The Night of The Fallen Guardians

[Kit]

Thanks to my Wonderful Beta's Q and Pet they set me straight and have great patience. As always any remaining mistakes are my own..

WARNING: This is a Death Fic. Now I blame this fic on the evil plot bunnies who whispered in my ear and refused to release the bats until it was written, honest I was just trying to save the bats. Read at your own risk.

The Night of the Fallen Guardians

Jim walked into Grant’s office it was not unusual to see the President it was however unusual to get his orders directly from the man himself and not through a third party or a wire.

Entering the office expecting to see the president he was surprised too see Artie instead he smiled “Good to see you Artie.”

Artie extended his hand “You too Jim.”

“How was you last assignment?”

Shaking his head “I swear if they ever ask me to escort another bureaucrat like that last one I will shoot myself.”

Jim grinned “Glad it was you and not me.”

“You owe me one James my Boy and I will collect.”

“Sure Artie. Hey, you have any idea why we are here?”

“Not a one. Odd though.”

“Yeah.”

A short few minutes later and the door swung open. Both men stood a little straighter as President Grant walked in followed closely by Col. Richmond.

“Gentlemen, good to see you both again.”

Artemus extended his hand “Mr. President.”

“Sir.”

“You are no doubt wondering why you are here.”

Jim nodded “Yes sir.”

Grant looked to Richmond, “Ask her to come in.”

Richmond nodded and left only to return with Kitana Montgomery, a fellow Secret Service agent, in tow.

“Mr. President, Mr. West, Mr. Gordon.”

“Good to see you again Agent Montgomery.” She nodded to Grant but said nothing else.

“Here is the problem, At a conference last week in San Francisco two very influential men in the banking community became ill and were taken to a local hospital where they died mysteriously.” He raised his hand to stall their questions “I know that by itself is not cause for concern but the same has happened at the last three conferences in different states. The next one is in Colorado Springs. Kit has already established her cover as Doctor in the hospital there. Artemus you will go in as wealthy bank owner and James will be your guard.”

Richmond spoke, “Here are your credentials.”

Artemus took the packet as Jim spoke, “When do we leave?”

“You’ll leave on the stage this evening and be in Colorado Springs just before the conference starts. You will be staying at the Springs hotel.”

Grant spoke as they started to leave. “Gentlemen safe journey.”

“Thank you sir.”

Richmond stopped Kit as she was leaving and spoke quietly, “Keep an eye on them.”

Kit smiled, “I will do my best.”

She nodded to both men and left.

*****************

Kit was waiting at the stagecoach when both Jim and Artemus arrived. She was dressed in a modest traveling dress and cloak, her medical bag in hand. She allowed the coachman to help her into the coach and she took a seat next to a window. The first part of the ride was quiet, she watched as a young woman stole glances at Jim who was sitting next to her. Kit rolled her eyes and looked out the window when Artemus spoke to her.

“Hello Miss My name is William Thomas the Third.”

She smiled at him “Doctor Kitana Montgomery, pleasure to meet you.”

Jim spoke “What kind of name is Kitana?” She heard the lady across from him snicker.

But before she could reply Artemus glared at him disapprovingly and interrupted, “You must forgive my servant he tends to speak when not spoken to.”

“I understand Mr. Thomas, good help is so hard to find.” She deliberately looked down her nose at Jim and turned back to Artemus, “So Mr. Thomas what brings a charming man like you out this way?”

“I am headed to a Conference in Colorado Springs. And you?”

“I have a residency at the new hospital there.”

Jim mumbled, “Remind me not to get sick.”

Kit smiled sweetly at Jim, “That’s ok, sir, if you do I’ll be sure to let them know to have the barber look after you as well.”

Artemus gave Jim a warning look and turned back to Kit, “I do hope you will join me for dinner one night while I am in town.”

“I would be honored to join you Mr. Thomas.”

The rest of the coach ride went in silence with a few snippets of conversation between Jim and the other young lady in the coach.

Artemus helped Kit out of the coach and she smiled warmly to him. “Thank you Mr. Thomas, I look forward to our dinner.”

