Rescue or Recovery?
PT.21
For the next several hours, they all sat quiet. Doc finally suggested William, Claudia and Hilda go home and get some rest. He assured them if there were any changes he'd get word to them.
Turning to Matt, "Maybe you should try and get some proper rest too." Doc suggested.
Shaking his head, "No, Doc, I'm not leaving her."
"Now, Matt, listen to me. I'm going to say something to you and I want you to listen to me. Everything that could be done for Kitty has been done. I know how much you love her, but making yourself sick isn't going to help her not one bit, not one little bit. And you know Kitty would tell you that herself if she could."
"Doc, I just want her to know I'm here."
Frustrated, rubbing his chin. "You stubborn fool. She knows! Let me tell you something, you big lug. I have watched the two of you for more years then I can count and I have seen the way you two have an uncanny effect on one another. Far be it for me to explain it and it will NEVER be in any medical journals. UGH! But whatever, you two have something special." He started to turn away then turned back. "Let me say this, Marshal, I sure wouldn't want her seeing you looking… Well, have you seen yourself?" Now shaking his head and walking over to the window, saying, "Go on. I'll be here."
After thinking about Doc's words, Matt looked in the mirror and decided to go clean himself up.
Doc stood at the foot of Kitty's bed with sadness in his eyes. "Ah, Kitty Honey, if you can hear me…" He was now hanging his head. He moved to the side of the bed, sitting softly, taking her hand. Rubbing it gently,
with his voice cracking, he spoke to her. "Please, Kitty, come back to me." Tears were now pooling in his eyes. "To us. I know this must be hard for you. You've been through a lot over the years. It hasn't been easy, I know. I've been there with you. But, Honey, I know this is selfish on my part, but I can't lose you."
He gently wiped the tears from his eyes. "Ever since the day you stepped off that stage in Dodge, you made your way into my heart. Oh, I know your heart belongs to that big lug but, Honey, you've been the daughter I've never had and I'm not ready to lose you. Not for another twenty or fifty years. You hear me, young lady? That's your doctor's orders. Oh, and I know you know this, but that big over grown civil servant hasn't left your side. And I'll tell you a secret, he loves you more than you know." Winking at her, he leaned in and kissed her forehead.
Doc was unaware that Matt stood in the door way. Clearing his throat, Matt spoke softly. "Hey, Doc, thought I heard voices."
Shaking his head, "No, just me. Thought I'd have a word with this, young lady."
"Well, Matt, think I'll get some coffee? Can I get you some?"
"No, Doc. Thanks." Once alone, Matt curled up next to Kitty.
Later, Doc returned. As he entered, he was surprised. Kitty was softly running her hand over Matt's hair, brushing the hair from his face. Quickly he rushed to the side of her bed. "Kit…"
"Ssshhh," she motioned hoarsely, "don't wa… ke him." She was trying to hold back a cough.
"Kitty? How you feeling?"
"Ah, like I…" She was now squeezing her eyes shut.
"Ok, ok, just relax." He began checking he vitals."
"Curly, is he al… right?"
"You two are something else. You're worried about him and he hasn't left this room since you've been here."
"Curly, he looks so tir… ed."
"Don't you worry about Matt."
Just then, Matt began to stir. "Kit?"
"Hel... lo, Cow... boy."
Jumping up, he was excited. "Kit? Kitty!"
"Yeah, it's me." Slightly smiling.
Cupping her face, "Aw, Honey. Doc? She gonna be ok?"
"Well, she seems to be. Her vitals are good and she's worrying about you. Seems normal to me." Scrubbing his face, "I'll leave you to have a minute. I'll let Dr. Madison know you're awake."
Once alone, he scooped her up in his arms. "Ah, Honey."
"Cowboy, I'm sorry. Sorry I put you through all this. Sorry we… argued."
"No, now, Kit, let's not talk about that."
"Matt, how'd you know? How'd you know where I was? I… I was so… so scared."
Hugging her tight, "It's over, Kit."
"Cowboy, when I was locked in that room and then on that boat, I… I knew there was no way… no way to get help and there was no way to let you know where I was and what was happening. So how?"
"Hilda!"
"Hilda?" She repeated.
"Yes, young Hilda. Kit, she wired me and told me you needed me, that you were in trouble. She explained to me what was going on, everything."
"Oh, Matt, thank God. I thought it was all over." Tears were pooling in her eyes. "I thought I'd never see…"
"Kit, ssshhhh, you're alright."
Holding him tight, nodding. "I am now. I am now, Cowboy."
TBC
