Hello everyone! I know it's been a while since my last posting of the story, and I do apologize for that. I do thank you guys for messaging me and reviewing the story, asking when I'm going to update it and if I was okay. I very much appreciate it. It makes me know that you guys love and care about me while as my story. Thank you. and when it come to the few months' hiatus honestly fact is each time I sat down to write/edit, everything seemed to become more tangled up than it was before. So, I did the best thing I could do. I set it down and walked away for a while. Not that I wanted to, but I so want to keep this as a fun enjoyable hobby. Honestly, I kept hitting a wall and being frustrated. but also, I've been really busy the last few months so that added to things. But I think after getting some perspective on things and clearing my mind, I can get back to writing.

Time seemed to pass by slowly like sand in an hourglass, one grain of it at a time. The only thing Matt Dillon could hear was the sound of the clock ticking. "Tick, tock, tick, tock." Matt sighed; every second felt like a minute and a minute felt like five, and five felt like ten, and ten felt like a half-hour and so on. He would bounce his knee and twiddle his thumbs trying to keep his mind off the clock. Every time he looked up at it, it was only five minutes later than the last time he looked. The day was passing by like molasses in the middle of January. Thick, sticky, and barely moving if it was moving at all.

It was only 1:05p.m. Matt sighed in frustration as he leaned his head back on the chair, as he thought about this morning when he had gone to the marshal's office to say his goodbyes to everyone.

When Matt walked through the door, there stood Doc and the most faithful deputies Matt could ever ask for.

Matt could only smile as he took his hat off and hung it up on the hook by the door like he always did, then looked around the jail. All three deputies stood in front of the desk with their badges polished up and looking their best. They were like troops waiting to be inspected. Even Doc was in a new suit. The sight of his four best friends, standing there in that little room. Brought a tear to his eye and a lump to his throat.

"I-I huh, thank you all for being here." Matt swallowed the lump, "You-you all know that I will be back here, but in the meantime I'm glad that I have three deputies that can handle things while I am away."

The three deputies only smiled as he turned his attention to the town doctor. "Well, Doc, do you think you can keep these three men in line for me? and nothing else, you know where that extra set of jail keys are." Matt winked as the jailhouse filled with laughter, but soon as it came it died a way. There was a hint of melancholy in the air as the men didn't know what to say to each other, but then Doc spoke up, "Now Matt, I know you will be leaving this afternoon and the road ahead of you is unknown. If it is all right with you, I would like to pray for you, and then I will finish with a passage from the book of Numbers." Doc rubbed his mustache as Matt nodded as he sat down. The three other men took their hats off and move closer to place their hands on the marshal's shoulders. while Doc placed his hands on Matt's head. Doc took a deep breath and closed his eyes, "Heavenly Father, you know what is in store for Matt, as well as the days ahead of him. Father, I pray whatever it may be that you would guide him and lead him. I pray that you will be with him and Kitty. Please grant them your peace. Lord, please let them know you are with them. Amen." With that the deputies stepped back as Doc kept his hand on Matt, only he moved it to his shoulder. He looked the marshal in the eye, he could remember when Matt Dillon was just a young pup that came into town 20 years ago. And now not much had changed, but in some ways a lot had. Matt took a hold of Doc's hand, "Are you all right Doc?" the older man slowly nodded as if he was studying something. "I am Matt, I am. Now Matt," Doc sighed, "May the Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace."

Doc gripped Matt's shoulder tighter before he let go. "I'll be praying for you, Matt. I hope and pray that there will be many blessings and joy that will overflow."

Matt could only nod for he was unsure what to say in response. He then stood up and stuck out his hand. Doc pushed it aside but instead, he embraced the marshal, as a father would his son. Matt was not sure what to think but he didn't resist the embrace, only held on a little tighter for a few seconds before letting go. "Thanks, Doc, I-I needed that." He said before turning to the rest of the men,

"I-I will be sure to tell Kitty, hello for you guys." With that, Matt placed his hat on his head and walked out. The four men watched him disappear into the distance.

Matt woke up with a start, as the sound of the grandfather clock downstairs chimed 3 o'clock. "I've must have fallen asleep." He rubbed his face and stretched as his body woke up from its tired state. He grumbled under his breath, as he looked at the clock once more. Matt sighed, as he reached down and grabbed his bag, then he shoved his Stetson on his head. He made his way past the Long Branch; the thought of a drink did cross his mind. But it just wasn't the same place anymore since Hannah took over. Matt only shook his head, as he kept walking to the train station.

Matt stayed in the shadows mostly so no one would try to bother him. But the ones that did see him would wave and say their goodbyes. For everyone knew that one day Marshal Matthew Dillon would just pack his bags and leave to find Kitty Russell, just like he always did. Then someday, (who knows when.) The town will see them again walking down the street wrapped up in each other's arms once again like they always did as if nothing ever happened.

When he reached the station, there was other people waiting there with their families. But it was not long before you could hear the train whistle blowing as it was coming around the bend. At the first long sound of the whistle, Matt felt his heart give a leap of joy as he knew he would see Kitty in less than 24 hours. But as he watched the train pull in, and the sight of people getting off, the reality soon set in and his heart raced as he heard the conductor loudly shout, "ALL ABORD!" He had faced countless outlaws, but right now this was almost more terrifying. He could not decide whether it was the fear of the unknown or something more. But he swallowed his courage and stepped onto the train.

