Each Must Know His Part (4/6) - Magnificent 7/Highlander AU
Title: Each Must Know His Part (4/6)
Author: strangevisitor7
Fandom/Universe: Magnificent 7; Highlander AU
Beta: ithildyn
Rating: PG13
Characters/Pairings: Ezra Standish, Chris Larabee, Vin Tanner and Buck Wilmington Josiah Sanchez, Nathan Jackson and JD Dunne. Chris/OFC - Charlotte Sparrow
Summary: An unexpected visitor to Four Corners, forces the men to come to terms with Ezra and Charlotte's Immortality
A/N: This is part of the Aces Immortal series created by me and ithildyn,
Chapter List:
Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 5; Chapter 6
Chapter 4
Ezra had adamantly refused to share the location of the challenge. Vin laughed, like that would pose a problem for him. Chaucer's trail was easily followed and after ten minutes, the tracker realized that Ezra had to be headed toward Chris' spread.
Vin approved of the choice. With Chris staying in town until the wedding and his stock already moved to Charlotte's place, the secluded ranch was deserted. Plus, the house would provide a place for Ezra to rest up when he finished.
It also meant that Vin knew exactly where to set up to cover Ezra's back. He still wasn't exactly sure what he was going to do. There was an honor code associated with duels that he respected and it meant that Ezra was on his own. On the other hand, he knew his friend well enough to know that Ezra would have no problem if Vin were to bend the rules to save his life. Charlotte might be upset if Vin interfered, being the honorable woman that she was, but then she would never have to know.
That was the other reason he'd insisted on coming alone. If he had to take action, he figured it was a secret he and Ezra could keep for themselves.
After another twenty minutes of riding, Vin pulled his horse into the copse of trees to the east of the house. Making sure Peso was secured, he grabbed the rifle and edged toward the front of the tree line.
Ezra and Karl Jaeger appeared to be chatting by their horses in front of the house. Vin was too far away to hear what they were saying, but it didn't appear to be a friendly conversation. From his position within the grove, Vin would be able to see everything that was taking place during the challenge. He quickly assembled the rifle and sighted on Ezra. The gambler removed his green coat, and then systematically divested himself of his arsenal. Vin always got a chuckle at the number of weapons that man carried. Finally, Ezra pulled his sword from the scabbard attached to Chaucer's saddle.
Warily, the two Immortals, strode out to the empty ground between the house and corral. Vin noticed that Ezra walked like a man unsure of his skill. He assumed the charade the conman had begun in the saloon was still in effect.
Without a word, the two faced each other, swords raised. Vin was surprised to see that Ezra carried his sword in his right hand. He recalled Charlotte commenting that her cousin was really better with his left.
With a feral smile gracing his lips, Karl charged forward and the duel was begun. The resonance of the two swords meeting sent a flock of birds flying from the tree in the courtyard beyond the combatants. Vin focused on watching the duel, fascinated by the interplay. The only sounds in the clearing were the clanging of metal on metal, punctuated by the combatant's grunts as they fought for dominance. Vin was no judge of sword fighting, but it did seem like Ezra was consistently on the defensive. Karl pressed forward causing Ezra to retreat, backing him up toward where Vin was hidden.
Ezra parried an overhead slash from the German, his sword flailing widely as he defended himself from the onslaught. Vin was puzzled by what he saw in Ezra's form. He'd seen Ezra and Charlotte spar a few times. Then, his swordplay had been crisp and precise. That polished swordsman was not the man Vin was observing now. Was Ezra truly outmatched, or was he still trying to draw the German in by pretending to be a sloppier fighter than he actually was? It was one thing to deceive the man with words, but Vin thought Ezra was playing a dangerous game to continue the charade into the fight. The gambler's back was to him so he couldn't see his friend's face to judge the truth of the situation.
Ezra raised his sword to block a hard chop by Jaeger and as their swords connected he pushed the bigger man away. The German growled and surged forward, using his size to force Ezra to retreat once more. Ezra stumbled and Karl smiled in triumph as he tried to spear the smaller man through the chest. Ezra turned the stumble into a roll avoiding contact.
