Jim woke to a darkened room. He looked out the window to gage the time but all he saw was white. It appeared to be late night or early morning. Jim wondered how long he had been sleeping as he glanced around the room. There between him and his partner still sat Grant, his hand still encompassing Artie's. Man, do I owe the President an apology, Jim thought, I hope I didn't hurt that nurse or the orderly, Jim started when Grant cleared his throat.
"Sorry, son, I didn't mean to startle you," Grant said, "I just thought you'd want to know there's been no real change in Artemus."
"He hasn't woken yet?" Jim asked alarmed.
"No, but Evans assures me that's all right. He has stirred a few times, even called for you once or twice," Jim sat upright in the bed.
"Just lay back down, son, you couldn't have done anything for him and he never really woke up," Jim leaned back into the pillows and sighed.
"It's hard, isn't it, James?"
"Excuse me, sir?"
"It's hard to give up that protector role to someone else…even if you trust that person wholeheartedly."
"Yes, sir, it certainly is. Artie means more to me than I can ever tell him. Other than my sister, I have no real family. Artie's been that family. There's something about him that makes me want to protect him…to protect us."
"I understand, James. I feel the same way about him. Artemus seems to bring out the best in people. He deserves no less in return."
"Well, now that the mutual Artemus Gordon Admiration Society is done talking about me, not that I mind, mind you, but can you stop talking so I can get some rest," the husky and scratchy voice grumped in the next bed.
"Artie!" Jim shouted as he jumped out of his bed and swayed but Grant steadied him amid concerned looks from Artemus.
"Jim, are you okay?" Artie asked.
"Yeah, pal, I am now," Jim beamed.
"I'll go get a doctor, they wanted to examine you as soon as you woke, Artemus. James, don't let him fall back to sleep until I return," Grant quickly left in search of the doctor.
"You heard the man, Artie. No sleeping just yet, pal, sorry."
"Oh great, all the time you people complain I'm not getting enough sleep and now when all I want is to sleep you tell me to stay awake!" Artie grinned at his partner.
"Sorry, pal. If it were up to me I'd let you sleep for a month."
"Yeah I know but you look like you could use a bit of sleep yourself."
"Not until after you get checked out."
"Jim?"
"Yeah, Artie?" Jim looked at his friend.
"I wasn't eavesdropping but I heard what you told Grant."
"I meant every word of it."
"I know you did. I just wanted you to know I feel the same way. There's no one I would rather work with than you."
At that moment Grant returned with the doctor in tow. An orderly also entered, glaring momentarily at Jim. The doctor asked the President to leave and then turned to his patients.
"Gentlemen, I need to examine Mr. Gordon. The orderly is here only if he is needed," the doctor directed his last comment solely at Jim.
"Uh…James…you got anything you need to tell me?" Artie asked.
"No, not right now, pal. Maybe later. Just let the doctor check you over," Jim never took his apologetic eyes off the orderly.
"All right, but something tells me I missed one hell of a party."
"That you did, friend," the orderly said, "that you did."
"Now, Mr. Gordon, I need to examine you and if you think you're going to give me as hard a time as your friend there did…I'm sure Otis here can convince you otherwise."
"Me? No way. I'm as gentle as a lamb," Artie held his hands up.
"Somehow I doubt that," the doctor chuckled.
He proceeded with his examination, Artie keeping more of an eye on his partner than the doctor. After he checked Artemus out thoroughly he replaced the blankets and made some notes on his chart. He turned toward Jim and examined him. Finally satisfied that both men would live, although they would need extensive care for a time, he asked Otis to bring the President back into the room. He saw no need to say this twice. Once Grant was seated he looked from one patient to the other then to the President.
"Gentlemen, you have been through quite an ordeal. That toxin is still in your system. It will be for some time yet."
"While you shouldn't feel too many lingering after effects you will feel very tired for the next month or so…"
"A month?" Jim and Artie asked in unison.
"Yes, gentlemen. Luckily for you the next week or so of that month will spent right here," Both Jim and Artie looked like they wanted to protest.
"Uh…uh…uh, before you even THINK about protesting, that is why I asked President Grant to be present. It seems he can keep the two of you in line."
"You two are not as indestructible as you might think. The serum used on you should have killed you and very nearly did. You go off half cocked looking for the man that gave it to you before you're ready and you'll wind up right back in here suffering from worse effects than you are now."
"Not to mention, getting the full brunt of MY wrath," Grant added.
Both men looked at each other, then to the burly orderly. They took in the stern face of the doctor, then turned to look at Grant. The look on his face alone said he meant business. Jim and Artie looked at each other again and their eyes locked. Finally they both sighed and laid back down onto the pillows.
"Doctor, I am certain you will have no further trouble from these two," Grant said, "And neither will the nurses or orderlies," Grand said sternly.
