The voice from the doorway filled Artie with relief.

Put the gun down, Bill.

The barkeep turned to see James West standing behind him, his gun drawn and pointing right at him. Bill kept his weapon trained on Gordon. Jim cocked the hammer.

I said put it down. Now.

Bill stared into Artie's eyes, You filthy bastard, defiling an unsuspecting woman of Noreen's innocence. You bastard. Do you know how much I love her? And you just breeze into town and take her. Filthy bastard....

Jim's voice sounded like steel, I won't tell you again, Bill.

Hands shaking, Bill raised his gun toward Artie, and Jim fired. Noreen screamed from the door, shoved past Jim and ran to Bill, who was shaking his hand. His gun was lying a few feet away on the ground. Noreen took his hand in hers and stroked it lightly.

It's all right Bill, it looks like barely a scratch.

Bill looked into her eyes and smiled, Noreen, I...well, I...

I know. Why didn't you ever tell me?

Bill shrugged, Don't know. Fraid to, I guess.

In slightly stunned amazement, Artie and Jim watched the couple walk from the balcony, all thoughts of either agent far from their minds. Artie shook his head.

Well now I think I've just about seen it all. I really thought he might take a shot at me there for a minute, and at that range, even Bill couldn't have missed.

Jim holstered his gun, I don't know, Artie, his hands were shaking so badly, I'm not sure he could have hit the broad side of a barn, much less you.

West pulled the handkerchief he knew Artie always kept in his pocket, and began to dab at the blood on his partner's face.

Now how did a tiny little guy like that beat you up this badly? Even at your current weight of.... practically nothing, you're still twice his size.

Artie shrugged. Jim held the cloth to Artie's nose, trying to stop the bleeding.

Jim let his concern color his voice, You okay?

Yeah, Jim, I'm just peachy. It looks about as good as it feels.

West smiled at his best friend's sarcastic tone, and put his arm around Gordon's shoulder.

Come on, Artie, let's get you cleaned up. I think I might be up to riding tomorrow.

You sure, Jim? You were wiped out after doing the stairs earlier.

Yeah, but riding....the horse will do most of the work. Besides, he squeezed his friend's neck gently, I think it's time we took our leave of this town. Jim turned Artie to face him, You coming with me? Artie stared at Jim for a moment, and West added, I'll buy you a hot dog...

A small smile turned the corners of Gordon's mouth, Well James, with the promise of such tremendous cuisine, how could I possibly say no?

***********
Noreen couldn't believe her eyes. She knew it was Artie, and yet, he barely resembled the man she had known. He was clean shaven, looked ten years younger, and was wearing an expensive suit, instead of the torn up old miner's clothes she was used to seeing him in. The suit was about two sizes too large though, attesting to Mr. West's constant complaints about his partner being too thin. In the suit, Noreen could see how much larger Artie usually was, and finally understood West's concern.

Bill had made himself scarce, saying he had a few errands to run. Noreen was thankful for that; it was awkward enough saying good-bye to this man, without Bill witnessing it. Jim followed Gordon down the steps, and at the bottom, he turned to Noreen.

Miss Macrae, I would say it's been a delight, but I think peculiar is a more fitting word to this particular page in my life.

She cleared her throat, Yes Mr. West, I imagine that it was mostly an unpleasant experience for you.

He took her hand in his, and kissed the back of it.

At least the hostess was lovely, and extremely gracious.

Her eyes twinkled with mischief, Would that be gracious when I was slapping your partner's face, or gracious all the time?

Since it wasn't my face taking the beating, Miss Macrae, I can honestly say all the time. He tipped his hat to her and turned to Artie, I'll wait for you at the stable.

Artemus nodded, and then looked down at the floor, uncomfortable facing Noreen, but knowing they both needed the closure. She gently fingered the lapel of his suit.

It's a beautiful fabric.....is this how you normally dress?

His voice was a mere whisper,

She tilted his chin up, so his eyes met hers, I'm sorry that I slapped you.

The corners of his mouth turned up in a slight smile, Sorry once, twice or three times?

She laughed then, Artemus Gordon, you are quite the charmer. And I will always hold a special place for you in my thoughts.

But your heart belongs to Bill?

Yes. Fitting, don't you think?

He really does love you, Noreen. And you deserve someone who loves you like that.

It's funny how the best things in life are often right under our noses, but they're the things we overlook.

How true. He took her hand and kissed it, Stay well, Noreen.

She took his face between her hands and softly kissed his lips.

Mmmm....I like this version better.

So that's another vote against the beard...

You've been polling the local...ladies?

He smiled, Of course not. But my partner's been pretty vocal about disliking the beard.

You don't kiss him, do you?

Artie laughed loudly, He just doesn't like looking at it.

Let me see....

She took his lips with hers once more, this time lingering slightly. When she finally pulled away, they smiled at each other.



Yes, much better without the beard.

Then I guess we'll stick with the real me. The dark brown eyes gazed into hers, I'm sorry if I hurt you, Noreen, but I'm so glad that I got to know you.

He leaned in, and tenderly kissed her cheek, tipped his hat to her, and walked toward the front doors.

Her voice made him turn, she smiled, No regrets.

The soft baritone repeated, No regrets.

Noreen watched Artie walk out of the saloon and her life forever. And she knew that it had all turned out the way it was meant to. Artemus would never have been happy living her kind of life. He'd always be restless, or bored, and never sure of who he really was...and she'd never know if she was kissing Artemus Gordon, government agent, or Artemus Morgan, endless drifter. She recognized that a part of her would miss him, but hoped that he would find peace back in his world of undercover danger. There was something very special about him.

Perhaps it had just been the softness of his eyes when he smiled.

***********