When Ezra climbed to his feet he was now facing Vin. Immediately, the tracker noticed that something had changed. The sword now rested in his left hand and the tentative façade slipped away as the gambler's bearing straightened. Vin recognized a coldness in Ezra's eyes that he'd often seen during battle.
Vin shook his head with admiration, it seemed that the mouse had become the cat.
*-*********************************************
As Ezra rose to his feet, he decided the time for games was over. Surreptitiously switching his sword to his left hand, he let the unnatural personality he'd created slip away. He had learned all he needed to know about Jaeger's fighting style and it was time to end this.
He stalked toward Karl, no hesitation in his swing as he thrust his sword toward his opponent's chest. The German blocked it - barely. But before Karl could fully recover, Ezra was swinging his sword back up. A series of quick attacks drove Karl back. As Ezra's motions had become tighter and more precise, Jaeger's parries were becoming more and more frantic.
There was fear in the German's eyes as he realized that this left handed-Ezra was not the same man he'd been fighting at the start.
Their swords took on a slow rhythmic clanging until finally Ezra found his opening. Dragging his weapon down Karl's right side, the sword opened a deep gash that ran from shoulder to elbow, rendering Jaeger's sword arm useless.
The German staggered backwards, his sword hanging limply at his side. Ezra hesitated; not sure he could actually take the man's head. Gun fights were distance battles, many times he'd never even seen his opponent clearly, but here - well, he was staring right into the man's eyes. The fear was pouring off Karl as easily as the sweat from their exertion.
Taking advantage of Ezra's hesitation, Karl bolted toward his horse. The unexpected behavior left Ezra stunned. Was the man actually running away? He wasn't going to let that happen, not with the chance that Jaeger might go after Charlotte. He had to end the threat this Immortal posed. Stirring from his confusion, he started after the man.
Halfway to the horses, Ezra heard a shot ring out and felt a bullet impact his chest. The pain drove him to the ground as his sword slipped from his fingers. He looked down at the red stain spreading across his white shirt and then up to see Karl stalking toward him, sword held awkwardly in his left hand.
"No way I let some fancy pants little gambler take me out," he sneered. They were the first words Karl had spoken since their duel began and Ezra suspected they might be the last he'd ever hear.
He was struggling to hold on to consciousness against the pain in his chest; his mind reeling against the idea that he was going to die. "You cheated!" he cried as the darkness overtook him.
****************************
Buck, Josiah and Nathan sat outside the jail, while in front of them JD paced a rut in the boardwalk.
Buck had tried to get the kid to sit down, his constant motion was making him crazy, but JD refused to listen, just glared at him and continued walking.
Josiah finally broke the silence. "Ya think it's over yet?"
Nathan shrugged. "You think he won?"
"Course he won," Buck insisted.
JD stopped his motion. "We should be there!" he insisted. "We should have gone with Vin."
"I done told you, kid, Vin's got it handled. Now sit down." Buck tried to reach for JD, but he backed away still furious. Somehow the kid had gotten it in his head that not being there was some kind of betrayal and Buck had all but given up trying to explain it.
"Well if you won't go, I will. I ain't gonna let Ezra think I don't got his back." JD started down the boardwalk.
Buck jumped to his feet, motioning for Josiah and Nathan to stay put. He chased after JD, grabbed his arm and pulled him into the alley.
"Will you calm down?"
"No, Buck I won't. We always back each other up and Ezra needs us."
"How many times I gotta tell you? It don't take six guns to take out one swordsman." Buck glared down at the younger man. "You keep going on like this and Charlotte's gonna suspect something and then she'll get mad at Chris when she figures out where Vin went and then Chris'll get mad at us. You see where I'm going with this?"
JD nodded. "I just…it's…I mean…." His shoulders sagged as he struggled to express his feelings.
"Yeah, I'm worried too, kid." Buck grabbed JD by the back of the neck in a gesture of comfort before using the grip to propel JD out of the alley and back toward where Nathan and Josiah sat waiting.
Coming around the corner, Buck wasn't surprised to see that Chris and Charlotte had joined their little vigil. The two of them had taken off, after Ezra had ridden out, to finish their talk in private. Charlotte was gazing up at Chris with a look of contentment on her face. Buck reckoned that Charlotte had finally gotten through to Chris that you couldn’t always control the ones you love and that was just life.
