A Flicker of Light In The Darkness

Chapter 6

Matt Goes After Calleigh

Matt knew he needed a tracker to find her before she got too far away—and who was better than Festus? In a matter of hours, he had led Matt to her camp. Festus circled around the tree, coming back to Matt. "I kin smell smoke, Matthew. I'm guessin she's camped right in that there stand of trees. If you squint real tight…" which he paused to demonstrate, "ya kin see a little flicker of light. Probably a small camp fire."

Matt silently agreed and took Buck's reins. "Festus, why don't you go on back and tell Kitty we found her. She's bound to be frantic. I need to talk to Calleigh alone," he stared off toward the trees, "I think I'll walk from here. She might hear me if I ride up, and take off." Festus nodded and wished him luck.

The twig snapped under the pressure of Matt's boot, but before he could lift his foot, a slight form by the fire reeled around pointing a .45 at his head. There wasn't time to draw, his only chance was to call out, "Whoa, Calleigh! It's Matt Dillon." What was only seconds, seemed like hours, until he heard the gentle click of the hammer being eased back, One thing for sure, he thought, she was as fast as he had been told.

"What are you doing out here, Marshal?" Calleigh carefully placed the gun back under her bed roll.

With a grateful sigh, Matt pushed his hat back on his forehead, "I came to see if you will come home."

"Home?" She laughed softly.

Matt eased his massive frame down to the ground. The fire between them caused her hair to shine like the flames. The copper-tipped highlights danced in the light. She did look like Kitty, but for just an instant, a memory from long ago started to surface. His brow furrowed, as he tried to claim the memory, but it was too elusive. "Everyone is worried about you," he said, breaking the silence.

Calleigh sat up straight, facing him head on, "It's not because of 'everyone' that you came out here; is it?"

Matt worked his mouth from side to side, studying his opponent. Again, he was astounded by the way she could be so direct—and unabashedly cool about it. Not to mention, how right she was. "No," he responded at last. "You might as well know, Kitty is the most important thing in the world to me."

"If that's supposed to have been a secret, it's not a very good one." Her tone softened and she lowered her lids to shield her eyes from his scrutiny. "I'm sorry. You and I...we just don't seem to mesh. I can only imagine how you feel. You come home, tired from a long trip, and your whole world has been turned upside down by a pint-sized intruder."

His hulking form seemed to relax a bit. Kitty was right; she did have a sense of humor. "It was a surprise," he admitted, "but not one that I can't adjust to. Think we could talk some things over?"

Calleigh poked the ashes with a stick, causing the sparks to fly up, drifting into the moonlight. "I guess it would depend on what things. I think the main thing you're worried about, is Kitty getting hurt. I would never do that. I'm not running a con on her, or hiding from someone. True, there are things in my past that I'm not ready to tell you about; but I'm just not ready to deal with them. Everything I have told you and Kitty is true."

"I believe you; but those things you're not ready to deal with-that's what's worrying me. Kitty is investing her heart in you; and I don't want her to be hurt."

"Neither do I. She's been nothing but kind to me. That's why I think it would be best if I just kept going. I know I don't look it, but I am resilient and I know what it takes to survive. I know she will be upset, but it will pass." Calleigh let go a sarcastic laugh, "I'm not that memorable."

"You are to her and I'm beginning to think... to me."

"To you?" Her heart fluttered and began to beat so loud, she was sure he could hear it.

He wasn't sure if it was the fire casting a shadow across her face, or had she actually blushed? He had a strange sensation that it really mattered to her what he thought—and not just because of Kitty. With a slight nod, he smiled and confessed. "You are, without doubt, unique and a challenge. I certainly am not doubting that you would find a way to survive, but it scares me to think about what that way might be."

Calleigh straightened up, squaring off against the Marshal, "What if I make you an offer? You and I get to know each other and if you come to trust me—and maybe like me a little for who I am—then I'll tell you the rest."

"Hmm, pretty sound offer. I'm going to ask you one last time; are you sure there is no one out there looking for you? Someone who will come to lay claim to you?"

Her small face looked so solemn in the firelight. "No one is looking for me, Marshal. I promise."

Matt pulled his giant form to his feet when he heard the sound of a horse. They had been so engrossed in their conversation, that neither of them heard the rider until he was right up on them. Matt sized up the rough-looking intruder as trouble and berated himself for allowing him to sneak up on them. "You lost stranger?"

