A Smith and Wesson 19 or 66 should do you fine, as will a Ruger Security Six. Both are 357 magnum and will also shoot 38's if you choose to. They can be carried reasonably comfortably, they shoot like a dream at the range and pack a punch, and they will do just fine on the nightstand.
A Smith and Wesson Model 10 is also an excellent choice. It's 38 special and packs a little less punch, but it's durable, classic, and will serve you well.
For fighting I prefer a semiautomatic all day long, but if I could only have one handgun that had to cover all the uses I might ever need a handgun for it would most likely be a Ruger Security Six or Smith Model 19/66.