Just like they were all waiting on Ezra; the man had a job to do and they couldn't help him. It was frustrating to sit around helpless while he risked death, but that's how it had to be.
Maybe he should have Charlotte talk to JD if he started ranting again. It was clear that she must have said the right thing to Chris because while his friend wasn't exactly happy, at least he wasn't scowling anymore. When Chris looked up to catch his gaze, Buck knew instinctively that it was concern for Ezra he saw in his eyes
"Well hey there, Charlotte," Buck said as he approached. He stepped onto the boardwalk and then settled down into the seat beside her. "You two make up?" he teased.
Charlotte smiled at him before turning her gaze up to Chris who was leaning against the wall next her. "I believe we have reached an understanding."
"Which ain't your business, Buck," Chris added.
Buck nodded. The two of them could be as stubborn as mules, but Buck believed that Chris and Charlotte were good together. They must have reached a compromise to be smiling at each other now and that's all he needed to know.
"Thought you'd be out watching Ezra, Charlotte?" Josiah questioned.
Buck tried not to glare at the preacher. No need to be giving Charlotte ideas, he thought. If Charlotte found out that Chris had sent Vin to watch Ezra's back, there would be more fire works. Vin was too discrete to be found out and Buck knew Ezra would never breath a word. That man was very good at keeping secrets. But if Charlotte decided to ride out there, it would be a lot harder to hide their back-up plan.
Charlotte shook her head. "As much as I would have wanted to be there for him, I fear my presence would only be a distraction. Ezra needs to know I trust him to get the job done without looking over his shoulder."
Josiah nodded his understanding. Buck relaxed and while he wanted to know more about what Ezra was facing, he didn't want to risk riling Chris and Charlotte up again. Not when his friend had made it clear that there was nothing more to say. Buck was just glad that Charlotte hadn't yet thought to question Vin's absence.
The six of then drifted into an uneasy silence and then JD started pacing again.
"Kid, if you don't sit down I'm going to tie you to a chair!" Buck growled.
Author: strangevisitor7
Fandom/Universe: Magnificent 7; Highlander AU
Beta: ithildyn
Rating: PG13
Characters/Pairings: Ezra Standish, Chris Larabee, Vin Tanner and Buck Wilmington Josiah Sanchez, Nathan Jackson and JD Dunne. Chris/OFC - Charlotte Sparrow
Summary: An unexpected visitor to Four Corners, forces the men to come to terms with Ezra and Charlotte's Immortality
A/N: This is part of the Aces Immortal series created by me and ithildyn,
Chapter List:
Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 5; Chapter 6
Chapter 4
Ezra had adamantly refused to share the location of the challenge. Vin laughed, like that would pose a problem for him. Chaucer's trail was easily followed and after ten minutes, the tracker realized that Ezra had to be headed toward Chris' spread.
Vin approved of the choice. With Chris staying in town until the wedding and his stock already moved to Charlotte's place, the secluded ranch was deserted. Plus, the house would provide a place for Ezra to rest up when he finished.
It also meant that Vin knew exactly where to set up to cover Ezra's back. He still wasn't exactly sure what he was going to do. There was an honor code associated with duels that he respected and it meant that Ezra was on his own. On the other hand, he knew his friend well enough to know that Ezra would have no problem if Vin were to bend the rules to save his life. Charlotte might be upset if Vin interfered, being the honorable woman that she was, but then she would never have to know.
That was the other reason he'd insisted on coming alone. If he had to take action, he figured it was a secret he and Ezra could keep for themselves.
After another twenty minutes of riding, Vin pulled his horse into the copse of trees to the east of the house. Making sure Peso was secured, he grabbed the rifle and edged toward the front of the tree line.
Ezra and Karl Jaeger appeared to be chatting by their horses in front of the house. Vin was too far away to hear what they were saying, but it didn't appear to be a friendly conversation. From his position within the grove, Vin would be able to see everything that was taking place during the challenge. He quickly assembled the rifle and sighted on Ezra. The gambler removed his green coat, and then systematically divested himself of his arsenal. Vin always got a chuckle at the number of weapons that man carried. Finally, Ezra pulled his sword from the scabbard attached to Chaucer's saddle.