“As do I, lovely lady,” and he kissed her hand. Kit breezed past Jim and the other young lady.

“Come James.” Artie demanded, Jim tipped his hat to the young lady, who blushed deeply, as he took Artie's bags and followed him to the hotel.

They checked into the hotel and once in their room Artie looked at Jim “James what was with that stuff in the coach.”

“Just keeping up appearances, Artie.” He walked to the window and turned back as Artie spoke.

“OK we both know you don't care for Kit but really, trying to rattle her cage isn't a smart move.”

“Oh come on Artie she is too much of a professional to let that bother her.”

Artie smiled, “James my boy, I just hope you don't need her services anytime soon.”

Jim thought for just a brief second that maybe teasing Kit hadn't been such a good idea but decided no, Kit was a professional and wouldn't do him harm.

“Artie, where is this dinner being held tonight?”

“Across the street at the small diner.” He looked at his watch, “In about an hour.”

“Good gives us time to wash off some of the trail dust.”

*******************

Meanwhile the young woman who had been talking to Jim met a tall man behind the saloon

“Mr. Thomas is here. He will be having dinner tonight with the rest of the bankers. He has a personal guard but leave him to me. Oh and Mr. Thomas showed a particular interest in a Doctor Montgomery. She may be useful for a cover at least.”

The figure in the shadows laughed “Oh my dear, my sweet slow child. Mr. Thomas is not a banker and the man whom he is traveling is not his guard. You have met Mr. James West and Mr. Artemus Gordon, agents for the U.S. Government and just who I was looking for.”

The young woman looked shocked as she spoke, “Then are we to leave?”

“No, my dear, this is exactly what I wanted and have been striving for.”

“I don’t understand.”

“That’s alright my dear you don’t need to, all you need to do is keep Mr. West busy. He is a fool for a pretty face.”

“Yes sir.” She left. She would do what her boss ordered even though she believed it was fool hardy. She was more afraid of him than two agents from the government.

At diner Jim stood a respectable distance from Artie as a good guard should. He watched as each dish was brought out and kept a close eye on everything. Artie for his part was doing his best impersonation of an up start banker.

Jim watched as the young woman he had meet on the stage served the men in the room as she passed he gave her his best smiled and a small wink she blushed as she returned his smile and offered him a drink.

“I can’t, I am on duty, but when do you get off?”

“Not until late I am afraid.”

Jim deflated until she spoke again “Although I do not have to be at work until tomorrow night.”

“Would you care to join me for lunch?”

“I would love to. I am staying at the hotel.”

He nodded, “Until tomorrow.”

She moved on, giving him one final smile. Artie saw the exchange and just shook his head, leave it to Jim.

Shortly after dinner they all retired to a smoking room in the hotel to begin their meetings. Late into the night Jim and Artie made their way back to the hotel. Artie moving a little slower than normal.

“You ok Artie?”

“Yeah Jim just tired.”

Jim gave his partner a sideways glance worry clearly written on his face, but he said no more about it, he would keep an eye on Artie and if need be call Kit from the hospital.

*****************

In the early hours of the morning Jim heard retching from the other room he quickly made his way to the room and found Artie in the private bath over a basin.

“Artie?”

A miserable looking Artemus turned to his partner, clearly green around the gills. “Sorry to wake you James.”

“It ok Artie, can you make it back to the bed?”

“Maybe.” it was rare to hear Artie admit to not being able to do something Jim slung Artie’s arm over his shoulder and helped him back to the bed. He then grabbed a cold cloth and a clean basin.

“Artie when did this start?”

“About two hours ago.”

Jim pulled the bell cord and a porter came up “Can I help you sir?”

“Yes, my Boss is ill, can you bring a doctor?”

“Yes, sir, right away.”

Jim paced the floor waiting on the doctor when Artie spoke.

“Jim you are going to wear a hole in the floor it’s probably just something….” He didn’t finish as he retched into the basin again this time only dry heaves. “OK that was unpleasant.”

“You can say that again.” Artie glared at him, but the humor didn’t reach his eyes. A knock on the door had Jim turning on his heel. He opened it to reveal Kit with her medical bag.

“Who is ill?”

