The Truth Is Immortal (3/6) - Mag7/Highlander
Title: The Truth Is Immortal (3/6)
Author: strangevisitor7
Fandom: Magnificent 7 and Highlander
Beta: Much thanks to ithildyn
Prompt: #32 - Sunset for Crossovers100. My table is here
Rating: PG, Gen
Characters: HL: OFC Charlotte Sparrow (AKA Pearl Black); Mag7: Ezra Standish, Chris Larabee, Vin Tanner, Buck Wilmington, Josiah Sanchez, Nathan Jackson and JD Dunne
Summary: During a gunfight Chris is hurt trying to protect Ezra not realizing that he is Immortal. Ezra is torn between telling the others about his Immortality and leaving town to prevent anyone else from getting hurt.
A/N: This is the sequel to Child of My Heart.
A/N: Just a reminder: The Mag7 boys know Ezra's cousin Charlotte by her current alias: Pearl Black
Chapter List:
Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 5; Chapter 6
The Truth Is Immortal: Chapter 3
The pie had been well received by the others as small talk had been exchanged. Ezra stood silently in the corner, enjoying the sight of Charlotte and his friends teasing Vin over his love of her pie, Chris demanding Nathan to allow him a second slice, the frustrated healer trying to corral the situation, insisting that Chris needed his rest, and the others ignoring him as usual.
The camaraderie was comforting, and sadly, Ezra knew it would be the last time he’d enjoy them all in one place. Nothing was said of Ezra’s behavior that morning; he plastered on a happy face and allowed them to believe that all was back to normal. He had promised Charlotte he would give her a few days to devise a workable compromise to their dilemma, but Ezra had lied -- successfully lied - to her. On top of everything else, he still was reeling from the fact that she’d believed him.
Charlotte stood. “Well, gentlemen, it’s time I was getting back to the ranch.”
“You ain’t gonna make it back before nightfall,” Vin observed. “Ain’t safe for you to leave.”
“I will be fine,” she assured them.
Chris spoke directly to Ezra. “You get Pearl a room in town. She shouldn’t be traveling alone at night.”
“Chris, really -,” Charlotte stopped as she locked eyes with the Larabee glare.
Ezra smiled, watching the silent standoff. Somewhere along the line Chris had adopted Charlotte into their inner circle and that meant he expected her to listen to him. Ezra was shocked when Charlotte nodded her acquiescence; the gunslinger had outmaneuvered his cousin. It was a day for surprises, he thought.
“All right, I’ll get a room,” Charlotte said. “It would be best to travel in the daytime and the children weren’t expecting me back until tomorrow, anyway.”
Chris nodded his approval and indicated that Ezra should see her safely to the hotel.
Charlotte said her goodbyes and took Ezra’s arm as they headed out the door.
“I know that the infamous Larabee glare can be intimidating, but I was under the impression that you would be immune,” Ezra commented as he walked her down the steps.
Charlotte shrugged. “He was right. One tends to forget the dangers of the open plains when one is Immortal.” She looked pointedly at Ezra as she spoke.
“Is this your attempt to show me how easy it is to behave more mortal?”
“No, this is my attempt to show you how easy it is to let others care for you,” she explained. “Chris’s concern for my safety isn’t without merit, and by giving in, I acknowledge that his concern is appreciated.”
“Are you suggesting that I could behave similarly during any altercations that arise?”
Charlotte smiled at him as she squeezed his arm tighter. “Let them care for you, Ezra, and the rest will work itself out as it should.”
Ezra disagreed, but he wasn’t about to say so. He had to leave, and he wanted this last evening with his cousin to be pleasant.
“I will do my best to keep your advice in mind next time.” He patted her hand and smiled at her. “We still haven’t resolved the underlying issue, but I am willing to see it your way for now.”
She stopped to look at him critically. For a moment, he was worried she could sense his false contrition. “I am happy to hear you say that. It would break my heart if you were to leave,” Charlotte said as she leaned up to kiss his cheek.
He returned the kiss, trying not to react to her words which had him wondering if he’d really fooled her.
“Even though you have already eaten your dessert, I expect that you will join me for dinner,” she continued.
