azombiewrites (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
azombiewrites) wrote2009-04-26 12:18 pm
azombiewrites) wrote2009-04-26 12:18 pm
The Magnificent Seven fic - 'Trust' - 4/5
Title: Trust
First story in 'The Continuing Ezra Standish Saga'
Rating: PG
Warnings: Bad writing ahead!
Fandom: The Magnificent Seven
Genre: Hurt/Comfort
Summary: Marshal Hanley arrives in Four Corners, a man from Ezra's past but is he friend or foe.
Main Characters: Ezra Standish and the rest of the seven
Disclaimers: The guys are owned by CBS, MGM, Trilogy Entertainment Group, and The Mirisch Corp.
Beta: Not betaed – written in the early days when I didn’t know what the words grammar and edit meant. *shamed*
Notes: First story in the ‘Continuing Ezra Standish Saga’.
Spoilers: None.
Word Count: 15,416
Part 4
Buck saw JD moved towards the door thinking that maybe JD could not watch what was happening to Ezra and that he was going to leave. He was about to say something to try to help him through it all when he felt Ezra stop struggling beneath him. He had finally lost consciousness.
But JD was not actually going to go anywhere. He was going to do something. He walked straight up to Chris and hit him full in the face with his right fist. Vin looked up to see Chris step back from JD's blow. He went to grab hold of JD but Chris held up a hand to stop him. Buck and seen what happened. He was actually proud of the boy for standing up to Chris, standing up for Ezra and their friendship. He just hoped that Nathan was not going to have another patient.
They all knew what Chris was capable of doing especially when someone has just hit him in the face. But Chris just stood there for a moment eyeing JD.
JD could not help himself. He let it all out and it was all aimed at Chris.
"Look at him Chris," said JD "Look at what we have done to him."
But Chris continued to look at JD.
"Look at him!" yelled JD. They all flinched at the volume of his voice. "Ezra woke up in the jail when we went to check on him. He had a few things to tell us once he realised that we were going to help him no matter how much he refused it. Said that Hanley had threatened to kill us if he did not go along with what he wanted." JD noticed that he had finally gotten through to Chris who was now looking at Ezra. Josiah was still supporting his limp body. Buck had gotten up and was standing behind JD as though to lend his support if he needed it. Vin had also started to take notice.
"Ezra did not kill Charlotte Ramsey. Hanley killed her when she tried to help Ezra at one time. Seems to me that
Hanley wants some sort of revenge and used his law badge to help him get it." JD stepped closer to Chris.
"Ezra is going through all of this," he turned to look at Ezra then back to Chris "to protect us. He lied to protect us. He refused our help to protect us. He may die now because you would not trust him or believe him. You did not have the slightest doubt that maybe he lied. None of you did."
Chris had no idea. He didn't know what to say to JD. He looked behind JD at Buck who nodded to indicate what JD had said was true. He finally said, "I'm sorry JD."
JD threw his hands up in the air in frustration. "It's not me you should be saying sorry to." He went back to the side of the bed to watch Ezra grateful that he had a chance to say anything at all, as he thought that Chris would have just hit him back.
Nathan had finally finished cleaning Ezra's wound finding it a lot easier to do without the gambler struggling against his help. He also cleaned the small cut on his jaw that was caused by Chris's gun. He then checked his ribs to see if any had been broken. Ezra flinched as Nathan pressed against them. He found two cracked ribs.
"JD could you pass me those bandages there and I will bandage his side and his ribs. Josiah can you sit him up so I can wrap this around him." as Nathan was doing this he noticed that Ezra was becoming even warmer to the touch. His fever must still be rising he thought to himself. "Ezra you have to help me, I am not going to be able to help you by myself. I need you to fight this." Although he said this to Ezra, everyone else had heard him. They heard the doubt in Nathan's voice and thought that if Nathan was not confident about Ezra's recovery then he really felt that he might not survive.