“Mr. Thomas, my boss.”

“Let me take a look.”

Jim tossed a coin to the porter and thanked him then closed the door.

“Well what have you done to yourself now?” Kit teased as she took Artie’s temperature and checked his vitals. She smiled at him and pulled a packet from her bag. Pouring a glass of water, she mixed part of the packet into the glass.

“Here drink this it’s going to taste a bit bitter but it will help settle your stomach.”

Artie finished the glass of water and wrinkled his nose “A bit bitter?”

“OK a lot bitter. Now get some rest but I want you drinking plenty of liquids and you’re going to feel a bit weak for the next couple of days.”

Jim finally spoke “What is it?”

“Oh he ate something that didn’t agree with him, probably some bad steak. It’s not poison, at least not in the sense of what the others died from. He’ll be fine. Just make sure he drinks plenty of water and no liquor for at least two days.”

“But..”

“No buts this is nonnegotiable. If you need anything else I am on the night shift.”

She turned to leave and Jim stopped her “Thank you.” A relieved tone to his voice.

“Just doing my job.” She nodded to them both and left.

Jim spent the remainder of the night in Artie’s room. The next morning Artie was slow in getting ready and they barely made it to the meeting on time. Artie declined lunch and dinner. By the next morning however, he was feeling better and joined the rest of the bankers for breakfast though he only ate some light toast.

[Kit]

The rest of the Conference went without incident. At the close of the Conference Jim saw the young woman he was supposed to have met for lunch as she walked over. He felt a bit sheepish as she spoke “Where were you?”

“I am sorry, My Boss became ill and I had to make certain he was ok.”

“Oh my, is he ok?”

“Feeling much better thanks.”

They talked the remainder of the evening and Jim excused himself to walk her home. He was in the lobby of the hotel when she leaned up and kissed him. He gratefully returned her kiss and smiled as they parted.

“Maybe we will see each other again.”

“It is possible.” She smiled and climbed the stairs. Once out of site she turned and took the back stairs out of the hotel. As she rounded the corner she bumped into two men she knew.

“It’s done.”

“Good now for your payment.”
They closed in and she screamed but was quickly silenced.

Artie came up behind Jim and spoke “Everything ok?”

“Yes Sir, thank you for letting me off a little early.”

“You earned it.”

Jim nodded “I’ll double check the time for the stage.”

Artie smiled to himself and made his way to his room to pack.

The next morning they were climbing into the stage when Kit showed up looking for all the world like she hadn’t slept a wink.

Once on the stage and headed out of town Artie spoke “Are you ok?”

“Yes just tired, I had hoped to get a little sleep before we left but early this morning a young woman was brought in severely beaten, I spent several hours trying to help but in the end it wasn’t enough.”

“Do you know who she was?”

“No she was registered as a Jane Doe she was too traumatized for a positive identification.”

They stopped at a small town outside Colorado Springs and changed to the horses they had waiting for them, they were to meet Richmond with a report three days from now.

As night fell Artie began to show signs of illness but was adamant he was ok. Jim was being quiet and kept casting glances at Artie concern evident in his features.

*****************

By midday the storm clouds had begun to gather and Artie was getting worse. Jim scouted up ahead for any place out of the weather when he came across an abandoned cabin.

They tied the horses up outside and Jim unsaddled them and brought in their tack and blankets as Kit helped Artie into the house and started a fire. Jim had everything on the porch of the cabin when the bottom fell out and the rain came down in sheets.

Kit used the blankets Jim brought in to make Artie a pallet. Finding an old pot, she started some water to boil. Kit handed another small bowl she found to Jim. “Go and get some rain water we need to keep him cool.”

Jim did as instructed and shook his head trying to clear his thoughts. Kit looked at him concerned “Jim, are you ok?”

“Yeah, be right back.”

Kit knelt beside Artie and wiped his fevered brow. She checked him over and noticed the red splotches on his arm and she cursed under her breath, one of the poisons symptoms recorded in the death of the other bankers was a red splotchy rash. She stood and mixed something in with the warm water and helped Artie to drink it, he smiled weakly up at her.

“Thanks.”

