"Just A Little Bit Longer" Kitty asks Matt to stay in bed with her. (A short piece of fluff that takes place in the earlier seasons.)

Morning was an hour or so away from breaking in Dodge City. The sun had not even peaked above the horizon. The usual bustle of the town was still a few hours away. The Long Branch, usually a hub of activity, was quiet. The world had slowed down over night as though the very Earth itself was taking a breath. Matt, lay in the comfort of Kitty's bed in her room at the Long Branch, the crisp sheets tangled around his legs. It had been a long week. Matt had been hot on the trail of outlaws, breaking up brawls at several saloons, including the Long Branch, and sorting out trouble between the townspeople. Now, for the first time in days, he felt like he could rest. Kitty had insisted he stay the night, knowing full well how hard Matt worked and how little he let himself stop. This was the first time this week he had come over after his rounds. The other nights there had been at least one occupant in the jail cells. Matt stayed at the jail when he had a guest in the cells.

It was rare, but Kitty was already awake, propped up on one elbow, gazing at the man she loved with a thoughtful expression. Her hair, usually neatly styled, was loose around her shoulders, making her look almost otherworldly. Matt shifted, feeling the warmth of the bed and the quiet weight of exhaustion on his shoulders. He was not used to being still for long, but there was something about the peace of this moment, about the softness of Kitty's presence, that made it hard to move. However, Matt knew this moment could not last too much longer. He opened his steel blue eyes and looked into Kitty's sapphire eyes.

"You're up early," Matt said, his voice thick with sleep, though there was a smile in his tone.

Kitty, her eyes twinkling with affection and love, smiled at Matt. "For some reason, I guess I couldn't sleep any more," she said softly. "But you should try sleeping a little longer. You look like you need it."

Matt chuckled, pushing himself up a little, but not moving to get out of bed. "I'm used to being up and about early," he said, though his body seemed to argue with him. His eyes closed for a moment, the weight of the past days sinking into him like a heavy fog.

Kitty reached out, placing a gentle hand on his arm, urging him to stay. ""You always think you've got to be on your feet, don't you?" Her eyes softened, a gentle teasing glint in them. "You deserve to stay here a little longer, just a little bit longer," she said, her voice low, coaxing. "You've earned this. We both have."

Matt looked at her, studying her face. There was something in her eyes, something more than just the teasing glint he often saw. It was a softness, an understanding. She knew him better than anyone—how he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, how hard it was for him to ask for a moment of peace. He sighed, sinking back into the pillow, his eyes meeting hers. "I really should get going before the town wakes up." Matt also had a rule about being back at the jail before the crack of dawn.

Kitty shook her head, her eyes pleading. "I'm not asking for much. The world can wait. Five more minutes. Please. I think I'd enjoy the company. We've both been running too much lately." The past week had also been busy at the Long Branch. The trail herds were starting to make their way into town.

Matt let out a quiet laugh, pulling the blanket up a little higher. "Well, I guess if you're going to ask so nicely..." He pulled Kitty close to him. She rested her head on his muscular chest.

"You know, Matt," she said with a playful smile, "sometimes I think you're the only person in Dodge who doesn't know how to take a break. You should learn from Chester."

Matt let out a short laugh, the sound easy and natural. "I'll keep your advice in mind."

For the next several minutes, the two of them simply lay there, side by side, in comfortable silence. The world outside would be waking up, but in this moment, inside this small room, time seemed to slow to a crawl. Kitty's hand found Matt's and they rested like that, just enjoying the peace that had eluded them both for so long. Matt found himself thinking about how rare it was for him to enjoy a moment of peace. He was always chasing after someone or something, always on the move, always thinking about the next thing to do. But here, with Kitty, in this quiet moment, he realized how much he had needed these peaceful moments.

The silence continued. Words weren't necessary. Matt and Kitty's presence, steady and calm, was enough. For a brief moment, the world outside could wait. There would always be trouble to deal with in Dodge City. But for now, there was peace. And that, for a man like Matt Dillon, was a rare treasure indeed.

Kitty glanced over at him, a soft smile on her lips. "You're awfully quiet, Matt Dillon," she teased gently.

"Oh and that's so not like me, considering I'm a man of many words," Matt teased back with a wink of his eye. Kitty couldn't help but softly chuckle. It was music to Matt's ears. He captured Kitty's soft lips in a sweet, but passionate kiss. Kitty eagerly responded. Matt pulled back from Kitty. "I'll give you one more minute."

Kitty recaptured Matt's lips with her own. "I'll take it."

For that one precious minute, the only thing that mattered was the quiet, the warmth, and the feeling of being exactly where they both needed to be. "I really do need to get going. The sun is starting to rise," said Matt as he noticed the soft light entering the window.

Kitty knew she wouldn't be able to convince Matt to stay any longer. She sighed. "I suppose you're right. But aren't you glad you stayed just a little bit longer?"

Matt gently caressed Kitty's face. "Absolutely no regrets." He sat up and swung his legs off the side of the bed. Matt stood up and walked over the settee where he had put his clothes the night before. He got dressed and put his gunbelt around his waist. Walking to the door, Matt took his hat off the hook and placed it on his head. Before leaving, Matt turned to Kitty. "Lunch at Delmonico's later on?"

"I'd like that," Kitty responded.

"I'll stop by around noon 'n come 'n pick you up," said Matt.

"I'll be waiting," said Kitty. Matt quietly left Kitty's room, and Kitty sank back into the pillows. She was glad Matt had taken the time to be with her a little bit longer. Maybe someday she could convince him to stay a while longer.

The end of this story