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It had been twelve hours since JD, Nathan and Buck had gotten Ezra out of the jail away from the man whom had for some reason allowed Ezra to become ill. Nathan had told them that the wound on his side had not been taken care of at all and that is why it had become infected. He had also noticed some sort of small bruises around the wound and that they may have been caused by something other than the bullet that had inflicted the wound. But he didn't know what. They had to find the man responsible and ask him what he had done or make him tell them, they all hoped it would come to making him talk.
Mary had not moved from Ezra's side during the whole time. She had been using a cold damp cloth to wipe the sweat away from his face trying to keep his fever down. She knew this would not help his fever but she had to do something. He had not improved at all since they brought him into Nathan's room. If anything, he had become worse. He was delirious and constantly muttering to himself about Charlotte. From Ezra's words, Mary had come to realise that Ezra had loved the woman and her death had truly affected him.
Nathan and JD had also stayed at Ezra's side while the others had gone searching for Hanley four hours ago, as they could no longer do anything while Ezra continued to suffer. They were angry - with Hanley and themselves.
"Mary I need to clean Ezra's wound again, can you help me?" asked Nathan. He had been cleaning the wound every three hours.
"Yes." She did not want to see him go through it again but she knew that Nathan had no choice.
But Ezra did not react the way he had been. The cries of pain had lessened and the struggling became weaker. This time there was no sound from his lips and only slight movements when he tried to move away from the pain but he was too weak at this point to put up much of a struggle. Nathan was very worried about the fever. He had seen men in the war with fevers like this, they had survived but they were not the same afterwards. It had affected their minds somehow; they were just not the same person. He hoped that if Ezra got through this that it would not happen to him.
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It was another two hours before the others had returned to see how Ezra was doing. All hoping that they were not coming back to bad news. They walked into Nathan's room to see JD and Nathan struggling to hold Ezra down. He seemed to be thrashing about uncontrollably.
"Help us with him," said Nathan as he tried to keep Ezra from hurting himself.
"What's wrong with him?" asked Vin as he came over to grab hold of Ezra's legs and with Buck's help managed to keep them still.
"It's the fever. He's having convulsions. All I can do is keep him still until he stops. If I don't he is just going to injure himself more." Nathan looked worried sick and this made everyone realise than Ezra may be dying. Chris was standing back watching the whole scene.
Ezra convulsed one last time and went limp.
"God no." muttered Josiah who had stood by the bed in case extra hands were needed.
Mary burst into tears. The others stood back as Nathan checked Ezra thinking the worst and each swearing to revenge Ezra if it was the last thing they would do.
"His fever broke. His going to be okay," sighed Nathan. "He's going to be okay."
Nathan though was quietly thinking to himself so as not to worry anyone else. "As long as the fever has not affected his mind."
There was a sigh of relief from everyone in the room. All grateful to have the chance to make amends to Ezra for what they had allowed to happen.
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While Ezra had slept another seven hours JD, Buck, Josiah and Vin continued to look for Hanley leaving Chris, Nathan and Mary with Ezra. There was no trace of where Hanley had disappeared. They tried other towns in the area and no one had recognised the description that they had given them. They were beginning to think that the man was halfway to Mexico knowing that if they had gotten hold of him that he would be a dead man. And he would have been right.
They rode back towards town anxious to see how Ezra was doing now that they knew he would be okay. Watching from behind a rock large, enough to hide him was Hanley. He was going to ride into town late that night hoping that he would not be seen. He had a plan to get Ezra and he didn't have much longer to finally kill the man and get his sweet revenge. He thought that he might even deal with JD, as he was the reason that he had lost Ezra in the first place.
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Chris was sitting in a chair across from Ezra so he could watch him sleep. He had not taken his eyes off him for nearly an hour. He was torn up inside. He hated himself. Ezra had nearly died protecting Chris and the others. And all Chris could do was hate the man whom he thought was a liar, a cheat and a coward. He now knew that Ezra was no coward. He was still a liar though but this time Chris smiled at the thought. He remembered the day when Hanley had arrived in town. He had called Ezra a liar and then when he had lied outside the barn he had believed that Ezra was telling the truth.
