Chapter 1

This was originally the opening to Doppelganger… but completely changed the entire plot lol… this one isn't as dark and ghostly… a bit lighter 😊

In my mind's eye, this is based around Season 14/15 Time of the Jackals/Sergeant Holly era – I love MK relationship always and forever… but the sweet moments they had in Time of the Jackals (their looks for one another) and Kitty's hair at the end in War Priest… very cute and flirty. So, I'm kinda going with whatever age they were supposed to be in the Gunsmoke world lol. YOU can place this story when or wherever… that's just my visual when I'm working on this crazy thing 😊 Hope you enjoy!

Six-foot-two. Black hair with a hint of blue when the sunshine rays played on its waves. He slowly removed his black Stetson to reveal green eyes that reminded her of summer grass. He had broad shoulders under his dusty cowboy attire and long legs encased in tight leather chaps. Matt was coming home that night, Kitty couldn't help her heart from missing her cowboy. This cowboy walking in, however, put her in mind of an outlaw version of Matt. Which was something that she didn't need after waiting for almost three weeks. He walked over to the bar.

Kitty kept her voice crisp, despite the sudden flare of desire from the thoughts of Matt. "Can I help you?" She asked, while she finished drying the glasses. She looked over her shoulder.

His smile was slow and seductive, and it showed plenty of straight white teeth. His voice was just as sensual—a low, warm baritone that lingered over the vowels and made Kitty's insides melt. She imagined he knew that too, but it wasn't from him.

"I'm looking for Russell." He stated with no hesitance.

"That would be me." She turned to face him and noticed, with some satisfaction, that his smile faltered just a bit. She didn't need bad news. She hated bad news and outlaws when Matt was not in an earshot. "I'm Kitty Russell."

"I see. I'm looking for the Russell that owns this place." There was disappointment in his voice. He was hoping this rose was just a saloon girl he could charm, not an owner he would have to deal with...

"Again, me." Of course, Kitty was used to this kind of conversation. It happened all the time. "My friends call me, Kitty but you can call me, Miss Russell."

"Because?" He snorted.

"Because it's my last name..." Kitty was getting a little aggravated now as she walked around the bar. "... and I own the place."

"That makes sense." His eyes raked over her figure.

Kitty lifted her eyebrow and asked, "What did you want?"

Kitty just rolled her eyes. This time his smile held a suggestion, "I wanted to look at rentin' this place out for a night or two for me and my boys," He said, "One of my boys is coming of age and us older cowboys wanna throw him a birthday party of sorts."

"Where's your posse?" Kitty looked around him.

He threw his head back toward the batwing doors. "Settlin' in at our camp."

"Why this saloon?" Kitty questioning his intentions, "Have you asked around town? There are other saloons, you know?" She reminded.

"Sure." He answered bluntly as he looked around. "I like the uh... the decorations here."

Kitty looked down at his holster. "Nice piece," She said dryly.

He looked down, his eyebrow titled slightly. "Yeah," He patted the gun, 'It was a gift. It's a…"

"'73 Single-Action Cattleman Revolver." She held her poker face as she spoke. Matt had taught her a lot over the years. He showed her what she could look for when men walked in... to take note in differences between ranchers, cattle drovers, outlaws, and lawmen; appearance and pieces.

He smiled. "You know your guns."

"You sound shocked." Kitty raised her eyebrows.

"I guess, I am. It's not often you see a woman as gorgeous as you run a saloon like this… and know her guns." He said, smiling.

"Would you prefer a healthy older gentleman with a gun of his own?" She sassed.

"Do you have that?" He wondered.

"I do..." She warned about Sam.

"I can't tell if you're joking." He admitted.

"Most people can't," She said.

He stepped slightly closer. "So, what can you do for me?" Getting back to his original question.

"Well, I'll just have to see what I can do." She looked around at her costumers, "What was your name again?"

He nodded. "My apologies, Miss Russell. I'm Mitch Malone." He eyed her, "It is Miss Russell, I assume."

Kitty nodded, "It is." She placed her hand on her hip as he leaned in a bit closer, "Now, don't go gettin' any ideas." She said.

Lightening the mood, "Strictly business, Miss Russell. I'm not here to fall in love or anything."

"Good." Kitty smiled. "I've grown accustomed to being promised the world from time to time." She dreadfully recalled drunken cowboys, drifters, and mountain folks.

"I'm sure cowboys tell you they're in love, you're their one and only, and want whisk you away from all this." He joked and innocently smiled.

She chuckled because she couldn't help it, "More than I'd like to recall."

