The Hickok's ll: Mistaken Identity

The last few months had been some of the happiest James David Hickok had ever known. He'd married Lou, told his half brother, James Butler Hickok that they were family and now he and Lou were expecting their first child in a matter of days.

Coming out of Tompkins store, James set the box of dry goods that he was picking up for the station on the back of his wagon. Though he and Lou lived in a house of their own not far from the Pony Express station, he rode over there daily for work.

"James Hickok!" a loud, booming voice called from behind where James was making ready to get up into the wagon.

Turning, he noticed a man in a tattered duster standing not far from where he was. A frown marred his face as he looked at the stranger.

"Are you talking to me?" he asked, searching his mind trying to remember if he'd crossed paths with the stranger in the past.

"You're James Hickok ain't ya?" the man demanded, spitting a stream of brown into the dirt near his feet.

Standing straighter, James's eyes narrowed. "I'm James Hickok. What's it to you mister?"

He didn't know what the man wanted but he was getting a bad feeling and he was wishing he had waited to come into town until later when Cody and his brother would have been able to come with him.

"I's callin' you out Hickok," the stranger declared, sending citizens scattering for cover.

At the man's words, James's heart dropped. 'Oh, Lord…' he thought seeing the man move his duster to the side, revealing a six-shooter strapped low on his hip.

"I don't want no trouble mister," James said. "I've never met you before so why don't you just go about your business nice and quiet like."

James sent up a silent prayer asking that the Lord would let him get away from this man and back to Lou. He thought about the child they were expecting and being with her when it was born was the one thing he wanted most in life at that moment.

The man laughed at him, a sickening sound that made his blood run cold. "Ya ain't a yella belly now are ya Hickok?"

When James didn't say anything, the man began taunting him.

"I can't believe that Wild Bill is a yella belly!"

The words explained everything. He thought he was Jimmy.

With a sense of relief, James was sure he'd be able to clear up the misunderstanding now that he knew who the man was really looking for.

"Mister, you got the wrong man. I ain't Wild Bill. The names James David Hickok." James wasn't trying to send the man looking after Jimmy, but he wasn't about to get into a gunfight due to mistaken identity.

"I don't care what yer name is Wild Bill. All I know is I'm callin' ya out. Not quit your jawin' and get ready to draw!"

James could tell it was no use trying to talk to the man. He knew there was nothing he could say or do that would prove to the gunfighter that he had the wrong man.

Looking around, James wondered where Teaspoon was. For being the law in town, he never seemed to be around when one of the riders needed him.

"I ain't gonna fight you," James tried but to no avail.

Undoing his holster, the man began to slide his gun out. "You'd better get ready or I'll just have to shoot you where you stand…"

James couldn't believe this was happening to him. Just moments ago he'd been looking forward to getting back to his expectant wife and now he was facing a madman who was intent on killing him if allowed.

Seeing that the man was not joking and intended to follow through with his words, James moved his hand to his gun reluctantly.

"On the count of three Hickok," the crazy man yelled loudly, spittle flying from his tobacco stained lips.

The demented grin that was sent his way sent shivers down James spine. Thoughts of Lou and their unborn child raced through his mind as the man began to count.

"One…two…thr…" Sounds of gunfire filled the air as two shots rang out. When the smoke cleared, the stranger was looking down at his waist, watching stunned as a red stain began to spread across his stomach from a gut shot.

James thought he'd escaped injury until his arm dropped and he felt a sudden numbness. The hand without the gun moved to his chest and came away red.

"No…" he whispered as darkness began to steal his vision from him. "Lou…" he mouthed as he fell to the ground.

People started coming out of stores and from behind barrels as the stranger fell to his knees. The man looked around and then at the fallen body of James Hickok. A grin that showed the man was unhinged crossed his dirty face as he fell forward into the dirt, not moving.