"And what is it that you are smiling at Mr Larabee?" asked Ezra in a voice that was full of weakness and pain. "Do you believe the situation that I am in is a humorous one?"
JD and Nathan came over at the sound of Ezra's voice. JD was glad to see his friend awake. Nathan was glad to hear the words Ezra was using - this meant that the fever had left no effects on his mind.
"Ezra! You’re awake." JD could not help but give Ezra the largest smile he had.
"Could I have some water please?" asked Ezra.
"Don't try to move about to much Ezra." said Nathan. "You have been through a lot and you are going to need a lot of rest."
Ezra gave Nathan one of his looks. Nathan was relieved to see it.
Mary came over with some water. Nathan helped him sit up so that he could drink some of it. Ezra only took a few small sips though. He did not have the strength to take more.
"Thank you Mrs Travis." Ezra looked at JD. "I seem to owe you my life JD. It was you who got me out of there was it not."
"Yes it was," answered Chris.
"I see you have been in some sort of physical confrontation Mr Larabee. I assume it was with Hanley."
Chris could not help notice the use of his last name while Ezra had use JD's first. He couldn't blame him.
Nathan could not help himself. "No it wasn't. JD did it."
Ezra raised his eyebrows at this.
"Ezra." Chris moved his chair closer to Ezra. "JD told us that you lied about killing Charlotte Ramsey. Why would you do that?"
Ezra sighed. He was beginning to tire already. "He told me in the barn that he would kill any of you if you helped me. I had to make sure that you did not."
"So you lied about it. You admitted to killing someone that you did not kill." this was a statement not a question. Chris wanted to know why Ezra did that. Wanted to be sure. If Ezra replied with the type of answer that he expected then he knew that Ezra was a man that he could now trust with his life.
"Mr Larabee, if you were in my position and knew that some of your associates would be killed unless you did something to protect them even if it meant putting your own life in danger, wouldn't you do anything that you could to help them?"
"You know that I would." replied Chris.
Ezra sighed again and closed his eyes.
"Then why would you assume that I would not!" Ezra was asleep again before Chris could give him a reply.
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Hanley snuck into town shortly after and took up a post close to the saloon. Now all he had to do was wait for one of Ezra's friends to show up and then put his plan into action.
Ezra awoke a couple of hours later. He opened his eyes to see Chris Larabee still sitting in the chair across from him. He had his eyes closed so Ezra decided not to say anything, he did not particularly want to talk to him now. After everything that had happened Ezra got the impression that for some reason Chris still doubted him.
Chris opened his own eyes to find Ezra looking at him. "How are you doing Ezra?"
"Oh, just great thankyou Mr Larabee."
Chris noticed the sarcasm in Ezra's voice. He looked over at Nathan who was sleeping in one of the other chairs in the room. It was the first time that Nathan had slept since they brought Ezra in. He looked back at Ezra wondering what he was going to say to him to try to explain the reasons for doubting him. Ezra moved trying to make himself more comfortable but he gave out a cry of pain and collapsed back on the bed.
"Ezra, I'm sorry. I did not know what to think. I've been in a bad mood all week and I let it affect my judgement of you. I let my anger blind me."
"You thought exactly what you wanted to think," thought Ezra who did not say anything aloud, he just continued to look at Chris. His green eyes showing the pain that he was still feeling.
Chris looked away from him. "When Hanley said that you killed a woman all I could think of was the men who killed my wife and son and it was that anger that took control of me."
"But I am not the same as the men who killed your family. Why would you even associate me with them?"
Chris was really starting to feel the shame of what he had done. "It wasn't my intention to Ezra." Chris looked back at him. "I know that there is nothing I can say or do to make up for it."
Ezra changed the subject. He was having enough of this conversation already. It was making him angry that Chris could not just admit that it was his lack of trust in Ezra that had blinded him. He was angry about his family but that was not the real reason he allowed this to happen. The truth was that he had always been angry with Ezra, had never trusted him from the moment that he left them in the village, had never forgiven him for it. And he had used this opportunity to get back at Ezra.
