Child Of My Heart (3/12) - Mag7/Highlander
Title: Child Of My Heart (3/12)
Author: strangevisitor7
Fandom: Magnificent 7 and Highlander
Beta: Much thanks to ithildyn
Prompt: #59 - Food for Crossovers100. My table is here
Rating: PG, Gen
Characters: HL: OFC Charlotte Sparrow (aka Pearl Black); Mag7: Ezra Standish for now but the rest of the boys show up in the later chapters
Summary: It's been ten years since Charlotte last saw Ezra, when he finally arrives to visit her at the ranch in New Mexico.
A/N: Charlotte is an Immortal and an original character created by ithildyn. In Charlotte’s bio, Ith mentioned that she’d lived in New Mexico in the 1860’s, so it was obvious to me she knew the Mag7 boys. I have added the idea that she was Maude Standish’s teacher, longtime friend and one of those people Maude would occasionally ‘dump’ Ezra with. The rest of Charlotte’s stories can be found on ithildyn’s journal Here
Chapter List
Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 5; Chapter 6; Chapter 7; Chapter 8; Chapter 9; Chapter 10; Chapter 11; Epilogue
Child Of My Heart, Chapter 3
Outside Four Corners, New Mexico
Charlotte wasn’t exactly worried, but she was becoming more anxious with each passing day. Ezra had promised to visit her ever since she’d settled in the west, and in the ten years she’d been living in New Mexico, he’d yet to make the trip; partly because of the war and partly because he still spent the majority of his time catering to his mother’s cons.
Then a few months ago, she’d received a letter from him postmarked out of Fort Laramie, Wyoming informing her that he was on his way. His proposed date for arrival had passed a week ago.
Charlotte knew that travel across the west was difficult, but now she wondered if something had happened. A part of her knew it was useless worry; Ezra had the potential for Immortality. If he had been killed, he wouldn’t stay that way for long. She only hoped that wasn’t the case. Immortality was a burden no matter what some thought and she wouldn’t wish that on Ezra.
He might call Maude ‘mother’, but Charlotte thought of Ezra Standish like her own son. She’d spent enough time raising him, maybe more than Maude had. Still, ten years was a long time and the eighteen-year-old teenager she had bid farewell to in Richmond was now a twenty eight-year-old man.
She’d left Richmond in a hurry ten years ago because her activities with the abolitionist movement had gotten her into trouble. When friends in the movement had been killed, she had inherited their three small children and a need to leave Virginia. Truthfully, it had been time to move on as Immortality limited the number of years one could spend in a single place.
Charlotte had finally settled in southeastern New Mexico. These days instead of a shipping business, she owned a ranch and bred horses; instead of watching Ezra whenever Maude had the desire to abandon him, she had six adopted children of her own. She loved having little ones around and was sure that the fact that Ezra was no longer being left on her doorstep had led her to adopt so many. Even if she could never have her own, there were always children in need and she had the maternal instinct to spare.
Charlotte was jerked out of her reverie when the door was thrown open and Timothy rushed in breathless and excited.
“Rider coming in!” he shouted. “I think it’s Cousin Ezra! Hurry, Mama!” He raced back out the door as quickly as he’d entered.
Charlotte smiled at his excitement. Jemma had been eight and Timothy six when they’d left Richmond, but they’d met Ezra and they had vague memories of him.
As she stood to follow, Charlotte realized her own heart was racing as well. Smoothing down the front of her plain white blouse she moved to check herself in the mirror on the wall. As she examined her reflection, she was suddenly worried that Ezra might notice that she hadn’t aged. He had no knowledge of her Immortality and she wanted to keep it that way.
“Don’t be silly,” she commented to her reflection. “He won’t remember; it’s been ten years.” Taking a deep breath she opened the door and stepped out onto the porch.
Jemma and Timothy, along with their thirteen-year-old brother Jess, were already accosting the rider. Charlotte took the time to examine the young man who had arrived. A little taller than she remembered, a little broader in the shoulders and the hair a little shorter but it was Ezra.
He was dressed like the riverboat gambler she knew him to be; fancy red coat and low crown black hat. He always was a fastidious dresser; Maude had insisted on that. As if sensing her scrutiny, he turned familiar green eyes to her and smiled revealing two sets of dimples and a gold tooth. When had he picked that up, she wondered.
She returned his smile and held her arms open to him, encouraging him to come to her.
Untangling himself from the trio, he made his way over to her. “Cousin Charlotte, it’s been too long,” Ezra said. His honey sweet southern drawl was just as she remembered.
