruised saloon girl, was standing up, wrapped in the bartender's arms, sobbing. Doc had checked her over and now she just wanted to go home, and two of the older girls walked with her, wiping her tears and comforting her. Never again would she feel so young and trusting.

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Reaching the foot of the stairs up to his office home, Doc paused, then turned for the stable instead.

Moss stumbled out from his room to find Doc hitching up his buggy.

"Go back to bed Moss. Got an emergency call to make."

The old stable man scratched his head and turned around, used to the town doctor's odd hours.

Two and a half hours later, Doc stopped his rig outside of the Marshal's office. He helped the young woman down and over to the front door. Peering in through the window, Doc saw Matt still awake, sitting at the small table, staring down at the empty coffee cup in his big hands. The lamp was low, and Chester lay on the bunk against the wall, soundly asleep.

"Matt! Matt! It's Doc! Open the door!" He rapped on the wooden door with his right hand, left arm around the woman's waist.

The door creaked open, and the tired Marshal squinted out with bloodshot eyes.

"What's the prob…" Matt saw Kitty in the shadows, took in a breath, and opened the door wide, the lamp light falling fully on her.

"Hello Cowboy.' Her voice was low and soothing, and her bluest-of-blue eyes glowed as she smiled at his stunned expression.

"Kitty," he gasped. He took in her bruised face and neck, cut lip and forehead, and her left wrist wrapped and in a sling.

Doc had worried that the big man would hurt her unintentionally in an immediate strong hug, but now realized how intuitive Matt always was when it came to Kitty. He stood back and wiped his eyes as his dear friends tenderly embraced, Matt holding her like a fragile flower.

Doc slid by the couple and went over to where Chester was sleeping the sleep of a pure child. Gently shaking the young man's shoulder, he quickly put his fingers to his lips as Chester's big brown eyes opened wide in surprise.

"Come with me Chester. You're staying with me tonight," he whispered.

Chester looked past Doc's shoulder at Matt and Kitty, still embracing each other, eyes closed, her happy tears on his face. The young man smiled and his own eyes grew moist as he got up, pulled on his boots and gathered his hat as he and Doc went out the door, completely unnoticed.

End.