Title: Each Must Know His Part Part 2/3
Rating: PG13
Characters: Ezra Standish, Chris Larabee, Vin Tanner, Buck Wilmington, and eventually Josiah Sanchez, Nathan Jackson and JD Dunne.
Pairing: Chris/OFC - Charlotte Sparrow
Summary: An unexpected visitor to Four Corners, forces the men to come to terms with Ezra and Charlotte's Immortality
A/N: This is a sequel to "Child of My Heart" and "The Truth Is Immortal".
Chris pushed past his men without a word and headed toward the church. He expected all of them to follow without being told. He was furious with Ezra for not convincing the other Immortal to leave, with Charlotte for acting like her Immortal dealings were none of his concern, and with himself for believing that he'd found someone he could never lose.
He flung open the doors to the church, stalked to the front and waited for everyone to file in. He'd have preferred a private conversation with his future relatives, but knew that the others would find out what was going on anyway. Might as well hash it out together.
Maybe they could do what Ezra had not; make this Immortal go away.
He sat down in the front pew waiting for the others to catch up.
Buck plopped down next to him. "So Ezra really gonna fight this guy?"
"Yes, Buck, he is," Charlotte said as she walked to the front of the sanctuary. "And none of you are going to interfere."
Buck turned to look over his shoulder at the gambler who had settled into the pew behind Chris. "You sure about this, Ezra?"
"It's what needs to be done." Ezra pulled out his pocket watch to check the time. "In about one hour, I will take my leave, gentlemen, to face our intruder."
"No you won't," Chris growled without turning around.
"I don't see that it's your concern," Charlotte said. "This is Immortal business."
Chris roared to his feet rounding the pew to face her. "That's bullshit! How can you be so cold? A man you raised like a son is about to lose his head and you act like he's going for a Sunday ride."
"Thank you for that vote of confidence, Chris." Ezra smirked.
"Shut up!" Chris snapped "I'm still angry with you too."
"Ezra is well trained. He should have no problem defeating that odious man."
"How can you be so sure this guy isn't better?" Josiah interrupted. "No offense, Ezra," he added hastily.
The gambler nodded his understanding of the question.
Chris couldn't beleive the matter-of-fact way they were both approaching this. Charlotte could lose Ezra; why didn't that bother her more? It sure as hell bothered him.
"I have found that truly deadly men have no need to boast about their skills." Charlotte stared at Chris. "His arrogance is just a mask for his own insecurities."
Chris thought about her statement knowing it to be true. He was renowned for his skill as a gunfighter; yet, never felt the need to brag or even draw attention to how deadly he truly was. Still, she couldn't be sure and the alternative was unacceptable.
"I have trained Ezra myself," she continued as if sensing Chris' skepticism. "And he has held his own against Methos; one of the most accomplished swordsman I know. Ezra will prevail." Her confidence in her declaration was apparent but Chris wasn't convinced.
"And if Ezra doesn't win?"
"Then I shall face him."
"Like hell you will," Chris barked. "I'll shoot him and take his head myself first. I will not allow you to put yourself in that kind of danger."
"Allow! You have no say in this." Charlotte stepped closer to Chris, her arms folded defiantly across her chest. "You will not interfere in the Game."
"Game!" Chris threw his hands up in frustration. Charlotte had explained this Game to him. There could be only one; it made no sense to Chris. "I don't care about your stupid Game. You are gonna be my wife and I will protect you." Because I failed to protect Sarah, he added silently.
He wanted to grab her and shake some sense into her, but failing that he wanted to just hold her and make her understand why she couldn't do this to him.
Charlotte sagged at his last words. "Chris, you can't protect me from this." Her voice was quieter now.
"Well, I'm damn well gonna try," he said. "I will not lose you too." And there it was, his secret fear laid plain. He was angry he'd let it slip, but how could she not know why he felt so strongly?
He could see her anger fading away replaced with concern for him. She reached to lay a comforting hand on his heart. "I will do everything in my power to ensure you do not have to face what you fear. I have faith that Ezra will defeat this man; there is no need to distress yourself this way."