"What did you do with Hanley?" asked Ezra. He frowned at the look that came over Chris's face. "Has someone else been hurt?"
"Um no, we don't where he is." answered Chris.
"He is still out there?" Ezra was stunned. If Hanley was still out there then that meant the others were still in danger.
He knew that he would not give up until he got what he wanted.
"Don't worry Ezra; we won't let him get you."
"Mr Larabee, there you go again thinking that my concern is for myself and not the others," sighed Ezra.
Chris was becoming very uncomfortable. It seemed he couldn't say the right things now.
JD and Vin came into the room then only to find Chris's gun pointed at them. Chris relaxed and put his gun away. Ezra felt hopeless thinking that if that were Hanley coming through the door that he would not have been able to do anything to stop him. Neither would he be able to get his own revenge for what Hanley had done to Charlotte and himself.
"Hey Ezra." said Vin. “I’m sorry about what's happened."
"Yes, you and Mr Larabee it seems." Ezra responded. "Mr Dunne may I have a word with you alone please?"
"Sure Ezra." JD watched Chris and Vin leave looking back at Ezra understanding why he was angry with them. He noticed that Nathan was still asleep in his chair. "What's up?"
"Firstly I want to thank you for saving my life. And secondly I want you to give me one of your guns."
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"Where's Buck and Josiah?" enquired Chris after they stepped outside.
"They thought they would give the town the once over again to make sure that Hanley hadn't come back."
Chris nodded at this. Vin watched him for a moment. "How's he doing?"
"He seems better." Chris did not look at Vin.
"You know what I mean Chris."
"He's angry. Particularly with me."
"He won't blame you though for what Hanley's done." Vin hoped.
Chris finally looked at him. "He doesn't have to Vin, I blame myself."
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Hanley was watching from a side alley making sure that no one saw him. He noticed Mary Travis walking towards the local store. Now he knew where Ezra was and whom he was going to use to get to him. He moved back down the alley to find another way to the store.
Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five
Master Fan Fiction List
First story in 'The Continuing Ezra Standish Saga'
Rating: PG
Warnings: Bad writing ahead!
Fandom: The Magnificent Seven
Genre: Hurt/Comfort
Summary: Marshal Hanley arrives in Four Corners, a man from Ezra's past but is he friend or foe.
Main Characters: Ezra Standish and the rest of the seven
Disclaimers: The guys are owned by CBS, MGM, Trilogy Entertainment Group, and The Mirisch Corp.
Beta: Not betaed – written in the early days when I didn’t know what the words grammar and edit meant. *shamed*
Notes: First story in the ‘Continuing Ezra Standish Saga’.
Spoilers: None.
Word Count: 15,416
Part 4
Buck saw JD moved towards the door thinking that maybe JD could not watch what was happening to Ezra and that he was going to leave. He was about to say something to try to help him through it all when he felt Ezra stop struggling beneath him. He had finally lost consciousness.
But JD was not actually going to go anywhere. He was going to do something. He walked straight up to Chris and hit him full in the face with his right fist. Vin looked up to see Chris step back from JD's blow. He went to grab hold of JD but Chris held up a hand to stop him. Buck and seen what happened. He was actually proud of the boy for standing up to Chris, standing up for Ezra and their friendship. He just hoped that Nathan was not going to have another patient.
They all knew what Chris was capable of doing especially when someone has just hit him in the face. But Chris just stood there for a moment eyeing JD.
JD could not help himself. He let it all out and it was all aimed at Chris.
"Look at him Chris," said JD "Look at what we have done to him."
But Chris continued to look at JD.
"Look at him!" yelled JD. They all flinched at the volume of his voice. "Ezra woke up in the jail when we went to check on him. He had a few things to tell us once he realised that we were going to help him no matter how much he refused it. Said that Hanley had threatened to kill us if he did not go along with what he wanted." JD noticed that he had finally gotten through to Chris who was now looking at Ezra. Josiah was still supporting his limp body. Buck had gotten up and was standing behind JD as though to lend his support if he needed it. Vin had also started to take notice.
