Chapter 16 "Family Man vs. Lawman" (Part 2) As I said in the previous chapter, the basis of this story comes from parts from "Exodus 21:22." (Season 14)

Matt knew exactly where the shot had come from. He ran towards Doc's office, taking the stairs two at a time. When he opened the door, he saw the man Frank had shot earlier. The man had a gun. "Hold it!" yelled Matt, startling the shooter. "Put the gun down."

The shooter, Keith, did as he was told. "I got him," he said, proud of what he had done. "It's finally over."

"You got him alright, right in the back," said Matt. "He wasn't even drawing against you. If he dies, you'll hang."

"No, I won't. The jury will hear my side of the story," said Keith.

Meanwhile out in the street, Doc had Festus and a few other guys carry Frank up into his office. "Lay him down right here," said Doc. The men put Frank on the examining table.

It was then that Keith realized that he was bleeding. "Hey, I'm bleeding," he said. "Is someone going to help me?"

"Festus," said Doc. "Take him to the back room." That's just what Festus did.

"Doc, is he going to live?" asked Matt. He watched Doc look at Frank's bullet wound.

"I can't answer that, Matt. You know I'll do my best," said Doc.

Matt left Doc's office and went to the Long Branch. He knew Kitty would want to know what was going on. Plus, he just needed to be with her. When Matt reached the Long Branch, he pushed apart the batwing doors and walked inside. Sam saw Matt and went into the office to get Kitty.

Kitty walked out of the office and into Matt's arms. "How is he?" she asked.

"He's alive," Matt answered. "Doc's doing all that he can."

"We'll have to pray that he makes it," said Kitty. She knew Frank had it in his mind to gun down Matt, but that didn't mean she wanted him to die. She still considered Frank to be a great friend.

"Kitty, I was going to come home tonight. I figured if I was at home, Frank wouldn't try to shoot me. I don't think he would've done that in front of you and Ruby. Now that he's out of commission for the time being, I think I'll stay in town. I want to be close," said Matt.

"Matt, I completely understand. Ruby and I will be fine on our own," said Kitty.

Matt and Kitty had been sitting together in the Long Branch for over an hour, when Doc walked in. Kitty noticed him first and got Matt's attention. "How is he, Doc?" Matt asked.

"He's going to make it. Newly is up there now. I'm going to get a bite to eat from Delmonico's before I head back. I'm hoping to be able to get a little sleep," Doc replied. He left the Long Branch.

"I'm so relieved to hear that," said Kitty. "I'm going to get the wagon and pick up Ruby."

"I'll walk you to the wagon," said Matt. They walked the short distance to the wagon and Matt helped Kitty up onto the seat. "I love you, sweetheart. Tell Ruby daddy loves her and give her a kiss and a hug for me."

"I will, Cowboy," said Kitty. She gave Matt a tender kiss on the lips and took off for the Ronigers' house.

Kitty pulled up to the Ronigers' house and she could see Ruby sitting on the front porch with Bess and a few of the Roniger children. By the looks of it, they were drinking lemonade. Ruby saw her mom and her face lit up with a smile. She loved playing with Mary and Rosie, but was always happy to see her momma. Kitty pulled the wagon to a stop and hopped down. Ruby went to go and meet her momma.

"Hi momma!" Ruby exclaimed. "Look, both of my arms work this time."

Kitty chuckled at her daughter's statement. "Well, I'm glad to see that. I missed you today."

"I missed you too, momma," said Ruby. "Where's daddy? Did you forget to bring him?"

"Daddy is going to stay in town tonight, but he said that he loves you and to give you a hug and a kiss," said Kitty as she gave Ruby a hug and a kiss.

Bess had walked over and joined Kitty and Ruby. "Bess, thank you so much," said Kitty. "Would you mind if Ruby came over tomorrow?"

"Kitty, you are welcome and Ruby is more than welcome to come back tomorrow," said Bess. "I take it he didn't show up."

Kitty looked down at Ruby and decided to put her on the wagon seat. She didn't want her to hear what she was about to say to Bess. "Honey, sit here while I talk to Aunt Bess. I won't be long."

"Okay, momma," said Ruby

Kitty walked back over to Bess. "He's in Dodge. Unfortunately, he was shot. One of the men that he shot ended up shooting him."

"Oh no! Is he alright?" asked Bess.

"He's alive. That's why I want to go into town tomorrow. I want to make sure he's going to be okay," said Kitty.

