<i>"Sweetheart?"</i>she thought to herself incredulously.<i>"Those are bold words for someone so close to me that I can pistol whip 'im..."</i><br/>Kitty narrowed her eyes at him as a subtle threat in response, but let him continue speaking.<br/><br/>After awhile, Kitty realized that her fight to keep acting as the Sheriff of Driftwood would ultimately be a fruitless endeavor.<br/><br/>She paused after Julian spoke and took a moment to acknowledge his personal pain. She felt a twinge of sympathy tugging at her heartstrings, but didn't want that initial feeling to aid in her possibly making any rash decisions.<br/><br/>"I'm sorry for your loss," she said, finally. "I know it must be hard to talk about. Losin' someone you love due to great injustice busts a fierce hole in one's heart that few people can really understand."<br/><br/>She took a moment to ponder what he'd said. This was a lot to process and it'd already been a long day. She leaned back in her chair, raising her arms above her head for a nice, long stretch and sighed. Folding her hands behind her head she looked over at Mr. Compton. They had a few things in common. They both lacked tact in their approach to things, it seemed. They'd both lost someone close to them in a tragic, foul disaster due to the greed and murderous intentions of people that they could do nothing to bring justice toward. They both seemed to be stubborn and strong-willed. This could either be a great partnership, or a disaster just waiting to happen.<br/>Nothing about Kitty was docile these days. How was she supposed to play the part of submissive helper to a Sheriff who would otherwise turn a blind eye to the smaller evils lurking in Driftwood?<br/><br/>"Look, the people have come to trust me. I grew up here. I've kept most of the people safe so that they can live out their lives peacefully while they struggle to get by. It's hard times for everyone, but if they're gonna struggle, they may as well at least do it in peace. I can't step down and keep lettin' this place be ravaged by bandits and the like. Their nonsense has costed the simple folk here too much," she said aloud, audibly weighing her options. "They trust me. I don't know what I'd do if I had to walk these streets wearing a Deputy's badge and havin' to turn my nose up at folks needin' help. I couldn't carry the weight of that guilt enough to just shrug it off and saddle it to somethin' else."<br/>Kitty stood and paced around the office slowly, glancing over every so often to Julian and then Marshall.<br/>She met Compton's eyes with a hardened look, searching his face for any signs of deceit or ruthlessness. He seemed to care enough. But what if this was all a ploy to gain power and favor with those up top only to smash everyone beneath him? He didn't seem the type, but maybe it wouldn't be an unwise choice to become his Deputy to keep an eye on him.<br/>That thought caught in her head for a moment.<br/>"Well, what about Marshall? I can't put him out of a job. He's got a wife and kids to take care of," inquired Kitty.<br/>Marshall looked at Julian, then at Kitty. The situation was tense, and he wanted to help in any way he could.<br/>He cleared his throat before offering, "Ya know you wouldn't be puttin' me outta a job. The missus has been trying to get me out of this line of work for awhile...especially after what happened to Will. LeAnn's pa has a place for me to come oversee his ranchers and manage his other properties. But I uh...don't wanna leave ya hangin'." He looked at Julian with scrutiny. "Especially since I know it's hard for you to trust people nowadays, Miss Kitty."<br/><br/>Smiling wryly, Kitty nodded. "He's got the paper, Marshall. It ain't exactly no use arguin' with him unless I wanna be put away. And then what good am I all cuffed and locked up with a bunch of the droolin' morons I put in the cells in the first place?"<br/><br/>A thought struck her. "Marshall, I'll agree to this as long as you promise me you'll help keep the civilians safe since it seems we'll be more focused on takin' out the bigger piles of trash," she remarked coolly. He was trustworthy and in good standing with most of Driftwood. The others would listen to him.<br/><br/>Marshall reluctantly nodded in agreement. "I trust your judgment on this, Miss Kitty. You know that I'll do what I can."<br/><br/>In truth, none of this sat well with Kitty. She felt her stomach churn with anxiety. But this was all she could do if she wanted to bring any semblance of order and justice to this town. And to the legacy of her long lost love.<br/><br/>Kitty looked over at the Sheriff, holding him in her steely gaze. "Well, Mr. Compton...what now?"