Chris didn't want to fight and as frustrating as she could be, he could never hold onto his anger when she looked at him that way. He reached up to take hold of her hand, clasping it to his chest as he studied her face. A face he'd fallen in love with, a face he might lose before he really had the chance to be with her because of some foolish ritual.
There was a part of him that was sure Ezra would handle this situation, but what about the next one? What if another Immortal came to town and Ezra wasn't the first one he ran into? Suddenly the idea of her Immortality was no longer the panacea he'd thought when he'd allowed himself to give into his feelings for her. She could die. Just like Sarah, Charlotte could be taken from him and he wasn't sure he was strong enough to face that.
He needed a drink and he needed a plan. One that Charlotte didn't have to know about. She could hate him forever, but at least she would be alive. There was no need to continue this conversation.
Sighing, he brought the hand he was holding to his lips. He would admit defeat at least for now. "I will never understand this, but I ain't gonna argue any more."
She leaned into him. "Thank you."
Kissing the top of her head, he said softly, "You are too damn stubborn. We're going to have to work on that."
He could felt her chuckle against his chest. "I promise to let you win the next argument."
Chris pulled back from her. "I'm gonna hold you to that one."
Buck came up beside him and in a stage whisper said, "Best get that in writing, stud."
"Buck, I am a woman of my word," Charlotte said with exaggerated indignation.
"No offense, ma'am, but women have a way of forgetting those kinds of promises," he laughed and the other men joined in.
"I think Buck is right." Chris turned to Ezra. "You have a pencil?"
"Chris!" Charlotte chided and playfully smacked him on the shoulder.
He smiled and pulled her close. "Ezra's taught me to always insure my investments with a formal contract."
Charlotte smiled up at him. "I believe I was the one who taught him that."
"True, cousin," Ezra said. "I find it a prudent policy."
As contented as he felt with Charlotte in his arms and his men smiling around him, it was the calm before the storm. This issue with Charlotte and her Immortal nature was not over yet, even if he was willing to let if go for now. Chris looked over at Ezra. "You kill that son of a bitch, you understand me?"
The gambler nodded. "I had no intention of doing otherwise."
Ezra continued to stare at Chris, before his eyes flicked momentarily to Charlotte and then back up again. Chris tilted his head indicating he understood the inquiry and sent a silent promise that he would not play by the rules if Ezra was unsuccessful.
"I have another question," Josiah said.
"Yes, Josiah. What is it you wish to know?" Charlotte asked as she pulled back from Chris' embrace to face the former preacher.
"I was wondering. Will you someday have to challenge Ezra?"
"Of course not," she said.
"But you said they can be only one," JD blurted out. "What if the last two are you and Ez?"
"Hush, JD," Buck said. "Don't go giving 'em any ideas."
Chris had never thought of that. Even though they were Immortal, someday they would all die except the so called winner of the game.
"Should it come down to my cousin and me, I assure you I would cede the prize to her," Ezra said.
"I have little interest in this prize and certainly not at the cost of your life," Charlotte countered.
"Nevertheless," Ezra insisted as he moved toward her. "That is how it shall be." The steel in Ezra's words gave Charlotte pause and the cousins seemed to reach a silent understanding as they stood facing each other.
Chris knew that Ezra would hold to his word. While it didn't mean much in the current situation, he found comfort in the idea that, if it were in his power, Ezra would make sure Charlotte survived.
Vin had wished Ezra luck and headed to his wagon. He left the others gathered on the church steps as they each took their turn offering their support to Ezra.
During the meeting, Chris had given Vin a look and he'd known exactly what the man wanted. Chris was in a tough spot. In order to keep peace with Charlotte, he wasn't in a position to back Ezra up if the duel went south, but Vin was.
Vin paused to look back and noticed that Charlotte had taken Ezra aside to stand in front of the livery, Chaucer was already saddled and ready to go. Vin was too far away to hear the words they exchanged, but he was touched by the love he saw between them. Vin watched as Charlotte pulled Ezra into a fierce embrace. Ezra stepped back, dropped his head in a small nod before running a hand lightly down her arm. Then he mounted his horse and rode away. Chris came up beside her and she sagged into his embrace, but before she could break down completely Chris led her away.