As much as Ezra wanted to return to his packing, he knew that his behavior was being critically scrutinized and to refuse her invitation wouldn’t be prudent. “I can think of no finer way to spend my evening.”
Ezra’s attention was distracted by loud voices headed in their direction; Buck and JD. He smiled to himself as he recognized a way not to be the focus of his cousin’s full attention and to spend a last evening in the company of friends.
“Gentlemen,” he called to them, “would you care to join us for your evening meal?”
Buck’s face broke into a wide grin at the invitation. “I could eat,” he said, clapping the southerner on the back in a gesture of friendship. Ezra felt bad, knowing that the big man had misinterpreted his overture; thinking that he was reaching out, trying to mend fences. When in reality it was just a diversion so that no one would suspect his true motivations.
“When can you not?” Ezra teased as he looked toward JD, who nodded his acceptance of the invitation.
“I am so glad. I do enjoy the company of such fine gentlemen,” Charlotte said.
Ezra glanced surreptitiously at his companions. The contented looks they were exchanging spoke to their belief that Charlotte had successfully brought Ezra back into the fold.
It saddened him only a little to realize that he had successfully duped them. It seemed that he hadn’t lost his ability to find that cold place in his heart after all.
*******************************************
Dinner had gone as expected with Ezra playing his role as cordial friend. He did not allow himself to become too comfortable in the conversation. His mind screamed for him to leave before his determination to go escaped him.
At last the meal was finished. Buck and JD said their goodbyes as Ezra lied that he would see them in the morning.
He stood with his cousin in front of the hotel. There was so much he wanted to say to her before he left, but any extreme displays of emotion would have alerted her to his plan.
“I’ll see you in the morning, cousin,” he said as congenially as he could.
She patted his hand one last time. “Sleep well,” she said, before mounting the steps into the hotel.
Ezra watched her disappear. She hadn’t won the day, but at least she thought she’d convinced him not to leave tonight. She may not be comfortable traveling in the dark, but Ezra had no such hesitation. As much as he hated to disappoint her, and it broke his heart that he couldn’t let himself be swayed by her concern, he could not stay. Once he was out of town, he would send her a letter apologizing for his deceit and hope that she could someday forgive him.
The biggest dilemma Ezra faced was whether or not to tell Chris he was leaving. Six months ago, he’d promised Mr. Larabee that he’d never run out on him again. That promise was one he felt compelled to keep.
******************************************
Ezra had packed his bags and saddled his horse. Before leaving town he had one more stop to make. He looked around to make sure his trip to the livery had gone unnoticed. He chuckled at the thought that if Vin were Immortal, he’d always know when the tracker was around, which would be highly convenient considering the man often came and went like a ghost. But he didn’t see Vin or anyone else.
Ezra climbed the steps to the clinic for what he presumed would be the last time. He knocked lightly on the door. Nathan opened it
“Ezra? Watcha doin’ here so late? I’m trying to get Chris to go to sleep. Come back tomorrow.” Nathan tried to close the door on him but Ezra put up a hand to keep it open.
“I need to speak with, Mr. - Chris. If he’s still up.” Ezra switched to the less formal moniker knowing that his return to formality this morning had raised concerns which had led to the retrieval of his cousin.
“Let him in Nathan,” came the weary voice from within.
Nathan shook his head but relented allowing the southerner into the room. “Make it quick.”
“Might we have some privacy, Nathan? I promise it will be a brief conversation.”
Nathan grumbled but exited the clinic without another word.
Ezra faced the man in the bed, positioning himself so that he could grip the footboard as he contemplated what he would say. Chris looked tired and grumpy, but otherwise healthy.
“What’s eatin’ at you, Ezra?”
Ezra cleared his throat. “I am grateful that no one remains aggrieved with me concerning today’s unfortunate turn of events. Even so, I find myself in need of a change of venue. I recognize that this decision, coming as it does, on the heels of today’s events would seem to imply that they are somehow related, but I assure you that my departure from this locale has been on my mind for some time. The original contract called only for thirty days of service and of course the proximity of my cousin - “
“Hold on Ezra.” Chris held up a hand. “You trying to tell me you’re leaving?”
“Yes. I promised that I would not run out on you again, and I felt that a notice of this kind should suffice to fulfill my obligation to that promise.”
