Hell Hath No Fury (3/8) - SPN/Mag7/HL
Title: Hell Hath No Fury - (3/8)
Author: strangevisitor7
Fandom/Universe: Supernatural (AU), Magnificent 7; In the Aces Immortal Highlander AU
Beta: ithildyn
Prompt:: #93 Thanksgiving for crossovers100
Rating: PG-13 for violence
Characters: From SPN: Dean and Sam Winchester. From Mag7: Vin Tanner, Ezra Standish, Buck Wilmington, JD Dunne, Nathan Jackson, Josiah Sanchez and Inez Rocillos
Summary: What if Sam and Dean were hunters in the Old West? The Winchesters are chasing something evil which is leaving a trail of bodies across the southwest. The hunt leads them to Four Corners and a meeting with the seven lawmen who protect the town.
A/N: This is part of the Aces Immortal series created by me and ithildyn, which means that Ezra Standish is Immortal in this story. (But Dean is not - just to be clear)
Chapter List:
Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 5; Chapter 6; Chapter 7; Chapter 8
Hell Hath No Fury: Chapter 3
Vin had settled himself in the hard chair by the bed, his legs stretched out in front of him as he waited for Ezra to revive. He'd had to stop Nathan from fussing over the gaping wound in Ezra's stomach.
"Won't do no good, Nathan," Vin had tried to explain. They'd cleaned up the blood and Vin had even retrieved a change of clothes for the gambler to wear once he woke up.
Now, Nathan was fretting and pacing around the small clinic. "Is it supposed to take this long?"
"Sit down, will ya?" Vin commanded. "I done told you it could be awhile, but he's coming back. Don't you worry."
Ezra chose that moment to gasp for breath and bolt upright in the bed.
"Welcome back, pard," Vin said cheekily.
"And once again I arise to find you grinning over me, Mr. Tanner." Ezra groaned and rubbed his temples. "Surely you must have better things to do with your time than watching over my dead body."
"Don't seem that I do," he chuckled before turning serious. "You remember what happened?"
Nathan had moved to take Ezra's pulse; confirming what his eyes were telling him. He stopped and stared at the tracker. "You've seen him come back before?"
Vin shifted in the uncomfortable chair and ignored Nathan's question, waiting for Ezra to answer his.
The gambler's eyes went wide. "Inez! Where is she?" He flung back the blankets and swung his feet to the floor.
"Where the hell do you think you're going?" Nathan reached out to push Ezra back onto the bed.
Ezra shrugged off the contact and stood. "Don't be ridiculous, Nathan. I'm fully healed." He spread the tatters of his white shirt to show smooth skin underneath.
"Don't matter, Ez. Several of the town folk, including Mary, saw us carrying you up here. They know you were hurt bad," Vin explained
Ezra stilled. "They don't think I'm - "
"No, but they do know a man don't get stabbed and then hours later go running through the town like it weren't nothing."
Ezra collapsed back on the bed. "Are you suggesting that I must feign serious injuries?"
"For at least a week," Nathan confirmed and held up some bandages. "Now let me wrap up your wounds."
Ezra glared at him. "Surely you jest, Mr. Jackson. I have no intention of letting you truss me up like a Thanksgiving turkey."
Nathan grinned. "Vin, hold him down while's I take care of the nasty shoulder wound. Wouldn't want it to get infected."
"I must protest!"
"Protest all ya want, Ez. Nathan's still gonna wrap you up."
"Mr. Tanner!"
"Don't ya 'Mr. Tanner' me, Immortal." Vin filled the word with a wealth of meaning. He was Ezra's watcher and he aimed to make sure he was still watching him in Four Corners for years to come.
Ezra collapsed back onto the bed with an exaggerated sigh. "I had hoped never to be the victim of your bedside manner again, Nathan, but it seems even as an Immortal I must suffer your ministrations."
"Better than suffering that gut wound," Nathan reminded him.
The room sobered as they realized how lucky it was that Inez had attacked him and not one of the others.
"You know why she done it?" Vin asked.
"I am at a loss." At their skeptical looks he added, "You can not believe that I could say anything to Inez that would have warranted such an attack."
