"Well," Judge Brooker said a few days later. "According to the Marshal in Mrs. Yardners county, Mr. Starcourt has been arrested and his property has been taken over by the state so I don't believe he'll ever have any contact with Mrs. Yardner anymore.

"That's good," Matt said with a nod as Doc stepped into the room.

"As for your service," Brooker said handing him his Marshal's badge. "It's yours again as soon as Doctor Adams here says you're free to go."

"Next week," Doc said swiping at his mustache as Matt scoffed angrily.

"Next week," Matt said incredulously. "I'm ready to get out of here tomorrow!"

"We'll see," Doc replied as Kitty stepped into the room.

"Got Mike all settled in at the Dodge house," she said as Doc nodded.

"I've been told, that she's going back home tomorrow?" Brooker asked as Kitty nodded.

"She's already purchased a ticket on the next stage," Kitty replied giving Matt a sideways glance but as always, the Marshal just sat silent.

The next day, Doc relented and let Matt go even though it was against his better judgement but he knew the reason behind had less to do with his health and more to do with wanting to see Mike.

"Matt," Mike said slightly surprised to see him standing at the door to her hotel room.

"Mike," he said tipping his hat up. "Can I come in?"

"Sure," Mike replied taking a step back. "Sit down."

Matt took one of the chairs next to the small table as Mike took the other.

"I wanted to say a few things before you left," Matt said looking directly at her. "First, I wanted to know if you thought about staying?"

"Staying?" Mike said aghast before standing up to pace the room. "And where would I live, Marshal. Outside of town, away from Miss Russell. Could I expect a visit from you, what once, maybe twice a year."

Matt sighed as she slightly smiled. "Sorry," he said with a knowing nod. "It wouldn't work, would it?"

"Not unless, I wanted to be known as the other woman," Mike replied. "And I won't stay to ruin what you have already, I told Kitty that."

"I suppose you'll go home then to rebuild?" Matt asked gently. "I'd like to help."

"No thanks," Mike replied quickly. "You see, I've been corresponding with a widowed farmer nearby for some time and well, I think it's time I took a look at a relationship with him again so you can understand why, I would rather you stayed away, Matt."

Matt nodded as he stood up. "I guess this is good bye then?"

Mike hesitated for just a moment before she nodded. "It was...nice," she said fondly remembering their time together. "I have some really good memories to take back home with me," she said slowly putting a hand on her stomach but the Marshsl didn't notice the gesture as he headed for the door.

"Goodbye, Mike," he said with a wiry grin.

"Goodbye, Dan," Mike replied with a smile.

Matt left the hotel and headed over to the jail as the stage pulled up.

Without a backwards glance, the Marshal knew that Mike was boarding it as he entered the jail house.

After getting the paperwork in order that Sanders had left, Matt headed over to the Long Branch and stepped inside as Kitty, Doc and Festus sat at a table in the back talking.

"Come join us, cowboy," Kitty said warmly as Matt nodded and took a seat.

Surrounded by his friends and the people he loved and who knew him best, made him always feel that he belonged here but a small part of him wondered still, what kind of life 'Dan' could have had.

(Eight months later)

Doc checked the mail and retrieved his telegrams from Barney who smiled as he handed him one in particular.

"Don't know who the lucky lady is because they gave no reply but tell em congratulations anyway!"

Doc took the paper that held three little words and smiled. "It's a girl!"

"Well," he said folding the wire carefully before putting it into his pocket. "Thanks Barney!"

Once he reached his office, the physician took the telegram and placed it in a box that held other important documents and locked it up in his desk along with the others. He knew no one would ever see it until the day he died and that was fine with him.

*END*

Thank you each and everyone for the great reviews! Already working on another story, hope you'll all stick around ;)