"No, sir," came the timid replies.
Grant watched the patients until they were both sleeping soundly. He stared at them in turn and tried to figure out just why it was that he felt so close to these two men in particular. As far back as he could remember no two people had impacted his life in quite the same way as these two had. He rose and left the room…he thought he had better go off in search of Colonel Richmond before he came to find him.
Artie waited until Grant had closed the door softly behind him before he cracked an eye open and looked at his partner only to find Jim doing the same.
"So, pal," Artie spoke quietly, "you think he meant it?" Both men jumped when the door flew open and Grant looked in.
"He meant every word, gentlemen. Make no mistakes, I meant every single word. If you gentlemen doubt my word I can post sentries in here to see to it that you obey."
"No, sir, that wont be necessary," Jim and Artie spoke in unison.
"I thought not, gentlemen," Grant smiled, "I'll leave you to your sleep then. And I will be kept informed of your progress so don't get any bright ideas."
"Yes, sir!" They replied.
"Hey, Jim, I don't know about you but I'm bushed. I think I need a nap."
"Me too, Artie. I could sleep for a week," Grant left the room shaking his head.
Outside the snow continued to pile up and across the street stood a large mountain of a man holding what appeared to be a child up on his shoulder. The men in the room fell asleep totally unaware.
Jeremy entered the room quietly and found Colonel Richmond there. He glanced at the two men in the beds flanking him. It wasn't often that both James West and Artemus Gordon were out of commission at the same time let alone in this condition. Pike crept in and cautiously approached Richmond. He handed him a file and stood patiently waiting.
"Grab a seat, Pike," Richmond said, "these two are out like lights and they probably wouldn't wake if you tossed a stick of dynamite under their beds," Pike grabbed a chair and sat between the beds, facing Richmond.
"How are they doing?"
"Jim is coming along quite well. He seems to be taking the treatment in stride."
"And Artemus?"
"He was the most affected so it's taking him longer to get over this. And that's affecting his attitude somewhat, but the doctor tells me he'll pull through with flying colors."
"That is good news then."
"Yes, it is. Now we just have to keep these two tied down so they can recuperate and not go chasing off after Dr. Loveless."
"Why can't we just tell them we caught him and he's in custody?"
"You think these two would really buy that?"
"Sure, if we can convince them that the trial has been postponed until the doctor declares them fit enough."
"Hmm, Jeremy, not a bad idea…not a bad idea at all. If I didn't know better I'd think you've been taking lessons from these two," Richmond chuckled.
"Would I do that?" Pike asked innocently.
"What makes you think we didn't take lessons from him?" Artie asked sleepily.
"Artemus! Don't you know it's not nice to eavesdrop?' Richmond rebuked, "How much did you hear?" He added hesitantly.
"Just that Jeremy had a good idea…care to elaborate, Jeremy?"
"Sorry, Artemus. The doctor doesn't allow work talk for either of you just yet."
"Oh come on, you know shop talk would only help speed up our recoveries."
"Give it up, Artemus," Jeremy said sympathetically, "this order came straight from the Old Man himself."
"But we can tell you that Dr. Loveless has been apprehended."
"Really?"
"Yes, he's being held until you and Jim are well enough to testify at his trial," Artie noted the quick glance between Pike and Richmond.
"Okay, what is it that you're not telling me?" Artie demanded to know.
"Nothing, Artemus. Just the usual tired, Loveless rhetoric. You know, how we can't hold him…how he's going to get loose and start his reign of terror again etc. etc. etc.," Jeremy lied hoping he bought it.
"But this time we're taking no chances I assure you, Artemus, so just lay back and rest up. We've got everything completely under control," Richmond lied.
"Colonel, maybe I'd better leave and get started on that paper work," Jeremy stated as he rose.
"Yes, Pike that would be best. The President wants a full report by tomorrow."
"Artemus, get well soon and tell James I was here. I'll get back as soon as I can to visit."
"Will do, Jeremy. Take care out there it's looking nasty," Artie called to Jeremy's retreating back.
"So, Colonel, you going to tell me what you two were really talking about?" Artie glared at his boss.
"Artemus, I can not discuss work issues with you, so the answer is NO."
"And if he does he will answer to me that is if the doctor leaves me anything once he's done chewing him out," Grant frowned as he entered the room and took Pike's seat.
"Mr. President," Artie said as he tried to sit up and winced, Grant waved him back.
"Lie still, Gordon. With those ribs only a fool would try to stand and salute," Grant smiled and winked.
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir," Artie replied gratefully.
"Artemus, did James know you were keeping your broken ribs a secret from him?" Grant wondered.
"Uh…no, not exactly, sir," Artie replied sheepishly.
"That is something I would like to know the answer to as well, Mr. Gordon. You do know the company policy on things like this," Richmond stated flatly.