She smiled back “Just doing my job now you rest, we’ll have this fever knocked out in no time.”

She met Jim at the door and he spoke softly “How is he?”

Kit couldn’t meet his eyes “I…. Jim he has been poisoned. I don’t know when or how but I will do what I can.”

Jim glared at her “You said he was ok.”

“That was earlier in the week and he recovered fine from the bad meal but this is something else.”

“Then we get him to a hospital.”

“We can’t move him in this rain it will kill him faster. And before you suggest it even the great Jim West would get lost in this storm.” As if to prove her point the lighting flashed and a clap of thunder shook the whole cabin. “Take this,” she handed him a rag, “Use the water try and keep him cool. I am going to see what I might have in my bag.”

Kit knew it was useless, she knew the poison that was coursing through Artemus’ veins but she had to try even if it was in vain. Jim sat next to Artemus as he watched Kit and the longer he sat the angrier he became. He closed his eyes and Kit spoke “Jim are you sure your ok?”

“I am fine, you just worry about Artemus.” she looked at him in shock as she spoke.

“What do you think I am doing, knitting a sweater?”

“I don't know what you’re doing. All I know is that Artie isn't getting any better.”

She gave a long suffering sigh “It's only been a couple hours.”

“You said he would be fine. Why he insists on trusting you I'll never know. You’re a fake you know that. A wannabe doctor, a woman trying to make it in a man's world. Well you know what, you are useless.” He hissed anger turning his eyes a deep green.

He stood and stormed out and Kit sat stunned for a moment. She knew Jim didn't care for her but even that was out of character for him. She felt a hand on hers and she looked down into dull brown eyes and Artie whispered, “He is just scared he didn't mean it.”

She shook off the shock and helped Artie drink some more of the medicine, “I wish I could do more.”

He looked at her with knowing eyes and then they closed. She was staring out the window when Jim entered soaked. She started to say something but seeing the hatred in his eyes she turned back to the window. Kit sat and stared out the window, the rain was falling hard today. How fitting that every year since the death of Billy, her fiancé, the rain would fall on the day she failed him all those years ago in the surgical tents of the war. But today was worse for not only was it a reminder that she had failed Billy but now Artemus Gordon lay dying and there was nothing she could do. The poison was beyond her healing, beyond all her skill.

************************

She could feel green eyes boring into the back of her head. Could feel his hatred of her and she couldn’t blame him. He had yelled earlier, called her a fake, a charlatan, a wannabe, and he was right. They had all always been right. She turned to walk from the room when a hand grabbed her roughly by the arm and spun her around with a violence she had not seen from the man.

“How dare you walk out? There has to be something you can do, you can’t give up.”

Kit dropped her head then looked back toward where the dying man lay and she looked up a great sadness in her eyes and pointed toward packets on the table “It will make him comfortable that is all we can do now.”

Jim shoved her against the wall knocking the air from her. “NO, I won’t accept that.”

Jim pulled his gun and placed it under her chin. She looked into his eyes and saw the pure hatred in those eyes. Hatred for an enemy he at the moment swore to kill.

“Killing me won’t change what happened, but if it will make you feel better go right ahead.” She glared at him. Kit heard the gun cock and knew it would do no good but she whispered, “I don’t blame you.” Acceptance of her fate shown in her eyes as did forgiveness.

He growled “I don't give a damn.” and pulled the trigger. He dropped Kit's lifeless body, holstered his gun and sat next to his brother and spoke softly “I will never forget you Artie.” He took Artie's hand in his and waited. In the early hours of the morning Artie drew his last breath and Jim's heart shattered. No last minute miracle this time, no Lazarus impersonation, no it was over. He would not go back to the secret service, he would take Artie home then turn in his resignation and do what he couldn't do while employed by the US government.

*******************

Jim saddled the horses as dawn broke and he carried Artie to his horse, in a few more hours he would be at the train where he would contact Washington and send the train with Artie’s body.

Richmond couldn’t believe what he had just been wired. It wasn’t possible… two agents dead one by West’s own hands, how was that possible. He would send a message to Grant and then to Pet as she was not far from Colorado Springs. Maybe she could find the cabin Jim mentioned. Richmond poured himself a drink and made preparations for Artemus’ burial, a part of him still hoping Jim’s telegram had been wrong.

