PART TWO KITTY'S POV MATT'S LOVE STORY

So, Matt has returned to Dodge after being away for more than a month and no communication. This is my version of how his attitude affects Kitty. Since little is known about amnesia it is difficult for her to understand his change in attitude and how it will upset their relationship.

CHAPTER EIGHT: THE HOMECOMING

Something was definitely wrong! I could not sit still! There was something definitely wrong with Matt Dillon. In all the years we had been together, unless he was at death's door, he couldn't wait to get me alone. When he returned from a trip or I did, he was trying to find reasons to get me back in my office or up in my room.

This time he had a smile on his face, but the spark was gone. That electrical feeling that said 'I can't wait to get my hands on you' wasn't there. I knew he told Doc he had amnesia, but I wasn't even sure what exactly that meant. Did he forget everything and everyone? Had his whole personality changed? The whole situation had me very nervous. Now I can't even go to Doc for advice with him lying there injured.

I had been frantic with worry since he was gone so long this time. No one had any idea where he was, what had been happening, if he was hurt, or even alive. As the days dragged by the more ominous it seemed. God forbid he should be in touch with anyone. I alternated between being angry with him and frantically worried. Of course, he turned up over a month later when I was out of town.

When we returned from the Ronigers and Festus came rushing to tell me he was back I hurried down to the jail to welcome him back. Then, when I arrived at the jail I was upset to find it full of people. He looked happy to see me, but something was off. I thought he would start telling people he appreciated their concern, but he had a lot to do so we could find a way to be alone. That didn't happen.

I could remember times he arrived home so dirty and dusty, but it didn't stop him from making his way to our bedroom. As bad as he might look, being in his arms and his lips on mine was worth it; at least temporarily. Seeing him standing there alive could make my heart sing. Now I did not know what to think. It was obvious he had been through an ordeal, so he hadn't been out having a good time.

It was important I get a chance to talk to Doc about what he knew about amnesia. Did it mean he forgot all about me, about us? How could he forget he was Matthew Dillon, one of the best U.S. Marshals ever? It didn't make sense. He has always had a difficult time talking about his harrowing experiences but often they came out in dreams or I should say nightmares. Those were the nights I held him like a mother until he calmed down. It was a Matt Dillon no one else saw.

What I needed to figure out was how to best to handle someone who has had amnesia. Doc was definitely the person to ask. Getting Matt to talk was like pulling teeth and if it was painful it would be even harder to get him to open up about this situation. Now should I wait to see if he got rid of everyone, so we could talk, or should I leave the jail and go see Doc? My answer was that no was in a hurry to leave, people kept coming into the room, and Matt seemed in no hurry to get rid of them. I finally gave in and headed back to the Long Branch to change clothes and then see Doc.

Then to make matters worse when we were settling into an evening welcoming Matt back a brawl broke out and there was no time to talk to Doc alone. The soldiers had just gotten paid and a couple drunk cowboys got into a shouting match with them. Two of my newer girls, Sharon and Nadine had left the cowboys as they became more obnoxious. They were very attractive, and the Captain and Sergeant put their claim on them. That did not go over well.

As usual Matt was on his feet trying to break up the fight. Suddenly a chair was flying through the air and it hit the marshal's head and face. There was blood everywhere. I rushed to get towels as Newly and Festus were wrestling the perpetrators to the ground and hauling them off to the jail.

Several men helped Doc get the big man up to his office. My bartender, Sam, was getting things back in order as I headed for Doc's. How often I had climbed those steps to view a battered and bruised law man being treated. He tried to make me believe it was no big deal. I hadn't seen him in over a month, we were finally in the same town again, and here he was hurt again, and it was no big deal.

Once he was settled in Doc's back room I noticed he was getting drowsy so I sat with him briefly and gently touched his injured face. He was still the handsomest man I had ever seen. I wished I could crawl into the bed with him and slide my arms around him, but now was not the time. So, as he slept, I made my way back to my room in the saloon alone.

Before I could do anything more there was a knock on my door. I couldn't believe it was Matt who was so good at getting up and moving around no matter how hurt he had been. I was relieved it was Sharon and Nadine who were so excited to tell me that the army were having a dance at the fort next week and that they were invited – along with all the girls, me, Matt, and everyone else.

They wondered if the Long Branch would be open and if they could possibly get off. While the Long Branch was usually open on Sundays, they went on to say the soldiers wished the other girls could also attend.

I thought perhaps this was just what we needed a night out together. If all my girls wanted to go I might consider the possibility of closing the Long Branch for the evening of the party. I told them I would consider it and let them know the next morning. I could see the girls were excited and even I pondered how this might be helpful in getting things back to normal. It might be a way for Matt to readjust to being home. It might be just the way to get him talking. We needed some down time together.

I tried to rest but I could not calm down. Finally, about three in the morning I got up and headed over to Doc's to see how Matt was doing. If Doc was surprised to see me he didn't act as if he was. He put his finger to his lips and said softly, "he is asleep."

I went to the door and looked in and he seemed to be sleeping soundly. I walked over to the empty chair by the doctor's desk and sat down. "I couldn't sleep," I explained to my sweet friend so like a father to me.

He patted my hand and told me he wasn't surprised. He went on, "the first time you are with him after he gets back and he is hurt again."

Taking a deep breath I asked him, "It isn't just that Doc, am I confused or overreacting? It seems like Matt is different and not in the way when he has had a difficult journey. I just feel something more happened while he was gone."

I had no ideas about what could have happened to cause this change, and we both knew how reticent the lawman was about sharing himself and his feelings. Here in the middle of the night I knew it was time to find out what Doc knew about amnesia.

He shared what little was known about the brain and brain injuries. No one could tell how someone would react to a severe head injury. There wasn't any literature out there, but maybe someday.

What I had to know was if a person could forget everything and everyone that were important in their life. "Could it mean they wanted to forget?" I had asked with trepidation. Sadly, he didn't have answers except to say once Matt was told who he was he remembered everything very soon afterwards, and that had to be a positive situation.

I couldn't argue with that, but I couldn't tell Doc that ordinarily when we were separated, for a period of time, Matt couldn't wait to get back together. That we could barely keep our hands off each other. His attitude was odd but also concerning that there might be more wrong than has yet come to light.

Doc had helped me as much as he could, but when I went back to my bedroom and looked at the cold bed, I didn't feel any calmer than when I had gone over to the doctor's office. I didn't even undress I just lay down and when I closed my eyes I remembered how I had welcomed him in the past, the passion, the excitement, and so thankful he was home in one piece. I prayed that I was wrong that something had changed, and soon I would be lying in Matt's arms truly welcoming him home.