Anyone watching the exchange could see that it was killing Charlotte to be strong and let her cousin...hell son... ride away. Vin was almost embarrassed to have witnessed such a private and emotional goodbye. Visions of his own mother swam before his eyes and he knew there was no way he was going to let Charlotte experience the pain of losing Ezra.
He resumed the trek to his wagon and rooted through his things until he found the rifle. He hadn't touched it since that awful day that Ezra had been shot trying to stop Stutz from killing Mary. The money they'd found on the elder Stutz had gone toward general repairs in the town, helping Josiah finish up his work on the church and building a new school as well as paying the salary for a teacher. Everyone, including Judge Travis, had agreed that was the fair solution since the whole town benefited from the unclaimed money. The Judge had even given them all a small bonus. Then his friends had decided that Vin should have the rifle. Since he protected the town, they'd explained, the fancy gun would go a long way to helping that cause.
He'd felt a little guilty about keeping it considering the big misunderstanding about the money, but even Ezra had insisted it was the right choice. As he pulled the case from its hiding place, he felt the last of that guilt melt away. Now, he might use this killing tool to protect his friend and for the first time he was grateful he'd been gifted the weapon.
Vin headed back to the livery and saw that Buck, JD, Nathan and Josiah were standing abreast in the middle of the street just staring at the direction Ezra had ridden, even though the gambler was long gone from their sight. As Vin came to stand beside Buck, the big man's eyes flicked down to the rifle case and back up.
"You goin' somewhere, Vin?" Buck asked, the grin on his face indicating he knew damn well where Vin was going.
"Figured I'd ride patrol," Vin replied casually. "Maybe do a little huntin' while I'm out."
"Sounds like a good idea," Josiah replied. "You thinkin' you'd like some company?"
Vin shook his head. "Easier to hunt iffen it's just me. All of us goin' out would just scare the game."
He stared at the men in front of him as each nodded their understanding, except JD.
Frowning, the young easterner complained, "But I was wanting to – "
Buck cut him off with a cuff to the back of his head. "No arguing, JD; Vin hunts better alone."
Vin chuckled at the disappointed look on the kid's face. JD had been out many times to watch Charlotte and Ezra spar and he'd obviously wanted to see Ezra fight for real. Vin knew that Buck had cured JD of his romantic notions about gunfights but it looked like the big man would be lecturing the kid about how swordfights were no different.
Buck gestured for Vin to be on his way. "I'll explain it to JD."
"Good hunting, Brother." Josiah said.
"Be careful," Nathan added.
Nodding, Vin headed into the livery relieved that none of the others had tried to come. The solitude allowed him to maintain the illusion of an ordinary patrol If things went sideways and he had to step in, at least none of them would have to lie to Charlotte. Vin was pretty sure she wouldn't be angry at him… well, not too angry.
Ezra had adamantly refused to share the location of the challenge. Vin laughed, like that would pose a problem for him. Chaucer's trail was easily followed and after ten minutes, the tracker realized that Ezra had to be headed toward Chris' spread.
Vin approved of the choice. With Chris staying in town until the wedding and his stock already moved to Charlotte's place, the secluded ranch was deserted. Plus, the house would provide a place for Ezra to rest up when he finished.
It also meant that Vin knew exactly where to set up to cover Ezra's back. He still wasn't exactly sure what he was going to do. There was an honor code associated with duels that he respected and it meant that Ezra was on his own. On the other hand, he knew his friend well enough to know that Ezra would have no problem if Vin were to bend the rules to save his life. Charlotte might be upset if Vin interfered, being the honorable woman that she was, but then she would never have to know.
That was the other reason he'd insisted on coming alone. If he had to take action, he figured it was a secret he and Ezra could keep for themselves.
After another twenty minutes of riding, Vin pulled his horse into the copse of trees to the east of the house. Making sure Peso was secured, he grabbed the rifle and edged toward the front of the tree line.
Ezra and Karl Jaeger appeared to be chatting by their horses in front of the house. Vin was too far away to hear what they were saying, but it didn't appear to be a friendly conversation. From his position within the grove, Vin would be able to see everything that was taking place during the challenge. He quickly assembled the rifle and sighted on Ezra. The gambler removed his green coat, and then systematically divested himself of his arsenal. Vin always got a chuckle at the number of weapons that man carried. Finally, Ezra pulled his sword from the scabbard attached to Chaucer's saddle.
