"There Was A Little Girl" This is an MM/ATC for "No Indians" (Season 2)

Matt and Chester came upon the homestead. There, about thirty yards from the house, lying in the yard was a family. There was a father, a mother, a boy, and a girl. The entire family had been killed, shot and then scalped. The boy was no older than thirteen years old and the girl looked to be around eight years old.

Any amateur coming up to a scene like this would immediately assume it was the work of Indians. The scalping would make people assume it was Indians, but Matt knew better. He, unlike Captain Starr, was not an amateur. Captain Starr was on his first tour duty out in the prairie. His thoughts immediately went to the Pawnees. He thought they were the ones responsible. Matt did not waste any time pointing out the evidence to correct Captain Starr, including the boy being killed and not taken by the Pawnees. Matt explained that Pawnees often took boys that age to make braves out of them.

When they first arrived at the homestead, Matt saw a doll lying on the ground. He bent down and picked the doll up. Matt was not sure why, but for some reason he could not put the doll down. He did not know if it was because the owner of the doll was lying just a few yards away, and it would be disrespectful if he did put the doll down. Whatever the reason was, Matt still held onto the doll, and it was a good thing that he did.

As he was holding the doll, he noticed that one of the braids was missing. It was obvious that it had been cut off. Matt had a feeling the little girl didn't cut the braid off. The doll looked like it had been loved too much for the little girl to cut off the braid. Matt had a strong suspicion that whoever was responsible for cutting off the braid was also responsible for killing the family.

"Let's get these people buried," said Matt.

Matt felt that their bodies had been exposed long enough. It was time to give them a final resting place. Matt placed the doll next to the little girl and went to help and dig the graves. After the bodies were put into each grave, but before the bodies were covered with dirt, Matt took the doll and placed it on top of the little girl. Putting the doll in the grave made the grave seem less lonely.

It was now time to catch these ruthless killers. Matt could not wait to do so. As far as he was concerned, the killers were scum of the Earth. Killing innocent people was bad enough, but when children are involved, it's a whole different ball game.

After realizing the killers were after horses, Matt and Chester set up a trap to catch the killers. They would set up camp with some nice looking horses. After all, it was horses these men were after. Who even knew if their trap would work? However, it turned out that their plan just might work. Matt and Chester saw a lone man riding towards their camp.

There was something about the man that caused Matt to feel suspicious about him. Matt was certain this man was one of the killers. He had to make his move and quickly. After making a remark about the coffee and offering the man some more, Matt splashed the man with the coffee that was in his cup. Matt then used his iron fists to knock the man out.

Looking at the unconscious man, Matt remembered the doll's missing braid. Before the man regained consciousness, Matt was going to search the man's pockets. He was looking for the missing braid. Matt was confident that one of the men would have the braid. It was a trophy, a sick and disturbing trophy. Matt hit pay dirt when he discovered the braid in the first pocket he searched. He put the braid in his vest pocket. It would be evidence.

There ended up being six more killers. Matt and Chester set up an ambush and gunned down four of the six. The other two surrendered. They were certain that Matt and Chester would pay for the killing of their four friends, until Matt showed them the braid he found on the friend they sent ahead to scope things out. Matt informed them they would all hang for their crimes. He put the braid back in his pocket.

A couple weeks later, Matt was sitting in the Long Branch with Kitty, Doc, and Chester. He had returned from Hays City, after bringing the three remaining criminals to trial. They were sentenced to hang. Chester was telling how horrible it was to see the family that had been slaughtered. Kitty and Doc's condolences went to the family. Neither of them could understand people being so evil. The only way to explain the killings was pure evil.

Kitty noticed that Matt was unusually quiet. Matt was not an outspoken person, but tonight he was even quieter than usual. Kitty had known Matt for a couple of years and knew better than to ask what was bothering him. If Matt wanted to share what was bothering him, he would have done so. Kitty would wait until they were alone and then ask him.

"I should probably do my rounds," said Matt as he finished his beer and got up from the table. "I'll see ya later Kitty." He then gave her a subtle wink.

Kitty immediately noticed the wink. It was their sign that Matt would see her later. After his rounds, he would return to her room. "See ya later, Matt."

