Ok, at this point, I'm taking writer's liberty in altering the time frame….

PT.5

Return To Dodge

Entwined Hearts

New Orleans, Louisiana

After Julie sent Butch to the hotel to collect Kitty's luggage, the two women took a long stroll towards the park before lunch. "So, Kitty, now tell me what really brings you all the way to New Orleans. And remember, it's me, Julie, you're talking to." With a raised brow and slight smile on her face. "Not some naive kid."

Furrowing her brow, "Oh, Julie, you always did know me too well. Well, Julie, I just had to get away. I guess I should have done this a long time ago."

"Do what, Kitty?" Julie asked.

Staring straight at her friend, "Used my head, listened to my gut instead of my heart!"

"OHHHHH! I see this is about a man. By any chance, would this be that handsome big Marshal man you always write me about?"

"Uh huh. That's him." Kitty said letting out an exhale.

"Kitty, what's he done? Is it another woman?"

"HA! If it were only that easy."

"Honey, you've lost me."

"Julie, it's worse than that. Oh, he has a mistress alright, a cold hard mistress that is stuck right to his chest!"

"Kitty, I'm not following you."

"It's that damned badge!" Julie started to giggle. "What's so funny?" Kitty looked at her beginning to get angry.

"Oh, Kitty, I'm not laughing at you. But he is a U.S. Marshal right?"

Yes, but you don't understand. For almost twenty years he has put his life on the line above and beyond, way beyond, the call of so called duty. I been there to watch Doc dig bullets out of him and sew up knife wounds, sitting vigil night after night, not knowing whether he'd live or die."

Julie could now read the pain on her face and in her eyes. "Oh, Kitty, I had no idea."

"Of course you didn't. How could you? I begged him to…. Oh, never mind. It doesn't matter. He made his choice."

"Oh, Kitty, I'm so sorry!"

"I'll just start over right here. Here in New Orleans, my home."

"Sure you will, honey. I could sure use your help. Nobody deals a great hand of poker like Kitty Russell! Let's go get lunch."

"Great I'm starving!" Kitty smiled.

Dodge City, Kansas

Matt went about his normal routine, but was always pre-occupied. He carried Kitty's letter in his shirt pocket all the time, checked the mail pile every day hoping for another. Took rides out to the prairie to practice shooting, hoping to get better with his aim. But he still had trouble. The nerves were damaged bad. The arm was weak. But he wouldn't let on to anyone. Months went by, he became more and more withdrawn.

Finally Doc came into his office. "Ok. How long are you going to walk around here like a zombie?"

"What?"

"How long?"

"What are you talking about, Doc?"

"Why don't you go and…."

"Go where?"

"New Orleans you big lug! Get on your horse, or the stage, the train, walk if you have to, but go to New Orleans and talk to her. And if you dare ask who, I'll…"

"Ahhh, Doc, I can't do that."

"And why in thunder not? Kitty loves you, damn it!"

"And you know that because?"

"I just know! She's miserable, take my word for it. And you're miserable. And I know that too!"

"Doc, she wanted me to take off the badge."

"You don't say? Matt, you've giving nineteen years, nineteen good, no, great years to this town. You've made this a town that families can be proud of. You gave this place law where there was none. That's not gonna go away just because you take off that badge. Maybe it's time to hand it to the next man. There's a lot of good men out there! I'm telling you, Matt, it's time. Kitty's not being selfish. Kitty's the most unselfish woman I know, and I shouldn't have to tell you that!"

"There's a part of me, Doc, that knows you're right, but…"

"But what?" Doc asked looking at him with questioning eyes.

"Without this badge… who am I?"

Huffing out a breath, "I'm not gonna answer that. I believe there's a exceptionally beautiful redhead in New Orleans, that could answer that much better than I can. He turned and walked out, letting the door slam shut behind him.

Matt packed up a few things in a bag and told Festus and Newly he needed to take a trip. Without saying a word, Newly knew exactly where that trip would be to. When Newly let Doc know he would be taking care of things at the Marshal's office, Doc just smiled. He figured his message got through.

Two days later, early in the morning, Doc was having coffee with Hannah. They had become pretty good friends. Doc missed early morning coffee with Kitty. He briefly filled Hannah in on the situation and the back history of how he, Matt and Kitty all came to be friends, and how he looked at the two as his children.

As they were talking, Hannah noticed Doc becoming quiet. His breathing became heavier and he was sweating. "Doc? Is everything ok?"

"He didn't answer. Again she called to him. "Doc! Doc!" He began to slump. Now she got louder, "DOC! DOC! Al, go get Newly. Hurry!"

TBC