Title: Hitmen

Author: vashsunglasses

Fandom: The Magnificent Seven

AU: The Hitmen Universe (Status-Closed without express permission from me until the story is finished. If you really want to write something, please ask, I'm a nice girl and will probably say yes as long as you link back to me and this story.)

Rating: T

Summary: AU Las Vegas is home to group of seven professional hitmen.

Disclaimer: I don't own "The Magnificent Seven" in any of its incarnations. I am not a hitman and I know nothing about assassination techniques or weapons so don't be too hard on me if I get something wrong. I am making no money from this writing and do this for my own personal enjoyment only.

Warning: The fic contains graphic violence and criminal behavior.

Note: So, did you think I was dead? Well, I was actually… but I crawled out from my grave just to finish this story for all of my darling fans. Here I sit, rotting away and typing my heart out (literally) for you. Thus I prove my undying (undead?) devotion to you all.

Hitmen Chapter Five

Continued from the Last Chapter

Las Vegas 1:10 PM

Nellis Super Wal-Mart

For a moment all was still as the desperate men glared at each other with death in their eyes, waiting for the chance to strike. Then a whistling Wal-Mart associate walked by and realized what was happening in his department. After that it was a mad panic, with the store being rapidly emptied of all customers and the police being called to the scene. Yet none of the men moved from their positions. They hardly even blinked. Finally, the store grew still once more and very, very quiet. Chris spoke, "Why are you doing this, Ezra? Why are you putting yourself at risk for something stupid like this?"

"One thing that I've learned over the years, Chris, is that a man must become larger than himself if he is to make it in this world." Ezra threw up a lazy hand in mild revulsion, "Anyone can skulk around in the dark and kill people. It takes a legend to do it fearlessly and with style. Because I am willing to put myself out in the open for all to see, I will get more clients, and that is why I will blossom where others wither."

"You also put your men at risk." Chris said flatly, nodding his head towards Josiah and Nathan.

Ezra sniffed defiantly, "Their risk is their own. That they chose to come here and take that risk is no one's business but theirs."

Buck spoke quietly from his chair, "Sometimes, you don't realize what you are truly risking until it is too late. If something goes wrong, it is your men who will pay the price. I know; I've paid that price myself."

Chris swallowed back the sudden lump of guilt that formed in his throat at his friend's words, remembering his once again how his brash actions after his wife's death ended in tragedy for the one man who had stood by him through it all. He wanted to apologize once again for his actions, but he knew that this was neither the time nor the place for such words.

This is the Police! We've got the building surrounded!

"Now what, genius?" Chris hissed to Ezra.

Ezra's grin slipped off of his face, and all that was left was a cold regard that chilled all those who looked upon it. "Now you tell me what you know about the degenerate who has been using my calling card and stealing my targets."

Surrender now or we will have to be forced to take action!

"I'd love to help you," Vin said in a slow, lazy drawl, "but I'm only a simple man and I ain't got the slightest idea what 'degenerate' means…"

Ezra's lips twitched slightly.

"Is it a type of fish?" Vin continued with a sparkle in his eye.

Nathan coughed to try to hide his sudden need to laugh. He knew from long experience that Ezra hated it when people made fun of his word usage. Perhaps these men weren't so bad after all.

I repeat: This is the Police! We've got the building surrounded!

Buck saw that this line of conversation wouldn't get any of them anywhere, amusing as it was, so he answered Ezra's question, "We don't know anything about this imposter person. You're barking up the wrong tree."

Ezra pondered Buck's answer for a moment, then turned hard eyes on Chris, "Is that true?" he said with challenge in his voice.

Chris stared him straight in the eyes, "It's true. I'll give you my word on it."

Surrender now or we will have to be forced to take action!

Ezra nodded briskly, the smile returning to his face, "Well! That's good enough for me. Now let's get out of here before the officers outside get trigger happy." He turned and began to walk down the isle towards his men and the center of the store, Nathan and Josiah putting away their guns and joining him. After a few seconds he stopped and turned to Chris once more, "Aren't you coming?"

Chris' eyebrow flew up.

Ezra shrugged in a friendly manner, "It would be ungentlemanly for me to leave you here to face the police after I'm the one who initiated this little brawl. I had an escape route in place before I walked in the door. Trust me on this, I know what I'm doing… unless you actually want to have a shoot out with the cops?"

"Put away your guns." Chris did so and Vin and Buck followed suit. "Lead the way."

They are magnificent. Even better than I had imagined. Every time I think that I have them pegged they surprise me by surmounting all of my expectations. It's almost sad that I have to continue with my plans against them. Unfortunately for them, what he did was inexcusable and unforgivable.

Forgive me mother. Forgive me for what has to be done.

"Good evening, officers." Ezra said smoothly as he exited through the door in the back of the building. The police officers standing around the door frowned but the stepped aside to let the six men leave the building without molestation.

At Chris' enquiring look Ezra elaborated, "Money makes the world go round. Wouldn't you agree?"

All of the men quickly entered a large white van and before a minute had passed they were a few blocks away from Wal-Mart.

"So where are you going to drop us off?" Vin asked confidently.

"We're not." Ezra said coldly, pulling a gun from his jacket and aiming at Vin from where he sat in the passenger seat. "I'm not done with you yet."

-To be Continued-

Note: So basically I saved you from the last cliffhanger, only to hit you with another one. Don't worry though, this next chapter is the end of this three part arc. On the bright side, you finally got to hear from the mysterious killer!