Pet reread the telegram three times and still couldn’t believe what she was reading. Pet went to the livery paid and quickly saddled Little Boy.

As she neared the cabin she dismounted and pulled her revolver. Looking into one of the old windows, she noticed a body against the wall but couldn’t tell who it was. Stepping onto the pouch she cautiously opened the door, spared a glance at the body against the wall as she checked the rest of the cabin. Holstering her weapon she walked up to Kit’s body and knelt beside her partner knowing without even checking that she was dead. The dried blood on the wall and the missing part of her head belayed any hope. Pet rose from her spot and walked to the old barn. Finding a shovel she found a quiet spot and buried her partner. As she stood there a moment she looked around and spoke softly to the wind.

“It’s a nice spot, Kit. I will find him he will pay for what he did.” She turned and mounted Little Boy and rode to the nearest telegraph office. She would let Richmond know and then she would go after Mr. West.

*************************

Jim had ridden back to Colorado Springs and found the trail of the man responsible for his partner’s murder and cornered him in a quiet alley. “Why?”

“Simple, Mr. West. I wanted to destroy the best secret service agents the Government had. And I accomplished that. You are a wanted man for the murder of a fellow agent. How did that feel to put a gun to an innocents head and pull the trigger?”

“She wasn’t innocent.”

“Oh but she was you see the lovely young thing that kissed you before you left town had a potion on her lips makes those who ingest it act out on their fears and heightens there emotions. I knew a part of you would blame the good Doctor.”

“You are lying; she didn’t know what she was doing.”

“Keep believing that Mr. West, and you might be able to sleep at night for however long you have left to live.”

Jim raised his gun and shot the man dead. Walking away he knew the man was right. He had killed a fellow agent no matter how much he knew she was a fault. But he would do his best to take down as many of the bad guys as he could before his time ran out.

********************

Pet had searched for a year for James West former Secret Service man now wanted by the US government for the death of countless men. Those she could look past, they were wanted men after all, but this was personal. She had been the one to find Kit dead where Jim had said in a small cabin where they had holed up after a disastrous mission. Where Artie had died and where he had killed Kit for her part in Artie's death. Pet hadn't believed it at first, not until she had found her partner with a hole in her head. It had been quick but the grisly scene still kept her awake at night. She hoped Jim resisted and gave her a reason to shoot him dead. In his mind he believed Kit had been just as guilty for her inability to cure Artemus as the man who had poisoned his partner. Pet rode on, if she was lucky this would be over soon.

A small cantina in old Mexico sat quiet for this time of night. The new Gringo had most men sacred and those to stupid to know any better found themselves with the holy mother. Pet made her way into the cantina gun drawn and walked up to his table.

“Pet I wondered when I would run into you.”

“Mr. West you are under arrest.”

“For what killing that murderous bitch of a doctor?”

Pet pulled the trigger hitting Jim’s hand where it had drawn his pistol, she then pulled the trigger again hitting him in his thigh and he dropped to the ground. She walked over to him and kicked his gun out of the way as she shot again, this time hitting him in his other leg.

“I am not going to make this as quick for you as you did for Kit.”

For his part he didn’t scream out he just glared at her, anger in his eyes. “She killed Artemus. She deserved to die.”

“For not having a cure to a poison no doctor could cure.” She seethed

“She gave up, she didn’t even try. She was a lousy doctor and a lousy agent.”

Pet pulled the trigger one last time. It was murder, she knew but didn’t care. Looking at the few remaining patrons she spoke in her best Spanish.

“Anyone speak to anyone about the true death of this Gringo and I will hunt you down and your death won’t be so easy, now out.” The place quickly cleared and Pet set the charges. She stepped out and when she was far enough away she spoke. “For you Kit.” and the cantina exploded.

Pet survived only two more months before she was killed in a shoot out. Jeremy could have sworn Pet stepped out in front of the bullet on purpose but he couldn’t be sure. In less than two years the service had lost four good agents. Jeremy himself only worked another year before he retired and that made five.

Fini