Chapter 15 "Family Man vs. Lawman" (Part 1) The basis of this story comes from parts of "Exodus 21:22 (Season 14) Since Matt and Kitty are married and have Ruby, it is somewhat out of canon. This will be a three part story.

"Oh Matt, I just can't believe what's happened to Maria Reardon. It's just sickening to think of her dying that way. She must have suffered," said Kitty.

"I know Kitty, and now Frank has taken it upon himself to get revenge on the men that were involved in Maria's death. As far as I know, there were seven or eight men and he's already killed three of them," said Matt.

Matt and Kitty were at home, sitting in their parlor. They had put Ruby to bed an hour ago and they were enjoying some time together. It was too early for them to retire to the bedroom. Matt had been reading the newspaper and Kitty had been reading from a poetry book, when Kitty brought up Maria.

"I always enjoyed it when they came to visit. I still remember their first visit here after Ruby was born," said Kitty.

Four Years Earlier

"Kitty, I just got a telegram from Frank. He and Maria are taking a train down from Montanna. They want to visit us and see the new baby," said Matt.

"Oh, how wonderful! I can't wait to meet Maria. He must be pretty serious about her if he's bringing her along with him on the trip," said Kitty as she finished breastfeeding Ruby.

Matt took Ruby to get a burp out of her and so Kitty could button up her blouse. "I would say so. They should be here tomorrow. I'll meet them at the depot with the wagon and take them to the Dodge House. After that I'll bring them to the house," said Matt. By this time he had gotten a burp out of Ruby and placed her in her cradle.

The next day Matt went to pick up Frank and Maria. He first took them to the Dodge House so they could rent a room, and then he took them to the house. When they arrived at the house, Matt told Frank and Maria to go inside. Kitty and the baby were in there, and he would be in there as soon as he unhitched the horses.

Kitty was in the kitchen when she heard the front door open. She walked out of the kitchen and into the parlor to see Frank and Maria walk inside. "Frank, it's so wonderful to see you. It's been too long," said Kitty as she enveloped Frank in a hug. Next she turned her attention to Maria. "You must be Maria. Frank told us about you. It's so nice to finally meet you in person."

"Thank you, Kitty. It's really nice to finally meet you as well. Frank has been telling me about you and the Marshall. He also said that you two had a new baby," said Maria.

"We did. We had a little girl about three months ago. We named her Ruby Kathleen. She's asleep in the other room, but you can come in and see her. She's been napping for thirty minutes, so she's getting into her deep sleep. We shouldn't disturb her," said Kitty as she led Frank and Maria into the bedroom.

Matt had come into the house and noticed the parlor was empty, but he could hear soft voices in the bedroom. He figured that Kitty had taken Frank and Maria in there to see the baby. Matt hung up his hat and gunbelt and went into the bedrooms to join the other adults. When he walked in, Maria was gushing over the baby.

Maria saw Matt walk in the room. "Oh Kitty and Matt, she's absolutely beautiful. She's definitely going to be turning boys' heads when she's older."

Kitty looked over at Matt. She knew he dreaded the day when boys started coming around the house. "Thank you. We're proud of her. I'll tell you one thing. I don't envy this child. I have a feeling she's going to have a hard time meeting up with the boys with her father around." Kitty then looked at Matt and winked.

"I just can't believe the big lawman here got himself hitched and has a child, a little girl, no less," said Frank. "Hell must've frozen over."

"That wouldn't surprise me," teased Kitty.

"Haha, really funny," said Matt. "It may have taken me a while, but better late than never. I will tell you this. I wouldn't trade the life I have now for anything."

Present Day

"It was such a nice visit. I was hoping we could have taken Ruby up to Montanna again to visit them. I'm pretty sure she doesn't remember that trip. She wasn't even two years old yet," said Kitty.

Their one and only visit to Montanna was right after Frank and Maria had gotten married. Kitty remembered how beautiful of a bride that Maria was. Matt and Kitty told Frank and Maria that they would've loved to have been present at the wedding, but they really weren't too comfortable traveling that far with a baby. Frank and Maria completely understood. Matt and Kitty promised they would visit soon, and they kept their promise. Six months after the wedding, Matt, Kitty, and Ruby took a train up to Montanna.

"It's in the newspapers what Frank has been doing," said Matt. "The press is calling him a mad dog, a crazy man. They've got people fearing him."

"Do you think he'll come to Dodge?" asked Kitty. She wasn't afraid, but curious.

"It's a possibility. If the men he's after come this way, he'll be here," said Matt.

"It puts you in a bad position," Kitty stated.

"Yeah," sighed Matt. "I have to make sure things stay within the law, but I know Frank doesn't see it that way. He just wants to avenge what happened to Maria. Kitty, I've been thinking that maybe I should stay in town if Frank does come to Dodge. I have a feeling that Festus and Newly are going to need my help."