"Ezra did not kill Charlotte Ramsey. Hanley killed her when she tried to help Ezra at one time. Seems to me that
Hanley wants some sort of revenge and used his law badge to help him get it." JD stepped closer to Chris.
"Ezra is going through all of this," he turned to look at Ezra then back to Chris "to protect us. He lied to protect us. He refused our help to protect us. He may die now because you would not trust him or believe him. You did not have the slightest doubt that maybe he lied. None of you did."
Chris had no idea. He didn't know what to say to JD. He looked behind JD at Buck who nodded to indicate what JD had said was true. He finally said, "I'm sorry JD."
JD threw his hands up in the air in frustration. "It's not me you should be saying sorry to." He went back to the side of the bed to watch Ezra grateful that he had a chance to say anything at all, as he thought that Chris would have just hit him back.
Nathan had finally finished cleaning Ezra's wound finding it a lot easier to do without the gambler struggling against his help. He also cleaned the small cut on his jaw that was caused by Chris's gun. He then checked his ribs to see if any had been broken. Ezra flinched as Nathan pressed against them. He found two cracked ribs.
"JD could you pass me those bandages there and I will bandage his side and his ribs. Josiah can you sit him up so I can wrap this around him." as Nathan was doing this he noticed that Ezra was becoming even warmer to the touch. His fever must still be rising he thought to himself. "Ezra you have to help me, I am not going to be able to help you by myself. I need you to fight this." Although he said this to Ezra, everyone else had heard him. They heard the doubt in Nathan's voice and thought that if Nathan was not confident about Ezra's recovery then he really felt that he might not survive.
It had been twelve hours since JD, Nathan and Buck had gotten Ezra out of the jail away from the man whom had for some reason allowed Ezra to become ill. Nathan had told them that the wound on his side had not been taken care of at all and that is why it had become infected. He had also noticed some sort of small bruises around the wound and that they may have been caused by something other than the bullet that had inflicted the wound. But he didn't know what. They had to find the man responsible and ask him what he had done or make him tell them, they all hoped it would come to making him talk.
Mary had not moved from Ezra's side during the whole time. She had been using a cold damp cloth to wipe the sweat away from his face trying to keep his fever down. She knew this would not help his fever but she had to do something. He had not improved at all since they brought him into Nathan's room. If anything, he had become worse. He was delirious and constantly muttering to himself about Charlotte. From Ezra's words, Mary had come to realise that Ezra had loved the woman and her death had truly affected him.
Nathan and JD had also stayed at Ezra's side while the others had gone searching for Hanley four hours ago, as they could no longer do anything while Ezra continued to suffer. They were angry - with Hanley and themselves.
"Mary I need to clean Ezra's wound again, can you help me?" asked Nathan. He had been cleaning the wound every three hours.
"Yes." She did not want to see him go through it again but she knew that Nathan had no choice.
But Ezra did not react the way he had been. The cries of pain had lessened and the struggling became weaker. This time there was no sound from his lips and only slight movements when he tried to move away from the pain but he was too weak at this point to put up much of a struggle. Nathan was very worried about the fever. He had seen men in the war with fevers like this, they had survived but they were not the same afterwards. It had affected their minds somehow; they were just not the same person. He hoped that if Ezra got through this that it would not happen to him.
It was another two hours before the others had returned to see how Ezra was doing. All hoping that they were not coming back to bad news. They walked into Nathan's room to see JD and Nathan struggling to hold Ezra down. He seemed to be thrashing about uncontrollably.
"Help us with him," said Nathan as he tried to keep Ezra from hurting himself.
"What's wrong with him?" asked Vin as he came over to grab hold of Ezra's legs and with Buck's help managed to keep them still.