She hugged him, planting a quick kiss on his cheek. “Ezra, I’ve missed you so much. I was beginning to give up hope that I’d actually get you out here for a visit.”
“I did promise to visit and here I am.”
“Yes, you are,” she said as she squeezed his arm. Over his shoulder, she called, “Tim, see to Cousin Ezra’s horse.”
“Yes, Mama.”
“Where are your things? Surely you plan to stay a while?” Charlotte asked when she noticed that he hadn’t grabbed any saddle bags from his horse.
“Actually, I do plan to stay, but not here,” Ezra admitted. “I have taken a room in Four Corners.”
“Four Corners?” Charlotte was familiar with the town. It was a little over an hour’s ride north, but she seldom went in that direction as the town had developed a rather seedy and wild reputation. She preferred to travel east for her supplies to Doña Ana. “Whatever for? I have plenty of room here.”
“I didn’t want to burden you. You have collected such a growing family,” he said gesturing to the children who had gathered on the porch. He knelt down to greet the newest arrivals. “These must be the twins you wrote me about.”
Charlotte nodded and introduced him to ten-year-old Penny and Patrick. Ezra pulled a pack of cards from his pocket. She smiled as he performed a card trick for the youngsters that made them squeal with delight. He’d always had a way with children. Jemma and Jess had stepped onto the porch to see what the fuss was about. A few more tricks followed, including one that involved a floating coin, before Charlotte interrupted the show.
“Jemma, take the children inside, I need to speak with Cousin Ezra.”
Jess led the moans of regret as they begged for another trick.
“Listen to you mother,” Ezra said as he put the cards away and ruffled Jess’ hair. “There will be plenty of time for more entertainment later.”
Once the children were inside, Charlotte sat down on the wooden bench that had been built on the front porch, gesturing for Ezra to sit next to her. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” He smiled as he joined her. “I just didn’t expect you to feed and board me like old times. I am quite capable of taking care of myself.”
Charlotte studied him and even after all these years she could still tell when he was lying to her. “Try again,” she said simply. “This time the truth. All of it.”
“Dear cousin, you are looking as young and lovely as ever,” he said as he grasped her hand and squeezed it. “The west seems to be agreeing with you.”
“Don’t change the subject. What happened? You were late and I could tell from your letter you left Wyoming in a hurry,” she pushed.
Charlotte had never judged the life that Ezra led, never let him see that she disapproved. Always, she had just wanted to be the person that he could confide in, as rarely as that occurred. Maude had raised him to be a gambler and a confidence man. Charlotte had hoped that her influence would raise him above such use of his intelligence, but his letters only served to confirm that he was Maude’s creation. The partner that her wayward student planned to raise from the first time she’d dropped the five-year-old on Charlotte’s doorstep.
Ezra sighed and leaned back against the house. “I could never lie to you.”
“Never; not when you were five and not now,” she told him, laughing.
The genuine smile that lit up his face indicated that he was glad for the honesty between them. “I stopped in Four Corners on my way here. My reserves were low and there was quite a crowd in the saloon.”
Charlotte knew without him elaborating that he was looking for marks, whether it be a poker game or some other con.
“I found myself being recruited as a hired gun to help protect an Indian village. Now normally I wouldn’t be interested in something like that, but I found the leader of the group, Chris Larabee, and his associates to be rather amusing.”
Charlotte smiled. She remembered how often she’d encouraged Ezra to try things just because they were fun. It would infuriate Maude because there was no profit in fun. Charlotte was happy to see that her push for Ezra to be adventurous for its own sake had taken hold.
Ezra went on to explain why the village was in danger and how they had successfully defeated the soldiers looking for nonexistent gold. “It was quite the battle. I was even able to lend my assistance to fire off the cannon we had captured from the Confederates.”
“You always did like experimenting with explosives,” Charlotte teased. “So you helped save the day. You did a good thing and it is a very noble reason for you to be late getting here.” She put her arm around him in a hug. It was so reminiscent of the days when he’d been her ward that she found herself wishing he was still small enough to lay his head on her shoulder. “I’m proud of you,” she said with a final squeeze before releasing her embrace.
Ezra stared at her, surprise etched on his handsome features at her praise. There was something in his telling that she was missing. The promise of gold had obviously been his initial motivation, but he had stayed and defended his new found friends even though no gold had been forthcoming.
“Ezra?” Charlotte prompted.
He shook his head and laughed. “Not noble. I don’t believe that word should ever be applied to my actions.”
