"Not Enough?" An MM/ATC for "Kitty Lost" (Season 3)

Conclusion: Matt asks the one question he still wanted to know and gets an answer.

*Author's Note: In response to lostcowgirl's review, I was surprised that Kitty didn't know how far they were from Dodge, especially after living there for at least 3 years. What surprised me even more was that Rackmill seemed to be somewhat familiar to the area. He would have to be because he asked Moss Grimmick how many miles it was to Indian Springs. How would he know about Indian Springs, if he wasn't familiar with the area?

Doc returned to his office shortly after Matt and Chester left. Sitting at the jail would not bring Kitty back any sooner. Plus, Doc knew if people needed him, they would go looking for him at his office, not the jail. Not that Doc wanted anyone to be sick or get hurt, but treating someone would help take his mind off things. Doc did end up seeing a few patients. None of them had any serious ailments.

It was getting towards evening, and Matt and Chester still hadn't returned with Kitty. Doc wasn't sure if the longer it took the better or not. He decided to go and sit on one of the chairs on the porch of the jail and wait there. Doc would wait until he knew Matt and Chester would not be returning for the night. He knew Matt packed his saddlebags just in case the search took longer than expected.

A half hour had passed, and Doc saw Chester on his horse, followed by Matt on his horse, and a buggy with two occupants. Doc could see one of the occupants was Kitty. The other occupant must be the dude, Jim Rackmill. Seeing that Rackmill was riding in the buggy with Kitty told Doc that Rackmill had not harmed Kitty. If Rackmill did harm Kitty, there was no way that Matt would have him riding in the buggy with Kitty. Matt would be riding in the buggy and Rackmill would be tied to the horse. Chances are Rackmill would not be sitting on the horse.

When the four of them rode up to the jail, Doc stood up. "Kitty, I'm so happy that you're okay. What happened?"

Kitty thought of Doc as a father figure, but she didn't want to share everything with him. "We were taking a buggy ride and we hit a log. We hit it just right that the wheel fell off and the axle bent. With it being dark out, Jim wasn't about to ride back to town to get help and leave me alone. He also didn't want me riding back to town by myself. We decided to wait until morning. When morning arrived, we tried to decide who would ride back. While we were deciding, there were Indians off in the distance. Rackmill wasn't sure what to do, so he rode off with the horse, hoping the Indians would go after him and leave me alone. Shortly after he rode off, Matt and Chester showed up. They got a fire started, and Matt made some coffee. It was after that when Rackmill returned."

"Wow Kitty," said Doc. "That's quite the story." He then looked at Rackmill. "Why did it take so long for you to get back to Kitty?"

Rackmill had listened to Kitty tell the story. He noticed that she did not mention what caused him to hit the log, the attempted kiss and the slap. Kitty may have left out some details in her story, but Rackmill would not leave out details in his answer. He would answer honestly.

"If you're thinking I was scared, you'd be partially correct," said Rackmill. "I wasn't scared that the Indians would still be there. I figured I was gone long enough that they would no longer be there. I was scared that Kitty wouldn't be there when I returned or if she was there, she would have been harmed or even killed by them. I was relieved none of those were the case."

"Doc, after we get the horse and buggy back to Moss and get our horses taken care of, we're gonna have supper at Del Monico's," said Matt. "Why don't ya join us?"

"We?" Doc inquired.

"I asked Rackmill to join us for supper," Matt replied.

Matt surprised himself when he asked Rackmill to drive the buggy back. He surprised himself even more when he asked the man to join them for supper. Matt was not quite sure why he invited Rackmill to supper. It was possible that it was his way of thanking Rackmill for putting Kitty's safety ahead of his own. Rackmill thought he was doing what he could to keep the Indians away from Kitty. Matt did believe Rackmill. It was also possible that Matt wanted to witness how Kitty behaves when she was around Rackmill. Then again, it could be both reasons.

"Supper sounds wonderful," said Doc, accepting the invitation. "Now that I know Kitty is alright, I've got my appetite back." He smiled at Kitty and she returned the smile.

When Moss' horse and buggy were returned to him, he was elated. A horse and buggy weren't cheap. It would have cost money to replace both. Like Doc, Moss was curious about what had happened. He wanted to know why his horse and buggy were not returned last night. The same story that was told to Doc was told to Moss.

Now that the horses and buggy were taken care of, Matt, Kitty, Doc, Chester, and Rackmill were enjoying supper at Delmonico's. When they sat down, Matt made sure he sat next to Kitty. Rackmill took notice of this. Kitty slapped Rackmill and explained to him that she wasn't the girl. Rackmill had a strong suspicion of whose girl she was.