"If you're going to stay in town, then so am I," said Kitty.

"Kitty, there's no reason for you and Ruby to be in town," said Matt. He didn't want his girls in the proximity of any danger.

"I won't have Ruby in town. I'll take her over to the Ronigers'. I won't stay in town overnight, just during the day. Ruby and I'll be home at night. I know you'll stay until it's not necessary for you to stay," said Kitty.

"Why do you want to come into town?" asked Matt.

"I was thinking if I had a chance, I could talk to Frank. Maybe he needs to hear a woman tell him what he's doing isn't right," said Kitty.

Matt knew Frank was on a mission, but he wasn't going to argue with Kitty. Who knew? Maybe Kitty could make Frank see differently. He just looked at Kitty and nodded his head.

The next morning the Dillons ate breakfast and got ready to leave the house. The plan was for Ruby to go to the Ronigers' and play with the kids and Kitty to go into town each day until Frank showed up, that is if he did show up. They weren't even sure if he would come to Dodge. Kitty and Ruby were sitting on the wagon seat while Matt tied Buck to the back. Kitty would take the wagon home, so Matt would need his own way home.

"Alright, is everyone ready?" asked Matt as he climbed up on the seat.

"Yes, daddy," said Ruby.

"We're ready," said Kitty.

"Then let's get going," said Matt as he clicked his tongue and snapped the reins to get the horses moving. "First stop, the Ronigers."

As the Ronigers' house came into view, Ruby spoke. "I sure hope I don't break an arm this time."

KItty looked over at Matt. She knew he was leery about leaving Ruby alone since the accident. It had been a few months since Ruby broke her arm and it had completely healed. "Honey, I'm sure you'll be fine," said Kitty.

They pulled in front of the house and Bess was out front to meet them. Kitty got down from the wagon. Before getting Ruby down, Ruby gave her daddy a hug and a kiss. "Bess, we really appreciate you taking Ruby for the day," said Kitty. "If you need anything, we'll be in town."

"Hopefully things run smoothly and you won't be needed," said Bess.

"Ruby, you be a good girl. Momma will pick you up later," said Kitty.

"Okay, bye!" yelled Ruby. She wasn't paying any attention. She was already on the merry-go-round with the other children.

Matt and Kitty left the Roginers' and continued towards town. Matt parked the wagon on the side of the Long Branch and then took Buck to the stable. Kitty went to the Long Branch. She decided she would do some work in the office. If she was needed out in the bar, she would come out and help.

They hadn't been in town for more than a couple of hours when Frank arrived in Dodge. They were really hoping he wouldn't arrive at all. If he was in Dodge, that meant the men he was after were here as well. The first people that Frank meant up with were Doc and Festus. Matt had heard that Frank arrived in Dodge and left the jail to go and see him. He could see Frank standing with Doc and Festus near the Long Branch. Matt walked that way.

"Frank," he said, extending his hand. "It's so nice to see you."

"Nice to you too, Matt," said Frank, shaking Matt's hand. "How are Kitty and Ruby?"

"They're just fine. Kitty's inside the Long Branch. I know she would love to see you," said Matt.

"Maybe some other time. I'm here on business," said Frank.

"Frank, I know why you're here. Let the law handle it," said Matt.

"I can't do that. Would you? I have to handle this myself," said a determined Frank. "Don't try to get in my way, Matt. You know I'm faster than you."

"You always were," said Matt. He knew exactly what Frank was saying. He also thought if he would handle the situation as a family man or a lawman.

During Matt and Frank's conversation, a citizen saw Matt talking to Frank. He went into the Long Branch to get Kitty. "Miss Kitty, the Marshall is outside talking to a man. I'm pretty sure he called him Frank."

Kitty looked at the man and quickly walked outside. "Matt!" she yelled. She walked over to Matt and Frank. "Frank, do you have any idea what you're doing? I want you to listen to me. I'm going to say things that Maria would say, if she were here."

"But she's not here," Frank interrupted. "They killed her."

"Are you going to make it up to her by killing your best friend? Do you really want to take my husband from me and Ruby's father from her?" asked Kitty, hoping Frank would see how irrational he was being.

Frank was silent for a moment as he thought. "You always did make a kind of sense to me, Kitty. I can always wait for him outside of town."

Kitty had hoped that she talked some sense into Frank. However, that wasn't the case. She feared for Matt's life. Kitty turned and watched Frank start to walk away. As he was leaving a shot rang out, hitting Frank in the back. Matt immediately drew his gun.

"Get back!" he yelled to Kitty. The last thing he needed was for her to be shot.

TBC in Part 2