 By Brigitta B. DISCLAIMER : I do not own any of the characters. "The Magnificent Seven" belong to MGM and Trilogy Entertainment. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’d be a happy woman if Vin belonged to me.....but no such luck. I have not made any profit out of writing this, so please don’t sue me. It would not be worth your while.Author Comment: This ficlet is in response to the Vin Tanner Fanfic Feedback Group Christmas/New Year 2006 Challenge Fic - What if... Ghosts of the Confederacy What If… What if it had been Ezra Vin had opened up to. Written for the Vin Fanfic and Discussion Group Christmas/New Year Celebration The sun’s journey across the sky was almost at an end. Purple and pink hues blazed in all the glory God had sent. Vin lifted his spy glass and surveyed the valley below. There was no sign of Anderson and his band of misfits. Vin snorted. Misfits. He lowered the spyglass and glanced back over his shoulder to where he could see Buck and J.D. drinking. He smiled. Yep. Misfits. Something in the shadows behind him prickled the back of his neck and he shifted his gaze to that area, before returning to his duties. The approach of another didn’t concern him. “Ezra,” he greeted. Standish made an impressed sound in the back of his throat. “Mr. Tanner, we have yet to become truly acquainted.” “Know as much about you as I want… or dare,” Vin added with a smirk as he looked at his companion who had settled on a rock to his right. Ezra returned his smile. “Touché, but I am very curious about you.” “You like to know what you’re gettin’ into?” Vin asked. “Never sit down at a table and place large bets unless you know who you are playing against.” “I ain’t against you. And don’t remember asking you to lay any bets.” “Yet, here I am literally gambling with my life – betting on the fact that you, and our fellow…” “Misfits.” “Quite.” “I usually hit what I’m aimin’ at. Reckon they do too.” Vin looked down on the land below. “Still, I’d like to know why you’re here. Are you simply a Good Samaritan? Or are you after something else?” Vin drew in a deep breath, his mind churning. He didn’t speak for a long time. “There's a little backwater town up in the Texas panhandle. Tascosa. Flatter'n a felt-covered poker table. You know it?” Ezra pursed his lips. “I do believe I have played a few hands of poker there. I’m not particularly welcome in that municipality any more.” Vin nodded. “Reckon that makes two of us. If I wind up gettin’ killed, you boys can take my body back there. You'll get five hundred for it.” “An interesting proposition. Why are you so valuable, my friend?” Vin sighed. He lifted his eyes momentarily to a spot over Ezra’s shoulder. “Well, when the buffalo done run out I became a bounty hunter. I was going after Eli Joe-- a bandit who'd shot up a few banks. $200 reward, alive or dead and I found him dead, took the body in.” Vin shook his head with deep regret. “'Cept it wasn't him. Old Eli framed me up for murder. Since I didn't do it, I decided not to stick around for the hanging. Wound up with a hefty bounty on my own head.” Standish frowned. “You surprise me, Mr. Tanner. You strike me as a good judge of character and so you must have deduced that my reasons for being here aren’t…” Ezra winked, “…entirely pure. In which case, why tell me that alive or dead you are worth money? What is to stop me from shooting you in the back and returning you to Tascosa for the reward?” “Like ya said, I’m a good judge of character. Besides, don’t reckon he’d like it.” Vin inclined his head to the shadows. Ezra followed the direction and cleared his throat. “You could well be right, my friend. You could well be right. I assure you, you’re secret is safe with me.” He rose to his feet, tipped his hat to Vin and then to the shadow, before returning to the noisy festivities. Chris materialized from the darkness. “You took a chance.” “He’s a better man than he wants to be.” Chris settled beside him. “Yeah.” He paused a moment. “What you said. Is it true?” “Which part?” They exchanged a grin. “I wouldn’t like it,” Chris assured. Vin nodded. He trusted Chris. He didn’t know why, but he did. “I meant it. If I die here, you take me back for the money.” Chris’ face twisted with distaste. Vin smirked, his eyes twinkling. “I figure if a friend collects, I get the last laugh.” ************** Sorry girls. I tired, but it just needs to be Chris there for that last line. ((g) You can drop me a note here.  © December 2006 Brigitta B. : This relates only to the creative property in this story. The distinctive way the story unfolds, the specific dialogue and unique situations are mine. I acknowledge that some of the characters and settings belong to DC comics and I thank them sincerely for turning a blind eye so I can borrow them. (g) No infrigement of copyright was intended and no profit has been made from this story... so, please don't sue me. It wouldn't be worth your while. |
This page is for fan enjoyment and review. I do not own any of the pictures. They remain the property of their original owners. No infringement of copyright is intended. I am making no money from this site... I wish! If you see anything on this page (or any other page on my site) that you believe belongs to you and you would like me to remove it, please just let me know and I will take it down immediately or, if you prefer, acknowledge you in full. (g)
| |||||||||||||||||||||
