THE NIGHT OF THE MISSING CHILDREN
By Andamogirl
WWW
TAG
Two months later, at the White House
President Grant smiled, his blue eyes sparkling with amusement. "Welcome back to Washington, Artemus. You look… different. I like your new beard very much."
Standing in front of Grant Artemus Gordon reflexively touched his neatly trimmed beard. "Yes, Sir." Then he stood at attention again.
Ulysses S. Grant briefly touched his own full, graying beard. "And I'm sure that all the lovely ladies waiting for you for weeks will adore your beard, Artemus." He noticed the carved walking stick Artemus was using, leaning on it and frowned. "Are you still in pain?"
Artemus shook his head. "No Sir, my leg has healed nicely. I went to see Dr. Henderson at the Military Hospital before coming here, he examined my leg and told me that everything is fine, but I need a cane to walk because my leg is still fragile though. I had a double fracture, Sir."
The President nodded. "May I see your walking stick Artemus? It's beautiful."
Handing it to Grant Artemus said, "It's a present from Chief Black Bear, Sir. To thank me for having found the missing children. He carved it himself and then painted it. The pommel is a sculpted bear – a reference to my Indian name: Strong Bear. He offered it to me before I left the settlement."
Grant nodded. "It's a beautiful present, but I hope you won't have to use it again in the future, Artemus, because it will mean that you're injured again." He handed it to Artemus and then turned toward James West standing beside the large desk covered with many papers and files. He smiled and said, "Jim missed you a lot, son. He missed you so much that he spent these last weeks sulking. He has hardly spoken a word in two months and spent all his free time in the Wanderer instead of gallivanting from one reception to another like he usually does when he's in Washington. Half of the female population of the Capital worried a lot, and the other half wondered if you were still alive Artemus, because Jim and you are virtually inseparable." He chuckled. "It was time that you came back, Artemus, one week more and Washington would have had its first hermit!"
Glancing at his partner who was grinning, amused, Artie smiled broadly, amused too and said, "Jim and I will reassure the ladies next time we attend a reception together."
President Grant nodded and moved behind his desk before seating himself in his armchair. "Gentlemen, please, have a seat."
Before that the two agents smiled at each other and then hugged tightly for a long minute, patting each other's back, expressing their mutual brotherly love and pleasure in being reunited.
More than curious Jim asked Artie, "Did the Crows adopt you like the Comanche did? And did you get a new tattoo Artemus?"
Artemus smiled. "Yes, I was adopted by the Crows, and no, I don't have any new tattoos. But the children offered me beaded necklaces. I'll show them to you later."
Then they sat down on a chair.
Grant took a file that was sitting on his desk and opened it. "I read your report, Artemus. Things are back to normal again in the Crow reservation and the settlers have calmed down. The soldiers returned to the fort and the cattle I promised to Black Bear was delivered. You did a good job, both of you." He closed the file and asked, "So, tell me, how was your stay with the Crow Indians?"
WWW
Later in the Wanderer
Looking at his reflection in the mirror settled on his lab table, Artie said, "I look old…" and he touched the few gray hairs in his beard.
Pulling up a stool beside his partner Jim said, "You look older, not old – even if you're older than me. " Then he sat on the stool and smirked. "Much, much older."
Looking at Jim Artie nodded. "Don't remind me. I am 15 years older than you – my boy." He sighed and glanced again at his image reflected by the mirror. "Helen McNeill hates my beard, you know? She said that kissing me would be like kissing the President – because I look like him now. So she refused to kiss me last night at the reception at the French Embassy."
Placing a comforting hand on his best friend's shoulder Jim chuckled. "Yes, you look like him, that's why Grant loves your beard so much, it's exactly like his."
Looking again at his face reflected by the mirror, Artie hmmed and said, "Do you think if I have it shaved off he'd be upset?"
Pressing Artie's shoulder Jim shook his head. "Grant will never be upset by you, Artemus. But If I were you, I'd keep it. It suits you and Miss McNeill will get used to it eventually." Grinning Jim stood up. "Besides, you look just like a bear with that beard, Old Strong Bear."
He chuckled when he saw Artemus scowl at him and heard a low threatening (bear) growl.
The end.