Matt let out a long sigh as he looked around the very full train car. One or two seats were available with someone else sitting there, it was not what Matt had in mind. He made his way to the back where he always like to sit and with a sigh of relief there was an empty bench, he set down his bag, and tossed his coat over the top of it. As he looked out the window, he could hear people talking about going to see their grandma and other relatives for Thanksgiving. Matt half chuckled he had forgotten that the holiday was a few weeks away. He only shrugged his shoulders as he leaned his head back and made himself more comfortable for the long train ride.

Once the train started to move, it didn't take long for the train conductor to start making his rounds. The man had a warm smile on his face and a joyful twinkle in his eye as he walked up and down the aisles of the car, asking for the tickets as he went.

"Tickets, please! May I have your tickets, please!"

Matt got his ticket ready as the conductor was busy helping someone, the man then turned to The marshal.

Matt read the man's name tag, "Here you go, Mr. Flask." The conductor smiled, as he took ahold of the ticket, "Thank you, sir..." Just as he was getting ready to punch a hole in it, he took a closer look and stopped. Matt looked up at him, "Is there something wrong with my ticket?" Mr. Flask only smiled as he softened his voice, "No, Mr. Dillon, no. Just more of a mix-up than anything." Matt felt a little confused. Mr. Flask only smiled,

"But no need to worry. It's a simple problem to solve."

"So, there is a problem?"

"Oh yes, but if you come with me, it will be taken care of."

With that Mr. Flask took a hold of Matt's bag as the marshal took his coat, then the conductor led him past the dining car, to the sleeping cars where he had a nice private space.

"Here you are Mr. Dillon, your private compartment for the night."

Mr. Flask said setting the bag down at the foot of the bed. Matt was even more confused now than he was before.

"But-but I didn't pay for a private compartment, only a regular ticket."

Matt tried to pick up his bag and make his way back to the main car, but Mr. Flask only smiled as he pulled out Matt's ticket to show him.

"Well, Mr. Dillon, someone paid for your ticket. See look here, 'Car# 5. private compartment #2. One Passenger.' Now I don't know who paid for it, maybe the person whose signature is there on the bottom but, I wouldn't look the gift horse in the mouth. I'd take it as a blessing." The conductor smiled as he punched a hole in the ticket and then handed it back to Matt. "I hope you have safe travels Mr. Dillon and a good rest tonight." With that, Mr. Flask went on his way.

Matt looked at the signature to see who it was. He could only smile. As it was signed, "Doctor Adams." He could only shake his head, "Alright you old coot, what do you have up your sleeve?" With that, he put that ticket in his carpetbag and then sat down in the armchair. In a way he was happy he wasn't going to be sitting in a cold car, watching people, and keeping an eye on everyone like he always did. Doc's gift was a blessing in disguise, but Matt could not help but wonder if Doc had something up his sleeve with all of this. Because after all this would be a costly gift, wouldn't it?

As silence filled the air. The sound of the train going over the tracks could be heard. Matt sighed as he looked around the room.

It was spacious for a train car, but he had never been in one himself before. It had a decent-sized bed, an armchair, and a closet. Matt hung his hat on the hook by the door, then ran his fingers through his hair. He let out a sigh, it was a little overwhelming, but there was a peace about it all too.

Matt only sighed letting his mind wonder to and for as he looked at the carpetbag that sat at the foot of his bed. He thought of the small box that Doc had given him. He could only guess what was inside, the thought of opening it was tempting, but he knew Doc had asked him to wait along with the note, so he let his mind drift to the dolls. Matt walked over to the bag and took the dolls out one by one. He was gentle with them as though they were real. There was a mystery about them, that held him captive ever since he dreamt about them, and knew they were real.

He first picked up Amanda, he traced her face, touched the lace on her dark blue dress, and brushed back her red hair. "What secrets do you hold and what do you have to do with Kitty?" He asked as if she could answer him.

He then picked up Lucy and did the same. She had dark brown hair with curls, a red dress, and blue eyes. He asked the same question as he did before, he then carefully put both dolls back in their place and pulled out a picture of Kitty, and the frame was of gold. His fingers lightly brushed the face, "I'll see you soon my love." He held on to her picture as he walked to the bed and laid down. Setting Kitty's picture on the nightstand, he rested his hands behind his head.

As his heart began to gallop as he began to process that he was really heading to St. Louis to see her. He had a lump in his throat, and his mouth was dry. He knew he was overthinking things, and the marshal in him knew overthinking and rethinking did not help anything, it just made things worse.

Matt sighed in frustration as he ran his fingers through his hair and took a deep breath trying to calm his anxious heart. He looked up to the ceiling and blinked a few times. "Lord," he said, "I will be honest with you, I am scared at what I might find in St. Louis with Kitty. But whatever the outcome is. It is in your hands."

With that he lied there with his hands resting on his stomach fiddling with his thumbs, circling them back and forth over and over.

After a few moments, he felt a wave of peace rush over him.

With a still small voice saying, "Keep your mind fixed on me, trust in me, and I will give you perfect peace." With that, he felt himself relax and fall asleep.

TBC