Gunsmoke and Spies 13

Author's Note: I have referenced events from a Gunsmoke episode called "Hostage" on this chapter. Air date Dec. 11, 1972.

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Three hours later, found Matt and Lee pacing restlessly in Doc's outer office waiting on word of Kitty. Festus had agreed to take Matt's rounds for him and had already left. Doc, with Amanda's help, worked on Kitty in the other room. Matt wanted to be in the room with her, but Doc refused, stating Matt could do nothing more than get in his way.

Neither man spoke but the look on both their faces was the same. As soon as they knew how Kitty was, they were going after Saldez and Hayworth and they were going to take them down. One way or the other.

Pouring himself a cup of coffee, Matt had just turned back from the stove when the door opened and Amanda slipped through, going instantly into Lee's arms. "She's going to be alright," she gave Matt a relieved smile. "Doc said she'd be okay."

Matt put his cup on the desk and rushed into the room. Doc had just pulled a sheet up over Kitty and was taking his stethoscope off, when Matt stepped in. "Doc?" He questioned, his eyes going to the pale but beautiful women in the bed.

"Come on in, Matt." Doc motioned. "She's awake."

"Kitty!" He practically fell over his own feet trying to reach her side. "How are you feeling?" He took her hand, holding tightly.

"I'm alright, Matt." She smiled up at him. "Honest, I'm okay."

Matt looked up at Doc for confirmation and got it via a curt nod of his head.

"She will be, at least." Doc told him. "But she's going to be spending a considerable amount of time in bed for the next few days." He gave her a stern look in warning. "You understand me, young lady?"

"Yes, sir," Kitty stifled a grin, knowing as well as he did that she would get up when she wanted to, not when he wanted her to. Looking back at the concerned eyes of the big man beside her, she smiled and gave a gentle tug of his hand. "I am okay, Matt." She reassured him.

Matt nodded with a duck of his head. "I know." He told her. "But it could've been a lot worse, Kitty. You could've been killed. You could've…"

"Matt," she stopped him. "I wasn't though. Please, Matt. Please don't do this."

"Do what?" His brow knotted.

"You know what." Kitty sighed. "The same thing you did after…" She stopped, not wanting to say the name of the man who had kidnapped, raped, beat and tortured her then brought her home and shot her down in the street in front of the Long Branch.

If not for Doc's abilities as a physician and a praying man, as well as the love she had seen in Matt's eyes, the night she lay near death, she wouldn't be there right then. Matt's reaction had been swift and violent. As soon as Doc told him she had a fair of chance of living, he had taken off his badge and rode after the man named Jude Bonner. Intent on killing him, outside the law, or in, made no difference to him.

Festus and Newly, as well as a good portion of the town, had ridden after Matt and only with Festus' interference did Matt step back at the last minute before crushing the man's skull with a rock.

Kitty didn't want him going off like that again. She didn't need him to avenge her. She just needed him, beside her, whole and healthy. But looking into his eyes, clouded with anger, she knew she'd not be able to stop him. "Promise me, you won't get yourself killed." She finally said, softly and sadly. "I want you back."

Matt nodded and bent down, placing a tender kiss on her soft lips. "I will do that." He murmured, kissing her again. "I promise you, I will do that."

In the other room, Lee and Amanda were still wrapped in each other's arms as Amanda told Lee everything that happened. And of what she had overheard Hayworth say to Saldez. "All I know is that he said they were meeting someone by the name of Logan at Benson's Crossing at 10 am." Amanda told him. "They didn't say anything else, Lee."

Matt had stepped into the room at that moment and nodded. "I knew Logan was involved in this. And Benson's Crossing would be a good spot for something like that. Lots of rocks around there, easy place to hide out."

"How long do you think it'd take us to get there?" Lee asked Matt.

"We leave now, we can get there a little early and be ready for them." Matt answered.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Lee pulled away from Amanda and reached for his hat that he'd thrown on Doc's desk."

"I'm going with you." Amanda stated determinedly.

"Oh, no, you're not." Lee voice held the same determination. "You are going to stay here, Amanda. Those men are dangerous. It was only by sheer luck you weren't shot as well. I don't want you anywhere near them again. Do you hear me? You're staying here."

"But, Lee…" Amanda tried.

"No, Amanda. Now that's final. You stay here." Lee told her sternly, letting her know he would brook no protest or argument. Turning to Matt, he plopped his hat on his head and started for the door. "Let's ride."

As Matt and Lee descended the stairs, Amanda silently fumed. She hated being told to stay behind. She knew Lee cared about her and was only concerned with her safety, but too often he acted as though she didn't have a brain in her head or a clue as to how to take care of herself. Glancing at the closed bedroom door, she made a decision.

Hitching up her voluminous skirts, she waited a beat and then stepped outside onto the stoop. Matt and Lee were just headed down the street. Swiftly, Amanda descended the stairs and looked about her, trying to figure a way to follow. The way was easier than she'd thought.

Standing unattended, still attached to the hitch rail, where Festus had hurriedly tied him, was Ruth, his mule. Festus had meant to take him down to the stable and put him up, but as he was covering for Matt, he'd let his mule stay where he was while he went to handle a fight at the Lady Gay.

Though Amanda wasn't much a rider and even had a mild allergy to horses, she decided to take her chances. Lee was riding into danger and as his partner, she couldn't let him do it without her. US Marshal Matt Dillon by his side notwithstanding. She was Lee's partner and she was going with him.

Taking a careful look up and down the street and seeing neither Festus nor anyone else who might stop her, Amanda hauled herself up into the saddle, turned the mule in the direction Lee and Matt had taken, and rode.

TBC