An hour had passed since Doc told the crowd waiting outside his office that Matt Dillon was alive but in bad shape. Some folks did as Doc suggested, and went home to say a prayer. Others found reasons to linger in town in case there was more news. A cluster of man stood at the bar of the Long Branch. Their voices were quiet, as if they didn't want to disturb the air around them.

At the small table in the back corner of the saloon, David was refilling Kitty's beer mug when someone standing at the bar caught his attention, "Kitty, there's my friend Billy Marks. I've told you about him and his new job. Mind if I ask him over?"

"Go ahead."

David signaled towards the bar, and a stocky, short-necked man ambled over carrying a bottle of whiskey and three glasses. His smile was broad beneath his bushy, brown mustache. "Hello David. It's nice to see a happy face. This town sure is sure gloomy tonight." He set the whiskey bottle on the table, "I hope you'll let me buy you and this beautiful lady a drink."

David pulled out a chair, "Good to see you Billy. Please join us, and we'd love to have that drink. Let me introduce you to my fiancé, Kitty Russell."

Billy smiled at Kitty as he sat down, "A pleasure Miss Russell, and congratulations on your engagement. David's one of a kind, but I'm sure you already know that." He poured three glasses of whiskey, "Please allow me to make a toast."

Kitty and David lifted their glasses. Billy clinked his against theirs, "Here's to David for his luck in capturing the heart of such a lovely lady."

They tossed back the whiskey. Billy refilled the glasses and winked at David, "And to the future Mrs. Miller, may she always find a way to keep David in line." They all laughed and downed the second drink. David set his glass on the table, "Say Billy, how do you like working for the Ronnigers? I told Kitty you took a job there, she's a good friend of theirs."

Billy laughed, "I'll tell you, it sure is a lively place with 10 kids running around, but I like it. My brother Greg's working for them too. One or the other of us is always there. The pay's not great, but Mrs. Ronniger is a terrific cook and the bedroom I share with Greg is clean and bright. Anyway, I figure in six months me and Greg will have the money to move on and buy a place of our own."

David looked at Billy and spoke seriously, "Six months might seem like a long time, but some things are worth waiting for."

A slight smile crossed Billy's lips, "That's the truth." He looked around, "I can see it's closing time. I'd best be going. It's been a pleasure."

David watched Billy leave and leaned towards Kitty, "I trust Billy and his brother Greg, more than just about anyone. They've never let me down."

Kitty nodded, "You've mentioned that before." She finished off another beer and looked around. The place was empty. "We should call it a night David." She stood and found herself swaying. Her head was spinning. She hadn't eaten dinner and had consumed many beers and 2 glasses of whiskey in a short amount of time.

David took her hand and smiled, "My dear, I believe you're a bit tipsy. Let's get you upstairs."

As Kitty tried to steady herself, she glanced toward the bar. Sam was looking at her with concern. She knew he'd never seen her even close to being drunk, and made a big effort to sound sober. Her words came out strained and over annunciated. "Sam, it is past the hour that we should close for the night. I believe it is time for you to go home. We will clean up in the morning."

He hesitated and she offered her best reassuring smile, "Sam, I am with my fiancé. There is no need for concern. Please go home and get some rest."

Sam turned towards the door reluctantly and started to leave. David put a hand on Kitty's arm, and an arm around her waist. Sam stopped just inside the batwing doors and looked back. Kitty smiled over her shoulder and gave a small wave, "Good night Sam."

"Good night, Miss Kitty." Sam hesitated for another second before leaving, locking the doors behind him.

Miller kissed Kitty's cheek. Let's get you upstairs my beauty.

Doc's

Matt was in deep laudanum induced sleep. Ghastly pale and unmoving, his slow shallow breaths were the only indication that he was alive. Doc sat beside him checking his pulse now and then, just to be doing something. Festus made a pot of coffee. It was going to be a long night. Newly was doing late night rounds. Usually, if Matt wasn't around, Festus and Newly did rounds together. Tonight, with the town muted by a fog of worry, there was no need for them both to go.

Festus poured coffee and handed a cup to Doc, "Doc, I just don't reckon it. Why'd Miss Kitty come up here when Matthew got shot, ifin she's – well – takin up with that thar Miller fella?"

Doc rubbed his mustache, "Well Festus, Kitty and Matt have meant a lot to each other for a long time. Feelings like that don't disappear even it she is in love with another man."

Festus started to speak but Doc put up his hand, "Festus, before you say another word I want you to know I'm as surprised as you are by what's happened between Kitty and David Miller. However, it is what it is. She's been open about the fact that she's in love with the man. Personally, I think she's making a terrible mistake, but I have to respect her decision."

"Doc, I hear ya. I guess I jus got a harda time than you respectin a mistake."

"Festus, there is nothing you or I can do about Kitty's decision. Let's put all our energy into keeping Matt alive. Usually Kitty stays to lend a hand in circumstances like these. With her not here, I know I can count on you."

"You betcha Doc."

The Long Branch

With David's help Kitty slowly and unsteadily climbed the stairs to her suite. When they were inside her bedroom, he pulled the door shut and gripped her shoulders. In one forceful movement, he swung her around to face him. His grip was so tight she couldn't move. He kissed her roughly, deep and long. She felt trapped and couldn't breathe. Then with a suddenness that made her stagger back, he released her and straightened up. "I'm an honorable man my dear, and you are drunk. I'll wait until we are married. I don't want to take advantage of you. Sleep well."

He touched a finger to her lips, turned away and went out the back. Once he was gone, she took hold of the bedpost and carefully laid down on her bed fully clothed. She stared at the ceiling and watched it spin. Suddenly overtaken by nausea she staggered to the water closet and emptied the contents of her stomach retching again and again, until nothing but bile came up. Finally the vomiting stopped. She poured herself a long drink of water and sat down on the side of her bed to drink it. With shaking hands she started undressing, dismayed by her behavior. The primary rule of working in a saloon is: Stay sober and watch others get drunk. For the first time ever she'd broken the rule.

She left her clothes in a pile on the floor, got into bed naked and pulled a cotton blanket over her. She closed her eyes and saw David's image floating in front of her. He was handsome, with black hair and dark brown eyes. His face was unlined, his smile ready and his laughter frequent. Matt's image suddenly intruded with his rugged handsomeness, and lines earned of caring about so many. A single tear ran down her cheek. She wanted Matt to live, recover and find happiness in life. She brushed the tear aside. Whatever happened, she'd made her choice and was marrying David Miller.

TBC