Fic: "The Night of the Partners"

Author: S.

firstcorpsanv@webtv.net

Fandom: Wild Wild West

Pairing: James West/Artemus Gordon

Rating: R some m/m sex

Archive: Yes
Disclaimer: The characters do not belong to me and I am not making a profit.

Summary: This story takes place right after "TNOT Lord of Limbo."



The Night of the Partners
by S.

Artemus Gordon leaned back on the narrow, sway-backed bed where he expected to spend the night. Even now after nearly two days his mind was still in upheaval over the events at Fair Oak Manor. The Secret Service Agent knew that Vautrain had to be dead, and yet, there had been no body found. Had he somehow managed one more time travel and was even now in the future just waiting to take his revenge on Jim West?

"Artie?...Artie? Are you awake?"

"Huh, oh sure, Jim. I was just thinking about Vautrain."

"He's dead, Artie. We can forget about him."

"You thought I was dead too, remember?"

James West shivered. "Only too well. When I saw you go down, I...I was desperate. The only hope seemed to bring you back with me."

"Well, it worked."

The handsome face of the other Secret Service Agent lit up. "And I'm certainly glad it did. I didn't want to have to train another partner." he grinned mischievously.

"Believe me, I'm glad you don't have to either. It was no fun being dead."

"I can imagine." West's tone indicated that he did indeed understand the trauma that his partner had undergone at the hands of Colonel Vautrain.

"It's over now, Jim, so let's try to forget about it. As soon as the train catches up to us, we can return to Washington. I just know you're looking forward to that ball at the Prussian Embassy."

"You're right there, Artie. I just love waltzing with those Prussian frauleins who act like icicles in January." the agent teased.

"Come now, Jim my boy, we all know that you're just the man to thaw them out!"

"Artie, are you sure that the telegram mentioned the train would be here tomorrow?"

"That's what it said. Too bad the rail lines weren't serviceable all the way to Vicksburg or we wouldn't have had to stay in this palatial saloon for the night."

"It's called the Oakwood Hotel, Partner."

"James, they can give it any fancy name they want, but it's still just a saloon with a few rooms--just like most of the places we've been forced to stay in from time to time."

"You've got a point, I suppose. It's a good thing the President realized we needed more comfortable living accommodations in order to do our jobs. Not to mention that it makes traveling all over the country easier."

"You said it. We are two lucky men!"

James T. West's blue-green eyes stared over at his partner. "I guess you're right. What else could a man want?"

Something in the question made the older man return West's glance. "Jim, is something the matter?"

"No...no, I just want to get as far away from Vicksburg a possible, and hopefully never see it again."

"But it should have good memories for you. After all, you were with Grant in '63 and it was one of his greatest victories."

"It was then, but after encountering Vautrain, I've been thinking about what I did."

"You mean when you saved his life?"

"Exactly, but at what cost to him? Maybe I should have just let him die like he wanted. What gave me the right to keep him alive?"

"Jim, you needn't blame yourself. The way I look at it, he might have died even with those tourniquets."

"Possibly but he didn't. The thing is I know how he felt...I don't think I'd want to survive a wound like that either."

"Please God, you never have to find out what you'd do in a situation like that. Now, I am going to try to get some sleep so we can head out to the railhead early tomorrow. Maybe The Wanderer will surprise us by arriving early."

"All right, Artie, you go to sleep. I think I'll go downstairs and have a whiskey. Maybe it will help me o dothe same."

"Want me to go with you?"

"No, I'll be fine. I won't be long."

"'Night, James."

"'Night, Artie."
___________

Gordon fell into an uneasy slumber almost immediately. This drowsy state was soon interrrupted by the sound of shouts and furniture being knocked over. Sitting up, Artemus immediately realized that his partner had not returned and was probably in the midst of whatever fracas was taking place downstairs. The younger agent seemed to attract trouble like a magnet.

Grabbing his gun, Artemus quickly made his way out the door and down the stairway. What met him was the sight of his partner being held by two burly men while another pummeled the agent's torso.

Normally, West was a most formidable bare knuckles fighter so Gordon feared that his friend must be severly hurt if the three toughs were not already laid out on the floor.

Firing his gun over their heads, Gordon, in his best Roman centurion voice, demanded the release of James West or the three men would regret it. While the three scoundrels were none too bright, they were not stupid enough to take on a loaded six-shooter. They dropped the unconscious West immediately and headed out the door.

More concerned with the health of the younger man, Gordon let them go. Corraling two onlookers, he persuaded them (with the help of a small coin) to assist him in getting his partner upstairs where he could tend to the young man's wounds.

It was apparent that West's worst wound was the one on his head. It had bled quite freely and needed to be cleaned. Carefully, Gordon dabbed at it with a wet handkerchief. West moaned under the handling.

Artemus gently pushed a lock of brown hair away from the wound. "Just relax, Partner, I'll try to get this over as fast as possible."

The next five minutes were taxing to both partners. West had begun to regain his senses only to be assaulted by unrelenting pain in his head. Vainly, he tried to knock away the hand which tortured his aching temple.

For his part, Artemus Gordon was already sweating in his anxiety over his friend. He hated being the one to cause West pain, but the more sensible side of the man said that the wound had to be cleaned or there could be serious consequences. Just the thought of losing West turned Artie's sweat into chills of fear.

Finally, the deed was done. Now, Gordon only had to make his friend comfortable for sleep, which with the varying bruises on his muscular body, seemed to be nearly impossible. Having already removed the ripped shirt, Artie winced when he got a closer look at what the toughs had done to the beautiful body.