Matt finished his rounds and made his way to Kitty's room. He softly knocked on the door. Kitty heard the knock and went to open the door. She had come to know the sound of Matt's knock. Kitty opened the door and Matt stepped inside. He appreciated what he saw.

Kitty had her hair all down and her face paint was washed off her face. She was beautiful, but Matt thought her natural beauty made her even more beautiful. She was wearing a satin and lace nightgown that was low cut, revealing the crest of her breasts.

Matt took off his boots and hat, followed by his gun belt. He stopped the removal of his attire after his gun belt. Kitty took notice. She knew now was the time to ask him what was bothering him.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked. Matt looked at her. "Matt, I know something is bothering you. You were extra quiet downstairs and now you've stopped removing your attire."

Matt knew he couldn't tell Kitty nothing was wrong. "Oh, Kitty, there was a little girl."

Kitty could see the tears pooling in Matt's eyes. She knew he needed to let his emotions out. Kitty led Matt to the bed and they both sat down, leaning against the headboard. She opened her arms up to him, and he accepted the invitation. Being in Kitty's arms did something to Matt. Before he knew it, he was crying into the swell of her breasts. Kitty just held Matt silently and let him cry. She continuingly kissed the top of his head, letting him know she was there.

"I'm sorry," Matt apologized. "I have no idea where that came from."

"Never apologize for something like that," said Kitty. "You may be a lawman, but you're also human. I can't even imagine everything you must go through." Matt pulled the braid out of his vest pocket. Kitty looked at the braid. "What's that from?"

Kitty looked at the braid. "What's that from?"

"It's from the doll of the little girl," Matt replied. "One of the men had it in his pocket. He was keeping it as a trophy. Some killers do that."

"That is so wrong and disturbing," Kitty angrily said.

"I know," Matt whispered. "Kitty, I'm not going to describe what Chester and I saw. You don't need that vision in your head. But this is one of the reasons that I don't want to have a wife and kids. I cannot fathom something like this happening to you and our kids. And I have a fear that something terrible could happen because of my enemies."

Kitty noticed Matt said 'you and our kids.' It was clear that on some sort of subconscious level Matt considered their relationship on more of a permanent level, but Kitty wasn't going to dwell on that. There were other things to consider right now. Kitty was curious as to why Matt still had the braid.

"Why do you still have the braid?" Kitty asked.

"I guess I don't know what to do with it," Matt answered. "I took it to Hays with me to use as evidence at the trial. When the trial was over, I didn't feel right throwing it away. I still don't feel right throwing it away."

"Maybe you can go back to the graves and bury it with the little girl," Kitty suggested.

"I don't know if it's a good idea to disturb someone's final resting place," said Matt.

"I see your point," Kitty responded. A minute later she spoke again. "What if you bury the braid next to the little girl's grave?"

"That's a good idea," Matt replied. "I'll do it tomorrow."

"I'll go with you," said Kitty softly.

"You don't have to," Matt started to say.

"I know, but I want to go," Kitty interrupted.

Matt wasn't going to argue. He was glad she was going with him. "Thank you."

"How about you finish removing your clothes, so we can get under the covers," Kitty instructed Matt.

Matt followed Kitty's instructions, leaving only his underwear on. He and Kitty climbed under the covers. Matt gathered Kitty in his arms, enjoying the feel of her against his body.

"Kitty, do you mind if we didn't make love tonight?" Matt softly asked. "Tonight I just want to hold you."

"Matt, I don't mind at all," Kitty answered. It didn't take long for them to fall asleep.

The next day Matt rented a buggy from Moss Grimmick. Matt brought Kitty to the grave sites. He walked over to the little girl's grave. Kitty followed. Matt knelt down and dug a small hole with his hand. When Matt thought the hole was deep enough, he placed the braid down in it. He then replaced the dirt, covering the braid. Matt stood up and went next to Kitty. Both stood there to offer a moment of silence. After a few minutes, they left.

The ride back to town had been a silent one, until Matt asked Kitty if she wanted to have supper with him at Delmonico's. Kitty gladly accepted. She knew this wouldn't be the only time Matt would encounter situations like this as a lawman. Kitty also knew she would be there for him each time he did.

The End