PT.8
"The Test of Time"

Matt went about his usual night rounds. It was quiet, this gave him time to mull over everything that had taken place. Things actually went better in telling Beth he was her father then he thought it would. Probably because she never knew Johnny Yardner. But he was still a stranger to her and there was so much neither one of them knew about the other.

So much was going through his mind now he has a full grown daughter. Well almost, anyway. "Now I have to worry about who will find out. And then there is the fact that she is about to lose the only parent she ever knew, then when that happens…"

He didn't know what to do with a daughter. There were things she'd need help with, things she'd need a woman for, which then brought him to Kitty.

He knew what all this was doing to her, how this was hurting her. After all the years he had told her over and over again why they couldn't have the kind of life she wanted the house, home, a family… "All because of my job and this badge."

Then he looked up to the upper level of the Long Branch. It was dark, but then again, there were still customers down stairs. Maybe all wasn't lost yet. She said she needed time….

"I know Kitty loves me." He thought to himself. "She's hurt right now but I know she still loves me. She said she needs time, she didn't say we were over. That's got to be a good sign. Oh, who you kiddin' Dillon? Why didn't you just tell her the truth years ago? Now it's come back to bite you in the…"

Matt turned quickly only to see Doc. "You take to talking to yourself now, have you?" Laughing at Matt.

"Doc. I didn't hear you sneak up on me."

"Yeah, I know." Still snickering. "So, what's on your mind, Matt? I figure about now you need to talk."

"You know, Doc, I really don't think it would help."

"Let me guess. Kitty is sore at you. Beth too?"

Matt jumped in about there and said, "Well no, Beth surprised me. Yeah, at first she was, because she thought I knew about her and didn't care. But after Mike and I explained things, she was ok. She's not dealing too well with the news about Mike but that's to be expected."

"And Kitty?"

"Doc, I... I don't know what to do."

"Matt, give her time. Just give her time. There is no one, and I mean no one, in this world that loves you more than that woman loves you. She's hurt. What's been dropped on her is exactly what you have told her for over twenty years that you two could never have all because this." Doc tapped on Matt's badge. "But she accepted it because she did love you. And not only did she learn that you were with someone else…"

Matt quickly said, "But, Doc, you know I had no idea…"

Doc put his hand up to stop him. "Matt, yes I know you didn't know who you were and deep down when she has time to think about it, without the anger, she'll know that too. You two will get through this, Matt. Have a little faith. Now I'm going to bed. Good night."

Matt decided he would stop at the Long Branch. Sam was behind the bar, the crowd was dwindling down.

As he walked into the bar, Sam just smiled. "Marshal? Can I get you a beer?"

"Sam, no I…"

"Marshal, she went up a few minutes ago."

"Thanks, Sam."

"I'm just gonna take these things in the back then lock up." Sam figured he'd give him a chance to head up the stairs if he wanted.

Matt took the stairs two at a time. Then when he got to the door, he knocked lightly and waited.

Kitty called out, "Sam, what is it? You need me for something?"

He took a deep breath, then answered. "Kit, it's me, Matt."

"Oh, Matt, it's open."

As he entered the room, he stopped and just stared for a moment. Kitty was within a few feet from him, in a beautiful soft lilac chiffon gown, with her copper curls falling down her shoulders. Everything in him wanted to scoop her up in his arms and let her know how much he loved and wanted her.

"Well, Cowboy, you gonna just stand there? Or do you want a drink?"

"Yeah, a drink sounds good." He said with a slight stutter. "Kit, are you alright?"

"If you mean, am I gonna throw something at you, don't worry. I'm not. Matt, honestly, I don't know how I feel. But I'm trying. It's not easy, not at all."

"Kit, honey, I know."

"Do you? Do you, Matt? You know, while I was away in San Francisco, I counted the days till I'd be back here to be with you. And when I got off that saw you, I felt like I was going to burst. Then when we walked up the street and I saw her standing watching us, I knew. I just knew something... something was wrong."

"But, Kit, it doesn't have to be. This doesn't have to hurt us. Kit, if we just try we can get past this."

"Matt, I know when I met you… I know what I was and you did too. But when I came to Dodge, even when I came to work for Bill Pence, I only worked on the floor. I left that part of my life behind."

"Kit, wait, we don't have to talk about that."

"No, listen please? Matt, you have been the only man I've…"

Now he moved across the room and pulled her into his arms. "Honey, stop. I know. And I'd like to say that too. And I can, if you think of me speaking in terms of my soul, mind and heart. Kitty, what happened between Mike and me, it was physical. It wasn't me in the same sense. I wasn't me. Do you understand that? It would have never happened if I knew who I was."

He just continued to hold her as close as he could, hoping she wouldn't pull away. "Kitty, please tell me we will be alright. I need you, Kit. I love you. Please don't throw us away."

They sat together on the settee, holding one another.

Their silence was interrupted by a knock at the door. "Miss Kitty, I'm sorry to bother you but there's someone looking for the Marshal."

"Thank you, Sam." Kitty said. "He'll be right there. I guess you'd better see what that is."

"I'm sorry, Kitty. I'll take care of it and…"

"Don't worry about it."

Matt went to the landing. "Sam, who's looking for me?" Then he saw Beth.

"It's me, Marshal. I'm sorry. I know it's getting late. I saw you come this way. I was hoping we could maybe have breakfast tomorrow and talk. If that's ok?"

"Yeah, yeah, that'll be fine. And you don't have to call me Marshal." Matt said with a boyish smile.

"Oh, well I wasn't sure what to call you. Ummm, can I just call you Matt for now? Dad feels strange just yet."

"Sure Matt's fine."

"Ok then. Good night, Matt."

When he came back to the room, Kitty was sleeping on the settee. He just smiled, walked over, picked her up, carried her over to their bed, placed her down softly, removed his boots and outer clothes, curled up with her and just held her while she slept. He just wanted her to know he was there and always would be.

TBC