At Last
PT.5
A/N: I'm take a writer's privilege here and bringing back "Our Sam" and "Our Ol' Doc Adams" although neither weren't around by season 21. But I love them both so they're still here.
Folks scattered in all directions. Matt pushed in, turning trying to see where the shot was coming from. Sam and Hannah quickly rushed towards both men.
"Newly? Matt?"
Newly was lying face down on the floor as Sam approached him, tables and chairs scattered all about.
"Mr. Dillon! He's been hit!" Sam yelled.
Matt crouched down peering out the door then stood to look, seeing no one.
"Sam, send someone for Doc Dayton."
"Right away." Sam nodded.
Hannah sat beside Newly, propping his head on her lap. Just as Matt walked back through the batwing doors, his eyes raised to the landing. Kitty was standing, looking down, her eyes wide.
"Oh, Matt, you're…" Then she inhaled deeply.
As he followed her eyes and Hannah's he realized what drew their attention was the blood on his shoulder. Quickly, he just brushed his hand over his shoulder. "Ah, it's nothing."
Tilting her head, throwing her hands in the air, she descended the stairs. "Hannah? What happened?"
"I don't know. They were walking in and shots rang out and next thing I knew they both came flying thought the doors. Poor Newly is hurt bad. Sam just went for the Doc."
Kitty turned to Matt, reaching for his shoulder. He tried brushing her hand away. "Oh, stop, let me have a look at that."
"Kitty, it's nothing."
"Cowboy, you're bleeding like a stuck pig." Bending over, she ripped a strip of her petticoat. "Come here." She began tying it around his arm, trying to stop the bleeding. "Let's get you up to Doc Dayton."
"Ah, forget that. I have to figure out who was shooting at us."
"Matt, you don't…"
"Kitty, it's my j…"
"Uh uh."
"Kitty, I have to do this for Newly."
They both stopped and stared blue to blue.
Nodding, "I guess you do. Matt, who do you think did this?"
"I'm not sure, but Newly did get a wire about a prison break."
With a raised brow, "Oh? And he thinks they were coming towards Dodge?"
"It was a possibility."
"Matt?" Now looking at him with deep concern. "Does this mean…"
"Now, Kitty, don't go…"
"Cowboy, Newly doesn't have enemies. I mean he hasn't been Marshal very long. Anyone coming from prison looking to… looking for… Oh, Matt. Did Newly get shot…" She now closed her eyes.
Matt just stared at her, knowing he was thinking exactly the same thing.
Look, Kitty, for now, I need you and Hannah to try and stay inside. I'm going to walk the streets and see what I can find."
"But, Matt you don't know who it is you're looking for."
"I'm going to send out another wire to Leavenworth see if I can get a list of the escapees."
"Matt?"
"Yeah?"
"Be caref…"
He turned and touched her cheek. "I know, I will."
Matt quickly sent off a wire to Leavenworth then began walking through each and every street.
As Matt made his way down Front Street and looked to the window on the second floor of the Long Branch, seeing a familiar light, bringing back a memory of long ago. It was the beacon of light that led to his heart. The light he counted on to bring him home so many nights off long hard trails. Now did he dare? Was that light tonight for him? Would he still be welcome? "I just have to make her understand."
Making his way up the back stairs, this time he didn't dare use the key. Tapping lightly on the door.
Surprised, Kitty slowly opened it. "Matt?"
"Ah, Kitty, I know it's late…"
"No, no, come in." Walking back into the room. "Can I get you a drink?"
"Yeah, yeah, ok."
Pouring him a drink, "How's the arm?"
"Ah, just a flesh wound. Kit, I was hoping we could talk."
Swallowing hard. "Matt, I…"
"No, Kit, you said I took off the badge and still made a choice."
"Uh huh." Now looking at him in question.
"My taking off the badge wasn't enough. Do you understand?"
"I guess you're gonna explain it to me?"
"Kitty," he now took her by both shoulders, forcing her to face him, "just because I took off that badge, doesn't mean you or now Jamie are safe. Kitty, look what happened down stairs. You even knew that shot was probably meant for me."
"Yes, Matt, don't you think I know that there's always going to be someone, somewhere?"
"Kit, Honey, that's my point." He pulled her close. "Kitty, I want to protect you and Jamie."
"Matt, do you think that just because I left Dodge If someone wanted to find me they couldn't?"
"Kit…"
"Or you? Even hiding out in a mountain cabin?"
Holding her close, "Kitty, this isn't easy."
Matt looked around the room. "Kit? You going somewhere?"
Nodding, "Well, before Newly was shot, I purchased tickets for New Orleans."
"When?" He snapped.
"Day after tomorrow. Matt, I can't stay. We can't keep doing this." She tried closing her eyes, not to let him see the tears pooling up and biting her bottom lip to try and stop her chin from quivering. "Matt, just go, please."
He could feel the rage building. He turned and headed for the door, slamming it as he left, taking the stairs two at a time not noticing the shadow beneath the stairs.
After the door slammed, Kitty flopped down in the chair, letting the tears flow, curling her knees up. "Oh, Cowboy? Why? Why?"
TBC