Vin patted the gambler's leg. "Know that, Ez. Just wondered if she was upset or sumpthin'. Maybe -" he hesitated, "drunk."
"Never! Inez may imbibe a beer every now and again, but she was not drunk."
"Take your shirt off and raise your arms," Nathan instructed.
Groaning Ezra obeyed and the healer proceeded to wrap the bandages around his midsection.
"Ya really didn't notice anything that could have upset her enough ta want ta stab ya."
Ezra went silent as he replayed the evening in his mind. Shaking his head he replied, "There was nothing in her behavior to indicate that she was distressed in any way. We were speaking in the kitchen and I had given her the cameo as you and I had discussed. She was delighted with the gift, but moments later she attacked. I truly have no idea what came over her."
"'So'kay. When Inez wakes up maybe she can tell us why."
Ezra knew that given his need to revive in private they had not brought the unconscious woman to Nathan's clinic. "Where is the Senorita now?"
"With Josiah and Buck at the jail, locked in a cell."
"Jail! Good Lord, why is she in prison?"
"She attacked you. We had to," Vin explained.
Nathan finished with his task. "I better go check on Inez and let everyone know you're gonna live." Pausing at the door, he pointed a finger at Vin. "Don't let him leave."
"I do not require a nursemaid!" Ezra huffed.
"Come on, Ez. Here's a chance to put yur con man skills to work." Vin chuckled knowing that he wouldn't like spending a week in bed especially when he was feeling fine. "Make 'em think yur at death's door."
Ezra glared at him. "I despise that door."
*******************************************************************
Dawn was still an hour away when Josiah returned to the jail having found the book required to perform the exorcism, assuming there was a demon inside the senorita, along with several other things he might need in his pockets. He entered to see Inez standing on the cot staring out the small window in her cell.
He looked over at Buck who was watching Inez with a deep sadness on his face.
"Did she tell you what happened?"
Buck shook his head. "When she woke up and saw me - she screamed terrible things. When I tried to calm her down, she went for my gun." Buck swallowed; the words reluctant to be spoken. "Iffen she'd got it, I swear she would have shot me. The things she said, Josiah," he shook his head, "I didn't think Inez even knew some of them words."
Josiah grabbed the key to let Buck out. "Sorry I had to lock you up."
Buck exited the cell. "You were right. I was gonna let her out. Thought y'all were wrong to lock her up, but -" he gestured to Inez who hadn't moved a muscle since Josiah had arrived, "-something ain't right."
"I know."
"You don't think -" Buck hesitated as he refused to meet Josiah's questioning look. "You don't think she's gone - crazy?" He whispered the last word as if speaking it aloud might make it true.
Josiah didn't know what to tell him and until he'd had a chance to examine Inez he wasn't going to pin that label on her. "Maybe Vin just hit her too hard and she's confused," he offered.
Before Buck could reply, the door opened and Nathan came in.
"How's Ezra?" Josiah asked, grateful to change the subject.
Nathan shook his head. "Damndest thing I've ever seen." He stopped when he caught sight of Inez. "He'll be fine in a couple of days. Hurt bad, but nothing fatal." He spun the lie for Inez's sake, but Josiah doubted she was in a position to care or even understand.
"How are you doing, Inez?" Nathan walked toward the cell, but Buck grabbed his arm.
"Don't get to close. Inez ain't 'xactly herself."
The barmaid stepped to the floor and seated herself stiffly on the bed. She stared at them and Josiah was sure it wasn't Inez looking out from behind those brown eyes.
Nathan nodded. "Still, I should have a look at her head." Buck stepped aside and Josiah moved behind Nathan, ready to pull him away if Inez went after him like she had Buck.
The healer called to her, "Inez, how're you feeling? If you come closer, I'd like to check your head; make sure Vin didn't hit ya too hard." When she didn't acknowledge him, Nathan added, "Ezra's just fine, Inez. No need to worry 'bout him, but - "
Suddenly Inez rushed to the bars spitting out curses the men were sure they'd never heard from the barmaid's lips. The three took a step back as the rage poured off of her. "I killed him! I know I did. Bastard deserved to die!" She rattled the bars like a feral animal screaming for Ezra's death.