Pushing his way through the crowd, Teaspoon Hunter, Marshal of Sweetwater let out a strangled cry when he recognized one of the men lying in the dirt. Running to his side, he reached out, calling, "James! James don't you dare die on us! Don't you leave Lou and that baby alone!"

Looking at the crowd staring at the fallen man, Teaspoon ordered, "Get the doc! Hurry!"

His hand felt for a pulse, hoping against hope that James was still alive but his fears were confirmed when no matter how long he left his fingers at the base of James's neck, there was no pulse.

"Oh, Lord…how am I gonna tell Lou?" he whispered as a tear slipped down his cheek.

Whispers and fingers were being pointed at both James and the stranger who also lay dead in the middle of the street. Seeing his deputy Barnett come running up to the crowd, Teaspoon asked him in an unsteady voice, "Get that piece of trash out of here…"

With a nod, Barnett and another man lifted the stranger and began to drag him off towards the undertakers.

Doc Barnes made his way through those still standing around Teaspoon and James. Dropping on his knee next to Teaspoon, he knew before he even checked for a pulse that the young man was gone.

With a heavy heart, he closed James's blue eyes one last time. Putting a hand on the lawman's hand he murmured his condolences. "Would you like me to go with you to see Lou?" he asked, knowing that this was going to hit her hard. Not only had James been the love of her life but the two had been expecting their first child any day.

The news could trigger her delivery and it would be best for him to be near in case the baby started to come.

Nodding, Teaspoon stood up. "Will you wait with him while I get a wagon?" he asked.

"You know I will," Doc Barnes told his friend.

He watched Teaspoon walking away, feeling that his friend had just aged before his eyes. Teaspoon Hunter had become a father to all his Express riders and the loss of one of his son's was almost more then the man could bear. It'd be a good idea to keep an eye on his friend as well.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"I think we should stop by the house and get Rachel first," Teaspoon told Doc Barnes.

"That would be a good idea," Doc told him as they set out for the house.

Hearing a wagon pull up, Rachel came out the front door, surprised to see Teaspoon riding in a wagon with Doc Barnes, especially during the middle of the day.

The smile faltered on her face at the somber looks on the two men's countenances. "Teaspoon?" she asked, her voice dropping off as Teaspoon got down from the wagon and approached with tears in his eyes.

"It's James…." He got out before Rachel collapsed in his arms sobbing.

"No! Oh God!," She cried. "Lou…." Her eyes turned towards Teaspoon asking silently if James's wife knew yet.

"We came to ask if you'd come with us…she will need a woman…" he told her.

Nodding, Rachel let him help her up onto the wagon so she could sit between the two men. Keeping her eyes averted from the back of the wagon as she took her seat, Rachel began to cry silently, her thoughts going out to the young woman they were on their way to see.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Waddling to answer the door at the knock, Lou wished that she'd have the baby soon so that moving around would be easier for her.

A smile of surprise and a cheery "hello" at seeing Teaspoon and Rachel crossed her lips until they didn't return her greeting.

When she noticed Doc Barnes behind them her eyebrows furrowed. "What brings you all out here? I'm not in labor yet and James isn't home. He went into town for those supplies for the station…" Lou's voice trailed off as Rachel moved to her side and put an arm around her whispering, "Let's go have a seat Lou."

Lou's hand went to Rachel's arm, stopping her. "What? What's happened?"

At their momentary silence, Lou's voice became shrill as she demanded, "Is it James? What's happened to James?!"

Before anyone answered her, Rachel forcibly but gently led her to the settee in the parlor and helped her sit down. Teaspoon stood looking down at the scared face of the young woman who'd become a daughter to him in the last few years. He could see the knowledge that what he was about to tell he wasn't good in her eyes.

"Lou," he began and had to clear his throat before continuing. "There was a fight in town…"

"But James is alright isn't he?" she asked in a small voice. Surly James was all right, she thought. He'd been in fights before in town and had never suffered more then a black eye or split lip.