She wasn’t about to argue with him. He’d risked his life for strangers and no reward. That was noble in her mind and it thrilled her that Ezra had let this side of himself shine through.
“If that little adventure is over then why are you staying in Four Corners?”
“In a most unfortunate turn of events, the business that I left behind in Wyoming followed me to this locale. Judge Travis, whose territory now includes Four Corners, was familiar with the exploits of one Ezra Simpson who jumped bail in Fort Laramie.” He paused as if waiting for her recrimination, or withdrawal of her earlier praise.
“Go on,” she said, not supplying any judgment in the phrase.
“In offering my services to help bring a murderer to justice, he pardoned those offenses. As penance, I am required to participate in the protection of the town, along with my six compatriots, for the next thirty days.”
“You are the new law in Four Corners?”
“Do not laugh at the odd turn of events,” he said. “But it seems that I am.”
“Ezra, I’m not laughing. I think this is wonderful,” she said.
“Wonderful? For the pittance of a dollar a day I am forced to endure the indignity of jumping at Mr. Larabee’s every command.”
Charlotte just smiled.
“I find the whole situation to be monumentally ridiculous,” Ezra insisted. “I’ve spent my entire life on the other side of that line and now I find myself having to uphold it.”
“And you’re enjoying every minute of it,” she concluded.
He met her gaze and broke into a wide grin. “I suppose I am. Mother would be apoplectic at the thought of me being a lawman.”
Charlotte’s hand flew to cover her mouth as she let loose a huge belly laugh. “Oh my, I would pay good money to see my cousin’s face when she learns of your latest occupation.”
Ezra chuckled and playfully bumped shoulders with Charlotte. “Well, she will be reading of my new address soon enough. I too wish I was able to see her reaction in person.”
Charlotte sobered immediately. “You told her you were living here, near me?”
Even though her former student had seen fit to use Charlotte as Ezra’s main babysitter over the years, Maude was constantly jealous over the close relationship she’d developed with him. Now that he was nearing Maude’s magical timetable for Immortality, she worried that the younger Immortal might do something rash if she thought she was losing her darling boy to Charlotte’s influence.
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
Flustered, Charlotte quickly composed herself. “No, of course not. I just haven’t seen Maude in years and I suppose your proximately might encourage her to visit,” she finished with a forced smile.
“Oh dear lord, let’s hope not,” he said with a laugh.
Author: strangevisitor7
Fandom: Magnificent 7 and Highlander
Beta: Much thanks to ithildyn
Prompt: #59 - Food for Crossovers100. My table is here
Rating: PG, Gen
Characters: HL: OFC Charlotte Sparrow (aka Pearl Black); Mag7: Ezra Standish for now but the rest of the boys show up in the later chapters
Summary: It's been ten years since Charlotte last saw Ezra, when he finally arrives to visit her at the ranch in New Mexico.
A/N: Charlotte is an Immortal and an original character created by ithildyn. In Charlotte’s bio, Ith mentioned that she’d lived in New Mexico in the 1860’s, so it was obvious to me she knew the Mag7 boys. I have added the idea that she was Maude Standish’s teacher, longtime friend and one of those people Maude would occasionally ‘dump’ Ezra with. The rest of Charlotte’s stories can be found on ithildyn’s journal Here
Chapter List
Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 5; Chapter 6; Chapter 7; Chapter 8; Chapter 9; Chapter 10; Chapter 11; Epilogue
Child Of My Heart, Chapter 3
Outside Four Corners, New Mexico
Charlotte wasn’t exactly worried, but she was becoming more anxious with each passing day. Ezra had promised to visit her ever since she’d settled in the west, and in the ten years she’d been living in New Mexico, he’d yet to make the trip; partly because of the war and partly because he still spent the majority of his time catering to his mother’s cons.
Then a few months ago, she’d received a letter from him postmarked out of Fort Laramie, Wyoming informing her that he was on his way. His proposed date for arrival had passed a week ago.
Charlotte knew that travel across the west was difficult, but now she wondered if something had happened. A part of her knew it was useless worry; Ezra had the potential for Immortality. If he had been killed, he wouldn’t stay that way for long. She only hoped that wasn’t the case. Immortality was a burden no matter what some thought and she wouldn’t wish that on Ezra.
He might call Maude ‘mother’, but Charlotte thought of Ezra Standish like her own son. She’d spent enough time raising him, maybe more than Maude had. Still, ten years was a long time and the eighteen-year-old teenager she had bid farewell to in Richmond was now a twenty eight-year-old man.