Quickly Josiah ushered his friends out of the jail.
"What the hell was that?" Nathan asked as he collapsed into one of the wooden chairs on the boardwalk.
Buck was in shock; staring at the jail door. The transformation in Inez had shaken him badly.
Josiah needed to get word to the Winchesters immediately, but he needed to be alone with Inez to have any chance of discovering what was controlling her.
"Buck, I need you to do me a favor and send a telegram to Eagle Bend to a friend of mine, Dean Winchester."
Buck shook off his malaise to glare angrily at Josiah. "Don't think now's the time to be wiring your friends."
"Trust me, Buck. Just tell him to come immediately."
Nathan stood. "You think this friend might know what's ailin' Inez?"
There'd be time later to explain what the Winchesters did and who Josiah had been in another life, but for now he just needed Buck to send that telegram.
"I do, and we need to get him and his brother here as fast as possible."
Buck breathed a sigh of relief, happy that they might have found a way to help Inez. "Well then, I think I can do that."
"Good. Nathan, you should be with Ezra, maintain the illusion of his injury," Josiah said. "I'll stay and watch over Inez."
The two men tipped their hats as they walked away leaving Josiah alone. Hesitantly he reentered the jail house. Inez was once again seated on the narrow cot watching him with dead eyes.
Josiah wasn't sure that Inez was possessed by a demon. He shuddered at the memory of his sister staring at him with the soulless black eyes of a demon right before the thing was ripped from her body. Inez wasn't looking at him that way, but he knew there were a few things he could do to be sure.
"Christo," he barked at her. Inez didn't flinch; didn't even move.
He waited another beat before moving to the pitcher of water on the small counter in the office area. He poured some water in a cup and quietly said the Latin which would purify it; turning it into Holy water. He knew he would never get Inez to drink it so he simply walked close enough to toss it on her.
She tilted her head as if asking why he'd done such a thing. It was the only reaction he got. Josiah was now convinced there wasn't a demon in Inez. He stepped closer willing her to come at him. He needed to touch her for the next test.
The creature did not disappoint. It charged, reaching through the bars for Josiah. He captured her arm and pressed a silver cross onto her forearm before pushing her away from him and stepped back to determine if the silver had had any effect.
She rubbed her wrist where Josiah has gripped it. She looked a little lost - different than before. Had the silver worked?
"Inez?" He asked cautiously.
"What's going on?" She stepped closer, hands gripping the bars. "Why am I in here?"
Josiah studied her. "It's a long story, Inez, but I can't let you out just yet. You haven't been yourself. Do you remember what happened with Ezra?"
Inez stared at him; ignoring his question. "Can I have a drink of water?"
Something didn't seem right. He wanted to believe that Inez was back, but the barmaid would have asked about Ezra. He poured a cup and held it out to her, his other hand rested lightly on the knife on his belt. He was no fool.
She reached out and by-passing the cup she clasped her fingers around his wrist to pull him in close. Josiah was ready and unsheathing his knife dragged it across her exposed forearm. The cut was shallow, but effective allowing him to break free from her grasp.
"You bastard!" She shrieked as she clutched her arm to her chest.
Josiah had to stop himself from chuckling at the absurdity of her hurt expression. "I believe you are the one who attacked Ezra." He tossed a cloth into the cell so that she could take care of the arm. He wasn't going to get close again.
She ignored the bandage as she continued to stare at him, her eyes cold. "You're all the same. You only know how to hurt and abuse the women you claim to care about."
"No, we're not." It was clear that none of his tests had worked and, while ghostly possession was rare, he wondered if it was the sprit of a murdered woman who'd taken up residence in Inez. "Let me help you."
"Help me!" She laughed, the sound hollow and without mirth. "No man has ever helped me."
"Tell me who you are and I'll see that you're laid to rest properly."
"Someday all you men will be gone and we will be free," she sneered.
