"LARABEE'S LADY: THE ELLA FACTOR" – CHAPTER SIX

Title: "Larabee's Lady: The Ella Factor"

Author: Michelle Heath

Rating: MA for adult language and situations

Summary: An old flame causes trouble for Chris and Catherine.

Date Written: September 24, 2010

Disclaimer: Chris Larabee, Vin Tanner, J.D. Dunne, Buck Wilmington, Josiah Sanchez, Ezra Standish, Nathan Jackson, Casey Wells, Mary Travis, Nettie Wells, Inez, Ella Gaines, Jack Averell, and The Magnificent Seven are the property of TM CBS, The Mirisch Group, MGM and Triology Entertainment. Other characters, i.e., Catherine Stewart, Jonathan Stewart, Eloise Stewart, Henrietta Wilkes, Miles Kettering, etc. are the sole property of the author. The author makes no profit from this work of fan fiction and no copyright infringement is intended.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story follows my first story, "Larabee's Lady" in which Chris Larabee met and fell in love with Catherine Stewart, Mary Travis' best friend. I didn't like the whole Ella Gaines story line, so I wrote "Larabee's Lady" without bringing Ella into it, but I've decided that maybe she can provide some interesting dynamics.

(Once Chris is settled in the carriage with Ella and they are, again, on their way, Ella uses all her wiles to try and charm him. She begins to talk about things they did when they were much younger, and places her hand familiarly on his leg. It takes Chris but a split-second to remove her hand and turn to face her, a grim expression on his face. Ella stops prattling and looks at him with surprise.)

Chris: "Tell me something, Ella, how'd you know where I was?"

Ella: "The seven of you are well-known in the territory, Chris. It wasn't hard to find you. . . What's wrong?

Chris: "I need you to understand something. I'm in love with Catherine; we're getting married in a couple of weeks. As soon as we've taken care of this problem with Averell, I'm going back to Four Corners; to Catherine."

Ella: "Well, of course, I understand that, Chris. Why ever would you think I didn't?"

Chris: "Oh, I don't know . . . You show up out of nowhere with some story about someone tryin' to steal you're land, you treat my fiancée' like she's dirt under your feet, you wanna get all cozy with me the minute I get in this carriage . . .What should I think?"

(Ells is seething inside and her hatred for Catherine Stewart is reaching almost uncontrollable proportions, but she pastes an engaging smile on her face.)

Ella: "There is a man named Jack Averell, he is trying to steal my land, and I do need your help in getting rid of him. I am sorry if you feel that I treated Catherine badly, but I assure you that I have no animosity toward her."

(Chris looks squarely at Ella for a minute and then tells Luis to stop the coach so that he can remount his horse where he stays for the rest of the journey to Ella's. . . .

Catherine is in one of the stables checking on a mare that's about to foal when Farley comes in to tell her one of the hands reported some of the fencing at the northeast property line is down and needs to be repaired. The location is one that is about as far from the house as possible and still be on Catherine's land, and it appears the job is going to require several people and a couple of days worth of work. Catherine decides to send Farley and all but three of the ranch hands to repair the fence, and they leave as soon as they have their gear together. As she watches them ride away from the stables, Catherine experiences an uneasy feeling and looks out over the area surrounding the structures. Although she sees no one, Catherine cannot help but feel that someone is out there watching.

Once the Seven arrive at Ella's, she invites them all inside for lunch. As they are entering the house, she turns to Chris and offers him a beguiling smile.)

Ella: "Your room is upstairs, Chris. Come on, I'll show you where it is."

Chris: "I'll be stayin' in the bunk house with the boys, Ella. . . . Josiah, J.D., take a look around."

Ella: "Well, then, if you'll excuse me, I'll just go change."

(By the time she reaches her room, Ella Gaines is fit to be tied. Nothing is going they way she thought it would, and she is having great difficulty keeping her disposition pleasant. Angrily jerking off her riding habit, she tries to think of new ways she can get Chris Larabee into her bed. . . .

Chris, Vin, Ezra, Buck, and Nathan walk over to the bunkhouse and are less than impressed when they walk in.)

Ezra: "Oh, the indignity. Courage, Ezra, courage."

Buck: "Maybe you should've taken Ella up on her offer of a room in the house, Stud."

Chris: "I don't think so, Buck. This'll be just fine."

Vin: "Think I'll sleep under the stars."

Nathan: "How're we gonna take care of this, Chris?"

Chris: "As quickly as possible, Nathan. I want to get the Hell out of here, and get back home."

Buck: "Somethin' just don't feel right 'bout this."

Nathan: "I'm with Buck.

Chris: "Yeah. Let's go talk to Ella, Vin. Find out where we can find this Jack Averell."