She’d left Richmond in a hurry ten years ago because her activities with the abolitionist movement had gotten her into trouble. When friends in the movement had been killed, she had inherited their three small children and a need to leave Virginia. Truthfully, it had been time to move on as Immortality limited the number of years one could spend in a single place.
Charlotte had finally settled in southeastern New Mexico. These days instead of a shipping business, she owned a ranch and bred horses; instead of watching Ezra whenever Maude had the desire to abandon him, she had six adopted children of her own. She loved having little ones around and was sure that the fact that Ezra was no longer being left on her doorstep had led her to adopt so many. Even if she could never have her own, there were always children in need and she had the maternal instinct to spare.
Charlotte was jerked out of her reverie when the door was thrown open and Timothy rushed in breathless and excited.
“Rider coming in!” he shouted. “I think it’s Cousin Ezra! Hurry, Mama!” He raced back out the door as quickly as he’d entered.
Charlotte smiled at his excitement. Jemma had been eight and Timothy six when they’d left Richmond, but they’d met Ezra and they had vague memories of him.
As she stood to follow, Charlotte realized her own heart was racing as well. Smoothing down the front of her plain white blouse she moved to check herself in the mirror on the wall. As she examined her reflection, she was suddenly worried that Ezra might notice that she hadn’t aged. He had no knowledge of her Immortality and she wanted to keep it that way.
“Don’t be silly,” she commented to her reflection. “He won’t remember; it’s been ten years.” Taking a deep breath she opened the door and stepped out onto the porch.
Jemma and Timothy, along with their thirteen-year-old brother Jess, were already accosting the rider. Charlotte took the time to examine the young man who had arrived. A little taller than she remembered, a little broader in the shoulders and the hair a little shorter but it was Ezra.
He was dressed like the riverboat gambler she knew him to be; fancy red coat and low crown black hat. He always was a fastidious dresser; Maude had insisted on that. As if sensing her scrutiny, he turned familiar green eyes to her and smiled revealing two sets of dimples and a gold tooth. When had he picked that up, she wondered.
She returned his smile and held her arms open to him, encouraging him to come to her.
Untangling himself from the trio, he made his way over to her. “Cousin Charlotte, it’s been too long,” Ezra said. His honey sweet southern drawl was just as she remembered.
She hugged him, planting a quick kiss on his cheek. “Ezra, I’ve missed you so much. I was beginning to give up hope that I’d actually get you out here for a visit.”
“I did promise to visit and here I am.”
“Yes, you are,” she said as she squeezed his arm. Over his shoulder, she called, “Tim, see to Cousin Ezra’s horse.”
“Yes, Mama.”
“Where are your things? Surely you plan to stay a while?” Charlotte asked when she noticed that he hadn’t grabbed any saddle bags from his horse.
“Actually, I do plan to stay, but not here,” Ezra admitted. “I have taken a room in Four Corners.”
“Four Corners?” Charlotte was familiar with the town. It was a little over an hour’s ride north, but she seldom went in that direction as the town had developed a rather seedy and wild reputation. She preferred to travel east for her supplies to Doña Ana. “Whatever for? I have plenty of room here.”
“I didn’t want to burden you. You have collected such a growing family,” he said gesturing to the children who had gathered on the porch. He knelt down to greet the newest arrivals. “These must be the twins you wrote me about.”
Charlotte nodded and introduced him to ten-year-old Penny and Patrick. Ezra pulled a pack of cards from his pocket. She smiled as he performed a card trick for the youngsters that made them squeal with delight. He’d always had a way with children. Jemma and Jess had stepped onto the porch to see what the fuss was about. A few more tricks followed, including one that involved a floating coin, before Charlotte interrupted the show.
“Jemma, take the children inside, I need to speak with Cousin Ezra.”
Jess led the moans of regret as they begged for another trick.
“Listen to you mother,” Ezra said as he put the cards away and ruffled Jess’ hair. “There will be plenty of time for more entertainment later.”
Once the children were inside, Charlotte sat down on the wooden bench that had been built on the front porch, gesturing for Ezra to sit next to her. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” He smiled as he joined her. “I just didn’t expect you to feed and board me like old times. I am quite capable of taking care of myself.”
Charlotte studied him and even after all these years she could still tell when he was lying to her. “Try again,” she said simply. “This time the truth. All of it.”
“Dear cousin, you are looking as young and lovely as ever,” he said as he grasped her hand and squeezed it. “The west seems to be agreeing with you.”
“Don’t change the subject. What happened? You were late and I could tell from your letter you left Wyoming in a hurry,” she pushed.