"Please let me help you," he repeated, but the thing inside Inez had gone back to staring out the window and he suspected he would learn no more from her.
Author: strangevisitor7
Fandom/Universe: Supernatural (AU), Magnificent 7; In the Aces Immortal Highlander AU
Beta: ithildyn
Prompt:: #93 Thanksgiving for crossovers100
Rating: PG-13 for violence
Characters: From SPN: Dean and Sam Winchester. From Mag7: Vin Tanner, Ezra Standish, Buck Wilmington, JD Dunne, Nathan Jackson, Josiah Sanchez and Inez Rocillos
Summary: What if Sam and Dean were hunters in the Old West? The Winchesters are chasing something evil which is leaving a trail of bodies across the southwest. The hunt leads them to Four Corners and a meeting with the seven lawmen who protect the town.
A/N: This is part of the Aces Immortal series created by me and ithildyn, which means that Ezra Standish is Immortal in this story. (But Dean is not - just to be clear)
Chapter List:
Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 5; Chapter 6; Chapter 7; Chapter 8
Hell Hath No Fury: Chapter 3
Vin had settled himself in the hard chair by the bed, his legs stretched out in front of him as he waited for Ezra to revive. He'd had to stop Nathan from fussing over the gaping wound in Ezra's stomach.
"Won't do no good, Nathan," Vin had tried to explain. They'd cleaned up the blood and Vin had even retrieved a change of clothes for the gambler to wear once he woke up.
Now, Nathan was fretting and pacing around the small clinic. "Is it supposed to take this long?"
"Sit down, will ya?" Vin commanded. "I done told you it could be awhile, but he's coming back. Don't you worry."
Ezra chose that moment to gasp for breath and bolt upright in the bed.
"Welcome back, pard," Vin said cheekily.
"And once again I arise to find you grinning over me, Mr. Tanner." Ezra groaned and rubbed his temples. "Surely you must have better things to do with your time than watching over my dead body."
"Don't seem that I do," he chuckled before turning serious. "You remember what happened?"
Nathan had moved to take Ezra's pulse; confirming what his eyes were telling him. He stopped and stared at the tracker. "You've seen him come back before?"
Vin shifted in the uncomfortable chair and ignored Nathan's question, waiting for Ezra to answer his.
The gambler's eyes went wide. "Inez! Where is she?" He flung back the blankets and swung his feet to the floor.
"Where the hell do you think you're going?" Nathan reached out to push Ezra back onto the bed.
Ezra shrugged off the contact and stood. "Don't be ridiculous, Nathan. I'm fully healed." He spread the tatters of his white shirt to show smooth skin underneath.
"Don't matter, Ez. Several of the town folk, including Mary, saw us carrying you up here. They know you were hurt bad," Vin explained
Ezra stilled. "They don't think I'm - "
"No, but they do know a man don't get stabbed and then hours later go running through the town like it weren't nothing."
Ezra collapsed back on the bed. "Are you suggesting that I must feign serious injuries?"
"For at least a week," Nathan confirmed and held up some bandages. "Now let me wrap up your wounds."
Ezra glared at him. "Surely you jest, Mr. Jackson. I have no intention of letting you truss me up like a Thanksgiving turkey."
Nathan grinned. "Vin, hold him down while's I take care of the nasty shoulder wound. Wouldn't want it to get infected."
"I must protest!"
"Protest all ya want, Ez. Nathan's still gonna wrap you up."
"Mr. Tanner!"
"Don't ya 'Mr. Tanner' me, Immortal." Vin filled the word with a wealth of meaning. He was Ezra's watcher and he aimed to make sure he was still watching him in Four Corners for years to come.
Ezra collapsed back onto the bed with an exaggerated sigh. "I had hoped never to be the victim of your bedside manner again, Nathan, but it seems even as an Immortal I must suffer your ministrations."
"Better than suffering that gut wound," Nathan reminded him.
The room sobered as they realized how lucky it was that Inez had attacked him and not one of the others.
"You know why she done it?" Vin asked.
"I am at a loss." At their skeptical looks he added, "You can not believe that I could say anything to Inez that would have warranted such an attack."