Warily, the two Immortals, strode out to the empty ground between the house and corral. Vin noticed that Ezra walked like a man unsure of his skill. He assumed the charade the conman had begun in the saloon was still in effect.
Without a word, the two faced each other, swords raised. Vin was surprised to see that Ezra carried his sword in his right hand. He recalled Charlotte commenting that her cousin was really better with his left.
With a feral smile gracing his lips, Karl charged forward and the duel was begun. The resonance of the two swords meeting sent a flock of birds flying from the tree in the courtyard beyond the combatants. Vin focused on watching the duel, fascinated by the interplay. The only sounds in the clearing were the clanging of metal on metal, punctuated by the combatant's grunts as they fought for dominance. Vin was no judge of sword fighting, but it did seem like Ezra was consistently on the defensive. Karl pressed forward causing Ezra to retreat, backing him up toward where Vin was hidden.
Ezra parried an overhead slash from the German, his sword flailing widely as he defended himself from the onslaught. Vin was puzzled by what he saw in Ezra's form. He'd seen Ezra and Charlotte spar a few times. Then, his swordplay had been crisp and precise. That polished swordsman was not the man Vin was observing now. Was Ezra truly outmatched, or was he still trying to draw the German in by pretending to be a sloppier fighter than he actually was? It was one thing to deceive the man with words, but Vin thought Ezra was playing a dangerous game to continue the charade into the fight. The gambler's back was to him so he couldn't see his friend's face to judge the truth of the situation.
Ezra raised his sword to block a hard chop by Jaeger and as their swords connected he pushed the bigger man away. The German growled and surged forward, using his size to force Ezra to retreat once more. Ezra stumbled and Karl smiled in triumph as he tried to spear the smaller man through the chest. Ezra turned the stumble into a roll avoiding contact.
When Ezra climbed to his feet he was now facing Vin. Immediately, the tracker noticed that something had changed. The sword now rested in his left hand and the tentative façade slipped away as the gambler's bearing straightened. Vin recognized a coldness in Ezra's eyes that he'd often seen during battle.
Vin shook his head with admiration, it seemed that the mouse had become the cat.
*-*********************************************
As Ezra rose to his feet, he decided the time for games was over. Surreptitiously switching his sword to his left hand, he let the unnatural personality he'd created slip away. He had learned all he needed to know about Jaeger's fighting style and it was time to end this.
He stalked toward Karl, no hesitation in his swing as he thrust his sword toward his opponent's chest. The German blocked it - barely. But before Karl could fully recover, Ezra was swinging his sword back up. A series of quick attacks drove Karl back. As Ezra's motions had become tighter and more precise, Jaeger's parries were becoming more and more frantic.
There was fear in the German's eyes as he realized that this left handed-Ezra was not the same man he'd been fighting at the start.
Their swords took on a slow rhythmic clanging until finally Ezra found his opening. Dragging his weapon down Karl's right side, the sword opened a deep gash that ran from shoulder to elbow, rendering Jaeger's sword arm useless.
The German staggered backwards, his sword hanging limply at his side. Ezra hesitated; not sure he could actually take the man's head. Gun fights were distance battles, many times he'd never even seen his opponent clearly, but here - well, he was staring right into the man's eyes. The fear was pouring off Karl as easily as the sweat from their exertion.
Taking advantage of Ezra's hesitation, Karl bolted toward his horse. The unexpected behavior left Ezra stunned. Was the man actually running away? He wasn't going to let that happen, not with the chance that Jaeger might go after Charlotte. He had to end the threat this Immortal posed. Stirring from his confusion, he started after the man.
Halfway to the horses, Ezra heard a shot ring out and felt a bullet impact his chest. The pain drove him to the ground as his sword slipped from his fingers. He looked down at the red stain spreading across his white shirt and then up to see Karl stalking toward him, sword held awkwardly in his left hand.
"No way I let some fancy pants little gambler take me out," he sneered. They were the first words Karl had spoken since their duel began and Ezra suspected they might be the last he'd ever hear.