"It's the fever. He's having convulsions. All I can do is keep him still until he stops. If I don't he is just going to injure himself more." Nathan looked worried sick and this made everyone realise than Ezra may be dying. Chris was standing back watching the whole scene.
Ezra convulsed one last time and went limp.
"God no." muttered Josiah who had stood by the bed in case extra hands were needed.
Mary burst into tears. The others stood back as Nathan checked Ezra thinking the worst and each swearing to revenge Ezra if it was the last thing they would do.
"His fever broke. His going to be okay," sighed Nathan. "He's going to be okay."
Nathan though was quietly thinking to himself so as not to worry anyone else. "As long as the fever has not affected his mind."
There was a sigh of relief from everyone in the room. All grateful to have the chance to make amends to Ezra for what they had allowed to happen.
While Ezra had slept another seven hours JD, Buck, Josiah and Vin continued to look for Hanley leaving Chris, Nathan and Mary with Ezra. There was no trace of where Hanley had disappeared. They tried other towns in the area and no one had recognised the description that they had given them. They were beginning to think that the man was halfway to Mexico knowing that if they had gotten hold of him that he would be a dead man. And he would have been right.
They rode back towards town anxious to see how Ezra was doing now that they knew he would be okay. Watching from behind a rock large, enough to hide him was Hanley. He was going to ride into town late that night hoping that he would not be seen. He had a plan to get Ezra and he didn't have much longer to finally kill the man and get his sweet revenge. He thought that he might even deal with JD, as he was the reason that he had lost Ezra in the first place.
Chris was sitting in a chair across from Ezra so he could watch him sleep. He had not taken his eyes off him for nearly an hour. He was torn up inside. He hated himself. Ezra had nearly died protecting Chris and the others. And all Chris could do was hate the man whom he thought was a liar, a cheat and a coward. He now knew that Ezra was no coward. He was still a liar though but this time Chris smiled at the thought. He remembered the day when Hanley had arrived in town. He had called Ezra a liar and then when he had lied outside the barn he had believed that Ezra was telling the truth.
"And what is it that you are smiling at Mr Larabee?" asked Ezra in a voice that was full of weakness and pain. "Do you believe the situation that I am in is a humorous one?"
JD and Nathan came over at the sound of Ezra's voice. JD was glad to see his friend awake. Nathan was glad to hear the words Ezra was using - this meant that the fever had left no effects on his mind.
"Ezra! You’re awake." JD could not help but give Ezra the largest smile he had.
"Could I have some water please?" asked Ezra.
"Don't try to move about to much Ezra." said Nathan. "You have been through a lot and you are going to need a lot of rest."
Ezra gave Nathan one of his looks. Nathan was relieved to see it.
Mary came over with some water. Nathan helped him sit up so that he could drink some of it. Ezra only took a few small sips though. He did not have the strength to take more.
"Thank you Mrs Travis." Ezra looked at JD. "I seem to owe you my life JD. It was you who got me out of there was it not."
"Yes it was," answered Chris.
"I see you have been in some sort of physical confrontation Mr Larabee. I assume it was with Hanley."
Chris could not help notice the use of his last name while Ezra had use JD's first. He couldn't blame him.
Nathan could not help himself. "No it wasn't. JD did it."
Ezra raised his eyebrows at this.
"Ezra." Chris moved his chair closer to Ezra. "JD told us that you lied about killing Charlotte Ramsey. Why would you do that?"
Ezra sighed. He was beginning to tire already. "He told me in the barn that he would kill any of you if you helped me. I had to make sure that you did not."
"So you lied about it. You admitted to killing someone that you did not kill." this was a statement not a question. Chris wanted to know why Ezra did that. Wanted to be sure. If Ezra replied with the type of answer that he expected then he knew that Ezra was a man that he could now trust with his life.
"Mr Larabee, if you were in my position and knew that some of your associates would be killed unless you did something to protect them even if it meant putting your own life in danger, wouldn't you do anything that you could to help them?"
"You know that I would." replied Chris.
Ezra sighed again and closed his eyes.