Lou's eyes went to each of their faces, returning to Teaspoon's. Seeing the tears forming in his eyes, Lou clutched at Rachel's arm, her fingernails biting into the woman's flesh with a strength Rachel never knew the young woman possessed.

"Oh, God…." She whimpered, dread filling her.

"I'm sorry Lou…" Teaspoon said, his eyes not able to meet hers. "There was a gun fight. Both James and the other man didn't make it…." His voice trailed off as emotions overtook him making it impossible to speak.

"No!" Lou cried, looking to Rachel. "No. He can't be dead. Our baby…any day now. He's so excited…."

"I'm sorry sweetheart," Rachel whispered pulling Lou into her arms.

The two men stood to the side as Rachel tried to comfort Lou. When her tears began to subside, she looked at them all with red-rimmed eyes. "I need to see him, please…"

Teaspoon offered her a hand and helped her from the settee. "I thought you would. I brought him to you so you could say a private good bye."

Gripping his hand, Lou whispered, "Thank you," and allowed herself to be led out to the back of the wagon where the love of her life lay still, looking as if he were in a peaceful slumber.

Moving away from the wagon, Teaspoon allowed Lou the time she needed, watching as her fingers traced James's lips and caressed his cheek. He wasn't able to hear the words she whispered and was glad. His heart was breaking already over what had occurred; he didn't think he could handle hearing her words of love to his son, taken before his time.

Crying softly, Lou turned towards the man who was her father, her hand cradling her tummy. "Please, take care of him for me…."

With those words she fainted, being caught by Teaspoon before she fell to the ground.

"Let's get her inside," Doc Barnes told him helping carry the young woman into the house.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When Doc Barnes came into the kitchen after giving Lou a quick checkup, he shook his head at the two waiting for news on her condition.

"I think it'd be best if I stay. She came to for a few minutes but I don't like the look of things Teaspoon, Rachel," he said taking the cup of coffee that Rachel handed him as he sat at the kitchen table.

"From what I can tell, she's just started labor. I wouldn't be surprised if it's due to James's death," he told them.

Before Teaspoon or Rachel could say a word, Jimmy Hickok came rushing through the door of the house calling, "Lou? Lou!"

"In here son," Teaspoon called hoping that Lou hadn't heard Jimmy. As the young man hurried into the kitchen he asked frantically, "How is she? I…I couldn't believe it…when Barnett told me what happened."

Upon hearing the news, Jimmy raced hell bent for leather towards his brother's place. The whole way he kept telling himself it was all a bad dream, that James was going to come out of the house with his usual greeting, telling him to come on in and let Lou get him something to drink.

Seeing the wagon sitting in front of the house, Jimmy knew it wasn't a dream at all. He could see his brother's boots in the back of it, not moving. Sliding down from his horse, he approached the wagon, emotions welling up inside as he seen his brother lying there.

Memories of first meeting James, becoming friends and later when James told him about their being brothers played through his mind. The two had been as close as two brothers from the very first and when Jimmy found out that he was really related to the young man he'd knew as Kid and that they not only shared the same father but the same name, he'd been thrilled.

The two men had become even closer after Jimmy had found out they were related. Jimmy had already cared for Lou and took delight in being able to call her 'sister' once he found out the two men were related and he felt the blow extremely hard.

Rachel stood and put an arm around Jimmy's shoulder. "She's resting right now. It looks like the news has sent her into labor."

"Oh, God. The baby…" Jimmy murmured, sinking into the chair that Teaspoon had pulled out for him.

"Barnett said he'd been called out…" Jimmy said feebly, looking to Teaspoon for confirmation.

It was Doc Barnes who answered him. While Teaspoon had been fetching the wagon, several of the on-lookers told him what had happened.

"Seems the man who shot him called James 'Wild Bill'…"

Jimmy's face paled at the words. It was his fault that his brother had been killed. It was his fault that Lou lost her husband that their baby would grow up without a father.

He broke into sobs, covering his eyes with his hands, unable to look at those sitting around the table.

