Chapter 16! Yea! Sooo...I have had a few calls from some reviewers who know who they are that want to see some more uhm, activities between Matt and Kitty. Well I am so sorry to say that this will (long pause) not be the chapter for that! Sorry it just isn't the right time! Thanks to mahc for all her inspiring reviews!
Disclaimer: Nope, I still don't own 'em! NUTS!
After taking care of things with the Sanderson brothers and sending Mrs. Finnely on her way, Matt made a quick once over of the town. He also chatted with his deputies and told them to keep out a special eye for the drunks that always seemed to be attracted to any kind of Dodge City celebrations.
"I'll be around boys so don't be afraid to look me up if you need me." Matt had told them all.
"Yes sir, Marshal." the younger of the three that was helping him out. Matt liked the boy and hoped that this gave him enough experience with the law to choose a different career path. While Matt loved being a lawman the more time he spent time with Kitty, the more he wondered if he could live with out the badge that graced his chest. Those were just silly thoughts that he had though and he quickly pushed them away as he set off down the boardwalk towards the Longbranch.
Kitty had unpacked the picnic basket and went ot her room to freshen herself up and now she felt at a loss. Being dressed in something other than work clothes made the cowboys downstairs give her funny looks so she had decided to stay upstairs. She just hoped that Matt would have sense enough to look up here for her, she'd hate to miss out on their time together tonight.
Matt whistled a little tune in time with the jingle of his spurs as he walked down the boardwalk that ran along Front Street. His long legs ate up the distance and soon he had reached the batwing doors of the Longbranch. The only occupants were a few lone cowboys nursing beers and one of the relief bar tenders, a man that Matt did not know. He stepped inside and noded at the bartender in greeting before saying, "Say is Miss Russell still around someplace?"
"Upstairs." the bartender said. He had his thining hair slicked over to the side and wore a fancy vest that barely stretched over his paunchy middle. His name was Rex Stills and he had came to Dodge after being released from prison down in Texas. He really wasn't a bar tender, in fact he had been a banker down in Texas, that was until he had been caught, stealing from the bank and using the money to gamble and support his lover, Jewel. Jewel was a whore in a Texas Honky Tonk and before going to jail, Stills had left a substantial amount of money with her. Once he had been released he had went back to the honky tonk to look for Jewel only to find her missing, whisphed away like dust in the wind. So he had set off, looking in every cow town he came upon, looking for her. He would find her too, and nothing was going to stop him.
Matt climbed the stairs, at some points taking two at a time, to ensure that he reached Kitty's room as fast as he could. When he reached the door however, he stopped and took a couple of deep breaths before knocking.
Kitty, hearing the knocks, jumped up from her chair and rushed to the door. After all her run-ins with Sally, she didn't let just anyone into her room anymore. "Who is it?"
"It's me, Matt." she heard from the otherside of the door.
"Oh Matt! Come in. Can I get you a drink or something before we go?" Kitty said, after she flung open the door. She had been worried that it was the new bar tender Rex. While he seemed to be a pleasant enough man, he scarred Kitty. There was just something about him, about the way he carried himself and the way he spoke that unnerved her. The words he spoke didn't match up to what his eyes spoke or the things that his body language said.
"No, that's alright Kitty. I thought that we would just get set out for our evening together." Matt said.
"Oh ok." Kitty said. She picked up her shawl and handbag and said, "I'm all ready."
Matt smiled at her and said, "Good." While he was smiling at Kitty he mind was rolling over the new bar tender downstairs. There was something about the man that just seemed to eat at Matt. This evening was the third time that Matt had been around the man and as with the two previous times the man just gave Matt an odd feeling. A feeling like something was going to happen and that when it did there would be little that Matt Dillon would be able to do to stop it. Lost in his thoughts he didn't hear Kitty calling him.
"Matt?" Kitty said. "Matt, are you alright?"
"Huh? Did you need something Kitty?" Matt said, as he opened the door and escorted her out into the hallway.
"I was just saying, it would be quicker if we went out the back way." Kitty said. "What's wrong Matt, your feeling alright aren't you?"
"I'm fine Kitty. Why do you ask?"
"Well you just seem occupied by something else, I guess." Kitty said, allowing a hurt look cross her face.
"No Kitty, the only thing occuping my mind right now is you."
Kitty smiled then, "Good."
The pair walked down the back steps and out the door, totally unaware that they were being watched by a man who believed that he had been wronged.
So what did you think? I am sure that people are throwing things at their computers right now and cussing me as well. I can honestly say when I sat down to write this chapter, I had no idea that Rex Stills was going to show up. So I guess I am saying that I'm not responsible for him or his action. Oh and if you don't see any updates for the next couple of days have no fear, I will return, I am just going home to spend Christmas with my family.