Chris stared at him. “You’re leaving?”
“I believe that’s what I’ve been attempting to explain.”
The stare transformed into a glare. “Pearl know you’re running out on her?”
The question was not the one Ezra expected. “My cousin and I came to an understanding tonight.”
“So that would be a ‘no’,” Chris said. “You tell the others?”
“I had hoped that you might pass along my regrets.”
“So ‘no’ again. When you planning on taking off?” The tone was cold and Ezra wondered, if even in his weakened condition, Chris might attempt to stop him.
“My horse is saddled and I am ready to leave once I had informed you of my decision.”
“Runnin’ out, then. A coward in the night.”
“Mr. Larabee, the entire purpose of this conversation was so that I could assure you that I was not running out.” Ezra found he was stung by the harsh accusation. He had been hoping to avoid exactly these types of negative thoughts about his departure.
A feral smile crossed Chris’s lips. “Good, then you’re staying. And can the Mr. Larabee crap; it’s Chris. Go to bed, Ezra, we will finish this in the morning.”
“I will be halfway to Eagle Bend in the morning.” Ezra saw no reason to lie about his destination.
Chris tried to shift himself into a sitting position, and Ezra could see that the action caused him some discomfort. Without thinking, he moved to help the gunslinger. Chris grabbed the lapel of Ezra’s jacket and pulled him close.
“I don’t know what goes on in that fancified brain of yours, but you ain’t going anywhere. And if you do, I will send Vin after you to bring you back. You ain’t gonna abandon your cousin and you ain’t gonna run out without so much as a goodbye to your friends.”
Ezra was momentarily paralyzed by the command in his tone. He attempted to pull away, but despite being injured, Chris’s grip remained firm. “Mr. Larabee -” Ezra began
“Chris!” The gunslinger barked. “Remember, One should always address ones friends with familiarity,” Chris parroted Ezra’s own words back at him as he released his grip. “Now explain what’s behind this sudden desire to escape in the middle of the night.”
Ezra felt his frustration grow; he needed to leave. Why was the man making this so difficult? The gambler was at a loss as to how to explain that his departure was for the best. There was a part of him that hadn’t expected the gunslinger to do more than say goodbye. He certainly hadn’t expected Chris to fight for him to stay.
He was saved from having to speak by the return of Nathan, with Vin two steps behind. Just wonderful, Ezra thought, how was he going to get out of here now?
“Saw you saddling your horse, Ezra,” Vin said. “You ain’t thinking of taking Pearl back to the ranch? Thought she was settled in ta the hotel for the night”
Of course Vin had been around. Ezra had suspected it; almost sensed it.
“Ezra has decided to run out on us,” Chris explained.
Ezra turned to glare at the injured man. “That is unfair - Chris -” he hesitated over the use of the familiar. “I came here specifically to say goodbye and inform you of my departure.”
“But you didn’t feel the need to tell the rest of us?” Nathan asked. Ezra noted that the healer used the tone he normally reserved for chastising him when he’d done something of which Nathan disapproved. It made no sense that he would adopt such indignation at Ezra’s impending departure.
His frustration was at the boiling point. The calm façade he normally kept in place was in danger of crumbling. “I have done as I promised and informed you of my plans. Now if you’ll excuse me, I really must insist that I be going.” His attempt to exit was blocked as Vin placed a hand on his chest.
“Don’t know what’s got ya all hot ‘n bothered but you ain’t thinkin’ straight.”
Ezra brushed him aside without a word. He passed through the still open door of the clinic and slammed it shut behind him.
*************************************
”That boy ain’t right in the head,” Nathan observed.
“We have to stop him,” Chris said as he tried to get out of bed.
Nathan was at his side immediately, pushing him back down. “You ain’t goin’ nowhere.
“Nathan! I’m fine. Let me up.”
“No, you ain’t,” Nathan said with a finality that forced Chris to behave. “I’ll grab the others and we’ll stop him.”
“You have time for that?” Chris asked. “Thought he was saddled up and ready to go.”
Vin started chuckling.
“What?” Chris demanded.
“Well, I suspected som’ing weren’t right. Ain’t like Ezra to be visitn’ the livery so late and when I saw he’d packed his bags - well -- ”
“Well what?”