"Then why would you assume that I would not!" Ezra was asleep again before Chris could give him a reply.
Hanley snuck into town shortly after and took up a post close to the saloon. Now all he had to do was wait for one of Ezra's friends to show up and then put his plan into action.
Ezra awoke a couple of hours later. He opened his eyes to see Chris Larabee still sitting in the chair across from him. He had his eyes closed so Ezra decided not to say anything, he did not particularly want to talk to him now. After everything that had happened Ezra got the impression that for some reason Chris still doubted him.
Chris opened his own eyes to find Ezra looking at him. "How are you doing Ezra?"
"Oh, just great thankyou Mr Larabee."
Chris noticed the sarcasm in Ezra's voice. He looked over at Nathan who was sleeping in one of the other chairs in the room. It was the first time that Nathan had slept since they brought Ezra in. He looked back at Ezra wondering what he was going to say to him to try to explain the reasons for doubting him. Ezra moved trying to make himself more comfortable but he gave out a cry of pain and collapsed back on the bed.
"Ezra, I'm sorry. I did not know what to think. I've been in a bad mood all week and I let it affect my judgement of you. I let my anger blind me."
"You thought exactly what you wanted to think," thought Ezra who did not say anything aloud, he just continued to look at Chris. His green eyes showing the pain that he was still feeling.
Chris looked away from him. "When Hanley said that you killed a woman all I could think of was the men who killed my wife and son and it was that anger that took control of me."
"But I am not the same as the men who killed your family. Why would you even associate me with them?"
Chris was really starting to feel the shame of what he had done. "It wasn't my intention to Ezra." Chris looked back at him. "I know that there is nothing I can say or do to make up for it."
Ezra changed the subject. He was having enough of this conversation already. It was making him angry that Chris could not just admit that it was his lack of trust in Ezra that had blinded him. He was angry about his family but that was not the real reason he allowed this to happen. The truth was that he had always been angry with Ezra, had never trusted him from the moment that he left them in the village, had never forgiven him for it. And he had used this opportunity to get back at Ezra.
"What did you do with Hanley?" asked Ezra. He frowned at the look that came over Chris's face. "Has someone else been hurt?"
"Um no, we don't where he is." answered Chris.
"He is still out there?" Ezra was stunned. If Hanley was still out there then that meant the others were still in danger.
He knew that he would not give up until he got what he wanted.
"Don't worry Ezra; we won't let him get you."
"Mr Larabee, there you go again thinking that my concern is for myself and not the others," sighed Ezra.
Chris was becoming very uncomfortable. It seemed he couldn't say the right things now.
JD and Vin came into the room then only to find Chris's gun pointed at them. Chris relaxed and put his gun away. Ezra felt hopeless thinking that if that were Hanley coming through the door that he would not have been able to do anything to stop him. Neither would he be able to get his own revenge for what Hanley had done to Charlotte and himself.
"Hey Ezra." said Vin. “I’m sorry about what's happened."
"Yes, you and Mr Larabee it seems." Ezra responded. "Mr Dunne may I have a word with you alone please?"
"Sure Ezra." JD watched Chris and Vin leave looking back at Ezra understanding why he was angry with them. He noticed that Nathan was still asleep in his chair. "What's up?"
"Firstly I want to thank you for saving my life. And secondly I want you to give me one of your guns."
"Where's Buck and Josiah?" enquired Chris after they stepped outside.
"They thought they would give the town the once over again to make sure that Hanley hadn't come back."
Chris nodded at this. Vin watched him for a moment. "How's he doing?"
"He seems better." Chris did not look at Vin.
"You know what I mean Chris."
"He's angry. Particularly with me."
"He won't blame you though for what Hanley's done." Vin hoped.
Chris finally looked at him. "He doesn't have to Vin, I blame myself."
Hanley was watching from a side alley making sure that no one saw him. He noticed Mary Travis walking towards the local store. Now he knew where Ezra was and whom he was going to use to get to him. He moved back down the alley to find another way to the store.
Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five
Master Fan Fiction List