"Uh…well, it just never came up. When we came to at the Asylum our first priority was to get out. Then Loveless injected us with that serum and separated us and by the time we met up again at the top of the ridge it just slipped my mind."
"Slipped your mind, did it! Mr. Gordon you two are NOT above the rules. I think you need to be taught a lesson," Grant stated.
"A lesson, sir?" Artie asked, knowing he didn't want to know the answer.
"A stiff lesson, Mr. Gordon. What do you think, Colonel…what do you think about banning our slippery minded friend here from his lab and ANY lab related work for…oh say about a week after his release from the hospital?" Grant smirked.
"I think that's a great idea, Mr. President," Richmond agreed with a smile.
"Oh come on, sir! That's not fair!" Artie protested.
"All right then how does two weeks sound?" Grant snorted.
"TWO WEEKS?!? That's downright inhumane!"
"What's going on, Artie?" Jim asked rubbing his sleepy eyes.
"James, good to see you awake. The President and I are just trying to come up with a suitable punishment for your partner's secret keeping ways and it seems he is protesting," Richmond couldn't keep the grin off his face.
"Jim, you gotta help me out here…they want to ban me from my lab for two weeks when I get out of here!" Artie pleaded with him.
"Well, what you did was pretty stupid, pal. But in your defense being banned for two weeks does seem a bit excessive," Jim said trying to help.
"Mr. West, do you really feel backing your partner is such a good idea? Especially since it was YOU he hit the vital information from?" Grant asked surprised.
"Oh most definitely, sir. If Artie isn't allowed in his lab he'll need something else to occupy his time," Jim replied sheepishly.
"And said something would be you," Grant finished.
"Yes, sir."
"Well, I can see where that could pose something of a problem. How about just one week's ban then? James, do you think you could keep Artemus entertained for one week?" Grant asked.
"I think I could manage one week, sir."
"So it's settled then, Artemus. You will not be allowed in your lab for a period of one week after your release from this hospital. And James, for said week you will not be allowed to wine and dine the ladies," Grant added mischievously.
"What? Why am I being punished?"
"Mr. West, every agent in a pair is held responsible for the health and well being of his partner. You failed to notice when your partner was in distress…thus causing further damage to said partner." Grant reprimanded him.
"In Jim's defense, sir, I did hide it from him and well…I was just able to do a better job of acting than I thought," Artie tried to help his partner.
"Mr. Gordon, you are in enough trouble…I suggest you stop while you still have some liberties left," Grant admonished.
"Yes, sir…sorry, Jim, I tried."
"It's only a week, pal. I'm sure we can find a way to amuse ourselves," Jim winked at his partner.
"James, the doctor informed me he may release you two in a day or so. However, he will not release you back to even light duty for at least three weeks. That means NO work related activities whatsoever. Do I make myself perfectly clear?" Grant said.
"Yes, sir," Jim replied timidly.
"Artemus? Do you understand as well?"
"Oh yes, sir…perfectly, sir."
"Good, now that that's been settled. I have a country to run and I am taking my leave of you gentlemen and heading back to Washington. Please do as you are told and do try to be nice to Colonel Richmond, no one else wants his job when they find out it includes the two of you," Grant smirked.
"Yes, sir!" They replied together.
"I think I'll ride back to the hotel with the President…I'm sure you gentlemen would like some time alone to feel sorry for yourselves," Richmond winked as he followed the President from the room.
"Well, Artie, what do you think?"
"I think we got off pretty easy and I think we were bamboozled."
"Yeah, me too. Something's up."
"I got that impression too. You don't think they're lying to us about Loveless do you?
"Why would they do that?"
"Think about it, Jim. Why are they so intent on keeping us away from our fellow agents for the next three weeks? Not to mention anything having to do with this case? I'd even put money on the fact that they don't even have Loveless in custody."
"You really think Grant would lie about something like that, Artie?"
"I'd bet my Great Aunt Maude on it. We have to tread rather carefully if we're going to find out any information."
"Artie, I can hear those wheels spinning…what do you have in mind?" Jim sat up grinning.
"We play model patients and they'll let us out in a day or so right? Once we're released we promised to keep each other company, right?"
"Yeah…I'm with you so far," Jim liked where he thought this was going.
"Well, I don't recall them saying we couldn't go exploring the area and meeting the nice townsfolk, do you?" Artie beamed.
"Artie, I like your thinking. But don't you think they'll know we're up to something if we don't act like our typical selves?"
"Nah, we'll just tell em we want out of here."
"Well, it does sound like a plan and it would make the days pass quickly. But what about you, pal? What about your ribs?"
"Don't worry we're only going to be walking around talking to people and I'm sure we can find a few saloons to sit in. I'll rest up I promise."