"It's all my fault," he told them. "It should be me out there on that wagon!"

"Now Jimmy," Teaspoon began, laying a hand on the young man's shoulder. "It ain't your fault."

Shrugging the hand off, Jimmy glared at the man. "Yes it is! If it weren't for being Wild Bill Hickok, my brother would still be alive!"

Standing up so fast that the chair he'd been sitting on fell over backwards, he yelled, "Yes it is. If it weren't for me Lou wouldn't be a widow right now. That baby wouldn't be without a father…"

Rachel began to cry softly. Her heart went out to Jimmy. He'd hated being known as Wild Bill and now, having James mistaken for him and being killed over it was tearing him apart. She didn't know what to do or say to him.

Teaspoon was at a loss for words as well. He looked at Rachel and then Doc Barnes for help. At that moment Lou called out for the doctor, who went hurrying to the bedroom, closing the door behind him.

With a strangled cry, Jimmy left the house.

Wiping his face with a hand, Teaspoon looked at Rachel. "I'd best get James back to town and see to making plans…"

Nodding, Rachel watched him leave then forced herself to get a pot of water set to boiling on the stove. As she reached the bedroom door, a cry from within sent her scurrying to Lou's side as a contraction ripped through her.

"Looks like this baby isn't going to wait much longer," Doc Barnes told her, rolling up his sleeves and setting about getting things ready for the new arrival.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A high-pitched cry filled the air as Teaspoon entered Lou and James's house several hours later.

Eyes flying up to meet Rachel's, who had just come out of the bedroom at the sound of a horse coming up to the house, he gave her a smile.

"Hello Grandpa Teaspoon. Come in and meet your grandson," she said, motioning him to follow her into the room.

A tender look came over his face as he took in the sight of Lou sitting up in bed, a squirming bundle in her arms.

Looking up from the baby she said, "It's a boy…the son James had wanted so much."

Leaning over and kissing the top of Lou's head, Teaspoon looked down at the baby. "He's beautiful Lou."

"His name is Jacob. Jacob David Hickok, " Lou said, anxious to see what the others thought of her son's name.

"A fine sounding name," both Teaspoon and Rachel told her.

Not looking at the man standing next to the bed Lou asked, "Did you take care of James for me?"

Hating to see the sadness that came over the new mother's face as she watched her son sleeping once more, Teaspoon wanted to reassure her that things were taken care of so she could concentrate on her newborn infant.

"Yes I did Lou. The funeral will be tomorrow at noon."

Nodding, Lou just answered, "Good. I'll be ready."

Rachel wasn't sure if the new mother would be up to attending a funeral and said softly, "Why don't you wait and see if Doc Barnes thinks you should go or not…"

Eyes hard, Lou looked up at her. "I will be at my husband's funeral. Nothing in this world could stop me."

Seeing that Lou was through talking and looked like she needed rest, Rachel and Teaspoon left the new mother and son alone, telling her that if she needed anything, they'd be in the other room.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Man's name was Larson. No one knows why he came lookin' for Jimmy. I found Jimmy in the saloon and took him to the undertakers to see if he'd crossed paths with the man. He said he'd never seen him before," Teaspoon told Rachel as the two sat at Lou's kitchen table discussing the day's unfortunate turn of events.

"Where's Jimmy now?" Rachel asked, concern for the young man growing with his absence. He and his brother James had grown so close during the last few months she knew it would be tearing him apart inside.

Shaking his head with a heavy sigh, Teaspoon told her, "Last I seen, he was walking back through the saloon's doors, hell bent on drinking himself into oblivion."

Leaning back in his chair, the man who'd 'adopted' the whole lot of riders he'd taken under his wing when he took on the job of stationmaster rubbed a hand over his weary eyes and closed them for a moment.

"I don't know if I should go back into town and drag his sorry hide out of the saloon and sober him up or let him have this time to grieve the way he wants…" When Rachel didn't speak he gave her a wry grin before standing up as he said, "At least I know he's not gonna go gunnin' for James's killer. One less problem I have to worry about right now."