He said, "Ah, so she does have a sense of humor." He studied her smile. He decided he liked the easy feeling it brought. He leaned against the bar. Crossing his arms, "So, can you handle it?" He showcased his beautiful smiled once more.

Poker face took over. She turned and went back behind the bar, "$70 a night... that includes access to the bar but not the extras." She looked upstairs as she continued to dry glasses once more.

He watched her demeanor change back to a business one. He enjoyed the humor and hope to see that side again soon… but DAMN! She was going to make him pay and pay big, "Holy hell, $70..." He hung his head. He shook it and look up at her, "Damn!... Ya gotta love a business woman." He smiled, "I hear it's worth it."

"There will be conditions. I'm in charge and everyone will answer to me. I have a reputation to uphold in this town. I have good costumers, good friends, and good girls. This is a haven for most of them, and I'll use every ounce of my power to keep it that way." She looked him square in the eye, "You can have it starting at 5pm... We close at 1am & not a minute later... There's an ordinance, and I won't go against the law."

"There're those typical demanding woman characteristics." He smiled, "I was wondering when they would show."

Kitty shrugged her shoulders, "Well, mister... those are my rules. You don't like em... move along."

He took in her offer. He thought for a moment, "I'll be back later tonight to discuss everything. That alright?"

Kitty nodded, "Sure."

He placed his hat back on his head and smiled, "See you later, Russell." He tipped his hat and sauntered out. Kitty picked up another glass and just shook her head.

It was about ten o'clock now... It was slow, and it had been slow... so she welcomed the Malone character's offer... but no sign of the cowboy or… her cowboy. She was propped up behind the bar, when Matt finally walked in. Her heart fluttered when he looked over the batwing doors at her. Sam walked passed, carrying glasses to a table, "Evenin, Marshal. Good to have ya back."

Matt walked down the stairs, "Good to be home, Sam." Matt's eyes never leaving Kitty's as he made his way to the bar. He smiled and greeted her warmly, "Evenin', Kitty."

Kitty smiled her warm, but tired smile, "Welcome back, stranger."

He removed his hat and propped his frame against the bar in from of her, "Hey there." He looked around, "Kinda slow, uh?"

She nodded. She pushed against the bar and yawned, "You wanna beer, Cowboy?"

"I don't wanna be trouble or anything." He teased.

She chuckled, "I'm just tired. It's been a long week, and I haven't slept well the last few weeks." She dug in his direction. Matt ducked his head as she placed two glasses of beer in front of them and a single shot of whiskey, "It's not your fault... well, not fully." She winked and took the shot, chasing it with the beer. Matt just chuckled and took a swig of his beer.

"Why don't you go ahead and... uh... just close up?" Matt suggested.

Kitty picked up on the remark, "Patience young one." Kitty winked as she turned to refill the shot glass. Matt smiled.

"Young?" Doc teased and swiped his mustache as he made his way next to Matt.

Matt and Kitty both looked up, "Evenin', Doc." Kitty smiled, "What brings you here this time of night? Thought you had an early morning."

Doc nodded, "It was just so quiet down here, wanted to make sure everything was okay."

Kitty nodded and covered her yawn once more, "Everything's just fine, Doc."

"That cowboy come back yet?" Doc wondered. Kitty shook her head.

"What cowboy?" Matt looked from Kitty to Doc. Kitty looked at Doc. Doc just swiped his hand across his face and grunted. Matt repeated, "What cowboy?" Matt looked at Kitty. "Kitty." He added sternly.

Kitty let out a sigh, "Oh, Matt. it's nothing."

"Seems like something to you two." Matt commented. Doc scoffed.

"Some cattleman or rancher with a herd coming through. He stopped in and wanted to rent The Long Branch out for a party." She said.

"What did you say?" Matt straightened up.

Kitty looked at Matt, "Look, Matt... business is slow right now, and I could use the extra income." She placed her hand on his forearm, "It's just an innocent birthday party. Well, as innocent as a coming of age party can be." She smiled. Matt scoffed. Kitty eyed him for a moment, "I'm going to start closing down. I'll be in my office." She looked to Doc, "Night, Doc. See you in the morning." Doc tipped his hat.

Matt nodded, "See ya later, Kitty."

Doc took a swig of beer. They sat quiet for a few minutes. Doc broke the silence, "Cowboy's been asking around town for you. I haven't seen 'em, just heard about it. So, whoever this drifter is..." Doc sat his glass down and looked over to Matt, "... I'd keep a close eye out at this party."

Matt took a swig of beer, "I'm here now."

"That's what I'm afraid of, son." Doc padded him on the back and turned to walk out the doors.

TBC