Jim West/Artemus Gordon/Wild Wild West

Jim would be glad to get back to Washington. Arte was driving him crazy with his grumbling about their current situation, as if it was HIS fault the Wanderer was under repairs. They were traveling from Kansas City to Washington on a regular train. You would think the man had never ridden on a regular rail car before.

Jim was very good at tuning out the sounds around him and sleeping wherever he was. The Army had taught him that. Arte apparently hadn't honed those skills. Either that, or it was just his high-strung nature that kept him awake more than Jim. They were seated across from a woman and her three children, who were taking advantage of their mother's exhausted state to play up and down the narrow aisle between the car's seats. They weren't really being bad, just energetic.

Suddenly the mother awoke and began to whimper, which rapidly turned into a low keening as her eyes grew wide. Arte rose quickly and leaned over her, realizing as he did that she was heavily pregnant, a state which her skirts had hidden unless one was close to her.

Arte suspected the sounds she was making were a cry for attention, and he was right. "Ma'am, I'm a doctor. Is the baby coming?"

She nodded her head as she began to pant. "It's not time yet. Do you have laudanum?"

Arte shook his head. "I'm afraid I don't ma'am. My name is Dr. Artemus Gordon. What's your name?"

"Mrs. Peter Jameson. My first name is Lucinda." Meanwhile, Arte was doing an external examination and had come to the conclusion that he would be delivering this baby soon.

Arte turned and nudged Jim awake. Like all military men, Jim was awake and aware instantly.

Arte told him what was happening, "Find out where we can take her for some privacy, because unless I miss my guess, that baby isn't going to wait much longer…maybe an hour or so. We need towels and I could use some back up. I'd like to get her moved before her water breaks."

Jim nodded and practically sprinted to the door to track down the conductor. In a short time, they had Mrs. Jameson moved into the conductor's quarters, and thankfully, the birth was proceeding normally, although it was much too late for her to receive the requested laudanum, even though Jim had managed to track down some from a fellow passenger.

Besides, Arte was loath to use it, as he had a theory that the medicine would transfer to the babe when suckling. It wouldn't be good for either mother or child, though his theory was not a popular one.

In any event, Mrs. Jameson gave birth to a healthy baby girl with whom she was well pleased, and Artemus had to admit to Jim he was glad they had been on that particular train. After all, it wasn't every day one became a god father was it?

The End

#sicktember2022