AN- Thank you everyone for your comments, especially the quests who I can't respond to personally.

Matt left Judge Brooker feeling happy and relieved. He was eager to tell Kitty what happened, but decided to make a quick stop at the telegraph office before it closed. There was one more important message to send.

Delmonico's

Doctor Galen Adams and Judge Caleb Brooker were enjoying a quiet dinner. Doc took a sip of coffee, "I'm curious Caleb, how do you figure Mrs. Cassidy escaped from jail?"

Brooker answered thoughtfully, "Well, Mrs. Cassidy said she overpowered Miss Russell when she was visiting. That seems unlikely, given the size and frailty of Mrs. Cassidy."

Doc was puzzled "You don't think Kitty let her out do you?"

Brooker took a bite of steak, slowly chewed and swallowed, "Galen, if I thought that, I'd have to question Miss Russell, and charges might have to be brought. No, I think that Matt took Mrs. Cassidy with him to gather evidence and didn't have time to tell Festus. It was just a misunderstanding."

Doc's eyes twinkled as he rubbed his mustache, "I see."

The judge looked at his friend, "One more thing."

"What's that?"

"Which is better the apple pie or the peach?

The Long Branch

Kitty, Matt and River were in a festive mood as they ate dinner at Kitty's. River raised an eyebrow in mock astonishment as she watched Matt pile second helpings of everything onto his plate. Kitty laughed, "Yes River, he will eat it all."

Matt took another bite of chicken, "It just that you two women are such great cooks."

River looked at him innocently, "I see. Usually you barely eat a thing."

Kitty laughed again and stood to refill the wine glasses. She lifted hers, "A toast. Here's to the future."

Matt and River smiled and clinked their glasses against Kitty's, "To the future."

Kitty sat and took a sip of wine, "River, do you think you'll be going to Topeka?"

River quickly grew serious, she set her glass down and shook her head.

Realizing she had broached a touchy topic Kitty said gently, "River, I'm sorry. I'm not saying you should go back to Eric, after what he did. I'm not saying you shouldn't either. It's your decision. Please know you are welcome to stay here while you figure things out. The room next door is yours for as long as you want."

River nodded and tried to smile, but was blinking back tears, "Kitty, about Eric, it's not what you think. I still love him, it's just that after 2 years with those men, I'm damaged goods. I can't ask him to take me back."

Kitty was dumbfounded, "River, how can you say that? Remember what my life was when we met?"

"That was different. You were young, and had no choice."

Matt interjected, "River, you had no choice either, not if you wanted Eric to be safe. They said they'd kill him if you tried to run away."

"Maybe so, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm no longer fit to be anyone's wife." Kitty started to speak, but River stood, "Please excuse me, I'm kind of tired. If you don't mind, I think I'll get to bed. Thank you both for everything."

When River was gone, Kitty turned to Matt, "She thinks contemptible and worthless, but she's a wonderful person. We have to help her. If she wants to be reunited with her husband she should give herself that chance."

Matt started helping Kitty clear the table. "Give her time Kitty, she's been through a lot." He thought about the telegram he'd sent, " I think there's a chance things could work out."

Two Days Later

Eric Cassidy was glad to learn they were nearing Dodge. The stagecoach ride from Topeka had been dusty, bumpy and uncomfortable, and being squeezed between two talkative, heavily perfumed, robustly built women hadn't helped. He pulled a telegram from his pocket to read yet again - Release Cassidy and tell him River is in Dodge City.

The thought of seeing River again filled him with both eagerness and dread. He wanted to hold her. He wanted to spend his life trying make up for his dreadful, stupid mistake, but feared she wouldn't have him. Again he resolved to take care of her even if it had to be from a distance.

At last the stage pulled into Dodge. The door opened and as he stepped out, Eric found himself looking up into the piercing blue eyes of the biggest, most authoritative man he'd ever seen. He saw the badge and put it together, "You're Marshal Dillon."

Matt nodded, "Follow me"

Matt strode away and Eric picked up his suitcase and quickly followed. The marshal didn't seem like the kind of man you'd want to say no to.

Eric soon found himself seated in the marshal's office. Matt remained standing, "Mr. Cassidy what are your intentions in respect to River."

Surprised by the directness of the question Eric stammered, "That is a very personal question."

"I know, but I need an answer."

Eric thought about it. He didn't know how much the marshal knew, but decided to be honest, "I made an unforgivable mistake, but I have a kernel of hope that River can forgive me. If she can't I will understand. No matter what, I will provide for her."

"Good. Wait here."

Matt left a mystified Eric alone in the office. Five minutes later he was walking down Front Street with River. She hurried along beside him. "Matt what's this about? Can't you say anything other than it's a surprise?"

When they reached his office, Matt opened the door and indicated to River that she should go in. As soon as she entered, he shut the door behind her, locked it and sat outside.

He had been there for almost an hour when Kitty walked over, "Matt, I can't find River. You don't think she'd leave without saying goodbye do you?"

"Nope"

"Do you know where she is?"

"Yep."

Clearly annoyed Kitty flashed him a warning with her eyes, "Matt Dillon, you have 2 seconds to tell me where River is."

"Yes, maam. She's inside with Eric. They've been in there for a while. I haven't heard any yelling so I figure things are going all right. I reckon they'll let me know when they're ready to come out."

Kitty flabbergasted and before she could respond, there was a knock from inside. Matt unlocked the door, and Eric and River stepped out holding hands. River looked at Matt and giggled, looking at that moment like a young girl, "Who would have ever thought that being locked in a lawman's office could be an act of kindness."

Late that Night

Upstairs in the Long Branch, River and Eric were together in bedroom next to Kitty's suite. Eric started rubbing the inside of River's thigh and felt her stiffen. He quickly removed his hand. She looked at him sadly, "Eric, I'm sorry, it's not you. It's just I've hated being touched for so long. I don't know how long it will take before I – I."

"Shss. Don't worry, we have time, lot's of time. We're together now, everything will be all right."

River relaxed, "Hold me, please just hold me." Eric wrapped his arms around her, and she fell into a contented sleep.

Next door Kitty was sitting at her vanity brushing her hair. Matt's boots were next to the bed. He took off his shirt, hung it on a hook and walked over to stand behind her. He was watching her reflection in the mirror when she noticed and smiled. He leaned over and tenderly kissed her neck. She set down the hairbrush, stood to face him, and started rubbing her hands up and down his bare chest.

"Cowboy, it's getting very warm in here. Do you think you could do me the kindness of helping me out of these clothes?"

Matt smiled and slowly removed her clothing piece by piece. Then he lifted her in his arms to carry her to bed.

"You know Kitty, I never gave you much of an apology for my behavior when you told me you released River."

"Mmm really? It sounds like you have something in mind."

"Indeed I do."

The End