Rachel had to agree with him on that point. If Larson hadn't died by James's gun, there would have been no stopping Jimmy from going after the man.

Following Teaspoon to the door, Rachel bid him goodnight. He promised to bring her the dress she wanted for the funeral the next day and that he'd take her and Louise into town.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It looked as if the whole town and then some were crowded into Sweetwater's small cemetery on the outskirts of town. All but one person who Lou had been counting on to be there for her during this time.

Since James's death she hadn't seen her brother-in-law and she wondered where he was. 'Why isn't he here?' she asked herself, as she looked around her once more, trying to find him amongst the crowd.

As the last person left the little cemetery, leaving Lou alone to say a last goodbye, her heart was heavy and she was unable to keep the tears in check now that no one was there to watch her.

Waiting by the buckboard were Rachel, holding the newborn infant son that James never got to see, with Teaspoon. Both watched as the widow knelt down and said words they could not hear.

As Lou turned to leave, something out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. Stopping, she watched as her friend and brother-in-law walked slowly towards her. He looked about as awful as she was feeling.

"I'm so glad you made it," She said softly to Jimmy. "When I didn't see you, I wondered where you were…"

Holding his hat in his hands, Jimmy looked at Lou with pained eyes. He would never get over the fact that because of him James was gone, leaving her alone and with a baby.

"You knew I'd come," he said quietly. "James was my friend and my brother. He was a good man and I'm sorry about what happened."

He didn't know if Lou was aware that Larson had thought he was calling him out, that he had been aiming to kill "Wild Bill."

The guilt over that fact had been eating at him since he left Lou's the day before. He felt he should say something about it but didn't know what.

Instead, he pulled her into his arms and held her close as the two cried together.

Wiping at a tear, Jimmy offered her his arm. "I think it's time you introduced me to that new baby of yours."

Jimmy had no clue if Lou had had a boy or a girl but he'd heard all over town how that morning that after the news of James's death she'd went into labor.

Rachel handed the sleeping baby to his mother and stepped to the side as Lou showed Jimmy her son. "I'd like you to meet Jacob David Hickok…David after his father." Looking up with sad brown eyes she told him, "I thought there were enough James Hickok's already."

As the baby stirred she told those standing around her, "I thought I'd call him Jake for short."

"Jake," Jimmy said, running a finger down the baby's cheek. "I like it. You and James did good Lou," he told her giving her a little smile.

"I think we'd better get back to the house before Jake wakes up, don't you?" Rachel asked Lou.

Nodding her agreement, knowing already that her son could be very demanding when hungry, she accepted Jimmy's help onto the buckboard and waited for Teaspoon and Rachel to join her.

"I'll see you later," Jimmy told his family before heading to where he'd left his horse tethered.

Watching him go, Lou told Teaspoon and Rachel, "He's got a lot of guilt in him right now."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was several days before Jimmy was able to make himself go out and see Lou and the baby.

Ever since his brother's death, he was having a hard time dealing with the conflicting emotions he was feeling.

The guilt that James had been mistaken for him and killed because of it, but at the same time, he seen it as a way to change his life. With James "Wild Bill" Hickok supposedly killed and laid to rest just outside of town, he could live his own life without having to look over his shoulder all the time.

Now he was standing outside of Lou's home, knowing that he would have to tell her of his decision to use her husband's death to his own advantage.

With a heavy heart, he raised his hand and knocked on the door. After a few moments, he heard footsteps and knew it was going to be an unpleasant visit.

"Jimmy!" Lou said in surprise. Ushering him into the house she told him to come into the kitchen with her.

"I just laid Jake down in the cradle but he hadn't fallen asleep yet," she told him.

"I'll be glad to see the little fella," Jimmy told her setting his hat on the edge of the table and taking a seat near the cradle.

Leaning over the baby, he smiled. "How ya doin' Jake," he said softly, stroking the baby's cheek with a finger.

