The Dance 3

I don't own these characters; I just like to spend time with them. No other profit to be had.

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Once outside the barn, Matt led Kitty a little way from the door and pressed her gently back against the wall, so he could lean in for an unobserved kiss. As he did so, he noticed her shivering. "You cold?" he asked her.

"Oh just a little chilly," she shrugged. "I'm fine." She reached for him again, and as their lips parted a second time, he noticed her shivering just a little more.

"Why don't we go back inside where it's warmer?" he asked.

"Oh no, Matt," Kitty protested. "Not yet."

Matt smiled gently at her. "Alright then, at least let me go get your cape, okay?"

Kitty nodded "Alright, but don't be too long." She kissed him again.

Matt grinned and took off for the building.

"Sure glad that saloon girl is gone," Kitty recognized the voice of the Mayor's wife. Though she had never spoken personally to her, she had heard her many times, as she dressed down poor Mr. Jonas for some supposed infraction, or Joe over at Delmonico's or various others around town.

"Me too," another voice agreed. Kitty recognized that voice as well, as belonging to the bank president's wife.

Where she was standing by the building Kitty could both see and hear the women, as they spoke, but she was near to invisible to them.

"Why Marshal Dillon would bring something like that to a civic function, I'll never understand. He could do so much better." The mayor's wife opined.

"Yes he could," the Bank President's wife agreed. "But I really don't think he's serious about her. I mean how could he be? She's nothing but a tramp."

"True," Mrs. Mayor agreed, but you know that kind of woman does seem to have a particular appeal for men. In the baser sense I mean."

"Yes," agreed Mrs. Bank President, "but not for long. I think it's only a matter of time that our good Marshal will leave that whore, to the other wastrels in town and settle down with Susan Bart or one of the other fine young ladies in Dodge."

Kitty had heard enough. Tears streaming down her face, she ran from where she had been standing, and fled to the sanctuary of her room over the Long Branch.

Matt had come out of the building just in time to hear the latter part of the women's comments, and see Kitty running away. He wanted to go after her, but he had something he needed to do first.

"Ladies," he said angrily.

"Marshal," both ladies said a little guiltily. They hadn't realized he was so close.

"Ladies," Matt said again trying to keep his temper in check. "I heard what you said about Miss Russell, and I think you should be ashamed of yourselves. There's not a finer, more gentle soul in this town, and she didn't deserve you cutting her up the way you did. She has never done anything to you, or anyone else in this town."

The women could see the anger on the Marshal's face, and were a little taken aback by it.

"She may not be the Mayor's wife," Matt continued, "or of the bank president, but in my opinion she's one of the most respectable and decent people I know, at least more so than some I can name."

He wanted to say a great deal more, but he knew his temper was at a boiling point, and he was afraid of what he might do if he lingered any longer. Turning quickly, he walked away in disgust.

Walking quickly, he made his way back to the Long Branch knowing that was most probably where she had gone. Looking over the doors, he couldn't see her in the main room. Clem saw him looking in, and gestured up towards her room.

Matt swiftly climbed the stairs, and knocked on Kitty's door. "Kitty?" he called softly "It's Matt."

"Go away, Matt," came a muffled sob from inside the room. He could hear the pain in her voice.

"Kitty, open the door" he said a little louder. She didn't answer. "Kitty, you don't open this door and I'm going to have to kick it in." he said a little louder still.

The door opened, and a very teary eyed Kitty stepped back to let him gain access to the room. Matt could see how hard she had been crying, and he was angry all over again at the way she had been mistreated.

Closing the door behind him, Matt reached out and took her into his arms. Kitty laid her head on his chest, as a fresh onslaught of tears cascaded down her face and onto his shirt.

For a long time Matt said nothing, until her sobs subsided a little, then he gently tugged at her chin to bring her gaze up to meet his.

"I want you to know," he said softly, "that I had a little talk with those two old biddies at the dance, and I let them know how wrong they are about you, and what a good person you are."

Kitty looked a little shocked at that, as tears started anew.

"I also want you to know how much I think of you." He continued. "You're the finest person I know, Kitty Russell. You're beautiful inside and out, and worth more to me than all the other 'ladies' in town combined."

"Oh Matt," was all she could say, as she continued to sob against his chest.

Matt held her for a moment longer, then once again gently tugged her chin up to look at him. "I guess I should've said this a while ago," he said, "but hopefully better late than never."

Kitty looked at him questionably.

"I love you, Kitty Russell" Matt said tenderly. "I love you, and I'm proud of you, and no matter what anyone thinks or says, that will never change. Do you hear me? I love you."

Kitty looked deeply into his eyes and saw the truth shining there. He truly did love her. Kitty hugged him tightly to her self, as even more tears fell. Only these tears were tears of unmitigated joy. Matt Dillon loved her, and he had told her he was proud of her. That meant more to her than anything else.

Matt placed his hands on her shoulders and pushed her back a little. "You know, we never did have that second dance."

Kitty shook her head. "I don't want to go back," she whispered.

"Who said anything about going back?" he said with a slight chuckle. "I figured we could have our own personal dance right here – together."

Kitty beamed up at him, as he brought his lips down to claim hers. Lifting her into his arms Matt began a very special dance with Kitty Russell, and he never missed a step.,

Fini