Vin cracked a big smile. “I hid his saddle.”
**************************************
Author: strangevisitor7
Fandom: Magnificent 7 and Highlander
Beta: Much thanks to ithildyn
Prompt: #32 - Sunset for Crossovers100. My table is here
Rating: PG, Gen
Characters: HL: OFC Charlotte Sparrow (AKA Pearl Black); Mag7: Ezra Standish, Chris Larabee, Vin Tanner, Buck Wilmington, Josiah Sanchez, Nathan Jackson and JD Dunne
Summary: During a gunfight Chris is hurt trying to protect Ezra not realizing that he is Immortal. Ezra is torn between telling the others about his Immortality and leaving town to prevent anyone else from getting hurt.
A/N: This is the sequel to Child of My Heart.
A/N: Just a reminder: The Mag7 boys know Ezra's cousin Charlotte by her current alias: Pearl Black
Chapter List:
Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 5; Chapter 6
The Truth Is Immortal: Chapter 3
The pie had been well received by the others as small talk had been exchanged. Ezra stood silently in the corner, enjoying the sight of Charlotte and his friends teasing Vin over his love of her pie, Chris demanding Nathan to allow him a second slice, the frustrated healer trying to corral the situation, insisting that Chris needed his rest, and the others ignoring him as usual.
The camaraderie was comforting, and sadly, Ezra knew it would be the last time he’d enjoy them all in one place. Nothing was said of Ezra’s behavior that morning; he plastered on a happy face and allowed them to believe that all was back to normal. He had promised Charlotte he would give her a few days to devise a workable compromise to their dilemma, but Ezra had lied -- successfully lied - to her. On top of everything else, he still was reeling from the fact that she’d believed him.
Charlotte stood. “Well, gentlemen, it’s time I was getting back to the ranch.”
“You ain’t gonna make it back before nightfall,” Vin observed. “Ain’t safe for you to leave.”
“I will be fine,” she assured them.
Chris spoke directly to Ezra. “You get Pearl a room in town. She shouldn’t be traveling alone at night.”
“Chris, really -,” Charlotte stopped as she locked eyes with the Larabee glare.
Ezra smiled, watching the silent standoff. Somewhere along the line Chris had adopted Charlotte into their inner circle and that meant he expected her to listen to him. Ezra was shocked when Charlotte nodded her acquiescence; the gunslinger had outmaneuvered his cousin. It was a day for surprises, he thought.
“All right, I’ll get a room,” Charlotte said. “It would be best to travel in the daytime and the children weren’t expecting me back until tomorrow, anyway.”
Chris nodded his approval and indicated that Ezra should see her safely to the hotel.
Charlotte said her goodbyes and took Ezra’s arm as they headed out the door.
“I know that the infamous Larabee glare can be intimidating, but I was under the impression that you would be immune,” Ezra commented as he walked her down the steps.
Charlotte shrugged. “He was right. One tends to forget the dangers of the open plains when one is Immortal.” She looked pointedly at Ezra as she spoke.
“Is this your attempt to show me how easy it is to behave more mortal?”
“No, this is my attempt to show you how easy it is to let others care for you,” she explained. “Chris’s concern for my safety isn’t without merit, and by giving in, I acknowledge that his concern is appreciated.”
“Are you suggesting that I could behave similarly during any altercations that arise?”
Charlotte smiled at him as she squeezed his arm tighter. “Let them care for you, Ezra, and the rest will work itself out as it should.”
Ezra disagreed, but he wasn’t about to say so. He had to leave, and he wanted this last evening with his cousin to be pleasant.
“I will do my best to keep your advice in mind next time.” He patted her hand and smiled at her. “We still haven’t resolved the underlying issue, but I am willing to see it your way for now.”
She stopped to look at him critically. For a moment, he was worried she could sense his false contrition. “I am happy to hear you say that. It would break my heart if you were to leave,” Charlotte said as she leaned up to kiss his cheek.
He returned the kiss, trying not to react to her words which had him wondering if he’d really fooled her.
“Even though you have already eaten your dessert, I expect that you will join me for dinner,” she continued.
As much as Ezra wanted to return to his packing, he knew that his behavior was being critically scrutinized and to refuse her invitation wouldn’t be prudent. “I can think of no finer way to spend my evening.”