Vin patted the gambler's leg. "Know that, Ez. Just wondered if she was upset or sumpthin'. Maybe -" he hesitated, "drunk."
"Never! Inez may imbibe a beer every now and again, but she was not drunk."
"Take your shirt off and raise your arms," Nathan instructed.
Groaning Ezra obeyed and the healer proceeded to wrap the bandages around his midsection.
"Ya really didn't notice anything that could have upset her enough ta want ta stab ya."
Ezra went silent as he replayed the evening in his mind. Shaking his head he replied, "There was nothing in her behavior to indicate that she was distressed in any way. We were speaking in the kitchen and I had given her the cameo as you and I had discussed. She was delighted with the gift, but moments later she attacked. I truly have no idea what came over her."
"'So'kay. When Inez wakes up maybe she can tell us why."
Ezra knew that given his need to revive in private they had not brought the unconscious woman to Nathan's clinic. "Where is the Senorita now?"
"With Josiah and Buck at the jail, locked in a cell."
"Jail! Good Lord, why is she in prison?"
"She attacked you. We had to," Vin explained.
Nathan finished with his task. "I better go check on Inez and let everyone know you're gonna live." Pausing at the door, he pointed a finger at Vin. "Don't let him leave."
"I do not require a nursemaid!" Ezra huffed.
"Come on, Ez. Here's a chance to put yur con man skills to work." Vin chuckled knowing that he wouldn't like spending a week in bed especially when he was feeling fine. "Make 'em think yur at death's door."
Ezra glared at him. "I despise that door."
*******************************************************************
Dawn was still an hour away when Josiah returned to the jail having found the book required to perform the exorcism, assuming there was a demon inside the senorita, along with several other things he might need in his pockets. He entered to see Inez standing on the cot staring out the small window in her cell.
He looked over at Buck who was watching Inez with a deep sadness on his face.
"Did she tell you what happened?"
Buck shook his head. "When she woke up and saw me - she screamed terrible things. When I tried to calm her down, she went for my gun." Buck swallowed; the words reluctant to be spoken. "Iffen she'd got it, I swear she would have shot me. The things she said, Josiah," he shook his head, "I didn't think Inez even knew some of them words."
Josiah grabbed the key to let Buck out. "Sorry I had to lock you up."
Buck exited the cell. "You were right. I was gonna let her out. Thought y'all were wrong to lock her up, but -" he gestured to Inez who hadn't moved a muscle since Josiah had arrived, "-something ain't right."
"I know."
"You don't think -" Buck hesitated as he refused to meet Josiah's questioning look. "You don't think she's gone - crazy?" He whispered the last word as if speaking it aloud might make it true.
Josiah didn't know what to tell him and until he'd had a chance to examine Inez he wasn't going to pin that label on her. "Maybe Vin just hit her too hard and she's confused," he offered.
Before Buck could reply, the door opened and Nathan came in.
"How's Ezra?" Josiah asked, grateful to change the subject.
Nathan shook his head. "Damndest thing I've ever seen." He stopped when he caught sight of Inez. "He'll be fine in a couple of days. Hurt bad, but nothing fatal." He spun the lie for Inez's sake, but Josiah doubted she was in a position to care or even understand.
"How are you doing, Inez?" Nathan walked toward the cell, but Buck grabbed his arm.
"Don't get to close. Inez ain't 'xactly herself."
The barmaid stepped to the floor and seated herself stiffly on the bed. She stared at them and Josiah was sure it wasn't Inez looking out from behind those brown eyes.
Nathan nodded. "Still, I should have a look at her head." Buck stepped aside and Josiah moved behind Nathan, ready to pull him away if Inez went after him like she had Buck.
The healer called to her, "Inez, how're you feeling? If you come closer, I'd like to check your head; make sure Vin didn't hit ya too hard." When she didn't acknowledge him, Nathan added, "Ezra's just fine, Inez. No need to worry 'bout him, but - "
Suddenly Inez rushed to the bars spitting out curses the men were sure they'd never heard from the barmaid's lips. The three took a step back as the rage poured off of her. "I killed him! I know I did. Bastard deserved to die!" She rattled the bars like a feral animal screaming for Ezra's death.