Warily, the two Immortals, strode out to the empty ground between the house and corral. Vin noticed that Ezra walked like a man unsure of his skill. He assumed the charade the conman had begun in the saloon was still in effect.
Without a word, the two faced each other, swords raised. Vin was surprised to see that Ezra carried his sword in his right hand. He recalled Charlotte commenting that her cousin was really better with his left.
With a feral smile gracing his lips, Karl charged forward and the duel was begun. The resonance of the two swords meeting sent a flock of birds flying from the tree in the courtyard beyond the combatants. Vin focused on watching the duel, fascinated by the interplay. The only sounds in the clearing were the clanging of metal on metal, punctuated by the combatant's grunts as they fought for dominance. Vin was no judge of sword fighting, but it did seem like Ezra was consistently on the defensive. Karl pressed forward causing Ezra to retreat, backing him up toward where Vin was hidden.
Ezra parried an overhead slash from the German, his sword flailing widely as he defended himself from the onslaught. Vin was puzzled by what he saw in Ezra's form. He'd seen Ezra and Charlotte spar a few times. Then, his swordplay had been crisp and precise. That polished swordsman was not the man Vin was observing now. Was Ezra truly outmatched, or was he still trying to draw the German in by pretending to be a sloppier fighter than he actually was? It was one thing to deceive the man with words, but Vin thought Ezra was playing a dangerous game to continue the charade into the fight. The gambler's back was to him so he couldn't see his friend's face to judge the truth of the situation.
Ezra raised his sword to block a hard chop by Jaeger and as their swords connected he pushed the bigger man away. The German growled and surged forward, using his size to force Ezra to retreat once more. Ezra stumbled and Karl smiled in triumph as he tried to spear the smaller man through the chest. Ezra turned the stumble into a roll avoiding contact.
When Ezra climbed to his feet he was now facing Vin. Immediately, the tracker noticed that something had changed. The sword now rested in his left hand and the tentative façade slipped away as the gambler's bearing straightened. Vin recognized a coldness in Ezra's eyes that he'd often seen during battle.
Vin shook his head with admiration, it seemed that the mouse had become the cat.
As Ezra rose to his feet, he decided the time for games was over. Surreptitiously switching his sword to his left hand, he let the unnatural personality he'd created slip away. He had learned all he needed to know about Jaeger's fighting style and it was time to end this.
He stalked toward Karl, no hesitation in his swing as he thrust his sword toward his opponent's chest. The German blocked it - barely. But before Karl could fully recover, Ezra was swinging his sword back up. A series of quick attacks drove Karl back. As Ezra's motions had become tighter and more precise, Jaeger's parries were becoming more and more frantic.
There was fear in the German's eyes as he realized that this left handed-Ezra was not the same man he'd been fighting at the start.
Their swords took on a slow rhythmic clanging until finally Ezra found his opening. Dragging his weapon down Karl's right side, the sword opened a deep gash that ran from shoulder to elbow, rendering Jaeger's sword arm useless.
The German staggered backwards, his sword hanging limply at his side. Ezra hesitated; not sure he could actually take the man's head. Gun fights were distance battles, many times he'd never even seen his opponent clearly, but here – well, he was staring right into the man's eyes. The fear was pouring off Karl as easily as the sweat from their exertion.
Taking advantage of Ezra's hesitation, Karl bolted toward his horse. The unexpected behavior left Ezra stunned. Was the man actually running away? He wasn't going to let that happen, not with the chance that Jaeger might go after Charlotte. He had to end the threat this Immortal posed. Stirring from his confusion, he started after the man.
Halfway to the horses, Ezra heard a shot ring out and felt a bullet impact his chest. The pain drove him to the ground as his sword slipped from his fingers. He looked down at the red stain spreading across his white shirt and then up to see Karl stalking toward him, sword held awkwardly in his left hand.
"No way I let some fancy pants little gambler take me out," he sneered. They were the first words Karl had spoken since their duel began and Ezra suspected they might be the last he'd ever hear.