"Oh landsakes! Of course you do," said Bess. "We'll be waiting for you tomorrow to bring Ruby."

"Thanks again, Bess," said Kitty. She walked to the wagon, climbed up, and headed towards home.

When Kitty and Ruby got home, Kitty made supper. She heated up some leftover stew from the other night. Once supper was eaten, Kitty gave Ruby a bath, read her a story, and put her to bed. The poor little thing could barely stay awake during her bath. Her time at the Roniger's had worn her out. Kitty only had to read two pages from Ruby's book before Ruby was fast asleep. Kitty herself was tired and decided to go to bed. She first made sure the doors were locked and then she went to her bedroom.

In town, Matt got a quick bite to eat at Delmonico's and then decided to go to Doc's office. He wanted to check on Frank's condition. He ascended the stairs to Doc's office and walked inside. Upon opening the door, Matt saw Doc sitting at his desk, but Frank was nowhere in sight. This worried Matt. He was sure if something had happened, Doc would've come and gotten him.

"Where is he, Doc?" Matt asked.

"I had Newly and Festus move him onto the bed in the back room," Doc responded.

"How's he doing?" asked Matt.

"He'll make it," said Doc. "I gave him some laudman to help him sleep. Matt, did you know Maria was pregnant?"

"What?" questioned Matt. He wasn't expecting to hear that.

"Frank told me before I gave him the laudman. That's another reason why he's so adamant about getting those men. He justifies these killings because of a verse from the Bible, Exodus 21:22."

"What does the verse say?" asked Matt.

Doc grabbed his Bible and read. " If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine."

After hearing the Bible verse, Matt nodded his head. "Frank thinks that if the Good Book justifies these killings, then the law should too."

"That's what I was thinking," said Doc. "What are you going to do?"

"Doc, I wish I knew how to answer that. I'm hoping being shot just might help Frank see things differently," said Matt.

"Do you think it will?" Doc asked.

"No," said Matt as he got up to leave. He decided he would sleep at the jail. Walking back to the jail, he let Doc's words sink in. He couldn't believe that Maria had been pregnant.

The next morning Kitty was back in town. She had parked the wagon on a side street near the Long Branch and was on her way to the jail to see Matt, but saw him coming towards her. Doc was with him. They both saw Kitty and walked towards her.

"I came into town to see how Frank's doing," said Kitty.

"He's fine. He should make a full recovery," said Doc.

Kitty breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank, God."

"We're headed over to Delmonico's for breakfast," said Matt. "Do you want to join us?"

"I had breakfast with Ruby, but I'll have a cup of coffee," Kitty replied.

The three of them walked over to Delmonico's. Matt and Doc ordered breakfast, while Kitty ordered a cup of coffee. While they were eating, Doc told Kitty about Maria's pregnancy. Kitty was astounded. Like Matt, she wasn't expecting to hear that.

"I'd like to go and see Frank," said Kitty. "Do you think he's well enough for a visitor?"

"We can go over there and see if he's awake," answered Doc. "I have him at the Dodge House."

They walked over to Dodge House. Kitty quietly opened the door to Frank's room. When she did, she noticed that Frank was sleeping. Kitty knew he needed his rest, so she softly closed the door. She didn't want to wake him up. She would come by later and see him.

"He's asleep," she said. "Why don't we go over to the Long Branch and have a drink?"

"By golly, I think that's an excellent idea," said Doc, swiping his hand over his mustache.

"Sounds good to me," said Matt.

It was a hot morning and the Long Branch was already busy. Matt had to wait at the bar for the drinks. Kitty and Doc waited at one of the tables for him.

"Do you know if Frank still plans on killing those men?" she asked Doc.

"I'm afraid so," Doc responded.

"I know Maria was pregnant, but can't he see that she wouldn't want him to do this," said Kitty.

"Well Kitty, I think it's a man thing. He feels as though he has to do this. He's bound and determined and right now nothing is going to stop him." Doc tried to explain.

"I just don't understand," said Kitty.

"Let me ask you this. How do you think Matt would feel? What would he have done if that happened to you while you were pregnant with Ruby?" Doc wasn't expecting an answer.

Kitty sat there and thought about Doc's question. What would Matt do? She knew he would go after the men. But would he have gone after them as Matt Dillon the lawman or Matt Dillon, husband and father to be? She would ask him in private.

TBC in Part 3: Conclusion