Ezra’s attention was distracted by loud voices headed in their direction; Buck and JD. He smiled to himself as he recognized a way not to be the focus of his cousin’s full attention and to spend a last evening in the company of friends.
“Gentlemen,” he called to them, “would you care to join us for your evening meal?”
Buck’s face broke into a wide grin at the invitation. “I could eat,” he said, clapping the southerner on the back in a gesture of friendship. Ezra felt bad, knowing that the big man had misinterpreted his overture; thinking that he was reaching out, trying to mend fences. When in reality it was just a diversion so that no one would suspect his true motivations.
“When can you not?” Ezra teased as he looked toward JD, who nodded his acceptance of the invitation.
“I am so glad. I do enjoy the company of such fine gentlemen,” Charlotte said.
Ezra glanced surreptitiously at his companions. The contented looks they were exchanging spoke to their belief that Charlotte had successfully brought Ezra back into the fold.
It saddened him only a little to realize that he had successfully duped them. It seemed that he hadn’t lost his ability to find that cold place in his heart after all.
*******************************************
Dinner had gone as expected with Ezra playing his role as cordial friend. He did not allow himself to become too comfortable in the conversation. His mind screamed for him to leave before his determination to go escaped him.
At last the meal was finished. Buck and JD said their goodbyes as Ezra lied that he would see them in the morning.
He stood with his cousin in front of the hotel. There was so much he wanted to say to her before he left, but any extreme displays of emotion would have alerted her to his plan.
“I’ll see you in the morning, cousin,” he said as congenially as he could.
She patted his hand one last time. “Sleep well,” she said, before mounting the steps into the hotel.
Ezra watched her disappear. She hadn’t won the day, but at least she thought she’d convinced him not to leave tonight. She may not be comfortable traveling in the dark, but Ezra had no such hesitation. As much as he hated to disappoint her, and it broke his heart that he couldn’t let himself be swayed by her concern, he could not stay. Once he was out of town, he would send her a letter apologizing for his deceit and hope that she could someday forgive him.
The biggest dilemma Ezra faced was whether or not to tell Chris he was leaving. Six months ago, he’d promised Mr. Larabee that he’d never run out on him again. That promise was one he felt compelled to keep.
******************************************
Ezra had packed his bags and saddled his horse. Before leaving town he had one more stop to make. He looked around to make sure his trip to the livery had gone unnoticed. He chuckled at the thought that if Vin were Immortal, he’d always know when the tracker was around, which would be highly convenient considering the man often came and went like a ghost. But he didn’t see Vin or anyone else.
Ezra climbed the steps to the clinic for what he presumed would be the last time. He knocked lightly on the door. Nathan opened it
“Ezra? Watcha doin’ here so late? I’m trying to get Chris to go to sleep. Come back tomorrow.” Nathan tried to close the door on him but Ezra put up a hand to keep it open.
“I need to speak with, Mr. - Chris. If he’s still up.” Ezra switched to the less formal moniker knowing that his return to formality this morning had raised concerns which had led to the retrieval of his cousin.
“Let him in Nathan,” came the weary voice from within.
Nathan shook his head but relented allowing the southerner into the room. “Make it quick.”
“Might we have some privacy, Nathan? I promise it will be a brief conversation.”
Nathan grumbled but exited the clinic without another word.
Ezra faced the man in the bed, positioning himself so that he could grip the footboard as he contemplated what he would say. Chris looked tired and grumpy, but otherwise healthy.
“What’s eatin’ at you, Ezra?”
Ezra cleared his throat. “I am grateful that no one remains aggrieved with me concerning today’s unfortunate turn of events. Even so, I find myself in need of a change of venue. I recognize that this decision, coming as it does, on the heels of today’s events would seem to imply that they are somehow related, but I assure you that my departure from this locale has been on my mind for some time. The original contract called only for thirty days of service and of course the proximity of my cousin - “
“Hold on Ezra.” Chris held up a hand. “You trying to tell me you’re leaving?”
“Yes. I promised that I would not run out on you again, and I felt that a notice of this kind should suffice to fulfill my obligation to that promise.”
Chris stared at him. “You’re leaving?”