He was struggling to hold on to consciousness against the pain in his chest; his mind reeling against the idea that he was going to die. "You cheated!" he cried as the darkness overtook him.
Buck, Josiah and Nathan sat outside the jail, while in front of them JD paced a rut in the boardwalk.
Buck had tried to get the kid to sit down, his constant motion was making him crazy, but JD refused to listen, just glared at him and continued walking.
Josiah finally broke the silence. "Ya think it's over yet?"
Nathan shrugged. "You think he won?"
"Course he won," Buck insisted.
JD stopped his motion. "We should be there!" he insisted. "We should have gone with Vin."
"I done told you, kid, Vin's got it handled. Now sit down." Buck tried to reach for JD, but he backed away still furious. Somehow the kid had gotten it in his head that not being there was some kind of betrayal and Buck had all but given up trying to explain it.
"Well if you won't go, I will. I ain't gonna let Ezra think I don't got his back." JD started down the boardwalk.
Buck jumped to his feet, motioning for Josiah and Nathan to stay put. He chased after JD, grabbed his arm and pulled him into the alley.
"Will you calm down?"
"No, Buck I won't. We always back each other up and Ezra needs us."
"How many times I gotta tell you? It don't take six guns to take out one swordsman." Buck glared down at the younger man. "You keep going on like this and Charlotte's gonna suspect something and then she'll get mad at Chris when she figures out where Vin went and then Chris'll get mad at us. You see where I'm going with this?"
JD nodded. "I just…it's…I mean…." His shoulders sagged as he struggled to express his feelings.
"Yeah, I'm worried too, kid." Buck grabbed JD by the back of the neck in a gesture of comfort before using the grip to propel JD out of the alley and back toward where Nathan and Josiah sat waiting.
Coming around the corner, Buck wasn't surprised to see that Chris and Charlotte had joined their little vigil. The two of them had taken off, after Ezra had ridden out, to finish their talk in private. Charlotte was gazing up at Chris with a look of contentment on her face. Buck reckoned that Charlotte had finally gotten through to Chris that you couldn't always control the ones you love and that was just life.
Just like they were all waiting on Ezra; the man had a job to do and they couldn't help him. It was frustrating to sit around helpless while he risked death, but that's how it had to be.
Maybe he should have Charlotte talk to JD if he started ranting again. It was clear that she must have said the right thing to Chris because while his friend wasn't exactly happy, at least he wasn't scowling anymore. When Chris looked up to catch his gaze, Buck knew instinctively that it was concern for Ezra he saw in his eyes
"Well hey there, Charlotte," Buck said as he approached. He stepped onto the boardwalk and then settled down into the seat beside her. "You two make up?" he teased.
Charlotte smiled at him before turning her gaze up to Chris who was leaning against the wall next her. "I believe we have reached an understanding."
"Which ain't your business, Buck," Chris added.
Buck nodded. The two of them could be as stubborn as mules, but Buck believed that Chris and Charlotte were good together. They must have reached a compromise to be smiling at each other now and that's all he needed to know.
"Thought you'd be out watching Ezra, Charlotte?" Josiah questioned.
Buck tried not to glare at the preacher. No need to be giving Charlotte ideas, he thought. If Charlotte found out that Chris had sent Vin to watch Ezra's back, there would be more fire works. Vin was too discrete to be found out and Buck knew Ezra would never breath a word. That man was very good at keeping secrets. But if Charlotte decided to ride out there, it would be a lot harder to hide their back-up plan.
Charlotte shook her head. "As much as I would have wanted to be there for him, I fear my presence would only be a distraction. Ezra needs to know I trust him to get the job done without looking over his shoulder."
Josiah nodded his understanding. Buck relaxed and while he wanted to know more about what Ezra was facing, he didn't want to risk riling Chris and Charlotte up again. Not when his friend had made it clear that there was nothing more to say. Buck was just glad that Charlotte hadn't yet thought to question Vin's absence.
The six of then drifted into an uneasy silence and then JD started pacing again.
"Kid, if you don't sit down I'm going to tie you to a chair!" Buck growled.
******************************