After supper, each person went their own way. Kitty was going to the Long Branch. Doc went to his office. Before he left he told Kitty he would stop at the Long Branch later and have a drink with her. Chester said the same thing. Matt said he was going to do his rounds, but would stop by during his rounds. Rackmill told everyone he was tired and was going to the Dodge House. A bed was calling his name.

Kitty returned to the Long Branch with the intention of going straight to her room. She was still wearing the dress from the day before and wanted to change. Kitty would have liked to have changed before eating at Delmonico's, but at that time it was a battle between her hunger and wanting to put a clean dress on. Her hunger won. The moment she stepped into the Long Branch Bill intercepted her path.

"Kitty, I'm so pleased that you're alright," said Bill. "I'd hate to not only lose my business partner, but a good friend."

"Thank you, Bill," said Kitty. "I'm glad to be back. If you'd excuse me, I want to change into a different dress." Kitty was hoping to avoid having to explain to Bill what had happened.

"Certainly, Kitty," said Bill.

Kitty went upstairs to change. She came back a short time later. When she did, Kitty saw Doc and Chester sitting at one of the tables. She went to join them. Matt showed up during his rounds. The four of them enjoyed a drink and each other's company. Matt excused himself to finish his rounds.

Once Matt had finished his rounds, he made his way to Kitty's room. He had to know if he was enough for Kitty or if she wanted more. Matt couldn't let this weigh on his mind anymore. He walked up the back steps to Kitty's room and used his key to unlock the door. Matt walked inside and closed the door. Kitty was sitting at her vanity table. She saw Matt's reflection in the mirror.

"Hello, Matt," said Kitty. "I'll be with you as soon as I can. I have a few more hairpins to remove." She was already in her nightgown.

"Take your time," said Matt. He stepped out of his boots and removed his gun belt and hat.

"Take my time?" asked Kitty. "It's not like you to tell me to take my time. Is something wrong?"

Matt looked at Kitty for a moment before answering. It was now or never. "I need to know something." Kitty's look encouraged Matt to continue. "Am I enough for you?"

"What do you mean?" asked Kitty.

"I keep asking myself why you agreed to a buggy ride with Rackmill. The one question that keeps popping into my mind is if I am enough for you. Is what I am offering to you enough or do you want a man that can offer you more? I've told you I can't offer you marriage or a family. I know you agreed to that, but maybe deep down you want more. Maybe deep down you want marriage and a family. I can't help but wonder if you're looking for a man to give you that," Matt explained as he poured his heart out.

Kitty took Matt's hand and silently led him to the bed. She looked straight into his eyes. "Oh Matt, you are more than enough for me. I told you I don't know why I went on a buggy ride with Rackmill, but I do know it wasn't because I didn't think you weren't enough. Please believe what I am saying to you. I am not looking for another man."

Matt couldn't help but believe Kitty's words. He could see the sincerity of her words in her eyes. "I do believe you Kitty." Matt felt a weight being lifted off his shoulders.

"Do you still want me to take my time?" Kitty asked with a teasing voice.

"I do like watching you take out your hairpins. It does something to me," Matt admitted. "But right now my body is yearning to be next to yours. I need to make love to you."

Kitty gave Matt the smile reserved for him. She felt the exact same way. Kitty hurriedly finished removing her hairpins and stripped out of her nightgown. Matt quickly stripped out of his clothes. Neither wanted to waste anymore time.

Their first round of lovemaking was urgent. It was as though they were two lovers who had not seen each other in a really long time. Their second round of lovemaking that night was slower. They took time to explore each other's bodies. You could say Matt and Kitty made love as if this could be their last time and they wanted to cherish every moment.

A few weeks later the full moon made its return to the night sky. Kitty at one point told Matt that Rackmill wanted to take her on a buggy ride so they could enjoy the full moon. Matt had to admit that even though he didn't consider himself a romantic guy, a buggy ride during the full moon did sound romantic, especially with Kitty.

Matt made arrangements with Moss to use his buggy. He first made arrangements with Kitty. Matt didn't want to rent the buggy only to find out Kitty was unable to go. Of course she was able to go and was looking forward to it. The night of the buggy ride arrived, and the moon was shining brightly.

Matt was holding the reins, driving the buggy. Kitty was snuggled up next to him. When Kitty and Rackmill went for a ride, they went towards Indian Springs. Matt decided to go the opposite way. As they were riding, Matt looked over at Kitty. Her face was absolutely beautiful in the moonlight. He pulled on the reins bringing the horse to a stop. Matt took his thumb and index finger and placed them under Kitty's chin. He turned her face towards his. Matt leaned his face to Kitty's and gave her the sweetest kiss.

"What? No slap?" Matt teased.

Kitty started to laugh. "I slapped Rackmill because I told him I wasn't the girl."

"Are you telling me you are my girl?" Matt asked.

"Oh most definitely," Kitty replied. She leaned in for another kiss and showed Matt just how much she was his girl.

The End