"He sure is perfect, ain't he Lou?" Jimmy asked leaning back in the chair. "How are you doin?" he asked, his voice filled with concern after taking in her slightly pale countenance.

Setting a cup of coffee down in front of her friend, Lou gave him a little smile. "As best I can Jimmy. It ain't gonna be easy, raisin' a boy on my own…" Closing his eyes for a moment, Jimmy reached out and put his hand over Lou's, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"I'm more sorry then you'll ever know about that Lou. If there was any way I could change things I would…you have to know that."

Swiping a tear from her cheek she tried assuring him, "I know that Jimmy. It was an accident. There's nothing you could have done to stop it from happening."

With a deep sigh, he put both hands in his lap and absently began twirling his thumbs. "I may not have been able to stop it this time, but I can stop it from ever happening again. I can stop anyone else from being hurt by knowing me…"

Lou's eyes scrunched in confusion. "What are you talking about Jimmy? Stop what from happening to others? I don't understand…"

Getting up he began to pace the floor. His hands waving in agitation as he rambled an explanation. "It's that damn moniker…'Wild Bill'. That's what got my brother killed. It's that name that's brought all those gunmen after me all these years." Jimmy leaned his hands against the table, head hung down, not able to look at Lou.

"You know I was always afraid that one of you's would get killed because of who I am…who I was…"

Lou watched silently, not sure what he was trying to tell her.

"Now that 'Wild Bill's' been killed…." He paused, searching for the right words.

"What do you mean, 'Wild Bill's' been killed? You weren't killed. James was," Lou could hardly say the words; anger was beginning to build inside her.

Looking into his sister-in-laws big brown eyes, Jimmy said in a dead calm voice, "But others believe Wild Bill was killed. And no one's going to tell them any different. James Hickok as you've known is gone. He's dead. No more."

Ire rose in Lou, flushing her cheeks a bright pink. "Are you trying to tell me you are going to use James's death to your benefit? That you were going to use my pain for your gain?!"

Standing up, Jimmy clenched his fists, trying to keep his own anger in check. "Your pain?! You aren't the only one in pain over James's death, Lou. How do you think I feel, knowing he's gone because of me?! From now on, no one will ever have to worry about being hurt because of Wild Bill. He's gone. He's dead. Leave it at that, damn it!"

Jake began to wail at the loud voices. Lou went to sooth her son. "I think it's time you leave, Jimmy," Lou ordered, picking up Jake and patting his back. Picking up his hat, Jimmy gave Lou and the baby a sorrowful look. "I knew you wouldn't understand."

At the look she threw him, he turned away. "Goodbye Lou." With those final words, he walked out of the house, knowing in his heart it was the last time he'd be darkening her door.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Are you sure you should be leavin' like this son?" Teaspoon asked, hooking his thumbs in his suspenders as he stood on the boardwalk in front of the Marshal's office. "Why don't you take some time and think on it a bit more."

Shaking his head, Jimmy looked down from his horse. "No, Teaspoon. Things won't be different if I wait. Lou'll still be mad and I'll only be a reminder of what's happened."

Rachel stood off to the side listening to the two men. She didn't agree with Jimmy's decision to leave but she understood why he was doing it. With James's death, he would finally be able to put to rest "Wild Bill", something he'd been trying to do for years with no success.

"You be sure to write, James Butler, you hear me?" she told him, calling him by the name he was planning on going by know. Going up to him she gave his leg a final squeeze before he left.

"I will Rachel. I promise," he told her letting his hand rest on hers a moment before looking over at the man who had come to be like a father to him.

"Take care of her, Teaspoon."

Giving his horse a nudge in the side, Jimmy headed west out of town. Without looking back, he vowed that James Butler would do some good with the second chance he'd been given, that James would not have died in vain.

"Git up," he told his mount as they reached the edge of town. Giving his horse its head, he kept looking forward, looking towards the future.

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