Charlotte had never judged the life that Ezra led, never let him see that she disapproved. Always, she had just wanted to be the person that he could confide in, as rarely as that occurred. Maude had raised him to be a gambler and a confidence man. Charlotte had hoped that her influence would raise him above such use of his intelligence, but his letters only served to confirm that he was Maude’s creation. The partner that her wayward student planned to raise from the first time she’d dropped the five-year-old on Charlotte’s doorstep.
Ezra sighed and leaned back against the house. “I could never lie to you.”
“Never; not when you were five and not now,” she told him, laughing.
The genuine smile that lit up his face indicated that he was glad for the honesty between them. “I stopped in Four Corners on my way here. My reserves were low and there was quite a crowd in the saloon.”
Charlotte knew without him elaborating that he was looking for marks, whether it be a poker game or some other con.
“I found myself being recruited as a hired gun to help protect an Indian village. Now normally I wouldn’t be interested in something like that, but I found the leader of the group, Chris Larabee, and his associates to be rather amusing.”
Charlotte smiled. She remembered how often she’d encouraged Ezra to try things just because they were fun. It would infuriate Maude because there was no profit in fun. Charlotte was happy to see that her push for Ezra to be adventurous for its own sake had taken hold.
Ezra went on to explain why the village was in danger and how they had successfully defeated the soldiers looking for nonexistent gold. “It was quite the battle. I was even able to lend my assistance to fire off the cannon we had captured from the Confederates.”
“You always did like experimenting with explosives,” Charlotte teased. “So you helped save the day. You did a good thing and it is a very noble reason for you to be late getting here.” She put her arm around him in a hug. It was so reminiscent of the days when he’d been her ward that she found herself wishing he was still small enough to lay his head on her shoulder. “I’m proud of you,” she said with a final squeeze before releasing her embrace.
Ezra stared at her, surprise etched on his handsome features at her praise. There was something in his telling that she was missing. The promise of gold had obviously been his initial motivation, but he had stayed and defended his new found friends even though no gold had been forthcoming.
“Ezra?” Charlotte prompted.
He shook his head and laughed. “Not noble. I don’t believe that word should ever be applied to my actions.”
She wasn’t about to argue with him. He’d risked his life for strangers and no reward. That was noble in her mind and it thrilled her that Ezra had let this side of himself shine through.
“If that little adventure is over then why are you staying in Four Corners?”
“In a most unfortunate turn of events, the business that I left behind in Wyoming followed me to this locale. Judge Travis, whose territory now includes Four Corners, was familiar with the exploits of one Ezra Simpson who jumped bail in Fort Laramie.” He paused as if waiting for her recrimination, or withdrawal of her earlier praise.
“Go on,” she said, not supplying any judgment in the phrase.
“In offering my services to help bring a murderer to justice, he pardoned those offenses. As penance, I am required to participate in the protection of the town, along with my six compatriots, for the next thirty days.”
“You are the new law in Four Corners?”
“Do not laugh at the odd turn of events,” he said. “But it seems that I am.”
“Ezra, I’m not laughing. I think this is wonderful,” she said.
“Wonderful? For the pittance of a dollar a day I am forced to endure the indignity of jumping at Mr. Larabee’s every command.”
Charlotte just smiled.
“I find the whole situation to be monumentally ridiculous,” Ezra insisted. “I’ve spent my entire life on the other side of that line and now I find myself having to uphold it.”
“And you’re enjoying every minute of it,” she concluded.
He met her gaze and broke into a wide grin. “I suppose I am. Mother would be apoplectic at the thought of me being a lawman.”
Charlotte’s hand flew to cover her mouth as she let loose a huge belly laugh. “Oh my, I would pay good money to see my cousin’s face when she learns of your latest occupation.”
Ezra chuckled and playfully bumped shoulders with Charlotte. “Well, she will be reading of my new address soon enough. I too wish I was able to see her reaction in person.”
Charlotte sobered immediately. “You told her you were living here, near me?”
Even though her former student had seen fit to use Charlotte as Ezra’s main babysitter over the years, Maude was constantly jealous over the close relationship she’d developed with him. Now that he was nearing Maude’s magical timetable for Immortality, she worried that the younger Immortal might do something rash if she thought she was losing her darling boy to Charlotte’s influence.
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
Flustered, Charlotte quickly composed herself. “No, of course not. I just haven’t seen Maude in years and I suppose your proximately might encourage her to visit,” she finished with a forced smile.
“Oh dear lord, let’s hope not,” he said with a laugh.