The grungy drifter laughed. He pushed his hat back on his head with a hand that hadn't borne a clean spot in months. "No...I'm not lost, but-" before he could finish, he saw Matt's hand start to hover over his gun. "I wouldn't do that," he cast a quick glance directly behind Matt. "Slagle!" he yelled and a lone figure stepped out of the shadows. His gun already aimed at Matt.

"Looks like you two might be—lost, that is. Why don't you put up your hands there mister," he pulled his gun as he spoke. "Up!" Matt glanced over at Calleigh and slowly raised his hands. "That's a mighty sweet lookin' youngin you got there."

"Mighty sweet," his partner echoed in a repulsive tone. A black tongue whipped out between a mouthful of broken teeth. "We kin have sum fun, huh Tag?" The hand with the gun, snaked out to brush the muzzle into her hair. "Look at that hair. Wowee, never seed that culur afor."

"Leave her alone!" Matt shouted. It was enough to startle the man and he pulled back from the child.

"Ah, he wasn't gonna hurt her nun. She duz have pirty hair."

Matt knew by the exchange between the two, that he was a dead man and Calleigh's fate was worse. He looked at the girl, her gaze meeting his head on, her eyes strangely calm. Then in an instant, her composure vanished and she began to cry. "Pa! Pa, please; I'm scared." In a sudden move, she ran toward him, throwing her arms around his waist.

The toothless saddle bum started to laugh and began to mock her. "Oh, papa, save me papa!" The two men laughed. The first drifter climbed down off his horse. "Come on papa, how ur you gonna save this here lil girl? Show us, papa." Again, the two burst into laughter.

Matt knew her actions were completely out of character, but he wasn't sure what she was planning. While the two drifters were enjoying the display of fear by a young girl, neither noticed that the hands wrapped around her 'Pa' were actually slipping around the handle of Matt's gun. He whispered her name and she flashed him a confident look. He had never felt so helpless in his life. Was this little girl going to save them both? He felt the slightest of tugs on the gun and then it was out. She whirled around and before either man could get a shot off, she had fired twice. One bullet sunk in between the eyes of the toothless man the other right above the left eye of his partner. Silence engulfed the campsite. Matt lowered his arms, and turned the girl around to face him. "This sounds kind of silly, but are you all right?"

She nodded. Matt could tell that, despite the feat she had just pulled off, she was shaken. Marksman or not, right at this moment she was a little girl who had just killed two men. He knelt down to eye level and wrapped his massive arms around her. That was all it took and the floodgates broke open. He held her close until the sobbing subsided and she leaned back in his arms. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

Calleigh took a deep breath and look up at Matt. "Thanks Pa, I was really scared."

Matt did a double take, staring at her for a minute, "Pa?" he repeated, and then they both broke into nervous laughter. Despite her attempt at humor, Matt knew it was a lot different to shoot a tossed coin, than a human being. He figured she was more shaken up than she realized and exhaustion would hit her soon. After tying the dead bodies across their own horses, Matt put her up on his horse. She leaned back into him and he could feel a faint tremble course through her body. He wrapped his arm around her as she drifted off to sleep.

They had almost reached the Long Branch, when Festus saw them from the door and yelled for the others.

Their excitement was dampened by a streak of fear, when they saw the two dead bodies draped over the horses and Calleigh cradled in Matt's arm.

His eyes connected to Kitty's and he could see the fear claiming her. "She's all right," he assured her "She's just asleep. Can you take her Festus?" Matt gently lowered the girl into Festus' arms. Kitty hovered over her and flashed a grateful look to Matt.

"Doc, I'm going to take these bodies down to Percy Crump. You probably should check on Calleigh. She's been through a lot." He tipped his hat back on his head. "Then do you think you could have a beer waiting for me? 'Cause I could sure use one." Doc nodded and turned back into the Long Branch.

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Doc followed Kitty down the stairs, after getting Calleigh settled into bed. Matt was already at the table. He stood up to pull out a chair for Kitty and then resumed his spot. Without taking a breath, he downed the first beer. He relaxed back in his chair and began to share the experience he and Calleigh had been through.

"Are you a telling me, that littlin up there took on two growd men?"

Matt watched Kitty's face become tense. He knew this was a part of Calleigh that she didn't want to admit existed. "You can bury your head in the sand, Kitty; but the truth is, she's a natural with a gun. They had their guns drawn and she still beat them."

Doc wiped the trace of foam from his mustache, "I know what you're saying. She is remarkable. Just unbeatable."