“I believe that’s what I’ve been attempting to explain.”
The stare transformed into a glare. “Pearl know you’re running out on her?”
The question was not the one Ezra expected. “My cousin and I came to an understanding tonight.”
“So that would be a ‘no’,” Chris said. “You tell the others?”
“I had hoped that you might pass along my regrets.”
“So ‘no’ again. When you planning on taking off?” The tone was cold and Ezra wondered, if even in his weakened condition, Chris might attempt to stop him.
“My horse is saddled and I am ready to leave once I had informed you of my decision.”
“Runnin’ out, then. A coward in the night.”
“Mr. Larabee, the entire purpose of this conversation was so that I could assure you that I was not running out.” Ezra found he was stung by the harsh accusation. He had been hoping to avoid exactly these types of negative thoughts about his departure.
A feral smile crossed Chris’s lips. “Good, then you’re staying. And can the Mr. Larabee crap; it’s Chris. Go to bed, Ezra, we will finish this in the morning.”
“I will be halfway to Eagle Bend in the morning.” Ezra saw no reason to lie about his destination.
Chris tried to shift himself into a sitting position, and Ezra could see that the action caused him some discomfort. Without thinking, he moved to help the gunslinger. Chris grabbed the lapel of Ezra’s jacket and pulled him close.
“I don’t know what goes on in that fancified brain of yours, but you ain’t going anywhere. And if you do, I will send Vin after you to bring you back. You ain’t gonna abandon your cousin and you ain’t gonna run out without so much as a goodbye to your friends.”
Ezra was momentarily paralyzed by the command in his tone. He attempted to pull away, but despite being injured, Chris’s grip remained firm. “Mr. Larabee -” Ezra began
“Chris!” The gunslinger barked. “Remember, One should always address ones friends with familiarity,” Chris parroted Ezra’s own words back at him as he released his grip. “Now explain what’s behind this sudden desire to escape in the middle of the night.”
Ezra felt his frustration grow; he needed to leave. Why was the man making this so difficult? The gambler was at a loss as to how to explain that his departure was for the best. There was a part of him that hadn’t expected the gunslinger to do more than say goodbye. He certainly hadn’t expected Chris to fight for him to stay.
He was saved from having to speak by the return of Nathan, with Vin two steps behind. Just wonderful, Ezra thought, how was he going to get out of here now?
“Saw you saddling your horse, Ezra,” Vin said. “You ain’t thinking of taking Pearl back to the ranch? Thought she was settled in ta the hotel for the night”
Of course Vin had been around. Ezra had suspected it; almost sensed it.
“Ezra has decided to run out on us,” Chris explained.
Ezra turned to glare at the injured man. “That is unfair - Chris -” he hesitated over the use of the familiar. “I came here specifically to say goodbye and inform you of my departure.”
“But you didn’t feel the need to tell the rest of us?” Nathan asked. Ezra noted that the healer used the tone he normally reserved for chastising him when he’d done something of which Nathan disapproved. It made no sense that he would adopt such indignation at Ezra’s impending departure.
His frustration was at the boiling point. The calm façade he normally kept in place was in danger of crumbling. “I have done as I promised and informed you of my plans. Now if you’ll excuse me, I really must insist that I be going.” His attempt to exit was blocked as Vin placed a hand on his chest.
“Don’t know what’s got ya all hot ‘n bothered but you ain’t thinkin’ straight.”
Ezra brushed him aside without a word. He passed through the still open door of the clinic and slammed it shut behind him.
*************************************
”That boy ain’t right in the head,” Nathan observed.
“We have to stop him,” Chris said as he tried to get out of bed.
Nathan was at his side immediately, pushing him back down. “You ain’t goin’ nowhere.
“Nathan! I’m fine. Let me up.”
“No, you ain’t,” Nathan said with a finality that forced Chris to behave. “I’ll grab the others and we’ll stop him.”
“You have time for that?” Chris asked. “Thought he was saddled up and ready to go.”
Vin started chuckling.
“What?” Chris demanded.
“Well, I suspected som’ing weren’t right. Ain’t like Ezra to be visitn’ the livery so late and when I saw he’d packed his bags - well -- ”
“Well what?”
Vin cracked a big smile. “I hid his saddle.”
**************************************