Quickly Josiah ushered his friends out of the jail.
"What the hell was that?" Nathan asked as he collapsed into one of the wooden chairs on the boardwalk.
Buck was in shock; staring at the jail door. The transformation in Inez had shaken him badly.
Josiah needed to get word to the Winchesters immediately, but he needed to be alone with Inez to have any chance of discovering what was controlling her.
"Buck, I need you to do me a favor and send a telegram to Eagle Bend to a friend of mine, Dean Winchester."
Buck shook off his malaise to glare angrily at Josiah. "Don't think now's the time to be wiring your friends."
"Trust me, Buck. Just tell him to come immediately."
Nathan stood. "You think this friend might know what's ailin' Inez?"
There'd be time later to explain what the Winchesters did and who Josiah had been in another life, but for now he just needed Buck to send that telegram.
"I do, and we need to get him and his brother here as fast as possible."
Buck breathed a sigh of relief, happy that they might have found a way to help Inez. "Well then, I think I can do that."
"Good. Nathan, you should be with Ezra, maintain the illusion of his injury," Josiah said. "I'll stay and watch over Inez."
The two men tipped their hats as they walked away leaving Josiah alone. Hesitantly he reentered the jail house. Inez was once again seated on the narrow cot watching him with dead eyes.
Josiah wasn't sure that Inez was possessed by a demon. He shuddered at the memory of his sister staring at him with the soulless black eyes of a demon right before the thing was ripped from her body. Inez wasn't looking at him that way, but he knew there were a few things he could do to be sure.
"Christo," he barked at her. Inez didn't flinch; didn't even move.
He waited another beat before moving to the pitcher of water on the small counter in the office area. He poured some water in a cup and quietly said the Latin which would purify it; turning it into Holy water. He knew he would never get Inez to drink it so he simply walked close enough to toss it on her.
She tilted her head as if asking why he'd done such a thing. It was the only reaction he got. Josiah was now convinced there wasn't a demon in Inez. He stepped closer willing her to come at him. He needed to touch her for the next test.
The creature did not disappoint. It charged, reaching through the bars for Josiah. He captured her arm and pressed a silver cross onto her forearm before pushing her away from him and stepped back to determine if the silver had had any effect.
She rubbed her wrist where Josiah has gripped it. She looked a little lost - different than before. Had the silver worked?
"Inez?" He asked cautiously.
"What's going on?" She stepped closer, hands gripping the bars. "Why am I in here?"
Josiah studied her. "It's a long story, Inez, but I can't let you out just yet. You haven't been yourself. Do you remember what happened with Ezra?"
Inez stared at him; ignoring his question. "Can I have a drink of water?"
Something didn't seem right. He wanted to believe that Inez was back, but the barmaid would have asked about Ezra. He poured a cup and held it out to her, his other hand rested lightly on the knife on his belt. He was no fool.
She reached out and by-passing the cup she clasped her fingers around his wrist to pull him in close. Josiah was ready and unsheathing his knife dragged it across her exposed forearm. The cut was shallow, but effective allowing him to break free from her grasp.
"You bastard!" She shrieked as she clutched her arm to her chest.
Josiah had to stop himself from chuckling at the absurdity of her hurt expression. "I believe you are the one who attacked Ezra." He tossed a cloth into the cell so that she could take care of the arm. He wasn't going to get close again.
She ignored the bandage as she continued to stare at him, her eyes cold. "You're all the same. You only know how to hurt and abuse the women you claim to care about."
"No, we're not." It was clear that none of his tests had worked and, while ghostly possession was rare, he wondered if it was the sprit of a murdered woman who'd taken up residence in Inez. "Let me help you."
"Help me!" She laughed, the sound hollow and without mirth. "No man has ever helped me."
"Tell me who you are and I'll see that you're laid to rest properly."
"Someday all you men will be gone and we will be free," she sneered.
"Please let me help you," he repeated, but the thing inside Inez had gone back to staring out the window and he suspected he would learn no more from her.