Kitty's gaze drifted upstairs. "That's the problem. Nobody is unbeatable and somebody always wants to take the title away."

The table fell silent, all knowing Kitty was right. If word got out what Calleigh was capable of, she would become a target—female or not. Doc pulled himself away from the table and placed a hand on Kitty's shoulder, "She should sleep through the night, with what I gave her. You need some rest too, little lady."

Kitty reached up, putting her hand on top of his. "Thanks Doc, I will. Oh, I had Sam close up the front doors; can you two go through the office?"

"Sure. Festus, come on."

"Ima comin; stop being so cranky, you ol' scudder."

"I'm not cranky, I'm tired. Some of us had to work today."

Kitty shook her head in a weary gesture and glanced up at Matt. They listened to the fussing until the two men finally got out of earshot. Matt flashed a comforting grin to his lady. "Hi."

With all the strength she could muster, Kitty pulled herself out of her chair and walked around to settle on Matt's lap. "Hi, Cowboy. Come here often?"

"I'm a personal friend of the owner," his grin widened.

"Really? Do you have special privileges?"

"Honey, I am a special privilege!"

She flashed a coy smile and arched one brow as if to question him, "Bragging Marshal; or can you back that up?"

Matt rose to his feet, sweeping Kitty up into his arms. "Let's just go up them there steps and I'll show you what I can do. Ma'am." He looked down at her, his brows furrowing, "What did you say your name was again?"

She let her head drop against his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Idiot."

"This is the second time tonight I've had to carry one of my women."

"Your...women?"

"Okay, a woman and a half. Calleigh and I came to an agreement." Matt pushed the door open to Kitty's bedroom and let her slide from his arms. She started to turn away, when he pulled her back suddenly, his mouth eager to find hers. He maneuvered her toward the bed, without releasing her lips. When he reached his destination, he pushed her down and landed beside her. "She'll be out all night with that stuff Doc gave her," he whispered breathlessly to Kitty. Although she didn't reply, he felt her body relax and begin to respond eagerly to his lovemaking.

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Exhausted and satisfied, they lay back in each others arms. She snuggled into his embrace and raked her fingers lazily down his chest. "Did I thank you?" she questioned.

"Oh, no need for thanks, ma'am. I enjoyed it too...ouch!" Matt winced, when she poked her elbow into his ribs.

"For bringing Calleigh home, you jerk!"

Matt laughed and settled her into his embrace, "I see how you got so attached to her. She is unique and we've already discovered we have something in common."

"Really?"

"Yeah; we're both crazy about you." He brushed the hair from her forehead and replaced it with a kiss. "I'm sorry about the other night. Everything seemed to be happening so fast. I come home and everything I know is gone, or changed. I felt like I was losing you. I know how immature that sounds; and jealousy isn't normally one of my flaws but," he pulled her tighter to him, "I felt you slipping away. Kitten, you know I couldn't survive without you."

She stroked his cheek, smiling at the name he only used in their most intimate moments "You'll never have to."

"I just don't want you to get hurt. There's family somewhere; I know there is."

"Matt, she's been honest about everything."

"No, she's been honest about the things she decided to tell you. You're not asking all the right questions. In the meantime, I guess she'll be settling in here."

"Now that it's really happening, I'm kind of scared. I don't know that I'm the right person to give her what she needs."

"Kitty, there's nothing you can't handle when you set your mind to it. But..." he paused, kissing her again, "I'd like to help you with this. Seems like it would be easier sharing the load, so to speak."

"True, I do want you to like each other; but I can't ask you to share the responsibility for something that I took on."

Matt stretched out, settling her closer in his arms. "You're not asking, I'm offering. Let's call it a practice run for when we have one of our own."

Kitty sat up slowly, looking down at him, as though she had never really seen him before. "One of our own?" She repeated the words in amazement. "I don't remember ever discussing that."

"We discussed getting married when I give up the badge."

"Well, yeah."

"What do you think happens when people get married? They get a house, a dog, a couple of kids and...you've got yourself a family." He pulled her back down to himself and they both began to laugh. Kitty snuggled in closer and yawned. The stress was ebbing out, leaving her exhausted. In a sleepy tone she yawned, "I love you, Matt."

The room fell silent and he could tell by the gentle rhythm of her breathing, that she had gone to sleep. Placing another kiss on her temple, he whispered, "I love you too...and we will have one of our own someday."

TBC