Antoinette stepped into the train's engine car, followed by Loveless. He reached for the throttle, only to find it blown off and lying on the floor.

Damn, damn! Damn that Artemus Gordon!

An explosion nearby caused Antoinette scream.

Miguelito! What are we going to do?

He grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the engine, and further down the tunnel, stopping in front of a particular rock. With explosions going off around them, he stepped on a rock, revealing a small opening.

Quick Antoinette, get in!

But Miguelito, we'll be crushed in the explosions!

Just get in, Antoinette! Hurry!

Antoinette climbed into the opening, followed by Loveless, the plates falling out of his pockets in the process. Before he could reach for them, the panel slid closed, sealing them behind it.

*******

With Solomon leading the way, Arte helped Jim through the tunnels, moving upwards toward the way out. Just as they saw sunlight from outside peering at them, the percussive sounds of the explosions below filled their ears. The shaft began shaking, dirt and rock falling down upon them. They began to run as the collapse became imminent. Still groggy from the gas, Jim couldn't keep up. Arte threw him on his shoulder and moved as fast as he could. As the final explosions shook the mine and the walls closed in, the three men cleared the entryway.

Jim landed on top of Arte as the ground shook the latter from his footing. Gordon rolled over, covering his friend from the falling debris. When the explosions stopped, Arte looked for Solomon, who was a few feet away, dusting himself off.

You okay, there?

The name's Marvin Solomon, and yes, Mr. Gordon, I'm fine. Is Jimmy all right?

Arte's eyebrow shot up: Jimmy?

Yes, I think he is....

Gordon turned his attention to West, gently patting his face.

Jim? Hey buddy, you okay?

West shook his head and opened his eyes, still feeling fuzzy.

Yeah, Arte, I'm fine...

Then he remembered: Arte had lied to him, resurrected himself from the dead, and they barely escaped Loveless with their lives. His blue eyes took on a fiery quality as he sate up.

I've got a bone to pick with you, buddy.

Now, Jim, there's a perfectly reasonable explanation for all this....

Oh yeah?







Gordon looked away. He knew how much he had hurt Jim, and yet, there had been little choice. Then his eyes flicked up to his partner's. Jim held the soft brown eyes brimming with moisture for a long minute, and finally Arte spoke.

I'm sorry, Jim. I really am.

Why the hell didn't you just tell me?

For the briefest of seconds, Arte thought about laying it on Richmond; but he couldn't lie to Jim, not again.

Jim, Richmond knew that whomever was behind the counterfeiting, expected the President to send the two of us in; and the Colonel was afraid it was someone who knew us and our methods pretty well--

--Why the hell didn't you tell me?

I convinced Richmond that our best shot was the element of surprise--

--That doesn't explain why you lied to me. Then it hit him, Oh damn. You knew that if it was someone like Loveless, he'd know the difference. You were afraid I'd give it away.

Arte nodded, Yes. I am sorry, Jim. It was just safer for you to think that I was really dead. Besides, I could finally get back at you for all those times you've pulled one over on me. Now we're even.

Jim stood up, and held his hand out for Arte, pulling the larger man up. As soon as Gordon was on his feet, West punched him hard, in the jaw, knocking him right back down. Arte rubbed his face and glared at his partner.

Hey, what's the big idea?

Jim held his hand out for Arte again, who reluctantly took it. West gently pulled him up.

Now we're even. He grabbed Gordon behind the neck and pulled him close, Don't you ever do that to me again, Arte. There were moments when I wasn't sure I'd make it.

The big brown eyes filled with emotion, and Gordon pulled West into an embrace, holding him close.

Forgive me, Jim.

Arte's voice broke as a sob of remorse caught in his throat. Jim pat his back, then pulled away, smiling.

You always have to get so damned emotional, Arte.....

Jim cuffed Gordon behind the head, wrapping his arm around his best friend's neck as they walked toward the horses. Solomon followed at a discrete distance behind, feeling more like an intruder with each passing moment. Marvin had realized several things during his first field assignment: he wasn't cut out to be in the field; he envied the friendship these two men shared; and he couldn't wait to get back to Washington. He finally had the answer to the mystery of the West/Gordon breakup, and best of all, he had one helluva story to tell.