West's blue-green eyes flew open as Artemus tried to wrap a bandage around the abused ribs. "Artie? What...what are you...."

"Sorry, Jim, but I think you've got one cracked rib and I don't want to take any chances."

"What...what happened?"

"Don't you remember those three men who beat you up?"

"Oh...yeah, one slugged me with his pistol. Don't remember much...after."

"Well, I want you to get some sleep. By tomorrow, if you're not feeling better, we'll get a doctor."

"Train...need to get to train."

"Sam can wait if you're not better. I'm not taking any chances. Now, let me finish with this bandage."

"'Kay." West lay there enduring the gentle touch. At first, the pain seemed overwhelming, then a new sensation took over. Confused by the pleasant feeling, Jim couldn't focus on where it originated. Then it struck him. He was aroused by Artie's touch.

"Uh, Artie, that's enough. Just leave me alone."

"But, Jim, I'm not done. Just one more minute...."

"Artemus, stop!"

Gordon paused. He had rarely heard West's command voice, but when he did, he listened. "Jim, what's wrong? I need to finish this. We can't take a chance the rib is really broken."

"Please, Artie, don't...touch me anymore. I can't take it."

Since Gordon knew that his partner had an extremely high threshold for pain, he was puzzled by that statement. West had undergone much worse torture than this.

"Jim, I don't understand."

"Please, Artemus, I don't want to embarrass myself in front of you."

Suddenly, the older man realized that Jim's skin-tight pants were now stretched to their limit.

"You don't have to be embarrassed. If it's what I think it is, we can solve this in no time."

"No, no! You don't have to. I don't need..."

"Hush, James. Just let your partner take care of you, then you can go to sleep."

Working quickly, Gordon pulled off the blue knit pants that West favored. Already the long, slender shaft was hard with arousal.

The junior Secret Service agent took hold of West's cock with a sure touch. He instinctively knew what would bring relief to this man who was so important to him.

A few strokes of his hand and James T. West was moaning in ecstasy. "Easy, Jim, I know you'd like to make it last, but I'm afraid you might hurt your rib even more so I'm going to try something which should do the trick."

Leaning down, Artemus Gordon, Partner Extraordinaire, took West's cock into his mouth. Gently, then with more passion he began to suck. West's bucking almost threw Gordon off the bed. Still, West pleaded for more. Evidently the reaction to his impending orgasm was blocking the pain from his rib. "Artie, please...please, your mouth feels so good."

"All right, Jim, hang on because here we go!" A few licks and caresses of the talented tongue, followed by vigorous sucking and the senior partner exploded into Artie's mouth. Entranced by the taste and texture of the fluid, Artemus continue sucking until West shivered and seeminly passed out.

"Jim!" Frightened by the sight of the unconscious man, Gordon berated himself for losing focus of the fact that Jim was injured. He had wanted to taste Jim's golden body for so long and when he finally had the chance, he had let himself lose control. He could only pray that Jim would not suffer for that in the morning.

Artemus Gordon sat next to his partner's bedside until he had slumped forward, falling into sleep.

In the early hours of the morning, someone nudged the former thespian. He tried to move away from the irritatng hand only to realize that he had a painful crick in the neck from his awkward position.

"Artie? What...what are you doing in the chair? Why aren't you in bed?"

"James, how are you feeling?"

"Got a headache."

"I'm not surprised. You took quite a knock."

"How? Why? I can't seem to remember."

"What's the last thing you do remember?"

"I told you I was going down to get a drink. After that, I seem to be in limbo again."

Gordon gave a sigh of relief. "Don't worry about it. You got into a fight with three men. You proobably have a slight concussion. Just lie quiet."

"But why didn't you go to bed? And why am I naked?"

"Uh, well, I was worried about you and I needed to look at those bruises. I just thought you'd be more comfortable unclothed."

"I guess you're right. I have a slight headache, but actually I feel good. In fact, I think I'll go back to sleep."

"Good idea. I'm going to go downstairs and rustle up some fresh water and maybe something to eat for later. I assume that you'll be hungry soon."

James T. West grinned sleepily. "Actually, I'm hungry now, but I think I need to sleep awhile longer before I can do justice to what I'm hungry for."

"Well, you just tell me what you want and I'll get it for you. Nothing's too good for my partner."

"I was hoping you'd say that because I want you!"

Artemus Gordon's mouth dropped open. "What...what do you mean?"

"I didn't exactly tell you the whole truth a minute ago. It's true that I don't remember much about the fight, but I certainly do remember what you did for me when I had my...problem."

"I kind of hoped you would have forgotten that."

"But why?"

"I was afraid you'd be angry at me."

"Artie, why would I be angry with you for doing something that I've dreamed about dozens of times?"

"Really? Or are you just saying that to make me feel better?"

"Oh, I intend to make you feel better, but give me a couple more hours of sleep then I'll be glad to show you another one of my fantasies."

"Jim, you don't have to. I mean I don't expect you to reciprocate."

West chuckled. "Well, I expect me to and then you'll have to reciprocate and I'll up the ante again. In fact, I think this partnership has just taken a turn for the better. Now, why don't you go eat a big breakfast? I want you to keep your strength up for later."

"Will do, Partner. There's just one more thing,"

"Yes, Partner?"

"Instead of forty winks, could you cut it down to say--fifteen?"

West chuckled again. "Truthfully, I was thinking more of ten!"



THE END