He was struggling to hold on to consciousness against the pain in his chest; his mind reeling against the idea that he was going to die. "You cheated!" he cried as the darkness overtook him.
****************************
Buck, Josiah and Nathan sat outside the jail, while in front of them JD paced a rut in the boardwalk.
Buck had tried to get the kid to sit down, his constant motion was making him crazy, but JD refused to listen, just glared at him and continued walking.
Josiah finally broke the silence. "Ya think it's over yet?"
Nathan shrugged. "You think he won?"
"Course he won," Buck insisted.
JD stopped his motion. "We should be there!" he insisted. "We should have gone with Vin."
"I done told you, kid, Vin's got it handled. Now sit down." Buck tried to reach for JD, but he backed away still furious. Somehow the kid had gotten it in his head that not being there was some kind of betrayal and Buck had all but given up trying to explain it.
"Well if you won't go, I will. I ain't gonna let Ezra think I don't got his back." JD started down the boardwalk.
Buck jumped to his feet, motioning for Josiah and Nathan to stay put. He chased after JD, grabbed his arm and pulled him into the alley.
"Will you calm down?"
"No, Buck I won't. We always back each other up and Ezra needs us."
"How many times I gotta tell you? It don't take six guns to take out one swordsman." Buck glared down at the younger man. "You keep going on like this and Charlotte's gonna suspect something and then she'll get mad at Chris when she figures out where Vin went and then Chris'll get mad at us. You see where I'm going with this?"
JD nodded. "I just…it's…I mean…." His shoulders sagged as he struggled to express his feelings.
"Yeah, I'm worried too, kid." Buck grabbed JD by the back of the neck in a gesture of comfort before using the grip to propel JD out of the alley and back toward where Nathan and Josiah sat waiting.
Coming around the corner, Buck wasn't surprised to see that Chris and Charlotte had joined their little vigil. The two of them had taken off, after Ezra had ridden out, to finish their talk in private. Charlotte was gazing up at Chris with a look of contentment on her face. Buck reckoned that Charlotte had finally gotten through to Chris that you couldn’t always control the ones you love and that was just life.
Just like they were all waiting on Ezra; the man had a job to do and they couldn't help him. It was frustrating to sit around helpless while he risked death, but that's how it had to be.
Maybe he should have Charlotte talk to JD if he started ranting again. It was clear that she must have said the right thing to Chris because while his friend wasn't exactly happy, at least he wasn't scowling anymore. When Chris looked up to catch his gaze, Buck knew instinctively that it was concern for Ezra he saw in his eyes
"Well hey there, Charlotte," Buck said as he approached. He stepped onto the boardwalk and then settled down into the seat beside her. "You two make up?" he teased.
Charlotte smiled at him before turning her gaze up to Chris who was leaning against the wall next her. "I believe we have reached an understanding."
"Which ain't your business, Buck," Chris added.
Buck nodded. The two of them could be as stubborn as mules, but Buck believed that Chris and Charlotte were good together. They must have reached a compromise to be smiling at each other now and that's all he needed to know.
"Thought you'd be out watching Ezra, Charlotte?" Josiah questioned.
Buck tried not to glare at the preacher. No need to be giving Charlotte ideas, he thought. If Charlotte found out that Chris had sent Vin to watch Ezra's back, there would be more fire works. Vin was too discrete to be found out and Buck knew Ezra would never breath a word. That man was very good at keeping secrets. But if Charlotte decided to ride out there, it would be a lot harder to hide their back-up plan.
Charlotte shook her head. "As much as I would have wanted to be there for him, I fear my presence would only be a distraction. Ezra needs to know I trust him to get the job done without looking over his shoulder."
Josiah nodded his understanding. Buck relaxed and while he wanted to know more about what Ezra was facing, he didn't want to risk riling Chris and Charlotte up again. Not when his friend had made it clear that there was nothing more to say. Buck was just glad that Charlotte hadn't yet thought to question Vin's absence.
The six of then drifted into an uneasy silence and then JD started pacing again.
"Kid, if you don't sit down I'm going to tie you to a chair!" Buck growled.